Celebrating Year One

Last weekend we celebrated our one year anniversary with a weekend away on the Western Slope, near Gunnison, CO. Okay first of all, how have I lived in this state my whole life and never spent any time on the other side of the mountains?! It's unbelievably gorgeous. It's a totally different kind of beauty than the side we live on.

We stayed in a cabin at a horse ranch near a tiny town called Almont. The area is known for it's fly fishing and river rafting.

One of the highlights for us was that we were able to bring all three dogs. The dogs had a great time playing in the river all day and we just relaxed, read books, played Scrabble and had a couple nice dinners out in Gunnison.

On the way, we stopped at the top of Cottonwood Pass.

We met a German couple who studied butterflies. Chris liked their nets.
Once we arrived, we found a spot along the river without fishermen (this is harder than it sounds in that area) and let the dogs play.
Havana LOVES the water and will fetch anything. Anywhere. Anytime.
Orsa had to build up her courage in the fast-moving current, but loved fetching the ball.
Bella just bathes. And never, ever gets her tail wet.
Saturday morning we went for an early morning hike. It was gorgeous.



The view from our cabin.
We stopped at Taylor Reservoir on the way home.
I set the self-timer, but the autofocus was apparently in the wrong spot. Lame. I like this picture anyway, even if it's blurry. (I really should learn how to use my camera better.)
Looks like a fake backdrop. But, of course, it's not.
Good job, God!

The "Blizzard" of '09

Well, according to all the news reports, we're currently smack dab in the middle of the Blizzard of '09. Only in reality, it's not doing much of anything right now.

It was really windy yesterday and snowed some. The roads were sheets of black ice and driving was pretty treacherous. Today there are drifts of snow 12 inches deep, but in other areas you can see the grass poking through. (Here's a a picture.) But from the way they were talking, you'd have thought we'd be housebound for days with snow up to the roof.

So much for the Big Dump. Of course, all the weather reports and news made it sound like it was going to be a lot worse that it actually is. They always do that. (You'd think we'd learn by now.)

Anyway, because of all the media hype, many businesses, churches and schools closed today. The gym is closed. All the military bases are closed. Even the public library is closed.

But don't worry. Compassion is opening at noon. We won't let a little ol' blizzard stop us.

We're doing God's business!

A Day in Breckenridge

Heat Wave

It's February. In Colorado.






That's all.

SkiDo 2009

The weekend in Frisco was awesome. What a way to start the year.

We stayed in this amazing condo. It was spacious, with gorgeous views out every window. And you want to know the best part? It had heated floors.
We played a lot of games. I introduced everyone to one of my family's favorite games ... Dutch Blitz.
On Saturday John made us a gourmet breakfast of French Toast with Blackberry Syrup. French Toast is my favorite food. Ever.

Then everyone went skiing. (Well, everyone except me.)
We had a delish dinner at the Dam Brewery in Dillon.
Barb had her Nikon and took one billion pictures. This is one of my favorites.
Sunday we went snowshoeing. The day was perfect. One of the best days I've ever spent in the mountains. Seriously ... it doesn't get much better than this.
I claim to hate snow but I think I changed my mind.




Here we are talking to Matt. Matt is VERY tall. Apparently he was saying something very funny.
Awww ...

Chris thought it might be funny to dump me in the snow.



Who's laughing now, Bubs?

Hoopin' In the New Year

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday was filled with laughter as mine was.

The night centered around yummy Italian food, raucous games of Twister and, of course, the Wii.





And oh my goodness. Have you ever watched someone doing the Hula Hoop game on the Wii Fit? It's. Flippin. Hilarious.

I'm leaving this afternoon to spend the first weekend of this year in the mountains in beautiful Frisco, Colorado with my boy and some friends. Most people will ski and I'm looking forward to snowshoeing, lots of hours with a good book, quality time in the hot tub and tasty food.

2009 is looking fine ...

Winter

Pikes Peak was covered with snow this morning. It was beautiful, but also ominous. Ominous because it means winter's on the way. Even the air has been smelling like winter the last couple days. It seems that somehow we skipped right past fall.

I'm not ready for it. I'm not ready for bitter wind and the naked trees. I'm not ready snow that turns to brown slush and cakes my car fenders. I'm not ready for my front walk to be a sheet of black ice. I'm not ready for the endless reports of school closings and late starts. I'm not ready for the traffic accidents and hour-long commutes to and from work.

But in an effort at optimism, here are a few things I am looking forward to. I am excited to use my fireplace. I'm excited to drink gallons of hot chocolate and Russian Tea. I'm excited because Home Alone will be on TBS. I'm excited because winter means Thanksgiving and then Christmas and the New Year with all the festivities. I'm excited because winter means Eggnog season. I'm excited because Havana LOVES the snow and it makes me happy to watch her play in it. I'm excited because I often wake up to a view like this out my bedroom window ...


Actually, I guess it's not so bad after all.

The Perfect Day

Saturday was Gor. Geous.

We hiked The Crags, a trail near Cripple Creek. This has to be one of my favorite hikes near the Springs. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Here are some photos. (It'll almost be like you're hiking with us.)

Jamie and I are excited!


Jamie and Chris gaze at the view. This view is just a preview, though, of what's ahead.


Havana and me on top of the world. The view behind us is 360 degrees.


This guy was like the bird whisperer. He held food in his hand and they'd come land. It was awesome.


Tilla and Havana. You have no idea how hard it is to get a good picture of the two of them. This might be my favorite.


Ooh. This guy is my favorite, too.


Jamie loves hugs so much, we try to oblige her as often as possible.


Intense. That's what this picture is.


On the way back we stopped to sit on a giant rock and enjoy the sun. Here's the view.


Devil's Playground and the back side of Pikes Peak behind us.


Jamie, contemplating life.


I love pictures of Aspen trees.

On the way home we stopped at this place called Jo Mama's and ate the best pizza I've ever had. I'm not exaggerating. If you ever drive through Woodland Park, you should definitely stop there. Then we got some Blue Bell ice cream.

Ahhhh. This is what life is about.