Giving Back in The Dominican Republic

My family just returned from 10 days in the Dominican Republic, working with a medical team in schools and in barrio neighborhoods delivering medical aid to people  to lack adequate medical care.  It was an eye opening experience for my family, and I came back with many takeaways!

 One of the biggest is that, with a little effort and money on our part, we can transform the lives of people who have few opportunities to dig themselves out of poverty and hopelessness.  Literally for the price of a dinner date for two per month, you can give a child an education, meals, and medical care!  This is definitely true in The Dominican Republic.

  We are choosing to give back by sponsoring a child's education, but also by partnering with my clients in real estate to see more kids sponsored.  In the videos below you will see how you can partner with me to change the  lives of kids in The Dominican Republic.  I am pledging that any client that I have that wants to partner with me to sponsor a child, I will pay for the first year of the program, if my clients will continue to sponsor these kids after that first year.  For more info go to www.solidrockinternational.org, or see the videos below.

Meeting with the girl we sponsor in the town of San Juan...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWdEq4imabs&list=UUfg3tCEUwHLfo9JSLIKphlw


http://www.solidrockinternational.org/programs/student-sponsorship/

Out and About

Life here in the front range has been entertaining as always.  We have had a series of snow storms with a lot of cold weather as well.  Below are a few pictures from my showings around our community, as well as some pictures from a few cross country ski outings in the nearby mountains.  I just love getting out and touring neighborhoods, and taking clients all over.  The mountain communities are a blast, getting to put my awd to good use getting to properties is always a highlight!!

 Ran into a heard of Elk up near Genesee while checking on a home under contract

 Checking on a home that just closed for a client.

 Cross Country Skiing up near Loveland of I 70, 45 minutes from Golden, CO

 Old Cabin near Loveland Pass

 Driving up Golden Gate Canyon from Golden on my way to show homes in Blackhawk, CO

 The Drive up Golden Gate Canyon after a fresh snowfall

 Cross Country skiing up near Breckenridge, CO

 An old miners cabin near Boreas Pass in Breckenridge, CO

 Skiing in a foot of powder at Copper Mountain, CO--Just over an hour from Golden

 Hiking a trail on North Table Mountain north of Golden

 Deer on North Table Mountain

 Starting to snow again in Golden, CO

 Shot of Coors Brewery on one of those 60 degree days in between storms

 Checking out a cabin with a client in the foothills

A Cabin up in Breckenridge after a big snow...

Weather Wonders

As I write, I am staring outside at the fading light.  Most if not all the snow is gone. (This pic was taken a week ago)   For the next week, temperatures will be in the mid 50's and it is mid Jan.  These weather swings are amazing.  A week ago, we got some snow in Denver, and several feet of  snow in the mountains.  Yet here a week later, the weather is mild, and people are golfing, biking and hiking all around town.  In Downtown Golden, the chairs and tables are coming outside and people are scrambling for their favorite spots outside of Snarf's, Woody's, D-Deli, and Jimmy Johns.  Never fear in another week or two we will plunge into another Polar Vortex for a while, but things are always changing here in Colorado and that is why it is so fun to live here.  Nothing stays the same for very long.

Now, if you live in one of our mountain communities, you are still crunching through some serious snow, depending where you are located.  In fact, I was just showing properties to a gentleman and got thoroughly soaked as we stomped through 5 acres of snow checking out the property.  Yet, that is what is unique about living  here, because 30 minutes in a new direction changes everything.  If you are sick of not seeing snow, drive 30  minutes West.  If you are sick of seeing nothing but snow, drive 30 minutes East.  Pretty cool... Here are some pics from the past few weeks.

 My Favorite perch on my cross country ski trail.

 The Cabin in its Winter Glory in Breckenridge, CO

 Cross Country skiing in a blizzard last weekend in Breckenridge with Good Friends

 Front porch sitting around Christmas, in between snow storms

 Someone said maybe I should adopt a fox for a mascot, and walk around Golden with it.......

An amazing snowy day cross country skiing with my daughter Sydney

Snow and Warmth all in December

The past month of December brought record warm days as well as frigid cold days!  That is what is great about Colorado, you can have snow and temps in the single digits, or you can get a sunny 65 degree day.  These changes are one of the many reasons we love Colorado.  People say here all the time, "If you dont like the weather in Colorado, just wait and hour...and it will change."  We have seen that first hand this month.   Below are a few pics of the Foxes around Colorado the past month.

 Cross Country Skiing with Sydney near Loveland Pass

 Downhill Skiing with Emily at Copper Mountain

 A Solitary backcountry ski day near Breckenridge, CO

 Cozy Cabin time with the Family in Breckenridge

 Cross Country Skiing with Leslie near the Anchor Mine

 A beautiful December Sunset in our neighborhood

 A quick stop through in Vail, CO over Christmas Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT8eQGpF6jc

Christmas in Golden, CO

Christmas in Golden, CO was a huge success, with lots of friends and neighbors, Christmas Carols and Hot Chocolate, and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.  We always look forward to joining our friends and walking down the street with candles singing Christmas Carols.  It was a frigid night this year, with Temps in the low teens for highs.  Below are some pics of the night

Halloween in Downtown Golden: Families Everywhere

Halloween in downtown Golden was the usual fun time.  Lots of kiddos dressed up, and a lot of parents as well.  Most of the downtown merchants passed out candy, and there was even a flash mob this year to "Thriller."  Good times had by all.  Pictures below.