Anniversary Cruise

Well, it's time we updated our blog with news of our anniversary cruise! We had a fabulous time - met two other wonderful couples - and even ran into some fellow Bastropians!

We lounged by the pool, read books, played Blackjack, and napped, napped, napped!!!

We had a great time snorkeling in Jamaica, though none of our underwater pictures came out. Our excursion to snorkel with the stingrays in the Grand Caymans got canceled due to bad weather, so we ended up going shopping. We got Ken a new watch and me a diamond cross necklace to celebrate our anniversary.

Ken joined a blackjack tournament, and has a t-shirt to prove it. While Ken was playing, I fell on the stairs (did I mention the bad weather?) and made my way to the infirmary to have my cut cleaned up.

We made some good friends and enjoyed ourselves immensely. All in all, we had a lovely, romantic time on our anniversary cruise!

I'll post some pics soon.

April!

Not much to blog about - but we've been busy busy with this and that!!
We had some friends stay for the weekend a few weeks ago. We met up in Brenham to visit a winery and the Monastery Miniature Horses farm. We missed the Bluebell ice cream tour because it was so crowded!

April is sure shaping up to be a busy month! Krista's birthday comes up at the end of the month and we're thinking about having a party to celebrate our new enclosed patio. Ken will be headed into work for some training for the next couple of months, and Krista is looking forward to sharing the long drive in.

We've made travel plans to go on a cruise to Mexico for our 5th anniversary in May!

Spring is the most beautiful season of the year, especially in Texas! I love to see all the different shades of green. The wildflowers are starting to spring up and fills the view with loveliness and bright colors. Nobody can be sad in the spring!

That's all for now!
-Krista

Bastrop Wildfires

Many of you have probably heard about the wild fires in Bastrop this past weekend. Luckily our home and property are undamaged. We are located across the Colorado River and about 5 miles from the fire's leading edge, so we were well away from the danger area. The fire is 90% contained and there are just a few spots that are still smoldering so for the most part the danger is over. (Barring any more flare ups, high winds, etc.)

The fire was located on the east side of the county near/in one of the two state parks here. Currently the report is that it burned 1200 acres (roughly 2 square miles) of the Lost Pines Forest. Interestingly, one of the homes we considered buying out here would have put us right in the middle of the fire. Ultimately we ended up closer to the Austin (west) side of Bastrop. Apparently it started with a downed power line that set the dry brush on fire (we've been in a drought for a couple of years now).

While this was going on, Krista and I were in Tucson visiting family! There is something strange about being 800 miles and 2 states away watching your home town of 8,000 on national cable news! Luckily we were able to reach the neighbors and confirm that our neighborhood was safe. Also the dogs were kenneled near our home so they too were safe.

Thanks to everyone for their emails and calls, we appreciate the concern!
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/region_3/wildfire_victims_return_home_to_remains

New Website!

Well, I've finally updated our website and uploaded it to the web: www.nextofken.com
It is still in process, but let me know if you notice any errors or if there is anything that you'd like to see. At some point, I will add separate pages for me and Ken. You know, in my copious amount of spare time.... :-)
Enjoy!
-Krista

Skype

Well, Ken and I have both joined Skype. It is a free way to call friends and family with a computer, speakers, and a webcam, so that you can see and hear each other. So far, I've been able to talk to my mom in Tucson and conference call my best buds Jess (in Denver) and Laura (in Virginia), while Ken has talked to his friend Todd in Oregon.

It's pretty cool. To download, go to www.skype.com and follow the directions. Once you've got it loaded on your pc, look us up!

Will write later!
Krista