our 20 year path toward a mild increase in net worth

Do you remember what you got for Christmas in Sixth grade? Do you still have any of that stuff? Is it worth anything? If your answer to any of these or other questions is no, Kristie is better than you. If you are surprised by this, you shouldn't be. She is obviously your superior in every way, and it was silly of you to hold delusions to the contrary. Let me elaborate...

On Christmas morning 1988, my lovely wife-to-be woke from that fitful anticipatory slumber kids everywhere are so familiar with, made her way to the tree, and began opening presents. She still remembers one present in particular, as it has been a part of her life ever since. That present? Her giant coke bottle piggy bank.


The Bottle

20+ years later, after filling it penny by penny, that bottle was finally so full it couldn't hold another coin. It was so stuffed that the bottle had actually stretched out on its sides because of the pressure. 5 years ago when it was only about 3/4 full, we had to bring it in the house on a dolly, and it's been in the same spot in the kitchen because we couldn't lift it to move it.



FULL? Nah, there's plenty of room

We've known the day was coming for a few months now, and for a while Kristie has been telling me it was full enough, and I've been trying to get her to keep filling it until there wasn't room for a single addition. Two weeks ago the big moment arrived.



The final penny... kind of bittersweet.

Since we're not crazy, and we don't have several days to spend rolling pennies, we decided to take them out of the jar, separate the other coins from the pennies (there was about 6 bucks in other change in there, and an Orange Blossom Express token from when Kristie was down in Riverside, CA for college.) and take them to the bank for deposit.


The bags we used to take the pennies to the bank... It was kind of wierd walking INTO a bank with sacks full of money.

So now we are waiting, 20 years later, with much the same sense of fitful anticipation as kids get before christmas morning, for the final count from the bank to gome back.

How much do you think was in there?

its still summer here

so this entry officially catches me up...

After we got back from Mexico, the visitors kept coming. First Kevin came through town and we got to catch up with him. He came midweek, but we were still able to take him to a Rockies game, and hang out for a few nights. It was a great visit, and we're looking forward to seeing him again soon.

Right after he left, Megan and Aaron, their kids, and Hollee came to visit. Together with Kristie's parents, Mark, Amy, and Kevin. That means we got to see all the family, minus a Melinda, Paul, Joshie, and some of the kids, this summer.


Kristie and Aaron blowing bubbles that Hollee brought with the girls.


Helpless Corbin being attacked by the bubbles.


the girls got fish to play with. "Play with" involved feeding them bubbles, and begging me to pick up the fish and move them back and forth between the bowls. After being left outside overnight.... fish funeral.


Kristie and the Kiddos at Mom and Dad's place


Me and the kids. They were so much fun to have around and get to know better.

After everyone went home the summer calmed down a bit... lots of workin for both of us. We were able to see my parents a few times, and we're feeling really lucky to have them here for the year.



In August we decided to go to the BWG camping trip in Aspen. we drove up and back with my co-worker, Steve, which was pretty fun. It was a cool drive; we went over Independence Pass for the first time, and it was really pretty. The party was definitely rockin' at the campsite with lots of late night shenanigans and only got crazier after we went to bed. That's all I'll say about that, since I don't want to get fired. I work with fun people. crazy, but fun.


Us at the top of Aspen Mountain.

Kristie got us tickets to see Demetri Martin, this guy:



The show was almost all new stuff, and it was SOOOOOO funny. His prepared act was really good, but unlike a lot of other comics, he seemed like a genuinely funny guy, talking back and forth with the audience, and at one point coming up with jokes on the spot.

Before the show we went to dinner at TAG on Larimer Square, and lucked into eating at the Chef's table. It was a really fun experience, watching the chef and his staff work behind the scenes, talking with him, and trying different samples of the stuff they were sending to other tables. Kristie tried sushi for the first time in one of sample plates, and we would definitely recommend it to everyone, especially the chef's table.

The last month has been pretty low-key. I've been teaching at CU, which has been really rewarding so far. I have a good group of students and they are working really hard, so I have high hopes for the rest of the semester.

una semana en playa del secreto

it has been a good summer around here. After graduation we decided a little vacation was in order, so we pulled out our handy CDC global pandemic map, and picked somewhere that that looked exciting. Always trying to be on the cutting edge, we couldn't resist a trip to swine flu central, Mexico!

It was awesome, and cheap, so here's the tip for all you would be world travelers... contagious diseases = fantastic bargains (and maybe a horrible horrible death, so check to see if people be droppin' before you book).

We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya in Playa Del Secreto... it was really fancy. They greeted us with drinks at the entry, and gave us a free room upgrade.









The grounds were awesome and very well cared for.



This place was crawling with these guys. We usually saw 2 or three walking between the room and the pool.


Us at the pool... it was HUGE.


and because everyone thought simply stepping foot in Mexico was sure to kill you, it was almost empty most of the time.


Shopping in Playa Del Carmen... it was fun to haggle with the vendors. I got a lot of Spanish practice in.


My boss hasn't been happy with my decision to wear this look to every client meeting since we got back. I think it adds a little pizazz to the office, so I'm sticking with it.


Playa was crazy. Because there are entrances to caves and Mayan ruins mixed in with the shopping. Right under this balcony there was a deep water filled cave (cenote) that you could go down to for some swimming/ cave snorkeling.




So, We were driving back to the hotel from Playa del Carmen when this car pulled in front of us. Mexico is nuts. Yes, that sweet music is coming from the bangin' system in the back of the car in front of us. Yes, we are on a freeway. Yes, it was much louder in real life. and yes, the speakers are held in place by a broom handle and bungee cords.



We were walking along a dirt road to the ruins in Tulum when we saw this sweet Nacho Libre bike.



Me at the entry to the ruins.


Ya, the ruins were pretty awesome. Seeing them was definitely on my life list. There was a little beach right below them that you could go down to.



Sitting on the ruins. I was so tired, because Mexico is so incredibly hot. Go there, but go in the winter. Summer in Mexico = sweaty all the time.


At the beach in Tulum.




This is Akumal. Akumal is soooooo cool. Definitely more low key than Playa del Carmen. The snorkeling here was so great. Right off the beach we saw a bunch of giant sea turtles, an eagle ray, and lots of fish. The turtles were munching on sea grass in about 10-15 ft of water, and would swim right by you when they came up for air. Incredible, and totally free other than the snorkel equipment rental.

I went in another area away from the turtles, and there was great coral, with a wall of little fish like 10 ft thick. I got a tip that there might be a barracuda in the area, too, and sure enough, after checking under two or three boats, I stuck my head under water and was face to face with a massive scary looking one. I was only like 2 ft away, and it was really ugly so I was a bit shocked. It was about 4 ft long, and just sort of floated there staring back at me. creepy but cool.





We ate lunch right on Half Moon Bay in Akumal. Life is hard.


Kristie got a tattoo.



This monkey was pretty cool.



Until he totally felt Kristie up.



Kristie and the (much more respectful) iguana, Maurice.

All in all it was a pretty relaxing week. Full of just what we needed...








Thanks for reading... I really do plan on being better about this.

Here is a slideshow of the rest of the photos.

- Scott