"O Come, O Come Emmanuel
                               And ransom captive Israel
                         That mourns in lonely exile here
                            Until the Son of God appear!
                                        Rejoice! Rejoice!"

  One year ago I packed up my good ol' Geo Prizm and traveled from Colorado to Minnesota.  After the 14 hour drive, I hopped in the Monson Alms 12-passenger van headed for the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.  We went on our first 100% attended family vacation (all 9 of us).  Destination: Guatemala.
  Nothing induces the holiday spirit like having your Christmas lunch at the Burger King in an airport terminal.
  While in Guatemala, our family helped out at a mission in San Lucas Toliman off of Lake Atitlan.  The New Ulm, MN, Catholic diocese supports this mission.  It was a little odd hearing the Minnesota accent in Guatemala.
  This was my first time in Central America.  As a photographer, I often use black and white film.  But in Guatemala, one must use color.  The lush land with impossibly vibrant flowers and amazing butterflies and colorful people breathes with life.
  I brought in the new year with my family and new friends in San Lucas.  Some of the people I met there, even came to the wedding.  To see more about my trip to Guatemala, click here.

Ryan graduates!

After four long years (years are long when you are 14 hours from your girlfriend and only have calculus to comfort you), Ryan donned cap and gown to receive his B.S. in Computer Science as well as Mathematics for Information Systems from Dakota State University.  The Fishers, Monsons and Alms all came to celebrate the occassion.  Ryan and his parents, Sue and Paul, are pictured here.
 

The official formation of the Britta and Ryan Fisher Family Unit!

What a day.  Ryan often comments how nice it would be to have that day again.  Our wedding was beautiful.  We weren't sure how the Minnesota weather would do, but it was a perfect day.  Even the mosquitos decided to cooperate and were only around the pond in low numbers.

We were married on the farm where my grandpa was born near Green Isle, MN.  Our gracious hosts, Roger and Holly Harjes, got the farm in tip-top condition and even cleared the hayloft so we could have a barn dance.

Approximately 450 friends and family celebrated with us that day.  It was filled with love, tears and laughter.  God was most certainly present.  Thank you for your support!

Honeymoon (Grand Teton National Park)  
Denver Reception                  
 

After a couple of months of job hunting/relaxing, Ryan was offered a job at Comprehensive Software Systems (CSS) in Gennesse.  It is just outside of Denver in the foothills.  The picture on our homepage with mountains poking through clouds was taken by Ryan from his workplace.  The commute is only about 25 minutes and is against traffic.  He enjoys his position as a software engineer and works with good people.

Ryan's new job gave Britta the opportunity to leave her position at Pathways Church and pursue a job offer from Housing Justice!.  She had been volunteering for two years at this organization that educates and advocates for affordable housing in Colorado.  This young non-profit grew to the point it needed staff and Britta was selected to be that person.  She is now the full-time Education Director for Housing Justice! and loves it.  The job gives her opportunity to use a hodpodge of skills, meet new people, work with churches and do plenty of public speaking.
 

All year we have made an effort to enjoy the Rocky Mountains.  One friend gave us a National Parks Pass as a wedding gift and we have gotten lots of use from it.  We have gone to Grand Teton National Park twice this year and Rocky Mountain National Park countless times.  On our second trip to the Tetons in Wyoming we had a close encounter with a bear.

In the summer we hiked and now we snowshoe along mountain paths.  Ryan will get his first Colorado skiing experience this spring when we take advantage of a gift from friends to a bed and breakfast near Steamboat Springs, CO. 

We encourage visitors and have had the pleasure of showing the following people the joys of Colorado: Jim & Tina Knowles Family, Briana Monson & her friend Dani, Paul & Sue Fisher Family, John & Edna Earhardt, Amy Wurster, Katie & Dave Sulzle, Emily Pruisner, and Wally & Joanne Bakken.  If you are planning a trip to the Denver area and would like to see us, contact us.
 

It's been fun to read everyone else's Christmas cards and to see what you are up to.  We hope this format of Christmas letter has been fun for you. 

We will be spending Christmas here in Denver, our first Christmas as a married couple.  Activities include a Christmas Eve service at Pathways where Ryan will be singing in the choir as well as a Christmas brunch with just a couple people.  We are looking forward to some quality time together and a quiet Christmas.

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and much to rejoice about in the next year!

~Ryan & Britta