Summer went by in a flash! We spent July in Colorado. We arrived from Ecuador, exhausted, on July 1 and spent the night in my parents’ new home near Denver. They were still driving the moving truck cross-country!
We spent many days helping unpack, change lightbulbs, set-up cords, tupperware, furniture, etc. And moving all our belongings from a storage unit into their basement. Thanks Mom and Dad! So both our families now live in Colorado! Yay!
We spent lots of our summer with our great Boulder-area friends. Here are some highlights:
Our tradition: running a 4k race on the fourth of July, sponsored by a local brewery. Seemed like a good idea, but on our third day at altitude, it felt a lot longer than 2.5 miles!
Avery 4k on the 4th. Short run, long drinks, free burriots. And running with my best running buddy!
I got to meet one of my best friends’ 5-week-old baby boy! We went on walks, sat at the reservoir, had dinners, and enjoyed.
Cashel and Caitlin at the beach.
Patrick meeting Cashel. Aren’t they both adorable?
We got lots of good time with parents/family on both sides. Dinners, fourth of July, and even a trip to a Rockies/Twins baseball game where they let us onto the field for a showing of The Sandlot after the game!
The family on the field ready for the show!
One year anniversary meant reliving amazing cake. It froze well!
We celebrated our one-year anniversary with me singing back in the choir at the church we got married in, then heading out for a 5-day backpacking trip in the mountains, just the two of us.
At the trailhead. Ready to camp the night, then start our backpacking adventure!
Walking in the aspens.
We had super varied terrain. Huge rock outcrops, aspen groves, open prairie, marsh, peaks and more.
Panorama from the saddle, nearly the highest point of our 5 days.
Patrick in the rocky high-altitude field. And looking pretty good for a flat-lander at 12,000 ft.
Nature made flowers that perfectly matched our wedding flowers! Happy anniversary.
Lone sentinel rock.
We had real wilderness. No other people or civilization as far as we can see.
Night 3 campsite, next to the creek. So lovely.
Creek crossing. Slightly nerve-wracking on splintering logs, but we stayed dry!
Rock champion!
Someone has to hold up these massive boulders…
Happy campers. Day 5 and headed out to find a burrito!!
We spent the last week of our summer in Minnesota with the Beckel family reunion. 8 kids under the age of 6, plus all my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Lots of chatting, games, campfires, and fun.
Mom with my newest baby cousin.
The whole big (and growing!) family. Every member of four full generations.
It was so refreshing and lovely to spend time with our dearest friends and family. We’ve missed you from Korea, and already miss you again! Lots of love from Korea.