An Apple Computer

As you can imagine as the time gets closer and closer to our departure date our list of things we need and things to do gets longer and longer. For instance I really want to make sure to document our adventure so I wanted a new computer, camera and maybe even a video camera. It is a shame these things are all so expensive so we settled for a new Mac computer. We were so excited to get it! Chase actually would not let me touch it till I had read the manual,which I skimmed as quickly as possible so I could play with our new computer. However, it did not take me long to realize that I have NO idea how to work a mac and I am definitely going to need some lessons before we leave. Everything is so different then what I have used for the last 15 years.

The main reason why we picked to get a new computer is that both of our computers are not reliable and macs tend to need less maintenance and are more durable. Plus they are easy to upload and edit pictures, which we will be doing a lot of to stay in touch with all of you. Lastly it has a video cam so we can actually see and talk to all our friends and family. So if you have one let us know, we will love getting to see you!

Beaver Creek

Sunday morning we woke up to a 42 degree temperature by the time we walked off the plane in Houston Texas the temperature had changed over 50 degrees.

Our last couple of days in Colorado where so much fun. The sun finally came out and we were able to go one some beautiful hikes, bike rides and even do some horseback riding. The last night we where there, we got to ride horses up to Beano's Cabin. It is a beautiful ride through the ski mountains of Beaver Creek. But the real reason we trek all the way up the mountain is for the incredible food! You all know how much Chase and I love to eat.

Overall it was a great week! Chase and I had so much fun with my family. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing family. Bellow are some pictures we took while in Beaver Creek!

Chase and I after drinks at the New Weston Hotel in Avon



One night Walker decided that each sibling needed to pick a course for dinner so we all went to the store and purchased the food. Walker informed us that his was going to be a secret.
Walker's ingrediants: ritz crackers, kraft cheese, bolgna, whip cream and twizzler's
He actually hand cut the bolgna and cheese.



The finished product yumm!

A week in Colorado

There is almost nothing better than sitting in Colorado looking at the mountains with a slight chill in the air or actually this time a year, a very cold chill in the air. It is times like these that I get excited for Chile, but also a little sad, considering that we are going to be away from our families for the next year. In fact in the last couple of weeks some incredible things have happened. Kate Bailey, one of my best friends got engaged and we also found out that my Aunt is going to have her first child.

When I stop to think about missing the weddings of our good friends Trey and Catherine, Kate and Bill, and my cousin Palmer and Mallory, and also the birth of Julia and Ethan’s baby, I feel a slight bit of sadness knowing that we will not be present for these big events.

However, if there is one thing that I have learned over the past year, it is that as much as I want to be apart of everything, I have to trust God and know that he is sending us to Chile for a purpose.

A quick update: Chase and I have been in contact with a couple who live in Santiago. They have a four bedroom apartment and have offered us a room. It sounds like an incredible opportunity. While John is from Austin he married a woman from Santiago (she only speaks Spanish). It seems like this would be the best way to get plugged in and learn Spanish. Please be praying for our decision in living with them and also that we will be able to find jobs once we get to Santiago.

By the way if anyone is considering traveling abroad I have come upon a travel book that I really like; it is called the. “Cultural Shock! A survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.” I would strongly recommend seeing if they have a guide for which ever country you plan on traveling too.