A Big Thrill

We were driving down the mountain on Friday and I looked to my left and there sat a Bald Eagle! He/she was sitting on the very tip top of a blue spruce tree. I tried to get some photos but was too busy freaking out. Hayley snapped a couple of shots and I zoomed in on them so you can see how beautiful he was. When we were driving out Saturday morning we saw two more flying around. I am a bird watcher and have never seen a Bald Eagle in the wild. I think this was the highlight of the trip.

She got this photo just as he was flying off the tree. His head is down - you can see his beautiful yellow beak if you look closely.

Matthew left before 6:00 am on Thanksgiving morning. The snow started to fall that evening and by Friday morning there was a couple of inches of fluffy white snow on the ground. They had gotten an early snow about 3 weeks before we arrived and there was still a lot on the ground. Thursday night's snow was so beautiful. Hayley wasn't looking forward to snow because the last time we were there while it snowed she got deathly ill. She changed her mind and was out running around in it and taking pictures. What a great treat!

Getting the snow off the car with a credit card. We have a scraper on the list for our next trip.

Debbie, Hayley and myself had planned to drive to Creede (about 1 hour away) on Friday for their annual Chocolate Festival. The festival was a bit of a dud but the drive was spectacular.

Pebbles playing in the snow. She would run around and take a bite of snow and all of a sudden she would "freeze" in mid step. I learned that means "Pick me up! I'm cold and I can't move". She was a good sport considering how tiny she is. It took no time at all for her to ice up.

Thanksgiving came a little early

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Tuesday. Matthew had to leave on Thursday for work so we had the big feast on Tuesday and turkey sandwiches on Wednesday. I got up early and cooked like we were expecting 50 people. We loaded up and headed over to Debbie & Bron's and had a great time. Even Pebbles & Nicky had fun. Standing around waiting for the signal to dig in.

How many boys does it take to fry a turkey?

Isn't that a good looking bird?

We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. It was our first Thanksgiving in Colorado and we decided it definitely won't be our last. Mike & I hit the road Friday morning with Pebbles and drove to Albuquerque NM. Debbie & Bron were already there. We slept in and had breakfast before picking Matthew & Hayley up at the airport (they both had school & work on Friday). We pulled up to the cabin at about 7:00 and there were a few challenges that first night. Debbie & Bron always have someone open their cabin up - meaning turn on the water, light the fireplace, turn on the heaters & hot water heater. Apparently, we aren't that smart because we decided we would just do all that when we got there. Well, the cabin was 18 degrees! We unloaded the car as quick as possible and Mike had everything turned on in no time. I made a pot of Chicken Noodle Soup and it tasted soo good! We all put on two pairs of flannel pajamas and two pair of wool socks. That didn't help much so we played several games of "Catch Phrase" to try and warm up. It didn't work. I got the kids in their beds with extra blankets and went to bed myself. I had on so many clothes and blankets I couldn't sleep. Mike was sleeping and was breathing on my cheek. His breath was even cold! When we got up in the morning the cabin had warmed up to about 40 degrees. Once we opened the blinds and let the sun shine in the place warmed right up. We didn't have a problem with being cold any more. Maybe we will have someone open the cabin for us next time we arrive in the winter. The night time temperature was in the teens or lower but the days warmed up so beautifully. The weather was perfect. We spent the first few days visiting some spots we hadn't been to before. We went to the little town of Hotchkiss and stopped along the way to enjoy the view.Matthew looking cool. This was taken in the vacinity of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Me & Miss Hayley

Hayley & Matthew enjoying the sunshine.


Part of Blue Mesa. It is amazing how low the water gets in the winter.

Thank you God, for answered prayers!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Hayley and I were up very early this morning and she was the first appointment of the day at Theda Oaks surgery center. Mike had had a couple of gastrointestinal procedures there and I have had one. They have always been super kind and efficient. Things were no different today. The whole staff was so great with Hayley.
Once she was hooked up to the IV and the nurses answered all her questions, they wheeled her back. Less than 30 minutes later I was by her side waiting for her to wake up. Dr Dar found a hiatal hernia and showed us pictures of gastritis and esophagitis. She said she rarely sees this in someone Hayley's age but if she takes the medicine prescribed and modifies her diet she will be able to avoid surgery later on in life. This was a definite answer to our prayers. They want to see her back in one month to see how she is doing. Thank you God, for answered prayers.

The Lord Reigns - In God we Trust!

Prayers Please

Please pray for my little Hayley. Tomorrow we she is scheduled for an endoscopy to try and determine the cause of her chronic stomach pain. She has been through the testing before with no answers. As of late the stomach pain is accompanied by headaches and joint pain. Join me in praying that the doctors determine the cause of her pain so she can get the necessary treatment and start healing.

THE LORD REIGNS! ~IN GOD WE TRUST!

Happy Birthday Don!

Saturday evening we drove to the big town of Adkins and the beautiful home of Don & Laney Rabe. Laney put together a super party for Don's 70th birthday. It was a nice mix of family, former work friends and church friends. It was fun to celebrate with such special people. I met Don & Laney at Celebrate Recovery almost 2 years ago and fell in love with both of them in a hurry. They are both so caring and encouraging and are very genuine with their kind words and support. Thursdays just aren't the same when they are not there. Mike had a chance to reconnect with his past while we were there. His former St. Paul Lutheran School Principal/Coach, Bob Gaede was there with his wife Shirley. We determined it has probably been 25 years since they last visited at a church reunion. Mike has some great stories to share about "Mr Gaede" and Bob always says Mike was one of his favorites. We all had a fun evening. Happy birthday Don! You are loved by many.

Good morning Pebbles!

I bought this little bed for Pebbles a while back and she refused to use it. I just left it there hoping she would change her mind someday. Well, look at what I found when I got up this morning! Doesn't she look sweet?