A sweet new friend invited us to join her family and some other friends to see the lighting of the trees at the historic Broadmoor Hotel and Resort here in Colorado Springs last weekend. It's the kind of event that you find more enchanting than any description would've prepared you for, partly because of the location (one of the most gorgeous buildings I've ever seen on this continent) and partly because of the millions of twinkle lights. We got there in time to visit awhile with our friends and dance to Christmas music all the while enjoying the happy crowds and lake full of geese in front of us. There was a Dixie Band that led Santa and his elves across the bridge to light the big tree and then the whole lake lit up. It was beautiful.
By the time the it was over the kids were getting antsy and we were all famished so we didn't get to stroll the grounds much but I'm thinking I can get Brett to take me on a date night to walk around with hot chocolate in hand. Talk about romantic!
We did manage to get some fun shots in front of this wrapped willow tree. They're a bit blurry again but we'll take what we can get. It turns out my viewfinder has been messed with a bit and has been out of focus and causing some blur. The worst part is that I didn't even notice for so long! My friend Tara's husband happens to be a photographer and noticed it was off when I asked him to use my camera to take a picture of us on the lake. I think it's time to take it in to get cleaned and adjusted. Oh, and time for me to get my eyes checked. There's been a little more squinting lately!
It was a festive start to the season and one of those things we wouldn't have heard about had we not been invited by someone who'd been there before. It prompted yet another list on my kitchen chalkboard of all the things I'd like to do as a family to fully enjoy this holiday season. We usually do small activities with an Advent calendar but I'm also trying to think outside the typical and hoping to include another activity or two in the vein of guerilla art. Maybe we'll glitter a bunch of pinecones and hang them in a pine tree at the park or doorbell ditch a movie night box to some neighbors. The wheels are spinning!
Do you have any special plans to celebrate this season? It's my absolute favorite!
-Rachel
Image credit: B/W photo by Luc
