ATL

As Sam enters the second half of his Junior year in high school he is already looking ahead at what/where he wants to be after graduation (yes, quite the driven one this guy!)

He recently had the brilliant realization that he should focus on being in the right place first, then figuring out the right course of study would follow. So he has started to focus on larger universities in urban areas with plenty of engineering options... so naturally we thought of: Georgia Tech! (Go Jackets!!!)

Of course we had to go visit...

It was a super-quick trip so that neither of us would miss much work/school... but we crammed as much into 24 hours as possible! We experienced an information session with the Aerospace Engineering Program, a self-guided tour of campus, and a meet up with a friend-of-a-friend's super cool daughter/Tech student who was so gracious to meet us and talk to Sam about the school:

We even squeezed in a quick visit to the zoo to see the pandas!!!!🐼

No doubt it was a great introduction to what life after high school has to offer - including incredible programming, fun mascots and interesting people, and of course all the entertainment and dining options that come with living in a big city.

And of course, I always love to go explore a fun city - especially when it's my old stomping ground. I definitely need to get back soon and see some friends... until then I'll keep taking Sam wherever he wants to go tour!

Happy New Year

We spent the first week of 2024 on the slopes - with cousins!

The Etheridge's drove out from Southern California for a Sunlight ski vacation and it was a great success! All 3 cousins ended the week skiing like champs and I believe they had as much fun as anyone playing in the snow and zooming down the mountain. As a side note, I'm super proud of Hamp and Sam for being such good ski instructors and trail leaders - they were so patient and sweet!

Of course, Mojo and Dado came too - and enjoyed watching all 5 grandkids crest the hill and ski down to the lodge.

I'm so grateful for their travels and getting us all together for a fun family week!

best way to spend Christmas Day in Meeker

Our Christmas adventures this year were pretty mild - with Hamp home, the 3 of us enjoyed the long weekend together. The boys did some skiing before and after the holiday, we enjoyed visits with friends, indulged on good food and generous gifts... and while the boys chose to stay in town and go sledding, Penny and I snowshoed in to the yurt for a Christmas beer in the sunshine!

Hoping your holidays have been merry and bright!

Thanksgiving

I felt truly lucky this holiday to host family in Meeker!

Yaya & Papa drove all the way from Mississippi to visit us in the mountains - stopping to visit family along the way and pick up Hamp in Boulder! It worked out beautifully...

We had great weather - unseasonably warm and dry - which lent itself to some good hiking with Penny and a climb up the mountain for the perfect tree!

It was great that we were all together... having Hamp home, and Penny join us, and family from across the state and across the country, and dear friends, too made it really easy to be thankful!

lucky Penny

When I told our local Animal Control Officer that I would foster Penny for the weekend... I kind of already knew that there was a very good chance that she might never be going back to the dog shelter.

A 3-year old mix of cattle dog, rottweiler, and terrier, Penny is absolutely the right fit for our home at the right time... she is attentive, loyal, well-trained, sweet, and an excellent trail hiker!

And I am not sure who is happier that she has found a new home with us:

Having her has made such a difference in our home, and in our lives these last couple of weeks... I look forward to many years of good, long hikes with Penny.

more weekend adventures

 Sam and I decided that another quick trip out of town to see another National Park was in order for last weekend... so we took off Friday night for the San Luis Valley in central Colorado and spent a day exploring and climbing the Great Sand Dunes! It was an amazing day - the sky really was that blue, the dunes really are that high, and the surrounding mountains really are that majestic. 

Homecoming faves

Sam's Junior Homecoming was so fun: a week full of dress-up days and activities, a parade, volleyball and football games, and a dinner/dance with all his friends.

No doubt his favorite part was probably the Peach Fuzz volleyball game where the Class of '25 nearly dominated... but of course the Seniors ended up "winning". Next year, boys... next year!

Or maybe Sam's favorite part was the parade - where Sam rode in a tractor (???) to represent his class as a homecoming court nominee...

...then ran back and jumped in a cart to represent the boys' Golf Team in their "float"!

But then later that night at the football game, he had a new favorite moment when he was announced as 1st attendant for the Homecoming Court! He was so surprised and grateful and honored.

Then again... perhaps his favorite part was getting dressed up and being all smiles with so many of his best friends before the Homecoming Dance!