Mother's Day 2011

My mom and I had the chance to be in Phoenix for the weekend. It was a quick trip, but just perfect nonetheless. This was the first Mother's Day that all four of us "kids" have been together in 10 years so it was extra special and so fun to all be back in the same place, even if it was just for 48 hours!
Much of the weekend was spent hanging out with Caleb, too! I can't believe how quickly he has grown up; 14 months have certainly flown by!
Erik got the chance to go fishing/camping with Ralph, and spend all of yesterday with Ryan brewing beer and cooking. They are nuts in and about the kitchen, so I am grateful they got to enjoy the time together doing what they love doing! Here are some pictures to recap the weekend.
Things we are looking forward to in the NEAR future:
a) Heading to the Rockies game on Wednesday for Emily's 21st birthday!
b) Flying to San Diego for a long weekend with Matt and Steph to see Steve and Lindsey
c) Christina's and Brent's wedding in 3 WEEKS!
d) Our FIRST anniversary!!

Just Some Practice

I love taking pictures, but realize that I really don't know how to use a camera. Really. So, I had the joy of snapping some pictures of the two and only, Chris and Courtney, and learning the different functions of the camera. Here is a sneak peak of some of the action from the shoot :) Thank you to Chris and Courtney for being my guinea pigs! Enjoy!

Erik's First Beer = Success!

Erik was quick to purchase the Groupon for a home brewing starter kit.  It has always been something he wanted to try, and what better opportunity to do so with a "half-off" Groupon! So, the process began about 8 weeks ago with the purchasing of some hops and malts, and as of Tuesday, Erik has his first completed, ready to drink, beer!

It began in a bucket.  From the bucket it went into a bottle.

And from bottle, to delicious and fully brewed beer in a glass! 

And after the first taste,

he was more than satisfied!

Erik and his boys have started brewing more beer, and Chris has had the genius idea to home brew all the beer for he and Courtney's wedding in August.  On Saturday afternoon's it is not uncommon to find our quaint little kitchen turned into a full blown brewery...and it is so awesome! I love that Erik has found a hobby that he really enjoys, and gets to share in that with his best friends! Come on over and join us for one of the most tasty home brews around :)

A Little Saturday DIY Project...

Erik and I have made it our goal for this Spring/Summer to fix up the yard and do some landscaping to really enjoy the greatness that is our backyard.  It feels like a little bit of a daunting project because we have so much to work with, but we know in the end it will be worth and can only add some value to the house.  

Well, I didn't exactly get started on the backyard today, but I did take care of refinishing a chair that was severely worn by this past winter! It was simply, and really gave the chair back some life.  I just refinished one for today, but will get started on the second some time soon.  All it took was a quick sanding, some taping off of the fabric, and a couple coats of left over grayish-white paint from the house! Follow the fun DIY project below :)

Ralph really enjoyed the project as well.  He managed to step on the paint lid, not once, but twice! Awesome. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend! Oh, and a quick shout out to my wonderful brother-in-law, Ryan...he turned 21 today! Happy Birthday!

And So It Begins!

Wedding season is finally upon us. I LOVE wedding season and couldn't have been more excited to kick it off with a sweet, intimate wedding of a dear friend, and a fun-filled bridal shower for my oldest friend (Oldest not in years, but in length of time being a friend :)).
First, a couple of pictures from the sweet wedding of Rebecca and Sean. This sweet family was surrounded by their closest friends and family as they started their forever together, and the weather could not have been more perfect for the outdoor ceremony!

Today, my mom and I had the chance to throw a bridal shower for my dear, beautiful Christina. She is getting married May 29, and today marked the beginning of wedding festivities! She was showered by some great women and close friends at the Dushanbe Tea House in Boulder. Amazing food, amazing setting, and amazing people!

Love This

Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy as enduring as the grave.
Love flashes like fire,
the brightest kind of flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.

---Song of Songs 8:6-7

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!