Christmas Eve

We had a great trip back to Kansas and up to Omaha. Now we are having a quiet Christmas-just the four of us. No snow for us, just thunderstorms. Enjoy your Christmas Eve!

The girls with their bones Jarad gave them. They are quite busy savoring over these bones. Thank you Jarad!








These are just some pictures of decorations around our house...
Dinning room

Kitchen table.
Fireplace with out stockings, and Avery and Moxy's are hanging on the fireplace tool holder-right at their level.

Some of these decorations may look familiar...

It is hard to get a good shot of the tree with the pillars!

Moxy's personalized stocking hanging on the front door!
On the exterior of the front door.

Birthday!

I had a wonderful Birthday-Thank you to all my friends and family that made it so special! We had dinner out at a new Italian Restaurant in Montgomery (Saza) with some friends (Paul & Emily) and then came back for some of Charlie's made from scratch pumpkin cake!

New Toys

We got a package yesterday in the mail from my cousin Jen. She has started making dog toys and sent some to Avery and Moxy. Although, I could not capture it on camera this morning Avery was throwing the rope in the air and catching it all on her own! THANK YOU JEN for the toys and treats!

Halloween Carvings

My pumpkin is suppose to be an outline of Moxy-however it did not quite turn out as planned. You can tell what it is only if you know what you are looking for. Next year we will have to invest in some more carving tools to make it work!
Charlie's KU pumpkin-which was the better idea!
We had a fair amount of kids last night and had to shut our light out at about 7:30.

Smoky Mountains Trip

I went on a short camping trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park on the KLR

The 'Mule' is all loaded up. Thanks for the bags, Dad.

First stop was at Deep Creek, NC. It was just below freezing the first night. I had a decent fire and some Irish Whiskey for warmth.

The foliage wasn't quite at peak...

I got my backcountry permit and the ranger suggested this spot--Porter's Flat, in the Greenbrier/Cosby area. It was nice, but recent rain and snow left me with no suitable fuel for a fire. So, it was off to bed early. It did stay just above freezing, though.

The fifty pound pack was more than I anticipated, but I had to have the bacon and eggs. I made the 4 mile trek up to the campsite right at 1.5 hrs.

Nice waterfall on the hike back out.

After leaving the backcountry, and before heading home, I hiked up to see Rainbow Falls, just outside Gatlinburg, TN.

Like any Mule, she had her moments, but really performed admirably.

Colorado Wedding Trip

I made a quick trip out to Colorado Springs for my cousin Sarah Richey's wedding. Charlie had planned on making the trip with me but had to stay behind because of work.

The wedding cake.
The wedding reception at the Art Gallery of Colorado College.
The Bud Pope Family (my mom's brother) my cousins Sarah and Becky and his Fiance Chris.

The campus of Colorado College
The church at Colorado College where the wedding was held.
So my mom rented a car from enterprise so my brother could drive down from Denver. This is the car they gave him. It is a black mercury grand marquee complete with the fire chief tags and stickers. It was hilarious! I got to drive it back from the wedding-I felt empowered driving a mobile like it! So here is Jarad with his car-complete with the opened bottle of wine on the ground next to him!


Walking through Garden of the Gods
Mom and Howard at the Garden of the Gods.