Friends and Family visit us in Colorado. Kim and I have hosted plenty of friends and family since we moved to Colorado. When they come to visit, we usually turn it into a vacation. Everyone has a good time (or so I've been told), and I usually take quite a few photos. Here are some of those visits/visitors.

* Kuchta's Conquer Colorado - Our first visitors after moving to Colorado. Kim's parents paid us a visit during August of 2002. After a week long vacation with the Kuchta's we needed a break.
* Cats Conquers Colorado. Robert's mother paid us a visit during August of 2002. Her first visit to Colorado. Surely there will be more. Not as crazy as the Kuchta's visit in 2002, Mom's visit was just as memorable.
* My mother came back to Colorado for a surprise visit in October of 2005. Kim (that sneaky Roman senator!) smuggled mom into Colorado without tipping her hand. One day I woke up from a nap, wandered out into the living room, and - Mom! what the? Here are pictures from that brief (22 - 28 October 2005) but memorable surprise visit.
* Kuchta's Visit Colorado - 2007. During June/July of 2007, Kim and I took a vacation. We planned the vacation well in advance, and we had a fantastic time. The vacation began on the 22nd of July, when our guests arrived. Over the course of the next ten days (22 Jun - 01 Jul), Kim and I hosted her parents (Ted & Sharon), and two of our nieces (Chantelle and Amber).
* Keith's Klan - 2009. During March of 2009, Kim and I hosted another group of world travelers. We planned the vacation well in advance, and everyone had a fantastic time. The vacation began on the 11th of March, when our guests arrived. Over the course of the next four days (11 - 14 Mar), Kim and I hosted her Brother Keith, Yvette, and two of their girls; Leah and Kaitlyn.
* Osaka Rob visits the Vaessens: Rob G. is one of our best friends. The best man at our wedding, Kim and I have known Rob as long as we've known each other. We go way back - Back to the early 80s and beyond. He's been living in Japan since 1989, and 2008 marks the first year he's been able to visit us in Colorado. Now that I'm retired (from the military), and we're not moving around every few years, this home base may make for an easier pit stop between Osaka and Green Bay. Thankfully those frequent flyer miles are good for something. Rob was here for a short visit - just four days, but we had a really good time. Hopefully, he can bring Ryoko and the kids next time. I'm sure they'd enjoy the visit as well.
* Grand Canyon Vacation - 2010: Kim's parents joined during may of 2010, for a vacation at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We drove from Colorado down to Arizona in our XC90, and we took a train to the Grand Canyon. Oh what a wonderful adventure. Check out the photos and slide show to see the world's biggest hole in the ground.
* Cloughs Conquer Colorado - 2010: Kim's sister Kary, Mark, Sam and Emma came to Colorado to visit Kim and I and take a tour of central Colorado. Despite some gloomy weather, we managed to visit many of our favorite attractions. Downtown Denver, The Royal Gorge train and park, Pikes Peak, rafting on the Arkansas river - to name a few. Everyone had a great time on their first visit to Colorado. After sorting through 800 plus photos, I've posted my favorites at "Rob's World!".
* Dennis Does Denver - 2010: In June of 2010, we were privileged to host a good friend from way back. Dennis hails from San Vito Italy (that's where we first met him). We met him way back when Kim and I were stationed in San Vito, Italy. We were stationed in Italy from 1985 - 1992, and Dennis was one of the people who made San Vito our favorite assignment. Dennis was in the Army when we met him, but that didn't last long. He soon left the Army and Joined Evie - a local Italian girl, for an exciting life in Italy. While we managed to visit Dennis and Evie on a few occasions, and he couldn't resist the call of our weekend D&D gaming sessions, we really lost track of the couple after we left Italy. Eventually we reestablished contact on the internet. After some trying times and a delay of far too many years, Dennis decided to pay us a visit in Denver. Dennis flew into Denver on the 25th and the adventure began on the morning after. After a five day vacation (six with arrival and departure), I gathered up all the photos and put together this gallery. I hope you enjoy it.

So when will you be visiting? Kim and I are still waiting for a visit from our sisters. It sure would be nice if they could visit. We've got a big house, so there's plenty of room, and we're always willing to host our friends and family.

Birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations at home. Sure, Kim and I get away during these special events. You may occasionally note the use of a term called an 'Annibirthday' - Well, Kim and I got married on my Birthday (Oct 26, 1985). Yes, that's right, on my Birthday - and it's a long story. So if you see that term, you'll know where it came from. Here then are photos we took during a birthday or anniversary.

* Kim's Birthday weekend. A two day trip to Georgetown & Empire, Colorado in July of 2002.
* Annibirthday 2002: Kim and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary on the 26th of October. As you may already know, the 26th is also my Birthday. We spent the weekend in Estes Park, CO. A quiet little resort town, nestled up against the majesty of the Rockies. We stayed at a fantastic Bed & Breakfast called the Taharaa Mountain Lodge. (They even gave us a 15% military discount!) We spent the 26th sight seeing at Rocky Mountain National park. On the evening of the 26th we ate a little place called 'Grandmaison's Bistro'. The food was outstanding, and the service was stellar. We had a terrific time.
* Kim's Birthday weekend - 2003. A three day vacation in Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado. We went horse back riding, on a Jeep tour, and toured a micro-winery.
* Annibirthday 2007: We celebrated our 22nd anniversary on the 26th of October, 2007. That weekend, Kim and I took a little vacation. It was our anniversary, and my birthday. So, we decided to take a trip into the mountains. We hadn’t treated ourselves in a while, so this came as a welcome relief from the stresses of work and the hectic pace of our lives. We stayed two nights at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs.
* Annibirthday 2008: Kim and I celebrated another Anniversary in October. As of 2008, it's been 23 years since we said our "I do"s. This year (2008), we celebrated our Anniversary (and my birthday) by taking a trip down to Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs. We stayed at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, attended an old fashioned wake at Miramount Castle, and watched the Coffin Races in Manitou Springs before heading back into town. We even had time to squeeze in a stop at the Seven Falls attraction and a Money Museum (sorry forgot to take pictures at the money museum) during our stay. Another great vacation in Colorado.
* Annibirthday 2009: Kim and I celebrated another Annibirthday in October of 2009. As Kim and I were married on my birthday, we celebrate an Annibirthday instead of an Anniversary, or my Birthday. This year we decided to take a trip out west; well, further west than Denver. We packed up the Volvo and headed west on I-70. Utah bound, we took up residence at the Arrowhead Country Inn of Mt. Carmel, Utah. From our base-camp we set forth on our adventure. Over a one week period, we visited four different parks. Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes (a state park), and the world's largest hole in the ground - The Grand Canyon (in Northern Arizona). During the vacation - despite the loss of my camera's battery charger - we took a lot of photos. Another great Annibirthday - and plenty of photos posted.
* Wisconsin vacation - 2010: This trip to Wisconsin was planned as a surprise for Kim's parents. The sneaky Vaessens (Kim & I) flew into Milwaukee, rented a car, and drove to De Pere. We delivered some flowers and treated Ted and Sharon to a meal at the Republic Chophouse, for their 45th wedding anniversary. Surprise!
* Annibirthday 2010: Kim and I celebrated another Annibirthday in October of 2010. As Kim and I were married on my birthday, we celebrate an Annibirthday instead of an Anniversary, or my Birthday. This year we decided on a 'Staycation'. While we stayed at home, we went to more places during our staycation than we did during many standard vacations. The staycation officially kicked off on the 24th of Oct. The official end of our 'Staycation' was 29 October, 2010.
* Kim's birthday 2012. In July of 2012, Kim and I took a four day, three night vacation in Colorado's lake country. Here are some photos of our vacation in the mountains near Grand Lake, Colorado.
* Annibirthday - 2012: Our anniversary/my birthday in 2012 was celebrated in Glenwood Springs. Kim's parents joined us for a fun weekend (25 - 29 Oct, 2012) in Aurora and Glenwood Springs. I've posted photos on my own website, and shared them via iCloud. If you want, you can create an account (on my website) in order to add comments on the individual photos.

Celebrations at home: Sometimes Kim & I stick around the house for a little celebration. We might have friends over or celebrate with our two best friends (Kim and I). Here's a few celebrations where we stayed home.

* Christmas - 2012: Over the last two days (25-26 Dec, 2012), the Denver/Aurora area received a welcome gift in the form of a White Christmas. Our area received approximately 2 inches of white fluffy snow and the mountains got more than 12 inches. On this festive occasion, Kim and I would like to take the opportunity to wish all our visitors a Happy Holiday Season, a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, a Joyous Festivus - Whatever flavor of holiday spirit trips your trigger. We sincerely hope that you and your family had a fantastic time during the last few days. We wish you prosperity and health throughout the year to come. Thanks for being our friends and family. We wish we could have made a trip out to see all our friends and family for the holidays, but we couldn't arrange it this year. Maybe we'll see you in 2012. Two different galleries created for this event. One created using 'Gallery 3.0' web hosted software, and another created using 'Exhibeo' application for the Mac.

Since moving to Colorado in 2001 and retiring from the military in 2005, Kim and I find that most of our Birthdays and Anniversaries (usually on the same date (see above)) are held in the Centennial state (or nearby states).

Colorado weather: 90% of the time it's clear blue skies and moderate temperatures. When the wind carries a change over those mountains it's anybody's guess what the weather will bring. In the span of five hours, the temperature can change by 30 degrees Fahrenheit. With it comes snow, rain, ice pellets, a rapid thaw and blinding sunshine. The mountains to our west sure do cause some unusual weather conditions. Here are some photos of Colorado's weather:

On the trail: Occasionally, Kim and I take a four wheeling trip. A journey into the rugged back country with our four wheel vehicle. Here are a few of the more scenic trips:

*Switzerland Trail: Located west of Boulder, Colorado. The Switzerland Trail offers a relaxing 4-Wheel drive. Suitable for any type of sport utility vehicle, the trail follows the old railroad bed of the the Switzerland Trail Railway. There are spectacular views all along the way. There's even a couple of historic towns along the route. A scenic drive through the Colorado Rockies.
* Sugarloaf Mountain: Located west of Boulder, Colorado. This is another easy drive for any stock sport utility vehicle; provided the roads are dry. The road follows the course of an old railroad bed.
* Cottonwood Pass: Kim and I have visited this mountain pass twice since we've arrived in Colorado. It's a beautiful pass. A place where the Pacific meets the Atlantic, a continental divide. We've taken other photos of this pass, but here you'll find just a couple. Maybe I'll add more later.
* Golden Gate Canyon: Kim and I went for a drive in our new Volvo. A short little jaunt up into the mountains. A park we haven't been to before. While there we took some photos and discovered a fantastic lookout spot. The park is located north west of Golden, Colorado.

Our first documented trip in Colorado. An outing to Colorado's Royal Gorge near Cañon City. This park is a beautiful place to spend the day, and we've been back on many occasions.

Kim and I occasionally get out to enjoy the sports events available in Colorado. It's a big sports town, and we're trying to sample our share. I doubt we'll ever see as many games as we'd like, but we can still have fun trying.

* On the 29th of September, 2009, Kim and I went to our first Colorado Rockies baseball game. We've been here since '01, but we've never been to a Rockies game or a Broncos game... Or any of the many other sports activities available in Colorado. Colorado is a big sports town, but Kim and I have been busy. I'm sure we'll never get to see and do everything that Colorado has to offer, but we're working on it. Here are photos from that game.
* Our first ball game of 2012. Kim and went to a Colorado Rockies baseball game in May of 2012. This particular outing was arranged by a coworker (thanks Tim) as a 'Team Building' 'Off-Site' event. The price was right - $14.00 for two tickets, $16.00 for train tickets, $38.00 for lunch, and $30.00 for drinks and such at the ball park - and the game was enjoyable. Unfortunately, the Rockies lost - 9 to 7 vs the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that's o.k. We didn't go for the team, we went for the game. A great stress free, enjoyable day at the ball park. We had a great time! I've posted some photos from the game on my website, with a short narrative of our day at the ball park. I hope you enjoy the photos. We sure enjoyed the game.
* Another outing to see the Rockies play the Brewers (August of 2012). Our favorite game of the year. Kim and I are from De Pere (a suburb of Green Bay), so no matter who wins, we win. We went to a night game, enjoyed some ball-park food and a few drinks. Here's a few photos from that fun filled event.

Sunny San Vito: Kim and I lived in southern Italy from 1985 - 1992. My first assignment in the military, our first overseas base. It was the best tour we've ever had. The mission was worthwhile, the climate unbelievable, the people were genuine, the food was sinful, and the friends were the best of all. Here is a photo journal of our time in that fabled far away place from so long ago.

West Berlin - 1990: Back in 1990, I spent nearly a month in 'West Berlin'. I was still in the Air Force, and I was lucky enough to snag a primo TDY. I was doing really well at my job; winning numerous awards and accolades, impressing my commander and supervisors. As a reward for my performance, my unit - the 6917th ESG (of San Vito, Italy) sent me on a TDY (Temporary Duty) to West Berlin. From the end of July, through most of August (returning on the 25th), I spent nearly 30 days in the divided city. Here are some photos from that amazing time.

Architectural Porn: Unintentional porn? Architecture that looks like something else. Does a strong buttress do it for you? Perhaps your a Gazebo fan. A play on words, or playing to the eye? Is it sinful or artful?