happy new year!

it's been busy. i took three unpaid weeks off:

- visited mom & dad in tejas.  mom & i worked on the dress; i shopped, visited with friends, and threw away a lot of old junk.

- visited the ahrens family in connecticut. lots of eating and games and hanging around.

- visited death valley np for a three-day, 30 mile backpacking trip. it was our first time to put on tire chains to traverse the snowy pass, backpack with almost no water sources, and follow a cross-country route. we did great! we also visited a couple of hot springs, ate too much fried chicken, and picked up an enormous rock, which is still sitting in the car :)

- errands. trying to finalize the catering and park permit, invitations, and website. getting close. 

happy new year!