Denver!

Sorry this blog is so late, but we've been busy! Jan 8-11th we visited Denver, CO for Ed's ASCE Young Member's Conference. Kristin spent some time relaxing at the Bed and Breakfast (Queen Anne's) while Ed was busy learning how to be young leader! We enjoyed some really great local food based on recommendations from our Inn Keepers and had a lot of fun. The Bed and Breakfast was "green" and featured all sorts of interesting components - sustainably harvested wood for bed frames and tables, an all local foods breakfast, local Colorado wine tasting at 6pm, and many more. One of my favorite things was the Lavender Lemon Cookies throughout the day! They were so yummy! I got the recipe and even bought some lavender buds at a Denver spice shop! I've already made them for Ed and I's offices, although they came out much smaller than expected.

Below are some pics from the bed and breakfast:



On Sunday, before we flew home, we drove up to Estes Park and one of the entrances to the Rocky Mountain National Park - it was gorgeous!!! Below are some pictures from RMNP and Estes Park:

Brazos Bend w/ H$ and Gators

Back on Jan 3 we took Harmony (aka H$) to Brazos Bend with the challenge of finding the elusive crock. We had to do a lot of walking before we saw our first one. The first couple crocks we saw were so far away that we could barely make them out. As we continued towards a couple lakes where we were told we would see more wildlife, be started to see more and more crocks just laying around. Even though there was prey abound and our wishful encouragement, the crocks just continued to lay there. Yeah, just lay there. Like they couldn't even snap at one poor helpless waterfowl. The best part was stopping by a fishing dock where we were not disappointed with how close some crocks came up to where people were just fishing without a care. The best picture is, well hopefully you can guess, is the warning sign with the bicycle missing cyclist. Where they eatin by the crock or ...?

House Projects

Ed and I had some great ideas on organizing the kitchen while on our honeymoon. When we got back, we tried to build them with the Home Depot gift cards we got for wedding presents - 1 project came out really well (the shelf) and the other not so well. I didn't put up pics of the second one yet - the pantry overhaul...but as soon as we complete it and get it functional, I'll post pics of that as well! For now, here is our "Pots and Pans Shelf"

Inks Lake with Matt and Ash

Ed and I are stuck here in Houston for the holidays due to a severe lack of vacation hours (and money) and coincidentally so were Matt and Ashley! So we had Christmas dinner together (on our new China!) and then headed to Inks Lake for Matt and Ashley's first backpacking experience. I have to admit, it wasn't the most difficult of hikes, but it was beautiful weather and we were the only primitive campers there!

We had a bit of a scare when we heard a truck stuck in the dirt and then heard a gun shot...way after dark...but the LCRA rangers came to check it out and it was some illegal after-hours hunting at the "Deer Park" next door to Inks Lake.

After calming down from that, we had some fun using the long term exposure on the camera(s) and headlamps...came out with some pretty freaky photos - these are all natural - no photoshopping...

Wedding Pictures!

Our wedding pictures came in! They're awesome and we're so happy with Jason's work - Here's the website, but we'll be getting a CD with all the pics soon - let us know if you would like any of them! There are a TON of photos...if you're looking for more of an overview rather than every single pictures, feel free to check out the "Kristin's Favorites" at the bottom right of the page - that's only about 200 photos. Enojy!

Our Wedding Pics

Alaska!

I went to Alaska for the first time last week! It was amazing!! It was for work, so I was only there for a few days, but it was really awesome! I drove on ice and experienced iced windshields and saw LOTS of snow! We go back to present results in March and I'm hoping Ed can come and we can stay a few extra days! Here are some of the pictures:

Thanksgiving and Ashley's Dinner

Once we returned from Belize, we went to Christina and Paul's for a late-Thanksgiving with Christina, Paul, and Ashley. We had some great food on some awesome china and some great drinks! There was turkey and mashed potatoes and green bean casserole and ham and broccoli casserole and pie! Ed was the official photographer - so here are some pics.



This past weekend we went over to Ashley's for a delicious Italian style meal with Shrimp Scampi and veggie alfredo and tons of other pasta and sauces. Ed and I brought a bread dipping sauce made from all the herbs we collected from the garden after trimming. We had a great time with Ashley and Matt and Paul and Christina and Greg - great wine, great food and a great time! We're so lucky to have great friends that can cook! Although now we can't WAIT to have a dinner at our place on our new china!