Holiday greetings! This newsletter is brought to you from New Castle, Colorado, where the Nelson-George household is starting a new seasonal tradition.

As we move into 2019, we would like to extend our warmest thoughts and well-wishes to our family and friends that make these holiday good-feelings worth sharing. In an ideal world, we could all gather, drink (sour beers a’plenty), and be merry; however, this year we’ll have to settle for a digital version.

2018 in a Nut(cracker) Shell

Winter

Chad and I started the year off fabulously in Denver, spending time with friends and games. I’d come from a bitter-cold Chicago trip, where I got to see my parents, both of my brothers and their spouses, and my nephew, Everest.

Winter brought a few exciting times for our quiet household. My childhood friend from summer camp came for a visit and I met my first local pig, we attended a gala event (where Chad accidentally placed a bid on a $400 rental house in a silent auction…and won), and we explored some nearby trails in an unusually warm season. My work moved into a new office space, and Chad began to design bridges on his own.

Our first Gala event

My new animal friends, including Charlotte the Pig

The hike to Doc Holliday’s Grave, in Glenwood Springs, CO

Spring

In the spring, we got to experience the grand scale of my parents’ new Airstream, as they parked it in the KOA by our home. Each time they’ve visited, we’ve been able to explore the area a little further; we’ve been to Rifle Falls, Hanging Lake, and hot springs together.

This mysterious log remains suspended in the water at Hanging Lake.

My parents’ Airstream in Colorado. Photo credit: Rick Nelson

Spencer and Everest came for a visit in March, and Chad and I enjoyed a short-lived experience with the infamous Movie Pass. We hosted some of our nearest and dearest friends at the aforementioned rental house, and packed the weekend with hot springs, delicious cuisine, and hours of hide-and-seek in our temporary luxury home. Around this time, Chad and I also made April trips to Pagosa Springs and Gunnison, spending time with the George family and friends on the road.

We were able to squeeze in one final visit with Spencer, Mary, and Everest before they left for India. At this time, Chad and I found out that we would an aunt and uncle once again, via Tyler and Natalie.

Chad’s mom, Patty, was able to come and visit us over Mother’s Day weekend. Our full weekend included a hike up to Hanging Lake and an Aspen day trip, where a stop at the John Denver lyrical garden was a must.

The John Denver Garden in Aspen, CO

Summer

The transition into summer started with a Taylor Swift concert, a Rockies game, and, for me, a significant hair cut. We continued to enjoy the warm weather, paired with brewery visits, hammock hangs, and excursions with our new two-person kayak—perfect for Harvey Gap State Park, practically in our backyard.

Brewery visits with Chad

Harvey Gap State Park near Silt, CO

Taylor Swift Concert 2k18

Hammock views from our backyard in New Castle, CO

Taylor Swift concert with my mom

We attended a wonderful wedding in Lafayette, CO, (cheers to Shelby and Stephen!) and danced the night away with some of our amazing friends. Chad and I also attended our very first Red Rocks Concert, starring the Avett Brothers; as we celebrated Chad’s 24th birthday, some friends surprised him for a Denver meet up.

Our good friends Alexis, Jessica, and I

Chad getting down on the dance floor at Shelby and Stephen’s wedding

Avett Brothers show at Red Rocks

Mid-summer I pulled the trigger on a passion project: I decided to create a blog, titled Sunshine with Savannah (as you can see). This has given us a reason to explore and travel, and has led us to various new sights and attractions.

At the beginning of August, Chad and I went to Iowa and were able to reunite with many family members, including our expecting sister-in-law. In true Midwestern style, we chatted a bunch, played yard games, and tried red beer.

Our summer ended with a Grand Junction Rockies game (highly recommended), a weekend of salsa making with my parents and Tyler, and exploring our area a little more.

Snowmass, CO

GJ Rockies game in Grand Junction, CO

Salsa Weekend! Featuring my mom, dad, husband, and brother, Tyler

Fall

Chad and I had a busy autumn. We traveled to Denver, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Sand Dunes National Park, Gunnison, and Grand Junction, CO. Highlights included:

• our very good friends getting married (we love you, Bobby and Paige!), and needing to take a chair lift to get to the ceremony
• celebrating our one year wedding anniversary in September and 7 years together in November
• visiting the Sand Dunes; camping, sledding down the dunes, and exploring the area
• taking a home-buyer’s education class, initiating the first step into the saving process
• my work put on the first-ever US hot springs conference, and I was able to meet and connect with hot springs representatives from all over the country
• staying with excellent friends in Denver and enjoying a fun-packed weekend in the city
• volunteering for a fall-themed photo shoot at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, for the infamous “Haunted Mine Drop” ride
• hot springs soaking
• Thanksgiving in Gunnison, celebrated with Chad’s family, including parents (Greg and Patty), sister (Anna), brother-in-law (Steven), niece and nephew (Kay and Phillip), grandma (Kay), and aunt and uncle (Mike and Kim)
• participating in a coed recreational volleyball team, representing Chad’s work, SGM
• a quick weekend visit with my Grandpa Bert and Grandma Shirley in Colorado
• our SGM holiday party at Hotel Colorado
• surprising Chad’s grandparents Hugh and Patricia at lunch in Denver! We were also joined by Patty, Anna, Steven, Phillip, and Baby Kay
• the arrival of our new niece in mid-December. Congrats to Tyler and Natalie, and their precious daughter Nora! Aunt Savannah and Uncle Chad are over the moon and filled with love!

Chad hot springs soaking

Denver Botanic Gardens

Fall photo shoot at Harvey Gap

Fall drive near Glenwood Springs, CO

Old Town Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, CO

Meeting up with our great friends Stephen, Shelby, Paige, Bobby, Alexis, and Jessica in Denver.

Colorado fall drive

Shelby and Stephen at the Denver Botanic Gardens

View from Glenwood Springs

An empty view of Glenwood Hot Springs for my work conference

One of my best friends, Bobby, and I!

Chad and I at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

views of Mount Crested Butte

Great friends and newspaper alum, Madi, Taylor, and Tessa, all at Bobby and Paige’s wedding.

Chad and I in Winter Park, CO

Camping at the Sand Dunes

My mom and I at Hotel Colorado for our holiday parties

Sand Dunes in CO

Cheers to the New Year

Overall, 2018 was a very rewarding year, filled with growth, travel, and the pursuit of new and exciting chapters. Chad and I tried new things and experiences, and reconnected with many friends and family. As we move forward into 2019, we hope to continue crushing goals and having as much fun as possible while we do. Cheers!

Lots of love and light,

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