Both Scott and I (and Eddy!) got to go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was lucky enough to be home for about 3 weeks for my Christmas break. It was so nice to be home with family and friends for the holidays, so nice that its been extremely tough (at least for me) to get back into the swing of things! While we were home Scott and I accomplished a few things for our wedding this coming October (and I found my wedding dress which was pretty exciting!) Either way we're starting to get closer.. almost only 8 months away, and its hard to believe but we've been together for over 5 years now!
This semester is going to be a crazy one for me. I'm taking 10 credits (Belowground Plant Ecology, Soil Remediation, Statistics 512- one of my least favorite classes ever!, and a seminar class where I have to present my project and research to the entire Department). As if that wasn't enough.. I really have to get my butt in gear for my research/analyzing data/prepping for a big conference over my spring break/ getting ready for my 2nd field season in the summer... Step 1 is trying to get a bunch of data analyzed and a presentation ready to go for the second week in March.. if feels forever away.. but its just around the corner. Myself, my advisor, and two other girls in my lab are going to be going to the Western Society of Weed Science conference in San Diego! One big plus is the location, and the hotel is right on the beach! I have to present a part of my project at the conference which is already making me nervous, but it will be great experience.
Scott and I also have many visitors coming in the next two months. A few of his friends are coming out to go snowboarding here in Big Sky country at the beginning of February, Scott's dad and step-mom, Jana are coming to visit us at the end of February... and then Daniel and Amber (Scott's brother and sister-in law) are coming the week after I get back from my conference in March. Its going to be a whirl wind but we are looking forward to having visitors and sharing some Montana adventures with friends and family. For anyone else looking for a spring/summer vacation... Montana is only a 9 hour drive away from Colorado!
This winter I think we will keep ourselves plenty busy with snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Scott is enjoying the snow here in Montana (yes, Coloradoan's it still snows in Montana, unlike Colorado... although I hear its definitely as cold nor does MT get as much as it used to...). Its definitely a big plus with Bridger ski resort only 20 minutes from town and Big Sky is one whole hour away! No ski traffic, no lift lines, hardly any annoying tourists, real snow.... have I convinced anyone else to visit yet??
Scott's also hoping to get into some backcountry snowboarding this year. He just purchased a used split board and an avi beacon (he's even taking an avalanche training course this week!) And we hope to get some good x-country skiing in at Yellowstone. Sounds pretty perfect... skiing in the Lamar Valley perhaps hearing/seeing some wolves.. then relaxing in the most natural beautiful hot spring that I've ever experienced... any one else wanna book a weekend with us yet??
Happy 2013 to everyone. Lets hope this year brings just as much good (and more) as 2012.
Cross-country up at Hyalite Canyon
We have had some great sunrises lately
My sister and I- Christmas Day
This is our view every day.... pinch me! Am I awake??
