Snow Blankets and Big news!!

This is what it looks like here in the San Luis Valley these days. With nighttime lows that have reached -35, this is the coldest winter I have ever experienced. In fact, I don't think I even knew what winter was until I moved here. Everything is covered in a blanket of snow, and the days haven't warmed up enough to melt it yet. It warmed up to about 16 on New Years Day, so Aaron and I decided to go snowshoeing at Bishop's rock. Despite the cold, it was wonderful to be out in the fresh mountain air, especially after so much car time the last couple of weeks. Speaking of car time... Aaron and I just got back from what we are calling the cross-country tour 2007. We left Alamosa on the 14th of December and headed to Atlanta. We spent about 5 days there, and went to Sara's graduation (she received her Masters in Special Education) which was at the Georgia Dome, where my knitting needles were confiscated! Apparently they could be used as very dangerous weapons. We had a great time hanging out there, despite the cold, gray weather. Then we jumped back in the car and headed to Austin via the gulf coast. It was shocking to drive through Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi, and New Orleans and see all of the destruction that remains from the hurricane. The media has a way of forgetting major events for the hottest new story out there, and so many of us less affected by the hurricanes live with the assumption that everything is fine now. How wrong that assumption is. We met up with cousin Barry in Lake Charles, Louisiana for a seafood dinner on the drive through, and I wish you could have all been there to see Aaron eat an entire plate of boiled crawfish. Sorry I don't have any pictures to prove it! We were happy when we finally arrived in Austin at 2 in the morning. We enjoyed time there hanging out with my family, making gingerbread houses, playing frisbee in the yard and hiking around the lake. And now for the news..... Most of you have probably already heard by now, but just in case you haven't, in July of this year Aaron and I will welcome the newest addition of our family to the world. (No I'm not talking about goats). We found out right before Thanksgiving that I am pregnant. We're almost three months, which gives us a late July due date. We are both thrilled, and already enjoying every minute. Yesterday we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time (a strong 152) which was amazing! Check back here for belly photos and updates. Happy New Year everyone!