is it over or just a break?

no post since June, huh? I knew it had been awhile but didn't realize it was that long.

Sorry.

Really, this whole blog thing started to become tedious and unfulfilling. I felt my posts were uninteresting and I started to get frustrated with a lack of understanding why some applications and pictures weren't working.

Oh yeah, and I've been BUSY. :)

School was nothing short of overwhelming at times, this past semester. 17 credit hours, 7 classes plus an online pet nutrition course kept me pretty busy.

Also, I really do feel like my posts - my whole blogging style, really - is uninteresting. Let me know if you feel otherwise or have any tips for me. I'm considering revving this thing up again but doing things different.....

less words, more pictures.

Here's one for starters. A picture outside our living room in October after the first big snow of the season.

i need help

how can i get pictures to fit "just right" behind my blog title? This is so frustrating. I feel like i have no creative control over my blog and I am clueless as to how to remedy that.
H.E.L.P.

Snowmass Chili & Brewfest 2009

We went to the Chili & Brewfest in Snowmass again this year.


Only this year we (Ladd, really) went as competitors, too.

His "Kansas City Pale Ale" (his rendition of Boulevard's Pale Ale) went over well with the crowd. Though it didn't "win" anything, his keg did get tapped.
That is always a good sign. :)




There was an impressive amount of microbreweries there this year with delicious samples to devour.
Music was excellent again with Leftover Salmon, MOE and Particle.
And with this view, how could anybody not have a good time. :)

green

Its rained so much here throughout May and June. I've loved it. Everything is SO GREEN. More green than usual. Today was the first day it reached 80 degrees.



Ahhh, Colorado.....

turning 30

Ladd turned the big 3-0 this March.

I planned a fun weekend in Denver for his birthday.

His folks barely missed the snow and ice storm that swept through Kansas that day and drove all the way to Denver to spend some time with their son, the "baby" of the family.
I also arranged for a couple of his friends to arrive in Denver Saturday night and surprise him at dinner. It went smoothly (short Devin being stuck in Kansas due to the ice - WE MISSED YOU SO!!!) and ladd was pleasantly surprised! Bueno!
We toured a microbrewery, drank and ate at a brewpub, knocked another Hard Rock Cafe off the list (no list, actually) and visited with family, friends and locals.

GOOD. TIMES.

Oh, yeah! How could I forget!?!?! Ladd requested a cheesecake for his birthday. I have never made one. needless to say, it turned out WAY better than I expected, for my first try. NO CRACKS!!! However, the edges crumbled a bit due to not enough buttering of the pan. It tasted maaaaa-velous!!!

love you baby!

 

new toy

So I finally decided on a new camera.

So far i am happy with it. Quite a bit, actually.

I do realize i have A TON to learn about it, though. It came with a big instruction manual as well as a CD. I intend to educate myself of its abilities.... eventually. I despise reading instruction manuals.

L.O.A.T.H. I.T.

Until i muster up the discipline to get educated on my new toy, i will be snapping photos with blissful ignorance!

Here are a few samples from the first couple days I had the camera. I played a lot with the lighting and focus. This baby has a crazy long zoom for a point and shoot and I have some practicing to do, but it was one of the features that helped me choose it.

As I said, i am aware that I have a lot to learn about this camera before I get the best pictures from it.

 

wildlife management week 3

week three was bird lab

we practiced foot braces and wing wraps and blood draws on pidgeons. They were remarkably fantastic patients!!
We then drew blood from the resident red tail hawk. She too was well mannered.
We ended with taking some blood samples from a rescued and rehabilitated golden eagle. We then got to participate in her release to the wild.
pretty cool.