Capitol City

Last weekend, it was finally "warm" enough for Geoff and I to walk around outside without having to wear multiple layers.  And by warm I mean sunny and upper 30s.  After a week filled with snow, highs in the low 20s, and lots and lots of wool sock and long underwear, this was a heat wave to us northern newbies.  So we spent our Saturday afternoon discovering new stores downtown and checking out the capitol.  I have said from day one we need to go visit the capitol.  Here is a fun fact for you, I've never visited a state capitol, so I was kinda like a little kid.  We seep the capitol on a daily basis, but I didn't realize how big it actually was until we were up close.  Being a public building, it is open every day, so we walked right on in.  I found it odd that we didn't have to pass security of any type.  In fact it wasn't until we were leaving that we even saw a security guard of any type.  We decided to opt out of a tour on this day and caught a bit of a tour in progress with a boyscout group where we learned some interesting facts.  We got to see the State Christmas tree which had an ornament from each county in the state.  The building was soo ornate and full of marble and details, details, details!!

The Capitol with the Occupy Lincoln Camp.  Haha silly teepee!!

Statue of Abraham Lincoln with the Gettysburg Address on the background.  Pretty neat. 

Us with the Christmas Tree

This chandelier weighs as much as a Volkswagen Bug! 

The ceilings were so neat!!

We had a great day.  And we truly love living in Lincoln.  There is so much to do.  We discover something new nearly everywhere we go.  We just wish we were closer to our family and friends.  Especially this time of year, I realize how we took for granted having all of our family and friends so close to us.  I'm looking forward to going home for Christmas more than ever!!

Roscoe, We're Not in Missouri Anymore

Its hard to believe we are going on our 6th month of living here in Lincoln! While we miss our families and friends back in Joplin, we are truly loving the opportunity God has given us in Lincoln.  I think back to our first week here and so many things have changed.  We have living room and bedroom furniture, I have a job, we have a Church, I can successfully navigate to pretty much anywhere I want to go in town, we've learned that you don't go downtown on game days, even for a little bit and that when people ask you about or talk to you about the Huskers you just stand there and smile and nod your head.  Even though we are in the "midwest" you don't have the southern hospitality or charm like in Joplin.  People aren't going to invite the new people in town over for dinner and a slice a pie, but they aren't going to be completely rude either.  Although, we are slowly starting to make some progress in the friend department.  We got invited over to someone's house for lunch next Sunday after church!  Woot!!!

We've also learned that people know how to handle winter around here.  Its become a joke between Geoff and I that it isn't "cold" outside but "brisk."  Each morning the weather man reports of mornings starting in the the low 30s and getting up into the 40s and that its "going to be brisk out today," while back in Joplin that would just be plain cold.  Although, this week we are learning a new type of cold.  Mornings in the single digits and hoping to make it past freezing by the end of the day!  This justifies a "cold" day to the weather men here.  And with cold weather comes the debate of indoor or outdoor recess.  Back in Joplin we wouldn't go out unless in was about 32 degress; here we're out as long as it is above ZERO!!! Even if snow is on the ground, we are outside!!  I learned this today, and boy was it an experience.  Snow and recess do not mix, no matter what the circumstances are! 

Speaking of snow, we got our first snowfall of the year on Saturday!!  And although I hate it for recess purposes, I just love snow!  It is so pretty.  I told Geoff that it makes everything look like a Christmas card!  Plus, the roads got cleared off and were ready to go the next day.  I can handle snow when its cleaned off like it is here!  Roscoe on the other hand, now that's a different story.  He does not enjoy the snow, bless his little hound dog heart.

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving

After a busy trip to Fort Collins, catching up on laundry, getting back to work, Geoff getting sick, then I got sick.... I am finally able to blog about our Thanksgiving!! Geoff and I were very excited to get to spend Thanksgiving with his brother Doug and family.  Plus who doesn't love a trip to the mountains?!?! I was excited as well since this was my first Thanksgiving as a Karhoff!  As usual, we spent Thanksgiving day feasting on all sorts of yummy foods and watching the Lion's, unfortunately but typically, lose to the Packers.  And of course a couple of naps were had by most all.  That evening, Amber and I headed out to Toys R Us to score some sweet deals on Black Friday Sales for the kiddos.  And thankfully, they opened at 9pm so we could go shopping and come home to sleep!

Friday was a super exciting day.  We decided to take off and go up to Estes Park and look around since Geoff and I had never been there.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  We both said that we are definitely going to live there some day! Unfortunately it was super crowded for the Christmas Light Parade and really cold.  So we said we will plan better next year and go watch the parade.  Then it was time to take off to head to Denver to eat at Casa Bonita!!! I had never eaten at Casa Bonita so I was super pumped, and let me say, it did not let me down!  It was totally awesome. 

Saturday we went to Downtown Fort Collins to go ice skating!!! I love ice skating, Geoff on the other hand, not so much.  So I was really happy to have a chance to go with Amber and Raegen.  The boys decided they would just watch and swap manly stories.  That evening I got to go with Amber and Raegen to a dinner theater to see White Christmas.  It was fantastic but nothing beats Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby.  Plus our very flamboyant waiter, Ryan, was also in the chorus and he truly thought he was the star.  We all had a great time enjoying his facials, and he was Raegan's favorite character!

Geoff and I loved our visit and are looking forward to making this a yearly tradition!  Here are a few highlights from our trip:

Geoff and his new little Buddy. 

Us in Estes Park

 

At Casa Bonita, I was a little excited.

Cliff Divers

Ice Skating with Raegan.

B.T.W. My Gorillas just beat Northwest Missouri State for the second time this year!! One step closer to the NCAA DII CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! GGOOOORRRIIILLLAAASSS!!!!!!!!