First Blog!

So after spending months reading other families' blogs we (well mostly Nicole) decided it was time to start our own. With friends and family all around the U.S. and abroad we wanted a way to stay connected with everyone and allow them to see what we are up to these days. To update everyone-including those we haven't talked to in awhile-here is what has been going on for us the last few years.

In 2006 we were married and shared the occasion with around 250 friends and family. Mark surprised Nicole with a honeymoon in Hawaii and Mark's family surprised everyone when two aunts from South Africa came for the special occasion!

In 2007 we bought our first house and since then we have devoted much time to making it feel like home-planting flower and vegetable gardens, painting the rooms, purchasing new furniture, and getting to know the area.

Job wise, Nicole is still working as a health communications specialist at a large government agency and Mark recently started a new position as a project manager. In 2007 Nicole began pursuing her PhD in Public Health and so now in addition to working full time she is in school full time too! Mark is still mountain biking and is beginning to prepare for the Muddy Buddy race in the fall.