Peter and Heather flew from New York to Colorado on Sunday, July 1, and Peter started an internship first thing on Monday the 2nd at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  Peter wasn't certain what he would be allowed to get involved in during just five weeks at a hypoxic pulmonary hypertension lab: something completely new to him.  Those of us who know Peter, however, are not surprised that he "wow-ed" the laboratory with his engineering skills, the speed with which he caught up and began guiding others in a new discipline, and his business/communication prowess.  By the time he left, Peter was integrally involved in planning two important, long term projects for the lab.  Way to go, Peter!

Heather was her own Jane-of-all-trades, doing a little law-talkin', some household organization (trying to make up for our hasty departure last year,) attempting to make room for Peter's family to actually move in, and getting up to date on all of the official US business for the family (a job unto itself!)

Between the chores, we spent some fabulous time with friends and family. 
Unfortunately, the pursuit of pleasure got off to a late start, as one or both of us were ill with a cold/flu for over three weeks at the beginning of our five week stay.    However, we did our best to make up for a slow start in the last couple of weeks!

Gatsby
     
...his pal Ollie... ...the fishies
...and their extended family of caretakers:
   
Brenda, Janette, and Tom.
Thank you for sharing your love and extending your family to include our babes.

Happy Fourth of July!  

Mmmm.  We tested out the theory that "Ice cream is delicious in any country!"

A funny thing happened while you were in Grenada...we moved away!

 
"We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...
how about you, you you?" 

 

Tom and Brenda took the gals to the zoo!
I did my best to influence Mia toward the avian persuasion through immersion in the bird house.
     

Mia liked the birds, as she adored all of the animals, but my influence lost out.  Some other, invisible force drew her to the rhinoceros, whose utter lack of showmanship won her over completely.
   
ICE CREAM!

Mia's first carousel ride.

"I'm sleep, sleep, sleepy 'cause we have stayed all day.  We've been to the zoo, zoo, zoo."
 



 

Between all of her globe trotting, Heather (v.2) stopped by for a fulfilling reunion before Andrea and Mia headed back to their new home.

Thank you Andrea and Mia for staying with us in Colorado!

 
We set up camp just before dark on the 21st, so we would awake in the great outdoors on our anniversary.

Good morning Rocky Mountains!  Yes, just on the other side of the lake is the treeline and snow!
 
A dragon, or damsel, fly (?); and a pine squirrel.

Dr. Peter tapes up the blisters on my heels.  It turns out high-end, broken in, Scarpas are the first hiking boots ever to destroy my feet after just a mile!   ...Let alone over ten in two days.
      
 
Rocky Mountain Wildflowers.
On our hike back, I found an incredibly well camouflaged Junco nest.  It took a while to locate the little family in the brush, but it was worth it!  Some of you may know of my interest in birds, and my contribution to an ornithology study in 1995 on open cup passerine nest success in Boulder County.  Despite all my time investigating nests in forests and prairies in the past, this one was my first Junco find!  Cutie pies, just about ready to fledge their well protected home:

Juncos


I was surprised at how many different types of habitat we walked through on our hike.  We experienced mature pine forest, new growth areas that had been burned some time ago, riparian zones, long grass meadows filled with aspens, and...most surprising of all...moss.

Colorado is so dry that I don't think I've ever seen an appreciable amount of moss anywhere.  The area must be situated to receive a good amount of rain - some of which we experienced on our way into the forest the day before.  It was a pleasure to experience such a great variety of habitats all in just a five mile distance.

 Happy Anniversary!

  Sunset on the way home, overlooking Boulder valley.

Bunny Break.

Ahhh, catching up with good friends...

Heather and Jeanie.
 
Mark, Jeanette, and John; Kate and Jon

Peter and Evan.

Heather and Dave.

Peter, Amin, and Galas.

Peter, Jon, Kate, Evan, and Heather.

Have you hugged an attorney today?
Here's my second PSA in two blogs: attorneys are wonderful people!  Maintaining social order, not to mention champions of the voiceless, society's victims, and just about every good cause there is.
At some point, it's necessary to lash out at lawyer-bashing doctors.  It seems to be an environmental problem at medical school.
  Aurora.  Cute as a button!                     Cindy.  Sharp as a tack!   

Aurora and Rod.


Peter, Heather, Cindy, Rod, Aurora, and Lisa.

More reunions! 

Heather and Gina.
Between everyone's busy schedules, we were sometimes limited to lunchtime visits, as with Gina.  It wasn't nearly enough time, but they were treasured moments nevertheless.

Lisa came all the way out from Florida to visit with her family...