White Water Rafting

by Erica

While we were in Canon City, we went white water rafting down the Arkansas. It was my first time and it was awesome! We were driving along side the river on our way there. The guides were pointing out the different rapids that we were about to do. I was getting nervous when they said we were going to do IV+ rapids that day.

So, Jason volunteered to sit up front. Our guide, Will, put me in the back in what he referred to as the catapult seat. The water is really high this season. Will said that the river was the best it has been since the mid 90's.
We were fortunate to be place with a group of good rafters. Our guide took us to places on the river that he said he doesn't go often. There was just one time where I thought we not going to make it. Our guide didn't have time to yell 'high side' a technique used to prevent a flip. Yet he executed it and fell right into me. I guess he did the right thing as we all stayed in the raft.
It was such a great time. I can't wait to do it again. Next time we'll have to try the Gorge.

Our Anniversary Getaway

by Erica

Our three year anniversary was last week. To celebrate, we drove down to Canon City for the weekend. It is a touristy little town southwest of Colorado Springs.
Canon City is home to the Royal Gorge Bridge. They boast that it is the highest suspension bridge in the world. We rode the Aerial Tram across the gorge and the Incline Railway down to the Arkansas River.
It was nice that it wasn't very busy. We spent a couple hours at the park near sun down on Friday night and were one of just a few people taking in the views. In fact, I felt like we were trespassing.

It was really nice to spend this time with Jason. I love our little Ashlyn and I found myself thinking about her a lot, but I also enjoyed giving my full attention to my husband. Besides, Ashlyn had a great time at her Nana's house!

Top 5: Web Apps

by Jason

I spend a ton of the time on the web. In fact, I'm not even sure how to do my job anymore with out it. The other day at work, the tubes were down for a period of time. People were walking around aimlessly, some bumping into walls, some just cowering in fear... Many eventually gave up and just went home.

So what makes this web so useful? I've compiled a small list of things below that I find indispensable. Maybe you have a list of your own that you'd like to share? Or perhaps there's something here you haven't seen before, and it will become as valuable to you as it has to me.

Top 5 Web Applications:

1. Google Reader
2. del.icio.us
3. Google Maps
   
4. Flickr
   
5. TripIt

Requirements for the list:

• Must run in standard browser only.
  
• No additional downloads required.
• Must have a mobile site.
  

Ah, Summer

by Erica

My favorite time of year. I love keeping the windows open at night and waking up to a cool bedroom. I love to go outside in the morning and not have to put a jacket on. I love the fresh scent of the outdoors. The list could go on and on.

So, what is in store these next few months? I signed Ashlyn and I up for a couple things. We are in the midst of swimming lessons right now. She is in the Aqua Tots class. We sing and play with water toys, blow bubbles and learn how to kick. Every other week we go to the library for story time where we sing and play with books with other babies.

Aunt Karisa will be here in about 3 weeks. We are going to head to the mountains with our friends, the Higgins for a few days later in July. Then in August we'll go on our family missions trip followed by a visit from my parents a week later. I think we are going to throw in a trip to Nebraska somewhere in there and hopefully a day or two of camping as well.

This is going to be a great summer!

Can't Wait!

by Erica

Each year, Jason and I choose some place to go overnight for our anniversary. Last year we went to Steamboat. While there, we went tubing down the Yampa River. That hour float was one of my favorite memories. It was very relaxing--it had to be as I was 6 months pregnant.

White water rafting is something that I have always wanted to try. I am ready for a little more adventure. I just booked us a half day trip down the Arkansas River. I am so excited! This company also does family float trips which I think would really be fun to do with our family someday. They take kids as young as 1 year.

Vacation Part 2

by Erica

After we went to New York, we headed to Cincinnati to visit my parents. It was relaxing. We didn't do a whole lot--just let Ashlyn play with her grandma and grandpa. She had a lot of fun playing with this toy barn. She learned how to open and shut the barn gates so that they would make noise.I love the lot that my parents house sits on. There are trees on almost all sides. It is so green and lush. They also get a lot of wild life which I find interesting since they live in a suburb. Dad chases away raccoons and squirrels from his bird feeders daily. We also went to a park so that dad could fly his new kite. We ended up having a picnic lunch there as well.
On Friday we got together with some college friends. I love reunions! I wish the reunions could happen more than once a year!

New York City

by Erica

I am finally finding a few spare minutes to blog about our trip to NYC. Typically when we go on vacation, I like to research the area and map out the best restaurants and activities. I was so worried about how Ashlyn would do on a 4 hour plane ride, that I didn't think too much about what we were going to do once we got to New York. I am happy to say that she did great on the plane! Plus, not having any expectations about our trip, made it even more enjoyable.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon. Carol, Leanne and Keith met us at our chic hotel, The Marcel. We went to Time Square and Grand Central that evening. It was very busy! We were glad to have Ashlyn in the Baby Bjorn. A stroller would have been a nuisance.Since we stayed out late each night (late for us at least) we took the mornings pretty easy. In a city that was very unfamiliar to us, we were thankful to have a Starbucks a block from our hotel. At least I could get my usual Toffee Nut Latte.

On Sunday we celebrated Keith and Leanne's engagement and Uva, a restaurant owned by one of Keith's friends. We got to meet Keith's extended family. They were all very friendly and we look forward to seeing them at the wedding. We spent the rest of the day walking around the City, going to Central Park and the Boat Basin. A small highlight for me was getting my picture taken in front of Cafe Lalo-the quaint cafe where a scene from You've Got Mail was filmed. Note to self-I need to watch that movie again.
On Monday, Memorial Day, Jason and I went to the Statue of Liberty. Carol, Keith and Leanne took Ashlyn for the afternoon which was so wonderful for us! We meant to go to Ellis Island as well, but we decided to take our time at the Statue instead. Guess that will have to do that on our next visit. Later, we met up with the others and saw more of the City and later ate at another great restaurant, Hi-Life. It was a long day--I was exhausted.Tuesday, we went to the Museum of Natural History, Central Park and then met up with Keith for dinner in Little Italy. China Town backs right up to Little Italy so we walked through that as well.
Keith and Leanne were great hosts! It was great to see where they live and the places they work and hang out. I was really happy that Carol was out there at the same time. I still have no idea how the subway system works. I'll leave that area up to Leanne.