Holidays

I spent the holidays, and the time in between, in Alabama this year. I got in lots of good family time and even a good bit of southeast rock climbing. Unfortunately I took zero pictures. However, I was able to borrow some snapshots from others at the Massey Thanksgiving in south Alabama, the Hutchinson family Christmas in Birmingham, and our little Ronny and Ace family Christmas in Huntsville.

Also, even though there are no pictures, it would seem inappropriate to not note how great the climbing is in the southeast. For single pitch climbing in the winter, it is heaven! I was able to climb at two of the renown crags in Tennessee (T-Wall and Fosters), and explored two rarely traveled crags in Alabama that had some real gems (Steele and Jamestown).

There are seven stockings here, including one for Dad. His physical presence is not with us , but his spirit most certainly is!

This is my favorite. My two cute nephews looking like they adore me. It's highly questionable if that is actually the case!

Carrie and Jennifer also grew up in Citronelle. I spent as much time at their house as I did in mine.

There was a great deal of go-cart, four wheeler, and horseback riding with these two Massey cousins. Backwoods, south Alabama was a fun place to be a kid!

And now Joanna is a momma!

The Massey brothers have made for the absolute best and most adorable grandpa's. 

My dad was the head football coach at Citronelle High School for 17 years. This year they dedicated the field house to him. On our visit to south Alabama over Thanksgiving, our family stopped by to see the memorial. 

My mom turned 60 this December. We gave her an ipad and lots of love.

My aunt Linda hosted the Hutchinson Christmas gathering this year.

My Aunt Becky, her youngest grandson Owen, and my Momma.

My very cute nephews, doing what they do best, video games.

Fall

Among a number of things, this Fall has included the beginning of a new decade, my first pro football game, a week in Utah, a presidential election, volunteering at a women's health clinic, lots of paella, and presenting and submitting a paper on our work in wilderness therapy.

It happened; I turned 30 years old. My dearest friend Kate threw a total rager and we had a real dirty thirty party.

A week in southern Utah; it's like medicine from heaven and a true comfort to my soul. There is something about the barren beauty that is captivating and soothing. I finally climbed in Indian Creek, bagged a desert tower, and led some 5.10 trad. We also got to see old friends and hang out in St. George and in the glory of Zion National Park.

Since I returned from Guatemala I have been volunteering at a women's health clinic that serves primarily mono-lingual Spanish speakers. It has been terrific to be involved and with women's health and speaking a bit of Spanish. It's also a great honor to be a part of an organization that does such high quality and important work!

I spend every Wednesday night at Centro Latin Kitchen eating the most delicious paella (a special only offered on Wednesdays). With the help of friends, I finally branched out and ordered something else. I pulled together my best buddies in Boulder and we got the Cerdo Grande (two actually), a large pork shoulder roast. It was a feast!