A Fine Spring Day

I missed Brad this weekend, especially because his birthday was Friday and he had to travel. It was strange to see him off the day of his birthday, and probably even more of a bummer for him to have to travel. So I wished for the weekend to pass quickly, and thankfully, it flew by. Now it's just a day and a half before Brad returns and then we'll get to properly celebrate his birthday.

One highlight of the weekend was spending a fine morning bouldering at the Lake. It's definitely a record year for me since I never get outside to climb until early May. But after our Red Rocks trip, and what looked like perfect Sunday weather, I had to get out. Annie and I headed up to the west bluff, and met Katie and Steve, and ran into Dobbe and Aaron. We climbed some new stuff in Loompa Land. Here are a few pictures of the moderates.

This is how we started the day - with Katie's ow-wees.




Steve made this little V2 look really fun!




Katie did it, and I copied her beta (Thanks Katie!)


Then we went to do this other problem on a different boulder, which was really fun. Here's Annie.




Katie cruised it.






After a little two hour stint, it was time for me to relieve the babysitter.


It was a fine spring day with friends and rock!

Red Rocks

If pictures are worth a thousand words, then I missed some of the best shots. In all of the pictures I personally took, I missed documenting some of the most telling moments - the ones that really characterized my experience. I'm talking about the pictures I should have snapped when I laughed so hard I couldn't come up for air. I'm thinking about the times when my salty tears tumbled down my cheeks and I literally couldn't see through my squinty eyes because the laughter was so great, about something so absurd, that I actually can't repeat them verbatim right now even though the visual pictures are still fresh in my mind. I will remember to point my camera at those moments next trip.

Except for the frigid temps, the rock so cold my fingertips numbed, and the snowfall, this trip to Red Rocks will carry me for a long time. Not for the climbing - although the climbing was pretty amazing - but because it was with my best friends who are my favorite people for so many reasons: Annie, Sue, Lisa, Suzi, Katie, AnneBrie, Jess, and Liz (we missed you, Stacey . . . ). Here is a slideshow and some pictures of every not-so-sweet woman on the trip.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

It didn't just seem like John-Pio's birthday celebration went on and on. It actually did. It had a lot to do with his Birthday Challenge - the event was a last-minute decision and we went with his momentum, even though it meant two weekend days devoted to his birthday.

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center was a perfect setting for a nature boy, and what a gift to have a beautiful spring-like day. The naturalist, Jeanine, exuded her love for nature and protecting the environment. And she had the perfect sense of calm for a group of 6-7 year olds. This was a welcome change for a birthday party venue and I loved seeing so many little friends together outside of school. Check out the slideshow and if you can get to Aldo Leopold's center, you will undoubtedly see robins, squirrels, muskrats, cranes, and turtles - it was a perfect sneak peak into spring.

Birthdays are for Challenges

Today was the day, and he hit it right-on. John-Pio turned seven! Here is his birthday challenge movie. Can I just say that I love that he chose Lupe Fiasco, "The Show Goes On," as his music? Here you go - Enjoy, and thanks for all your support.

John-Pio's Birthday Challenge from Vera Naputi on Vimeo.