Rafting the Arkansas!

We survived our first rafting trip on the Arkansas...and it was AMAZING! In mid-June, AJ and I had a blast with our Seminary friends down in Buena Vista rafting, camping, catching up on each others' lives, playing games, and encouraging each other in our walks with the Lord. We felt so honored that many flew in for the occasion! And our amazing rafting guides Chris & Chad, cousins to Julie, offered their raft and equipment, so rafting was free!...talk about a blessing! It was so fun spending an extended weekend together! Enjoy some of our pictures!

Here's Nick & Emily Ogle (Fayetteville, AR), Amy Gravseth (Portland, OR), AJ & Andrea (Littleton, CO), and Julie & Tony Bolos (on their way to Peru!)

Tony & Nick being men and providing "fire wood"!

AJ grilling burgers over a "one-match fire"!

A beautiful view of the Collegiate Peaks near dusk!

Amy & Emily on their evening "adventure"!Enjoying time by the campfire...

AJ can't wait to go rafting Saturday morning!

AJ's idea of a morning alarm system!
Emily getting fitted for the trip (I love this picture!)
Amy, Julie, and Emily just before take-off!
4 hours & 16 miles later...We did it!

AJ and I just after coming ashore!
The Guys!
The Gals!
Packing up and flattening out!
Thanks for a GREAT trip Chris, Julie, Tony & Chad!
After all the excitement in Buena Vista, we came back to Denver to celebrate Tony's 27th Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY!!
One of our favorite pasttimes with the Seminary crew...playing games!
What's going on here?
BAD AJ, BAD!!
Thanks for a GREAT weekend everyone!!

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AJ!

In honor of our anniversary, I wanted to post one of my favorite pictures of AJ! Here's AJ in August of 2006, celebrating the summit of Quandary Peak, near Hoosier Pass (Breckenridge, CO) with Mr. Puffy Paws (a.k.a. Shadow).

I LOVE YOU HONEY!
Andie

Where in England?

Many of our beloved family and friends have asked where we're moving to in the UK. Great question!

Living: We plan to live in Cheltenham, which is a "twin-city" to Gloucester (directly west of London).

AJ's School: AJ is affiliated with the University of Bristol/Trinity College (south of Gloucester/Cheltenham) and will attend seminars, lectures, etc. at the actual University on occasion. His schooling will be more of a mentorship rather than actual classroom study...so we're living conveniently near AJ's professor, Dr. Gordon Wenham, and our dear friends Brian & Jaylene (who are three years ahead in school)!

Andrea's Work: I will be working at Hyder Consulting in Birmingham (north of Gloucester/Cheltenham)! I've learned that there is a direct train route from Cheltenham to Birmingham (45 minutes), then a little shuttle from the train station to the office. It'll be so nice to use the commuting time to read and soak in the scenery!

Steamboat Springs!

AJ & I finally made it to Steamboat Springs! We feel like we saved the very best for last! AJ and I traveled up to Steamboat the first weekend in June to run a half-marathon, fly-fish, hike, and soak in God's beautiful creation! Wow!! Our wonderful friends Lars & Laura, along with their two adorable girls Josie & Annie, invited us to stay with them in their amazing timeshare vacation spot The Steamboat Grand the first evening, since our vacations there overlapped. They spoiled us with lovely food, great company, and amazing views. This is a view of the ski hill from our balcony!

Here's a picture of AJ fly-fishing the Mad River just north of Steamboat! Beautiful waters!

Our fuzzy animal, Shadow-dog, loves going fishing with his daddy!

The second evening, we had a blast tromping through another National Forest area for more free camping! We had some wild neighbors that night who also had the idea of crashing a site! Unfortunately, we didn't get the most fitful evening of sleep before the big race, but we shrugged it off once the alarm hit 5am! AJ also slipped on a rock and bashed his knee the night before...poor guy!

The race was super fun and fast...unfortunately, it only felt that way for AJ up to the 7 mile mark! AJ toughed it out and finished strong (our second fastest to date!), but I know he won't rest until we beat our time from the Jackson half-marathon (Jackson Hole, WY) last summer. We love running races...well, AJ thinks he's just a runner "by marriage", which isn't true! We now have our eye on the Robin Hood Half in Nottingham, UK this September! We'll see if we can settle in quick enough to our new surroundings to make the race!

Here's a picture of us at the finish! AJ let me win this time! So sweet!

I couldn't resist adding a picture of AJ and Shadow the morning after the race and all the excitement of Steamboat Springs!

Cheers!

Beautiful Buena Vista!

AJ and I were so blessed to spend our Memorial Day Weekend in beautiful Buena Vista! This breathtaking view is from our campsite in the National Forest area! The middle peak is Mt. Princeton, which was our first 14'ner climb 2 years ago. It was a tough, challenging, a little scary, but rewarding experience!

Buena Vista is known for its wonderful outdoor splendor! From fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking to strolling with ice cream...it's one of our favorite places to be in Colorado!!

Here's a picture of AJ fishing, from Shadow's perspective!

I couldn't resist snapping this picture when I woke up one morning!

The three of us (AJ, myself & Mr. Puffalump) went hiking, too! Here's a view from the trailhead.

Here's a picture of us at the half-way point at 10,000+ feet!

We're thrilled to be returning to this very same campsite this weekend when we head down to try our hand at whitewater rafting with our beloved Seminary friends! Can't wait!

AJ Graduated!

AJ graduated from Denver Seminary on Saturday, May 12th! Here's a picture of my handsome hubby just following the ceremony.

Fly Vice

Okay, peoples, no names have been sent to date. If no entries are logged, an awful and boring name might be given to this fine vice. Would that be any way for him to start his life? I think not.

So that you know, he has been in the Culp household now for two days. He seems to be adjusting fine. On a test run, he performed marvelously. A true pro.

Names suggested so far by Andie and I: Oscar, Peety (sp?), and Ahaz (which means, 'He grasped' in Hebrew).
Cheers,

One Thing

Rich Mullins once sang, "Everybody says they just need one thing, but what they really mean is that they need just one thing more." A sad but true commentary on us humans. Please let me make known my humanity, then.

Among the gifts for graduation, I received a very nice gift card to Cabelas from our friends the Pedersens. Things like this don't happen every day, so I put much thought into the card's use. Even Andie had to tell me, finally, that she couldn't help me any further with a decision. Fair enough.

After much prayer and fasting, I've come to a decision. Only one thing passed the strict criteria applied to it: a fly tying vice. Yes, it's true. Considering the time and energy I spend tying flies, it only made sense.

With much joy and twitterpation, I give you the Danvice New-Classic! No name has been determined yet, but the suggestion box is now open.

Cheers