My Birthday Weekend

view from our room

the semi frozen lake with walkway down the middle

the front

beautiful details

bronco ice sculpture at sunday brunch

On Sunday I turned 34.  I honestly don’t know how I feel about this.  I suppose I feel ok, since I still feel like I’m in my 20’s.  But since turning 30 I’ve had some pretty major life changing stuff happen to me.  I guess it’s just weird to me to think that I’m in my mid-thirties.  I also think about what 34 will bring.  I’ll be a Mom at 34.  Sounds like a good age to me.  I think a couple of years earlier would have been ok too, but I’ve learned that my life’s plan wasn’t and isn’t up to me. 

My birthday is a big deal to me.  I’ve had some pretty horrible birthdays, and some fantastic ones.  This one ranks high with the best.  I truly value a plan, and this is something Chris as grown into as we’ve known each other.  I knew that he had my birthday weekend planned before Christmas, and with that I was already so impressed.  The weeks leading up to the big day I could tell we would be going somewhere, I just didn’t know where. 

On Saturday morning we woke up, and he advised me we would be going down to Colorado Springs to stay at the Broadmoor Hotel.  Prior to living in Colorado I had never heard of this hotel, but it’s pretty popular and super fancy.  I was so excited.  He had our meals plans (another big score) and off we went.  We had breakfast downtown, and stopped at IKEA before arriving in the Springs.  We made our first big purchase at IKEA for Baby Sweat: a white dresser for $80! 

Once we arrived at the Broadmoor it was like we were a world away.  The hotel itself is sorta tucked up against the mountains, like Albuquerque the mountains in CO Springs are much closer to the actual city compared to Denver.  We had our car valet and treated like royalty.  We were escorted inside the original lobby from 1919, and checked-in.  From there a bellman escorted us to our room and gave us a little history behind the property.  High class all the way around.  Once we checked out everything in the room we walked around the property.  We stopped and had a snack at the coffee/pastry shop.  Then did some shopping.  

While walking around I could just imagine people walking around in the 1920’s (one of my favorite times in US History), with their skinny cigarette’s and formal wear of flapper dresses and top hats.  I imagine a place like the Broadmoor was a place to go and be seen back then.  The hotel as lots of specialty shops so we walked around and looked at all the high-end fancy stuff.  After shopping for a bit we went back to the room and got ready for dinner.  Then we walked around this beautiful lake they have between the properties.  We stopped by where the indoor pool and spa were, very glamorous!  Then we made our way inside to just sit and relax.  The hotel itself has so many details.  Tiles and flowers, and beautiful chandeliers.  I really wish I would have taken more pictures!  It reminded me of what an old school Bellagio would be like.  After just hanging out for a bit we went to dinner on site at a restaurant called the Tavern, a classic steak and seafood place.  Very delicious!  After dinner the restaurant had live music, so we did some dancing which I truly enjoyed.  Dancing with Chris was a big highlight for me!  Sunday we went to the popular Sunday Brunch.  I’m not a big fan of buffets, just because there is so much, and that is true for this one.  So.Much.Food.  But we had a great time, and had lots of good stuff. 

Then we were on the road back home, and made it back just in time to watch the Bronco game!  Such a good game, and for the most part we played really well.  Ending my birthday with a Bronco win and a trip to the Super Bowl was just the cherry on top!

This little getaway will most likely be the last one for awhile, as we have a list of “to-do’s” to prepare for Baby Sweat in the next few months.  I truly appreciate everything that Chris has done, and this birthday was a big example of that.