Ready for the big Nuggets game tonight!

For the first time in a long, I'm not in the minority as a huge Nuggets fan. With the team stomping New Orleans and Dallas in reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20+ years, Melissa and I have been having a blast watching this team grow! The entire city is now firmly behind them as well. It creates a pretty fun buzz around town.

We are REALLY excited about Game 3 tonight in Denver. Dylan and Dad are already sporting their Nuggets gear for the big game tonight.

When we were in the hospital for two weeks the only TV that I would watch were the Nuggets games as they made a strong late season push to win their division.

I've been "able" to stay up late watching games the past two months as the Nuggets games have became the time when I fed Dylan (when he was bottle feeding early on) or when he and I got to hang out on the couch and get a good snuggle in.

Game 1 against the Lakers was a great game and the Nuggets made too many mistakes in the last 90 seconds of the game before bowing to LA. Carmelo Anthony's play showed me the team was ready to win this series.

For Game 2, I had class and missed all but the last 5 minutes of the game. I called Melissa as I left class and she was INTENSELY into the game - as she has been really into the Nuggets herself for the past two months. Melissa's first comment to me (paraphrasing) was "This is a great game! However I think Kobe has the look on his face like he's going to kill someone and Melo just has this big, confident smile!"

As a semi-interesting side fact: the Nuggets are UNDEFEATED when playing at home since Dylan was born 8 weeks ago. I kind of think that makes him their good luck charm. Here's to the Nuggets winning tonight!

Why I love Boulder...

Continuation of my personal (and biased series)

Reason #3: the Bolder Boulder

50,000+ people will run this year's Bolder Boulder. My first race was in 1998 and I think the participation topped out at 22,000 runners. Every year I have lived in Colorado since then, I have run the race. After graduating college I moved out of state and came back a few times to take part in the Bolder Boulder, just for fun.

I've never really done that "great" in this race. I finish in under an hour and enjoy every second no matter my running stamina. There are bands all throughout the course, locals cheering you on (often with a beer in their hand at 8am), belly dancers lined up in front of their studio, local high school bands playing some "pep" music and a wonderful tour of Boulder you could only get in a race like this!

My first year I ran next to a guy for most of the race that had a crab hat on. I've seen Batman, Superman, Abe Lincoln and other "noteable" figures running. The Smurf's showed up last year.

I remember first few years I ran it I'd see this guy who was offering "free bacon" to runners at around mile marker 1. Not too many brave souls took him up on his offer!

Last year, in 50 degree and overcast weather, I decided to run through a slip-and-slide around mile marker 3 in someone's front yard. It was refreshing but I was wet and cold the west of the way in squeaky shoes (not my best idea).

At the top of the last hill before entering the finish line, you get to see this statue. Due to the unavoidable pain at this point in the race, nobody who is trying for a personal best will notice this statue honoring legendary runner Frank Shorter. Not only did he win a gold medal in the Olympic marathon, he was a co-founder of the Bolder Boulder and won the race in 1981.

The race finishes in CU's stadium. By the end, the stadium is packed and everyone awaits for the post-race festivities to begin. There are parachueters that drop in while a little Lee Greenwood God Bless the USA blares, followed by ceremonies that honor Armed Service veterans and enough overall entertainment in and around the stadium to overwelm any family or racer.

This is a one of a kind race that we thoroughly enjoy. Come visit and take in the festivities with us - we'll always be in town this weekend!

Anyways, the race is next Monday and our family will be there (Dylan and Mom walking with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Gregg). We hope to see you on the course!!

A nice little weekend

"Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time."

Yup, this pretty much sums up our weekend. A family trip with Dylan to Home Depot on Saturday (Ranger was left at home - which is too bad because he loves Home Depot). Anyway, lots of work around the house on the first nice weekend since Dylan was born.

Speaking of which, today he is 7 weeks old. He just measured nearly 20 inches long (by my ruler) and is definitely gaining weight!

He gets to meet Grandpa Gene this week, so there is a lot of excitement around the house!

Here are some recent photos:

With Ranger before going to Mom's final Doctor appointment

Ready to head to Home Depot (by ready, I mean sleepy)
Best Buddies (some how I could see this being a poster to a movie involving a crime solving baby and his sidekick Golden Retriever...)

Yup, the shirt is true!!!

Smiling in his chair