Dinner was packed for our evening birthday adventure…
Delicious, delicious ciabatta bread.
We headed towards Boulder, still with no idea where we were really going. I thought parking somewhere to watch fireworks, but I was wrong! We went about 15min past Boulder to a little town called Sugarloaf. We parked the car and hiked a little over a mile to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. Even though it was only 1 mile it was a pretty great leg workout!
The peak was really barren + charred, from a fire awhile back. When we got to the top, there was not a sole around and this was our view.
It was a small peak with a 360* view.
[Chris took most of these photos]
After a scorching 95*+ day in Denver, this was refreshing. It was in the 60’s and windy.
We took a few photos + walked around and then dug into our dinner.
Such a fun surprise!! It was really fun to celebrate my birthday doing so many fun things with Chris all day long.
It’s kind of hard to tell in this photo, but I’m actually sitting in a chair that someone made from the rock pile. There were 2 right next to each other. They had a seat + back + arms and were actually comfy to sit it, despite the fact that they were rocks.
The sweet rock chairs faced the way the sun sets. Perrrfect! Chris read something about the chairs online and thought it sounded really cool. He also read it’s a spot most people don’t know about but perfect to watch the sunset.
I think the rest of the photos are mine, except for the ones that I’m in..duh 
It was such a gorgeous night. I think a huge smile was plastered to my face ALL day long.
The huz even packed wine glasses in his backpack! Smooooth
I was on sandwich making duty!
Resting on the “arm” of the chair…I asked Chris if they reclined
Many of these were eaten. Holy moly…bread + goat cheese + jelly = freaking amazing – We both loved it!
samich view
mountain view
Right after the sun dipped over the mountains.
Definitely got chilly…glad we brought layers!
It’s amazing how far you can see.
And then out came a bag with a cupcake in it.
It was a super delicious carrot cake muffin with vanilla bean cream cheese frosting. WHOA. It was amazing.
I could have eaten three, for sure…I was nice + let Chris get a bite or two.
I enjoyed.
I have sooooooooo much to learn about outdoor photography!!
The clouds in Colorado are crazy. They’re the most interesting clouds I have ever seen…I know that sounds weird but it’s true!
So that was my awesome birthday surprise night.
I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday.
I have amazing family + friends.
I am SO very lucky.
<3
Ashley
p.s. Thank YOU all for the wonderful happy birthday messages. They were really fun to read 
PDF 
Wooowzer!! I officially want to live where you are – what STUNNING views! And I gotta say, that is such a romantic and wonderful birthday thing to do, and so thoughtful
you are a lucky, lucky lady!
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Great post! I’m glad you had such a nice time in the mountains. Summertime in the mountains is easily my fav time…it’s great to be able to escape the summer heat so easily and with those kinds of views to keep you company, how can you possibly go wrong? Just lovely.
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The sky is so gorgeous! Your pictures just keep getting better and better. Love them!
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This little surprise sounds amazing!!! What an incredible view, dinner and time spent with your hubby!! I’m sure it was even more amazing since he has been away for so long.
Glad you enjoyed your day. You truly deserved it!
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WOW – what great photography!! The clouds are amazing!
Happy Birthday!! What a perfect day.
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WOW he outdid himself! That is so nice. I love Sugarloaf…went snowboarding there many years ago. Beautiful..the perfect bday destination!
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What beautiful pics! So glad you had a great birthday
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What amazing adventure! How sweet and thoughtful! You deserve it – he had been gone for so long!
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What a wonderful birthday! I love the picnic, and your hubby is amazing with the wine and cupcake
xo
Kris
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how fun! This post made me miss the mountains of the West! Gorgeous views and gorgeous clouds! they don’t get clouds like that in NC. Chris is totally smooth…nice job!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I miss the NC mountains sometime though…so green + lush! I’m lovin CO too though! haha smooth operator
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Wow, Ashley! Looks like an amazing time
Gorgeous photos, as always. Must be good to have your hubby back home — Can’t wait to catch up on your posts!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Yes…sooooo glad he’s home!
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Oh my gosh Ash – what a fabulous surprise! Your husband is so sweet and thought of everything
And I could totally sit on those genius rock chairs for hours – beautiful views! Glad you had a good birthday!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Yes, it was awesome!!
You’ll have to come visit..we’ll take you there for sure!! 
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Gorgeous! My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Colorado Springs. I’d love to spend more time hiking and picnicking in the mountains!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Oooh, I bet that was awesome!
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Beautiful pictures, as always. What a great birthday!
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Oh wow, what a romantic birthday celebration!
I love the depth of field in your pictures too. Especially the wine glass one.
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Thanks girlie!!
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wow, such beautiful pictures, I bet it was an awesome day!
such a romantic birthday
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What an awesome adventure! I totally agree about CO clouds…they are always interesting and always changing!
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Ahh, gorgeous Colorado… I just can’t get enough of it! My boyfriend’s family lives up in the mountains, about 30 minutes from Breck and I just love every opportunity we get to go out there.
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I have yet to go up there in the summer..must do it soon!
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happy birthday girlie!! wow amazing, it doesnt get much mroe perfect than that does it?!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Thanks!!! Nope..it was fabulous!
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What a great birthday surprise! The huz gets bonus points!
My husband and I LOVE Colorado. It’s probably the only place outside of CA I would consider living. Beautiful!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
haha, major bonus points
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Looks like you had a FANTASTIC birthday!
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You are adorable!! Simply adorable!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
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More fun was had! It looks truly amazing lady! It makes me so happy to see that you had such an amazing birthday with the man you love!
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Awww, thank you!!!
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Ah, how sweet. Sometimes simple birthdays are the best ones
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Definitely!!
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sugarloaf is gorgeous! what a beautiful view…i’ll need to do that this coming weekend
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so happy you had such a fantastic birthday! colorado looks just stunning! xo.
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
It was quite fabulous…and yes CO is amazing..you should come visit
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Those views are just amazing and it looks like you had a fabulous time on your birthday!!
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How did I miss that you had a birthday?! Happy Birthday, Ash! Such gorgeous food, gorgeous photos and gorgeous cupcakes for a gorgeous girl (inside and out!).
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Ashley Reply:
July 6th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Thank you so much!!
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oh that looks like the perfect day! Happy Birthday!
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That’s so cute that he planned every little detail. Love it. Beautiful photos.
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Good photos, good views, good food! Looks like such a perfect day, how romantic.
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wow, the photos are STUNNING, and this looks SO fun!
you ARE lucky… he thought of everything (wine glasses, YES!)
so very cool. glad you enjoyed
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oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
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Oh my – AH-MAAAA-ZING!!!
What a simply perfect evening!!!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my most favorite bloggers! What a beautiful night, and what a keeper of a husband…wine and cupcakes?! AND he lets you take his pictures without getting cranky!? Hopefully you got some great birthday you-know-what later, too. Had to say it.
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That is breathtaking! You have a wonderful, thoughtful husband!!!
And those cupcake pics are so cute!
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HAppy Birthday! The views are AWESOME! ANd I lOoooove Jam+goat cheese sammies! My favorite is boysenberry preserves + goat cheese melted in the microwave for 30 seconds on crunchy whole grain bread!
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What an amazing birthday surprise!!!! Your hubby is a keeper!
The pics are also beautiful. I want to go to CO so bad!! What views ahhh!!
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Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!!
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Happy belated birthday!! I don’t know what you are talking about, those landscape shots are stunning!!!
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Gorgeous pictures!! Mountains always make the perfect backdrop
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What beautiful pictures!! Is this what you do every day?? UHH I’m so jealous. Happy Belated Birthday as well!
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Ashley Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Hahah, not everyday!!
Thanks!
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What a great birthday! I’ve been loving your blog and recipes for a while. I have to say, all the photos of Boulder make me homesick for those childhood years growing up there. You are totally right that Colorado has the coolest looking clouds.
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