The Netherlands!

We have some exciting news - Julia and I are going to the Netherlands!! Georgetown has a study abroad program with the University of Leiden (Leiden is a small college city in-between the Hague and Amsterdam, and close to both). I applied a month ago and was given an 'alternate' slot. They only send a few students, so we figured the chances of us going were slim. Then this week I received an e-mail saying another student had dropped out and I could have the position. Julia and I decided it was just too great of an opportunity to pass up. The timing works out well since Julia is graduating next month and we don't have kids yet. I'll be taking law courses in Leiden that count toward my degree, so my own graduation isn't delayed. I'm especially excited to be able to go back to the Netherlands, a country I love, and share the experience with Julia. We'll be there from September to December. Anyone that wants to come visit, we'd love to have you - make your reservations now and have your own private Dutch speaking tour guide!

Tree coring expedition

In case any of you don't know, I (Julia) am currently working on my master's degree. To get my degree I have to complete a master's project of my choice. Before I came to Maryland I was working with a prof. from BYU doing tree-ring studies. I decided I wanted to continue the subject so I did a tree-ring study in Montezuma Canyon, UT. I am on the verge of finishing my project and so I thought I would share some of our photos from the field work we did last summer. I have to give my parents and David a lot of credit for the work we accomplished last summer. I could not have done it without them!
David spent several hours in this tree we lovingly named "Fergus." It only takes a few minutes to get the boring tool (tool used to extract a tiny core from the tree) into the center of the tree, but if the tree is very big and rotten in the middle it can take hours to pull it out. If David hadn't been there to help me, the boring tool would still be stuck in that tree! Thanks for hanging in there so long David! It must be love!
There are hundred of Anasazi ruins in the canyon (my parents have excavated a number of them!). This is a kiva in the canyon that David is coming out of. My parents and other members of their field school reconstructed this kiva.

Cherry Blossom Festival!

David and I haven't gotten out much lately because I've been working hard on my Master's paper! We did manage to get out for a little bit this weekend though to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival. This is quite a big deal in D.C. and well worth a visit. Cherry trees surround the lake in front of the Jefferson Memorial spreading tiny pink leaves everywhere. The trees are gorgeous, we'll definitely be going back next year!