Engagements, and Conferences, and Sickness...Oh My!

So much has been going on in the past three weeks, I can't even believe it!
Engagements:
First, we had four of our best friends get engaged! Chris and Courtney got engaged March 27, and six short days later, Kyle asked Abby for his forever.  Erik and I got to be a big part of Chris and Court's magical day, and it was magical to say the least.  Courtney's parents had been visiting for the weekend, and somehow Chris was able to convince Courtney to take a morning away from them to go on a hike up to Chasm Lake on the trail to Long's Peak.  Erik was there to capture the moment as Chris asked Courtney to marry him! She said "Yes"!

Six days later Kyle and Abby got engaged! We are so excited for both of these perfect couples and it has been fun to watch both of their love grow and mature. What an amazing thing love is and is so evident through the love that we have seen in both Chris and Courtney, and Kyle and Abby. Congratulations you four :)

Conferences:

Erik had the chance to attend and present at the NOAA Climate Change and Water Demand conference in Washington DC through his research at CU.  The conference was literally one day, and total travel time (including driving to and from the airport) was a short 28 hours.  Erik presented to a group of about 30 fellow field professionals on water and climate change.  I found out afterwards that he was presenting to the best of the best in the field, including one man who had his PhD in two different fields.  Erik said that it was intimidating to say the least, and that in some sense he felt unprepared to be presenting to these well educated professionals, however, felt as though it was one of the greatest learning experiences he has had.  He was constantly grilled on his presenting ideas, but was encouraged afterwards when he was approached by the man with two PhD's who told him that he did a great job and that the questions and grilling he received during his presentation were sure to prepare him well for his thesis defense.  In fact, the man told him that his thesis defense would be much easier.  Phew! 

Sickness:

Both Erik and I have been catching spouts of sickness here and there, but nothing too debilitating...until this most recent episode.  I first got sick about a month ago, and it seems that every other week Erik or I will feel under the weather.  This past weekend, the sickness finally took its toll and my body couldn't fight it any longer.  I got the flu, and suffered with it for nearly 5 days.  Cross your fingers that it's over for both of us and we can begin to enjoy the beautiful spring weather that has begun to grace itself here in Colorado! 

Things we are looking forward to in the near future:

- Erik heading to Bozeman, MT to fish the Smith River with some great friends over Easter weekend!

- San Diego in May with our besties Matt and Steph Waller to visit Steve and Lindsey Miller!

- Erik finishing his second to last semester of Graduate School!