Colorado

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Well, after a few days in Texas we headed up to Fort Collins, Co for 2 weeks so Cody could turn in his thesis and give his master's defense. Woo Hoo! With only a few glitches during the 2 weeks, he now has completed his masters. We were grateful to our friends Chad and Jen (& Grace) who allowed us to stay at their house in Wellington while Cody worked. I also helped babysit Grace during the 2 weeks so it worked out for everyone. Although we forgot to take the camera, we finished out our weeks with the Hopkins' by going to Wyoming on Sunday, the 20th, for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Thanks to the Harriman's in Evergreen for letting us visit for a few days, too!

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Photos

Fort Collins
This is the official abstract of Cody's thesis, as posted in the engineering halls, inviting all to witness the biomedical genius that is Cody N. Cranson. His defense went wonderfully with few changes and Cody's shoulders are a little higher now that this weight has been lifted. Let the party begin!

Wellington
Here is Chad, Jen, and Grace's new house in Wellington, Colorado, just north of Ft. Collins.

Wellington
Check out that 3 car garage!

Wellington
Name: Grace. Age: 18 months old. Favorite word: doggy. Her favorite name for Cody: doggy. Favorite name for Nickey: Anickanickanick (with sporadic sticking out of tongue). Favorite food: anything that takes hours to get out of her hair (Fig Newtons were quite popular).

Wellington
Because I am always on the search for the next best chai tea latte, I was sure to try out the local Wellington watering hole. The Chocolate Rose is on the main street and has the most adorable interior, with delicious sticky buns and pretty good chai. What's more is that it just has the feeling of a quaint small town gathering place, which is very appropriate for Wellington- "A Great Place to Grow," as their street signs boast.

Wellington
Jen and Grace were excited to try out their brand new baby bike seat the day we left. Isn't it pretty cool where baby bike seats have come since the days of plastic chairs on the back? Grace also got a new swing for the basement while we were there. Has Chad got it hung up yet, Jen?

Wellington
It's the Rockies! "That John Denver's full of ...!" Just kidding. Cody and I enjoyed taking drives around the open spaces up north and he snapped a few pictures of the mountains from the road. You can still see the snow on some. Don't you miss it dad?

Wellington
Rocky Mountain Higgggghhhhhhh!

Lafayette
Although not the clearest or most attractive photo, this is me (Nickey) looking between my legs at a huge orange moon on the horizon. The huge moons that you sometimes see on the horizon are actually an optical illusion and by looking through your legs it takes it back down to normal size (thanks dad for that tidbit of knowledge). I saw the big moon and made Cody pull off the highway and capture this priceless moment :)

Comments

[Jen Hopkins]

The Swing!
Yep...it FINALLY got hung. It took Chad almost a whole morning but it got done! I guess they are really hard to hang with a baby and 2 dogs at your side....We will send some pics of her swinging...Chad said it was well worth all the trouble he had to go through to see her smiling face. She LOVES it!!!! We miss you two and hurry back to us!!!!! We LOVED having you stay and hope to have you as near by neighbors soon!!!!