Next door neighbor has a new smoker!

Sarah's Birthday

Good things are coming from next door

Trey's new pellet smoker is hard at work

 My granddaughter's husband's birthday was two weeks ago and Sarah got him this pellet smoker. He put it to use as soon as he got back in town and we have all benefited from her gift.

Now it is her birthday and Trey is out of town so he is not cooking. We had to go out to eat here in Del Norte at the Colorado Grill. We had a lot of fun and had some good food too. 

It snowed here last night about 8 inches and it will be on the ground for sometime. I guess it is time to break out another puzzle. Sherri and I spend our time working puzzles when we can't get out doors. It is either that or binge on TV reruns. Well spring will be here and we can spend more time outdoors exploring...

Somewhere in Time 

Game day for JR High girls

 

Del Norte Tigers girls basketball

Unlike our school in Texas we have to travel over the hills (mountains) and through the woods. Sometimes it is snow covered but here in the mountains life goes on. Our roads are looked after 24/7 and are passable most of the time. If you can't get out it is really bad!

We enjoy going to the sporting events here. We only have maybe 100 students in the high school and maybe that many in the jr high. Our pick of students to play sports is just a little strained. 

Kris at 6'4" is a prime target for the basketball team. Not that many towering students here. I mean you don't have to be Michael Jordan to play here but being taller than your opponents is a good start.

Today is also parent teacher meeting. WEEEE can't wait. Kris is passing so I don't really need to meet but it looks bad if you don't show...if you know what I mean.

OK done for now. Hope to be back...

Somewhere in Time  

Many things to do today

Road conditions not the best

Had to stop and shop for groceries 

Stop for propane

More shopping

Pick Kris up from school

Had to watch out for the snow plow

 Yes it was a busy day with all the running around we had to do. It is that time of year when the weather can't keep you from doing what needs done. Can't wait for clear skies...

Somewhere in Time 

Yes I had a birthday

 

We went to Windy's after the basketball game

This was the wild group that came to my party

Jennifer, Sarah and Sherri took me out to eat at Windy's. We also were accompanied by the Del Norte girls basketball team. They sang Happy Birthday to me before they ordered their sandwiches. My little buddy also came along for the party...he did not sing with the others...but sucked on his bottle...which was OK with me.

The "A" team lost their game to a well coached team of giants! Yes these girls were twice the height of our girls and very aggressive.

Not sure if the were pro or not but you could have fooled me...

Somewhere in Time

New Snow

 

Our little buddy is ready for the first ride

Kris has mastered skiing and now sledding

Our furry neighbors are back to visit

They found something to nibble on

We had snow last night and that means our kids head to the slopes to sled. They had a good time now that they have another 10 inches of snow to go down.

We also saw our deer return to the patio. It is so nice to have guest in the back yard. You just can't beat living here with all the fun just outside and 15 minutes down the road.

Just 2 more months of cold weather and maybe 3 or 4 more of snow. 

I have started my New Years resolution. Yes it is time for me to get rid of 50 lbs. I know this will not be easy but it is something I need to do...

Somewhere in Time

Well Sherri's Birthday has arrived...It's Chistmas Day

 

The happy parents won

A winner at bingo

Jason won a prize 

Mom won a prize at the bingo game

Sisters celebrating 

Jeny made an honorable mention

Birthday girl did good on her house

This little guy had a ball

Ginger Bread houses were made

Kris ready to hit the slopes

Merry Christmas to all our friends out there. We had a great time! Our Texas kids came down to celebrate with us. They got to stay for two weeks and we all got to have a wonderful visit.

We had a good time making gingerbread houses and playing bingo. Prizes were awarded for bingo winners. Sarah Won the first place prize for her house.

We went snow skiing at Wolf Creek. This was Kris's first time snow skiing. I was so happy to see him do so well. He took a class and the first time he came down the slope he did real well turning and stopping. Franki snow boarded and she did not have lessons but did real good. It was so much fun and we look forward to out next trip...

Somewhere in Time 

Christmas at the High school

 

Sherri and Jen 

Kris in the serving line

Franki's friend Cloie

Franki and Emma

We had great time listening to the kids caroling at the High School Christmas Community Holiday party.

Franki and her friends Cloie and Emma were in the choir. They did a wonderful job with all the songs.

Kris did a wonderful job at the potato bar. 

We are looking forward to Christmas. We may have a white Christmas this year. We had a dusting last night...nothing to write about but more is on the way here...

Somewhere in Time 

Getting ready for Christmas

 

yes -13 but 63 inside

Winter is here 

Tree is up

Warm fire is burning

Our great grandson is ready for Santa

Yes we are ready for Christmas. We have a good chance at a white one this year. 

Our oldest son Jason and his family are coming for the holidays. We are planning on snow skiing and have fun for two weeks. 

Not much more a guy could ask for here in Gods country...

Somewhere in Time 

Winter is defiantly here and doing well

I made the turkey and dressing...no one died

Nothing like a white Thanksgiving

We have been having snow showers for some time now and it has been very pretty. Thanksgiving came and so did the flu. Sherri ended up with flu A. I have a head cold and congestion. I went to the VA and got a flu shot a couple of weeks ago. I guess I got a better dose than Sherri cause I did not get the full blown flu like she did. 

Well as it was I fixed the turkey and the dressing and no one got sick. That is always a good indication that I did a good job. Jennifer and Franki came over and Sarah Dakota and Tray showed up. We all had a good meal and thanked the good Lord for all the blessing we have received. This was a sad time too. We are short two loved ones that we lost! Frank our SIL and our daughter Janet are having Thanksgiving with our Lord. We miss Them dearly. 

Big plans are being made for the upcoming month of December. Our Son Jason and his wife Tracy and our grandson Hayden are coming up to go snow skiing with us at Wolf Creek. We look forward to them spending a couple of weeks here. We have so much to explore and celebrating Christmas here will be a joy. 

I pray  that we are all healed by then and that the weather permits us to do some exploring. I have been spending a lot of time in my studio painting all the pictures I have collected over the summer. I need to get some winter pictures to paint for Christmas gifts.

Hope that all my friends and family out there have a wonderful Christmas and a better New Year...

Somewhere in Time

Last days of the flowers

We have frost on the way

Sherri worked hard all year to keep these flowers alive. It is time to start putting them in the garage area to keep them from freezing. We both know that even with them put up it wont be long before they die. It is sad to see them go but we know that we will get new ones...

Somewhere in Time  

Big Meadow 

The end of the summer foliage

Well it is that time again. Sherri and I are getting ready for the winter here in Colorado. We have enjoyed the summer months but we know that it is time to make all the preparations for the upcoming cold weather. Underpinning has to go back up. Heaters have to be taken out of storage and cleaned up. Wardrobes have to be changed out and crocks exchanged for boots.

Yes there is a lot to do before the end of December gets here. We do look forward to the first snow fall and the beauty of it. It means not sitting out on the porch as much and staying inside more. This can be tolerated for 3 months with puzzles and indoor games. We all come together and spend time doing indoor things rather than outdoor things. 

I am not an ice fisherman. Fishing will have to be put off until the first of May. Last winter we did have some of the reservoirs frozen until late May. I think it will be about the same for this next year. 

Having lost my son-in-lay...my fishing partner...it will be hard to get back out there. We had a lot of plans for this coming year fishing but now it will have to be done alone. Maybe I can get my grandson-in-law...who has moved up here with my granddaughter...to fish with me?

No matter what we plan on having some great adventures this year and next...

Somewhere in Time