Giving Back

Level 3 offers volunteer opportunities for us throughout the year. I have not been able to participate in the past - either due to PTO or pregnancy.  VOC does some great work and I hope to be able to volunteer with them again in the future. The project I worked on was restoration in Fourmile Canyon.  Last September, Boulder experienced a wildfire that destroyed approximately 6,000 acres.  The devastation and loss was enormous.  I wasn't in a position at the time to donate financially or physically, having a newborn to care for.  But I wanted to be able to give something back,  so I jumped at the chance to volunteer with this great organization last week.  If the area was to receive heavy precipitation several of the surviving homes and families would be at risk from flooding, so our responsibility was to rake and re-seed this area with 3 species of grass seed.  It was rugged at times, but so worth it.  I am happy I got involved and hope to volunteer on future projects too!

Ian certainly thought I was the coolest Mom on the block with my hard hat and vest!

 I really like this picture - although it is sad to think that I was standing where someone's home once was there is still a beauty in this lonesome tree.

 Batteries and a septic tank are the only proof that a home once stood.

 It is very hard to understand this type of loss unless you see it with your own eyes, but we all felt good at the end of the day knowing we at least did something. 

 The views were spectacular - this was my view during my lunch break.  Sure beats the view I have from my office now!

I found a few more pictures from the visit with Casey's parents and they were too cute not to post.  Enjoy!

I love this photo of Milo!  He is so happy - the messier, the better.

I found a few more pictures from the g-rents visit...

Ian was SO excited to see the peacock feathers at the zoo!

Almost as excited as he was to see the construction site - ha!

The elephants were a big hit too - he could have stayed in this spot all day.

It was nice to have visitors and we had great weather, always a bonus!  Casey got to play some golf with his Dad.  His Mom helped me craft and gave me some great business ideas.  I enjoy making things with her and we were able to go to the craft store - a place where we could both get lost for hours.  Ian really enjoyed spending time with them - it was cute getting to see him interact with them.  Made me wish we lived closer to their grandparents.  Milo has grown so much since they saw him last and he was jazzed to show them his new eating solids skills and how he can sit up on his own!  The visit went by fast, but it was great.  Always hard to say goodbyeThey were a bit worried about their flight home because of the snowstorm headed for them.  They were fortunate to get home safely and as scheduled.