Happy Spring!

Greetings from Durango, CO where we are spending part of Paul's spring break! (By the way, the date above is wrong...it is really Monday, March 23rd as I write this.) Paul finished his comprehensive exams at the end of February and passed with flying colors. Now he just has to finish off the rest of the semester and he will officially be a Denver Seminary grad! We thought we should take advantage of one of Paul's last breaks as a student before he goes into the working world by getting away for his spring break. Abby even took the whole week off from work!

As some of you may know, almost 3 years ago, we took our honeymoon in Durango. For Abby's Christmas present this year, Paul surprised her with a few nights at the same place where we honeymooned. We have been enjoying our little cottage in the woods and have ventured out to do a little hiking and explore the town of Durango and beauty nearby. We woke up this morning surprised by snow on the ground. It is absolutely beautiful and something we haven't seen much of this winter so we welcomed it! Today we are staying in where it is warm and doing a little reading...I guess for Paul it would be termed "studying". Tuesday we'll head back to Denver and then Wednesday morning head back to the Iowa to enjoy family for a few days.

We brought food to cook a few of our meals in our kitchenette but forgot there was no oven so here we are improvising our meal on the stove!

Animas City Mountain trail near Durango

Outside our cottage on this snowy morning

Our cottage in the woods where we are staying

Here are some highlights to report since our last posting:

*Abby went back to Iowa for a quick visit at the end of February to see family while Paul studied hard to prepare for his comprehensive exams. Abby couldn't believe how fast her niece, Leah was growing and savored every second with her.

Here is one of Grandpa's attempts to make Leah smile! She really likes Grandpa's voice and gave him most of the smiles.

Aunt Abby and Leah

One of our new favorite pics of Leah

*We have enjoyed the mild Colorado winter and have gotten to enjoy many walks/hikes outside. One of our recent favorites was at Deer Creek Canyon, just outside of Denver. We went on a 7 mile hike with friends, Rob and Darla. Rob is another philosophy major that Paul spends quite a bit of his class time with.

*Abby transferred within her company to a facility in Littleton that is MUCH closer to home! She is now working about 5 min. from home, rather than 30. She continues to enjoy working with the elderly in an outpatient setting.

*Paul began teaching a worldview class at our church the beginning of March. His wife is even enrolled in the class and is one of his best students! :) She seems to always have lots of questions trying to digest all of this worldview stuff; it's a good thing she lives with the teacher and can have one on one tutoring sessions if needed.

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning signs of Spring!