First Snow!!

Well, we have had our first bit of snow here in Colorado Springs.  It was the best snow experience I think we've ever had-MUCH better than out in Pennsylvania.  While it was cold (in the low 30s--that's in F...sorry, I still can't convert temperature to C in my head for my aussie readers!), and there was a nice snow-covered effect over the cars, yard, roofs, etc., there was NO snow on the driveway or roads. Today we're getting the sprinkler company to come and winterize the in-ground sprinkler system, getting Brett's car fixed, and we're enjoying a nice fire in the fireplace. 

We've been sick and taking care of one another and also slowly putting together the final little things around the house.  April's mom and sister (with not-so-little nephew Andrew) are visiting us in November and Brett's parents are coming to see us for Christmas. We are so excited for both families to see how our new life is coming together and excited to introduce so many people to the wonders of Colorado.

Gotta Love Ginger Beer

Brett loves ginger beer.  In particular, Bundaberg ginger beer.  It is an Aussie product that we've been trying to find in the States for months.  We finally found it at a local store called World Market and he let me buy him a whole case of it!!!  I love spoiling my husband! 

Bathurst

I am so excited that Brett was able to find the Bathurst race on TV today.  He worked so hard all day on his job application stuff and so this is a well-deserved break for him.  Time to get him another beer and learn something about Aussie car racing.

Aussie/Kiwi club

So, last week, Brett and I went with some friends (a couple of physicists from Perth-the wife teaches at the same university as me) to the Aussie/Kiwi club dinner.  It is a really interesting group of people, a lot of older war brides and couples who have been in the States for decades plus a few younger people in their 30s. There are more Kiwis than Aussies. Apparently the club is trying to become a bit more diverse in the variety of members. 

The food (which is prepared by the pair of hosts so it varies each month) was not as good as we had hoped, but our friends also said that it was usually better.  So, we have high hopes for next month (it will be hosted by a professor at the Air Force Academy who is part of the "young crowd" in the group).

I think I liked it a bit more than Brett did...something about it feeling like a family reunion with old people sorta turned him off.  But, it is at least worth going again.  It costs $10 per person per year with the obligation to host the party once a year (with another member, apparently to reduce the cooking workload and costs).  I think we'll try again before paying/committing-at the very least we've made a couple new friends and talked a lot about things like where to get Aussie-like foods and stuff (still no progress on trying to find out where we can buy a cricket bat though!).

Home alone

Well, just when I was adjusting to the Aussie invasion (er, I mean Evan visiting), the boys left for a long two-week tour of the Southwestern US.  I wish I had made Brett post their itinerary (or at least send me a copy) prior to their leaving since I can barely remember where they are supposed to be everyday.  I know in the first week, they're hitting 4 corners, the grand canyon, and Las Vegas. Week 2 has them in northern California and Yosemite National Park prior to driving back over the Rocky Mountains on their way home.

I miss Brett like crazy, but I am so glad that he's taking this opportunity to have fun with his best friend.  Plus, he's figuring out the best places to go for when he and I (and his family from Australia) can get to have a fabulous vacation too.

I'm outnumbed by Australians!

Brett has arrived back from ASA with Evan.  Now I'm the lone Yankee in the house (unless you count Princess). 

Unfortunately, both boys are under the weather (Evan from altitude sickness and Brett from Denver food/drink/hotel issues). 

Luckily it appears that we all will get a day to rest before returning to real life tomorrow.  If anybody needs anything from us, we'll be on the couch watching television.

New blog or change this one??

So, April got rid of her "Distracted Dissertator" blog as she started her new professor job and didn't want anything coming back to bite her (not that she said anything bad, but just in case) and because she was just HAPPY to be done with that part of her life.

Now, we're contemplating starting a "Team Beattie" blog that follows our crazy adventures as we start our new (married! real job! grown-up!) lives in Colorado.  Not sure if we'd just start a brand new blog, rename and revamp this one (after all, I am not sure Brett is so 'displaced' anymore).  Thoughts/opinions/ideas?

Either way, we're awfully busy these days between finishing dissertations, teaching, and just enjoying the newlywed life.  Blogging is secondary!