Family Time (part 1)

While we were back in the States, Brett and I parted ways for a couple of weeks so we could each visit our families. Brett's take:

I was lucky enough to get to make my semi-annual pilgrimage up north to the enchanted lake country of Minnesota. I spent quality time with friends in their lake cabin, along with all their sets of kids…a new generation of friends! I then ventured off alone in a canoe to find a perfect northland campsite for listening to the calls of loons.



The Nelson/Myer family trip to Wisconsin Dells was a raisin-toed success. It was great getting to spend time with our new wonderful nephew, Coleman, and his big sister, Kylee. We loaded up into 2 cars and drove to the Midwest’s waterpark capital. We spent many hours in waterslides and lazy rivers, and took a boat tour of the world-famous Dells (beautiful rock formations that had been carved by the Wisconsin River). Kylee and Coleman absolutely loved playing in the pools and slides, which proves that these water-loving munchkins have been Minnesota-born and raised.

Take Me Home Country Roads

Woot-woot! When we got back to the States, we high-tailed it out to Colorado. Nearing our valley on 1-70, you can catch glimpses of one of our favorite home-town rapids, Shoshone, on the Colorado River. I was kind of like a monkey in a tree trying to climb over Brett’s driver’s seat in order to get a sneak peek of how it was flowing. My efforts were well rewarded—the river was looking fantastic, and miraculously, we managed to make it home for the peak of high water! It was pretty dreamy getting together with friends and playing in the mountains. We managed to fit in quite a few days on the river where we rafted with friends, I got in some fun rapids with the kayak, we got to see a free concert of one of our old favorite bands (Freddy Jones Band), we went backpacking in the Maroon Bells, the bluegrass band Brett plays with, Hell Roaring String Band, did a reunion gig at Ella, we got to camp and hang out with the A-town posse (including the little guys, Bodhi and Mason), we had numerous breakfasts at the greatest brekkie joint ever—The Smithy—and we even attended the dedication ceremony for the largest array of solar panels on the western slope of Colorado—located in our home town! It was great to be reminded of what a strong community we’ve been a part of for the past 7 years. Our Carbondale housemate, Bobby Fresco, even put together a welcome-home bash complete with pinatas, kegs of great microbrews (which we only dream of down here in Chile), and all our good friends. The only sad part of the trip was the goodbyes. Three of our close friends were leaving the Valley for good (or so they now say), so we were trying to fit in some fun times together. Good luck back east, Margaret, Adam, and Morley!

Below are a whole bunch of photos from our trip. I tried to make them smaller, but if you want to see it in full scale, just double click.


~Brett backpacking in the Maroon Bells
~Bluebells in Maroon Bells!



~Curious mule deer
~Playing music with friends

~Mason and Bodhi chillaxin at the campsite
~Tired Monkeys

~Brett and Margaret
~River Rats between trips

~Fun in the Sun
~Goodbye and Good luck Adam and Marg!

~Garry sippin some java
~All smiles with Special K

~Bye Morley...we'll miss you!!
~Milk's for babies. Got cream?

Long time, no blog

We’ve been super busy over the past few months, and as a result, we have completely neglected our blog. Now, I know what you’re thinking…"Don’t worry Nicki, really, nobody’s even noticed!" But hey, our one dedicated reader (a.k.a. my mom) was asking about it, so I’ve made a promise to her that I’d get back in the groove.

4 month update (this could get windy): I flew back to Iowa in April for a wedding. My friends from high school, Anna and Tom were tying the knot in Des Moines, so I took a week off of work and headed back to the U.S. I was expecting to be greeted at the airport by some major culture shock after living in Latin America for a year, but other than the mind-boggling politeness of the Iowa drivers (after you….no really….after you!) I wasn’t too fazed. I had an absolutely phenomenal week catching up with friends and family. I got to see some friends from way back when and I also got to meet Sarah and Cam’s super cute new baby boy, Eddie. The wedding weekend was absolutely fantastic! I was lucky enough to have gone to school with Anna since junior high and with Tom since high school and we were all panthers together up at UNI. So, while the wedding weekend was definitely a celebration of those two, it also felt somewhat like a school reunion. It was so great to see faces I hadn’t seen in over 10 years. Congrats Tom and Anna!


Tara, Robyn, Anna (the bride), Heather, and me



Eddie Hybels doing what he does best--looking super cute!

Towards the end of the week my sister flew in from Chicago along with her hubby and their (not-so) little fella, AJ. They went to the wedding along with my mom and brother. I hadn't seen A.J. since he was three weeks old, so I was in heaven watching him make silly expressions and trying to walk on his own. He has since become an expert at it, but at the time he was just starting to think about it. A.J.'s godmother threw him a birthday party for his 1st birthday, and I got to squeeze in an hour or so there before heading back to the airport. We’re having a great time living in Chile, but the hardest part is definitely being so far away from friends and family. Skype is a good way to get a fix, but there’s nothing like holding your one year old nephew while he falls asleep on your shoulder. After the week- long trip in the U.S. I headed back down South for another two months of teaching. The end of the year was pretty darn crazed, as we were trying to wrap up the school year, move to a new place, and plan our July trip back to the States. We barely made our flight, but once we did it was smooth sailing for a month of summertime fun!

A.J and me laughing at our goofy selves!