LOST

Rachel and Nedra (Ben’s mom and sister) are into the TV series LOST! This winter they were watching the 5th season and we watched a couple episodes and were…lost! So we have embarked on the huge task of watching the complete series. We rented the first season and are hooked. Every free moment that we have we are watching another episode to find out what will happen next in the lives of our plane wrecked heroes only to be more confused and addicted to this confusing show.
So at this point not only are the castaways LOST on a strange island but we are helplessly and hopelessly LOST in the plot of this series…hopefully we will soon see the light (but from the snickers coming from Nedra and Rachel- I think we have a ways to go

Dave: From Boulder to Boston

Dave Neiman, one of Ben’s roommates from school, passed through Boulder while driving up to Boston for his Master’s program. So we had a picnic in the mountains and spent the day showing him the sites. We defiantly sold him on Boulder and the beauties and adventures that it holds. It was a fun day and great to see Dave as he embarks on his own ‘east coast’ adventure! Good Luck Neiman Family!
(Pictures to Come!)

Rock N Soul Café

On Saturday (August 15th) we went to the Rock N’Soul Café to hear one of our friends, Eric Forsyth,play. He was good and had someone on a ukulele play with him, which added an extra element to his music, which we both really liked. There were two other performances one by Cory Mon; he is touring from Salt Lake and has a blue grass sound (he was not our favorite because it didn’t sound complete). And there was David Hopkins from Ireland (touring from LA). We loved his music (he is similar to and has recorded with Damien Rice). It was a fun night and we enjoyed being out and listening to all the music!

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan a country in central Asia near Afghanistan and Pakistan (it is not even close to India-sorry Rich). Dushanbe and Boulder are sister cities and in 1987 Boulder were presented with the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. It is a beautiful building and “more than 40 artisans in several cities of Tajikistan created the decorative elements of the Teahouse, including its hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels.” It is now not only a tradition tea house but is also used for banquets and as a restaurant.














Ben and I went there for dinner on Saturday and were able to try authentic food. I had some sort of veggie and chicken shish kabob with cucumber yogurt dressing and Ben had rice noodles with a spicy peanut sauce. It was so much fun and quite an experience- we both loved our meals.

















While we were waiting for our food there was a live band playing around the corner that we could hear and so it was like we were being serenaded (by rock and roll). Afterwards we took a night hike up the canyon and were able to see all of the lights of Boulder. The MOON was shining brightly and there were bats to keep all the mosquitoes away (so that was great). It was a fun night!

COPS and Queens

This week our Stake is going on a Pioneer Trek across Wyoming to learn about, remember and respect our ancestors- the Mormon Pioneers. The 14-18 year old youth and some leaders get to go on this Trek. Last night was mutual and (with the trek beginning today- Wednesday) it was only the Beehives (me and two girls). We have a new Beehive coming in on Sunday so we made her a Birthday Candy poster and went over to her house to explain the Young Women’s Program and help her feel welcome.

Then… we decided to go to Dairy Queen! We had to stop by one of the miamaids houses to give her trek cloths and she was tired of being in the house- so we took her too. So the four of us headed off to Dairy Queen! This was fun. The girls have started to realize I am not as old as my saggy boobs and grey hair might suggest- I am young and…hip? We talked about all the boys in the ward- which are cute, nice, and datable (when they are 16-of course). We talked about boys at school (here I was lost). I felt young. They felt grown up. It was a great combo!

On the way home, with a car full of sugar filled giggly girls trying to find their homes in the dark, I GOT PULLED OVER!! Ahh- I am supposed to be an example to these frail young souls and look what I did. What did I do? I turned to them to comfort them (I was sure they would be close to tears) and what do I find? They busted up laughing at me! I had to calm them down before the cop got to my window and try hard not to laugh myself.

The cop asked my name and for my information, then informed me that he pulled me over because one of my headlights was out. IS THAT ALL? This adult humiliation and loss of decency because of a headlight? He then looked through the car and got a weird look on his face- shining his flashlight in the eyes of the giggly young girls in the car. “Who do you have in the car with you?” I told him I was a youth leader and we had just gone to Dairy Queen. “Oh, so I guess I am kind of ruining your night then?” Without thinking I just responded, “Yes officer, You sorta are!”

He took my information back to his car. As he left the window the girls exploded again- “He was TOTALLY flirting with you.” “No he wasn’t he was old.” “He asked your name.” “He had to he is a cop.” “Oh that 40…no 50..maybe 60 year old cop is flirting with you! I bet he likes younger women.” “We should just drive away now and see if he can catch us- but no he has your address.”… and it continued like that (at high squealish decibels).

He came back and gave me a warning. The girls then teased me that he gave me his phone number and he REALLY was flirting. All the way dropping them off I got teased that I got flirted with by a cop. I don’t think I have ever had such an enjoyable time getting pulled over in my life! But I still would rather not repeat the experience!

Wyatt's Blessing

On June 28th we had the opportunity to go down to Denver and see Wyatt Wilson Stones get blessed. Wyatt is the newest nephew and he is very cute. We all try to decide who he looks like (I think he looks like Mylie) - but he is uniquely him and we love him!

The blessing was at Mat and Andi’s house with all the family there (Wilson and Stones) and it was so much fun. It was great to see everyone (we haven’t gotten together for a while) and to celebrate this special time. There was also FOOD (banana splits) which makes any family gathering complete. It was a great get together!

Girls Camp 2009

I had the opportunity to go to Girls Camp this year as the Louisville Camp Director. This year our stake did a shortened three day camp only for Beehives (because the other girls will be going on the trek) and the theme was “Daughters of Light.” We had four beehives go and one YCL (Youth Camp Leader) from our ward.


















Before camp I was in charge of creating and printing Song/Schedule booklets for each girl that had camp songs, the weeks schedule, certifications and other important information in it. It was hard but with the help of Dad, Ron and (especially) Ben these booklets turned out great. Because camp was shortened I also had to certify the girls in many different things (such as fire, food and first aid) before going to camp. We worked on these things for many weeks so they would be prepared when they arrived at camp.

All of the preparation and stress paid off this week as we headed up to Camp Batel (the new church owned Girls Camp in WY). This camp was wonderful with a kitchen (with running water), tents on platforms, clean facilities and plans for growth. There was an amphitheater where we held our flag ceremonies, skit night, devotionals, and testimony meeting.









The girls got to do many fun activities such as tie dying shirts, canoeing, archery, first aid, water baseball, crafts (made necklaces), an obstacle course, scavenger hunts, service projects, hikes and skits. There were also fun experiences at night around the camp fire roasting smores and starbursts and going on a snipe hunt.

It is always so much fun to be with people of your same faith living the gospel and enjoying nature. The spirit was so strong and we were all were able to get away from the loud hectic motion of life and enjoy God’s creations. It was such a wonderful experience for us all and we all became such close friends!

4th of July Weekend

On Friday (July 3rd) we went down to Denver with Dad and ran in Erica’s Ward 4th of July 5k. This was our second 5k and it was defiantly challenging (full of hills) but it was such a great accomplishment. We were both very proud of ourselves and were rewarded with a pancake breakfast- yum!















For the Fourth of July we did the typical all American thing- we BBQ’d! We went to a breakfast BBQ in Lyons (with my parents ward) and then went to a Lunch BBQ/Potluck with our ward in Louisville. It was really fun and we got to play volleyball and enjoy being outside with friends. Then in the evening we went to some friends, Eric and Jamie, and they BBQ’s salmon and chicken for dinner- yum! I made a trifle for dessert (its red white and blue).














We played games and then went to see the fireworks at the Louisville Golf Course. It was so beautiful and the fireworks were shot off right above us.

MOTAB at Redrocks

On June 29th Ben and I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert located at Redrocks, CO. Redrocks is an entirely outdoor amphitheater with built in acoustics (made of sandstone rocks). It was both Ben and my first time being at Redrocks and it was so beautiful.
The concert was amazing. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is said to be “America’s Choir’ and that is justly so. They sang some amazing songs from around the world and some great patriotic American songs. We were sitting in the very back and so it wasn’t very loud- but it was still very good. The choreography and professionalism was astounding. This was the last concert of the Choir’s tour and so there was an extra surprise, President Thomas S. Monson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) was there!
It was a wonderful night with great uplifting music, beautiful scenery and wonderful company!

Father's Day LUAU!!!

For Father’s Day we had a big family LUAU!! We decorated the deck, dressed up in Hawaiian gear, played luau games (parrot scavenger hunt), did the hula and had Hawaiian haystacks for dinner. It was hilarious to watch the Dad’s/Brother’s all doing the hula. It was so much fun!

NEWSON FAMILY REUNION

The past week we have been having a Newson Family Reunion here in Colorado. It has been so fun to have the whole family here (24 people in one house) and to spend time with all the nieces and nephews. Ben and I had to work during the days but each evening we did something fun and got to spend quality time with everyone! It was such a blast and we really got to know everyone better!! We love family!





















More pictures to come

Colorado Star Ball

This last weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Colorado Star Ball, a national Ballroom dance competition held in Westminster Colorado. I was a runner (I took the scores from the judges to the computer person who tallied the results), I helped with trophies/ awards and I also helped with odds and ends (setting up chairs, passing out ‘bling’, ect). What was the most amazing is that I got to spend two days watching people dance and it was amazing. Friday was a latin/rhythm filled night- with more scantily clad costumes but amazing moves, dips and spins. Saturday was a romantically elegant day filled with tuxedos and ball gowns doing the standard/smooth dances. It was so amazing to watch the theatrical dancing, see the bedazzled costumes and hear the eclectic music. It made me realize why I love dancing!


Watch videos of Michael Malitowski & Joanna Leunis (World Latin Dance Champions) at http://coloradostarball.com/

Day in Denver with the Stones

Last weekend we got to go up to Denver to see Mylie, Andrew, Mat, Andi and Baby Wyatt. It was so fun to see all of them and to play in the swimming pool. While in the pool the kids perfected their flips. Mylie was flipping so high and Andrew would do fast back spins. In the evening we had hamburgers (so juicey- the best I’ve had in a LONG time), broccoli salad, jell-o salad, onion rings, french fries, soda, cookies (Andi’s amazing) and ice cream- I am just salivating thinking about it and we played games through the night.
It is always fun going down and playing with the “Denver Stones!”

Brea's New Internship at RMA

So I am at work and am supposed to be working, but I am falling asleep (literally my head bobbed)- so I need to do SOMETHING that will wake me up. So I thought I would write a little about my new job and hopefully this is less boring that what I am actually doing and will give me a 15 minute rejuvenation in my day!

I am doing my final pending internship at Tri-County Health Department (located in Commerce City, CO) working in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Department as a Water Sampler. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) was created in 1942 by the United States Army as a location to manufacture chemical warfare agents for World War II and again in the Cold War. Between the wars some of the plants and buildings were sold to Shell, a company that produces pesticides and other chemicals. The demolition of chemical waste and creation of harmful chemicals and pesticides on this land was continued through the 1980’s until in 1987 the Rocky Mountain Arsenal was put in the National Priorities List, a list of hazardous waste sites eligible for long-term remedial action, financed by the federal superfund program (aka taxes). At this time remediations were started to turn this hazardous waste dump into a National Wildlife Refuge (where Bald Eagles are now living).

The RMA was situated over many huge underground plumes (like underground lakes), which were the source of water for neighboring residential areas. The Tri-County Health Department was invited to aid in this cleanup to provide private well sampling and determine exposure pathways and the exposure levels of chemicals in the water. Since the project began the harmful chemical exposure radius has decreased from the original 27 miles to about 5.6 miles.

I go out and do the field sampling (collect the water samples from private wells) and then do the lab work to test for hardness, conductivity, nitrate levels, and fluoride. Then we send samples out to be tested for DIMP. I also do lot of paperwork, filing, reporting and charting on maps and things.

So hopefully this will help you understand what I do! I am a little more awake now, hopefully you aren't asleep!

31st Memorial Day Bolder Boulder

The Bolder Boulder is the largest 10 K in the United States and the second largest road race in the United States with over 54,000 participants and over 80,000-100,000 participants and spectators. The race weaves up and down steep hills throughout Boulder, CO (an ideal racing town at a high elevation) and finishes in the CU Stadium. It is really cool to sit in the stadium and watch all of the people run in and over the finish line. Right outside the stadium is an expo with booths of free stuff (t-shirts, food, water bottles, ect) and it is bustling with music and all sorts of different people.

All of the pedestrian runners have to be done by 11:00 am and then they start the international professional races. These runners were so amazing to watch. The fastest male did 6 miles in about 27 minutes. After the professional racers get in there is a sky dive by the Mile-Hi Sky Diving Team, each carrying a flag from a branch of the U.S. military as well as the United States Flag, A 21-gun salute and presentation of the Colors, the National Anthem is sung and there is a formation flyover by military jets.

The entire race is emotional because you get to see people struggle and reach their goals. You see parents pushing their children forward. You see elderly beat their age and bodies limitations. You see people beat weight, sickness, fatigue and doubt. It is awe- inspiring to see the dedication and commitment on the runners faces.

The final portion of the program when they dedicate time to the service of the military and the memory of the country, it brings the dedication and commitment we saw on the faces of the runners into a new perspective and shows the dedication and commitment that others had for our country. It was an amazing moment that felt like time stood still.

The flyover of the military jets ended the program and as the last jet flew over the rain began to poor. It was also a slightly awe-inspiring thing that the rain waited for us to have that moment. It was a great morning; we got to see Erica run in (I am so proud of her) and got to see other people we know complete their goals. I feel almost silly to be so emotionally attached to those moments I had this morning but they helped me remember that I am proud to be an American!