Ancient History: Summer 2012 Recap

So remember when we used to blog? We almost forgot, too! It was a busy summer that went right into the beginning of a busy semester, so we'll try to cover all the big stuff...

Jon's first year at CSU finished up very well, and now he's off to the races with a new school year and studying for his qualifying exams (Q.E.'s) that will happen in January.

Carrie finished up her temporary appointment with the Dept. of Communication Studies at CSU and is now working full time for the Dept. of Music, Theatre & Dance doing marketing/publicity and working with alumni and donors there - loving the chance to stay connected with the arts and be in the CSU environment. Using her employee study privilege, she's also started taking a class this semester to think about in what area she might like to pursue a Master's degree.

But as we look back on our first full summer here in Colorado, there is much to tell!

High Park Fire smoke from near our house

Carrie's brother, Joe, and his fiance, Shelby, got married at the end of June down in Colorado Springs. As a small side-track, earlier in the summer, we learned just how volatile the climate out here can be. It turned out to be one of the worst summers for wild fires in Colorado. The High Park Fire was one of the largest in the state's history - located only about 15 miles west of us here in Fort Collins and burning about 90,000 acres and several homes.

With several other fires all over the state, the Tuesday before Joe and Shelby's Saturday wedding, a fire just west of Colorado Springs burned down the Flying W Ranch (their wedding location). In a mad scramble by Joe, Shelby, and the families - some friends offered their church in Colorado Springs where the wedding was held and turned out just beautifully! It was a wonderful time, and the two of them could not have been happier that they were just able to get married - even through trial by fire! We were blessed to spend some time with Scott and Lisa Brady (Scott is the pastor that married us). They flew out here, and having them be part of our family for a couple weeks was a wonderful time.

We are SO incredibly happy for Joe and Shelby, and enjoyed a chance to have dear family and friends visit us out here. Joe and Shelby are now living in Laredo, TX, while Joe is finishing up a construction job - hoping that they come back to Colorado soon!

Houtz and Smith families at the wedding!

Feasting in Estes after a day in Rocky Mountain National Park

Grandma Smith enjoying her dinner

On the train up Pike's Peak with  Pearse

Moving into July, Jon's parents came for their second visit to Colorado. We picked them up at the airport in Denver, whisked them into the car, and immediately left for a long drive up to Wyoming that day for a few days spent in Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks. What an amazing vacation! Scenery and wildlife - some of the most beautiful parts of creation we've ever seen! A couple of the highlights were seeing the bison RIGHT next to our car, the amazing hot springs, hiking in the Grand Tetons, hidden waterfalls, and our wonderful lodge with the hot tub cabin!

As always, it's hard to say goodbye to family, but we live for times we get to spend together! Now that  we're getting to end of October, starting to think about the holidays, we are looking forward to being home in PA with everyone, and promise to better about updates!

Grand Teton National Park

Artist's Point in Yellowstone

In the town of Jackson

Chapel of Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park

Mountain Adventures

So it's been a while - we've been hard at work and play out here in the mountains! Carrie has moved up to working full-time at CSU and Jon has been working hard in his second semester of grad school.

We also recently had some time over CSU's spring break to head up to Rocky Mountain National Park again and try out some snowshoeing! It's definitely a good workout and fun to tour around the park with all the snow and pretty views. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

A hike to Bierstadt Lake

Alberta Falls--or at least where they are when they're not frozen and covered with snow

Resting up before the trek back

The killer squirrel that almost crawled up Jon's arm! He was a brave little bugger!

Ready to get back on the trail

Almost there!

Pretty view just hiking through the park

Brand New Year

So it's been a little while since we last wrote, but so much has been happening this past month that it's been hard to keep up with things.

Carrie's new job has really taken off and she's happy to be "back in the saddle" doing what she loves. Jon's semester finished up well with good grades and all--now onto the REALLY tough semesters ahead!

 After Thanksgiving we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary by staying at a cabin up near Estes Park for a night. It was a beautiful place, complete with a hot tub just for us. Sitting out there in the snow was a pretty cool experience--we will definitely be going back there sometime! It was a wonderful way to celebrate our 2 years of wedded bliss and how far we've come (quite literally!). We are so blessed to have each other to spend our lives with.

The holidays were a little different this year. Carrie's grandmother (dad's mom) passed away a little over a week before Christmas (rather suddenly), so that made the distance from family at this time of year even more difficult. She was 90 years old and had literally dozens of grandchildren and even great-grandchildren - a remarkable woman. We mourn her loss, but are happy to think of her now with Pap (who passed away in 1996) and with her Savior. He must have needed her there in Heaven.

We also missed some family activities that we normally do the weeks leading up to Christmas, so we are feeling that void pretty keenly this first year that we are not within driving distance. But God is good - Jon's parents flew us home for the holidays, so we were able to be with family for about a week. It was a much needed rest and reunion - we were sad to leave.

2011 was a big year for us - lots of changes, some happy, some sad - but that's life, right? We are looking forward to this new year and seeing what 2012 holds for us! Best wishes to you for a wonderful new year, as well!