Figuring out how to blog...

We are taking the plunge and have decided to set up a blog.  I never paid any attention to blogs until Tommy told me about our friend Carrie's blog.  And then it seemed blogs of people we knew started to pop up all over the place.  It's fun to read and get a glimpse into others' lives and people are always wondering what Tommy is up to, and with the upcoming travels we thought this would be a good way to keep everyone updated.  The thought of journaling and keeping track of life in a documented manner was always romantic, but honestly, the follow through was not consistent.  It's amazing how when there are people to hold you accountable how much gets done.  So, here is our attempt to journal, update, and maybe even amuse some.

Currently we are finishing up a week long visit to the Brock's in Nashville, TN.  It was great spending some time eating good ol' Southern food, crushing at Climb Nashville (Lance and Carrie and their business partner, Drew's gym), tickling and reading books to the adorable Brock children, catching up on sleep and catching up with (for me getting to know) Lance and Carrie.  We will miss the South and the Southern accents and look forward to coming back ya'll...although next time we will try to avoid the high 90's weather and show up in the fall or spring!!  Now that time to part is approaching, we are getting excited to get home to beautiful Estes Park and the mountains!

Nashville Highlights:

• Sweating
• Climb Nashville Bouldering Comp
• Tommy's Slideshow and Surprise Birthday Party and Grill out
• Checking out Nashville double-date style with Lance and Carrie
• "peep" and "poop" KB's words for going to the bathroom
• Wrestling matches with Ethan
• Reading hundreds of books to the kids
• "TommyBecca"
• Naps
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Women's night talking about cooking (if you go to Nashville you MUST do this)  :)
• Crossfit workouts with Lance
• Swimming holes at the Obed
• The singing at Otter Creek Church  

Home time has been less and less as fall is approaching.  Fall is prime season for Tommy to get out and climb, and trips have been popping up left and right.  We have figured out that we are going to be away from home all but 25 days from now until the beginning of January...YIKES!  We are super excited as our travels are going to include China, Jackson Hole, Yosemite National Park, Brazil, and Argentina!  Many people have commented how great and exciting this will be and how lucky we are, which don't get me wrong...we are SO blessed to be able to travel this much and see these amazing places, but there is still something wonderful and comfortable about home.  Tommy has traveled a bunch, but this much in this length of time is still more than the norm for him and I have never been on the road this much, so I think this will be a time to get to know each other real well and grow together!  I know occasionally I can get a little crabby and have been known to wake up in the middle of the night completely confused as to where I am when switching beds so much, so we will see how this goes.  Luckily, Tommy is amazing with traveling (as long as I am keeping track of the passports and plane tickets) and doesn't get freaked out when I bolt upright in bed in a panic.

We will be home for 10 days filled with people visiting (Lyndsay, Katy F., Katie W., Nick, Fynn and I'm sure there's more) and outings to soak up Estes in August (I am hiking to Grand Lake  with Kaci and Jodi from Flattop, and Tommy will be heading up the Diamond on Long's, and training like a madman).  We can't wait to spend some time with our loving roommates, Patrick and Colorado (the dog), and fit in some R&R before getting on a plane to China!

By the way...if anyone has suggestions on comfortable ways to fall asleep on long plane rides send them my way!  Neck pillow?  No neck pillow?  Inflatable neck pillow? Melatonin?  Wine?