Stown Got Old!

Happy Birthday!!

 

Jim, Me, Stown & Lilly
 
Stown turned 19 in February.
To celebrate, we all went out for dinner.

 

Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice!

Without much snow in the mountains for snowboarding, we headed southwest towards the desert for some late season hiking.

Together, on this the shortest day of the year, we hiked as a family amongst the ancient cliff dwellings and pondered how important this day must have been to the long gone inhabitants.

 

We took time out of the preciously short lit day to rebuild a cairn.

 

Jim and Stown overlook a deep box canyon, wondering how much has changed since the last civilization decided to take up residence here.

 

 We found mountain lion tracks.

 

We found rodent tracks.

 

 Doug and Aspen compared their feet to the footprint of a mountain lion.

Sizable difference, they concluded.

 

Stown explored the nooks and crannies of the canyon walls.

 

We stopped for a late lunch, perched up in the pockets of a cliff.

 

Shortly after lunch, the weather started to change.  A wind picked up and cloud cover masked the sky.  We picked up our pace heading back towards the car.  We got to the car and drove home, arriving just before dark and the first signs of snow.  To conclude the day, we indulged in big plates of roast and roots that had been simmering in the crock pot all day.  We exchanged gifts and called it an early night.  Stown headed home and Jim and I headed to bed.  Slumber comes early on these long cold winter nights, perhaps because we are so rushed to make the most of the short days.  Maybe because we burn so much more energy while working outside to stay warm in the cold.  Either way, I am cherishing this time of year to recharge my physical batteries.

 

Now, the days are getting longer - if only by a minute or two.  Soon it will be spring, then summer, then... well you know how fast the seasons and the years pass.  So, I hope you take the time needed to recharge and have the energy needed to live in love, peace and understanding. 

 

LOVE TO ALL!

 



Visitors a.k.a. The In-Laws

Sometimes people come to visit, too.

 

It's funny that we live in such an amazing place and get so few visitors.  Earlier this month Jim's parents came to visit.  This is the first summer visit we have had from them since we've been married.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get more than a day off of work.  Jim was able to spend the days mountain biking and traveling with them but apparently he didn't take any photos.  So, here's a peek at our one day together...

 

 Rock Solid after all those years together!

 

 A tired Stown on a stone.

 

 Trail side Skeletal Art...

 

Even better Trail side Art!

 

We went on a hike together and enjoyed a few dinners after work.  Maybe next time I can actually get some time off to go and play for more than just a day.

 

Thanks for visiting M&P!

The Graduate!

Well , he did it.

Stown Graduated!

Class of 2014

 

He spent his Senior year in Long Beach California and when the big day came Jim and I traveled out to attend the ceremony and throw a big party.

So proud of ya, Buddy!

 



Yay!

High fives for a job well done.

 



High school's finally over.

 



 Let me see that diploma.

 

 The King of the Party

 

Assorted family & friends

 

Much thanks to my Aunt Carol & Uncle Steve who allowed us to crash there house and have a big pool party / BBQ.  It was great to see so much of the family in one place.

 

Now, Stown is back in Colorado trying to make a go of it in the real world.  Juggling two jobs, a girlfriend and looking for a place of his own to live.  I guess the bird wants to leave the nest. 

 

Good Luck Stown!

I love you ~ Mom

Happy New Year!!!

 

GREETINGS 2014 FROM THE SLOPES!!

 

 

If "selfies" are all the rage, I need some practice.

 

 

 

Jim and Stown proving they are a bit faster than me by hopping on the chair in front.

 

Finally! 

A nice picture of all of us at the top of the mountain.

Thanks, kind Texan tourist.

 

 

Hope 2014 brings you many smiles and you are surrounded by those you love!!

Halloween!!

The Dead Mailman & The Mad Hatter

 

Yes, politcal mail was the death of me this year.

(I did actually deliver all day dressed like this!)

 

The slightly off the Mad Hatter bowed his good-byes and was off to school.

 

We really had fun this year dressing up, despite having to work and go to school.

 

Hope you had Happy Hauntings!

 

First Day of School - 11th grade

Ok... So what's the deal with "Blogger" uploading vertical pictures horizontally and then not allowing you to rotate them?!  Ugh!!

 

Well, just tilt your heads to the right and try not to kink your necks.

 

 

 Stown with his strawberry patch (remember those new planter beds?).  He asked if we could plant strawberries this year so we did.  They are doing quite well for a first year crop, I can't wait to see what happens next year! (Berries don't normally produce the first year, it takes them a year or two to "get in the groove".)

 

 He is as tall as a corn stalk this year.

(Actually, he's taller than my poor corn, perspective is everything.)

 

 Ok, enough posing in the garden. 

Grab your backpack and drive yourself to school before you're late!!

The Big Day

That is the look of a crazy driver if I have ever seen one!!

 

Yup, Stown got his license officially on August 16th this year. 

Stay off the roads and hide your children and pets!!

 

Good job buddy, now don't do anything stupid.

Love, Mom

Sunday Chores & Rewards

This Sunday was not one of lounging around and watching mind numbing TV and ordering take out- like so many oblivious Americans do now a days.  Perhaps we enjoy our simpler world, without television, working with our hands to create, build, grow and harvest.

 Jim & Stown

Waiting until 9 am before the hammering began (in consideration of the neighbors), the boys went to work on our new back deck.

Stacks of lumber await purpose in a new life as a deck.

I worked the garden beds.  I planted my spinach and lettuce starts.  In the ground a bit later than last year, but this fall has been quite a bit warmer.  Once sprouted and a few inches tall, I will cover the glass with cardboard and let them sleep under the snow.  I did this last fall and when the snow melted this spring I was able to harvest my first salad in March!!

The final harvest.... (clock wise from the top)

Cherry Tomatoes (will be wrapped to ripen inside), Radishes, Parsley, Spearmint, Catnip, Sage, Huge Green Onions, a Tiny Cantaloupe (I found it hiding under the tomato plant.) and Peppers (center).

Hanging Herb Bunches

Homemade Pecan Sticky Buns!!

They definitely kept us fueled for the day!

Hope you had a productive weekend!!

Wisconsin Trip: Part 3

Cranberry & Stown

Wisconsin in August means State Fair. 

So off we went to see the Wisconsin products, critters, food and games.

 Steve (Jim's pops) & Jim

We had to go see the baby beefs.  Yum, Beef it's what's for dinner!

Jim & Me

Who knew they would have a Nascar cut out for photo fun.

 Joyce (Jim's mom) & Stown

She seems a bit surprised by the gigantic turkey leg Stown chose for dinner.

The Clydesdale National Show was a featured event this year. 

 Of course, the Midway... because I just had to play a game.

We ate sooooo much fried food, it's repulsive to think back on.  We had:

deep fried butter

deep fried snickers bar

deep fried oreos

chocolate covered bacon on a stick

cream puffs

and of course washed it all down with a beer or two. 

Ugh!  Pepto Bismal take me away!!

In hindsight, maybe I should have taken pictures of all our edible (some of them not very) adventures.  All in all, it was a good time and not one my stomach will soon forget.

Stay tuned for more Wisconsin fun....

Wisconsin Trip: Part 2

Leave it to my mother-in-law to find the coolest things to do in Milwaukee.

SPIN, is an indoor ping pong hall.  Similar to the pool halls of old, complete with dozens of tables, food & cold drinks!  We spend the afternoon in the air conditioning whacking balls at each other.

At times the competition got fierce!

(once we figured out all the official rules)

Then it was off to the river walk - outside - hot - humid - we suffered through the sticky sweaty walk to see the sights.

Despite the heat, we couldn't resist the classic phone booth photo!!

Even the Fonz managed a smile that sultry afternoon.

The architecture was amazing and I took way too many photos.  So many in fact that they while be featured late in a post all their own.

Stay tuned for more from the Dairy State!

Wisconsin Trip: Part 1

And we're off!

Every other year we hit the friendly skies for a trip to Wisconsin to visit Jim's family.  But first a few crazy pictures at the Durango airport.

A snowboard in the airport?  Makes for entertainment while waiting for your flight

Standing next to an "Idea" balloon, I said "Sometimes... I randomly start to think." 

Jim and Stown agreed that perhaps I shouldn't.  Ha! Joke-sters! 

Wow! Look at this Motley Crew!

Jim (on the far right) and all his cousins.

Once in Wisconsin, they entire family gets together for a reunion.   Food and beer and catching up on stories makes for a great afternoon.  However, to the teenagers this can be a bore, so they split out and found the local quarry.....

Nothing can be as much fun to a teen age boy as jumping off the rocks to impress the chicks!

GO STOWN!!

Great Aunt Anita & Jim

The next day we spent to afternoon visiting with Jim's Great Aunt Anita.  She's 91 (92 this Fall)!!

She told us wonderful stories about hitching rides in a horse drawn carriage to get to church in the winter, the different farms she lived on in her lifetime and shared beautiful photo albums she had been working on chronicling the family history for her sons.  I can't believe how well she gets around.  She still has friend over every Monday for cards!  Sharp as a tack, it was such a gift to hear her stories.

Just part one of our trip, stay tuned for more to come!!

As you may have noticed, I am still having issues with the set up, why won't it upload a vertical photo vertically?  Why can't I rotate it once it's uploaded?  Is anyone else having these problems?   Any help would be appreciated.  I guess for now if I plan on taking a "blog specific" picture I will have to remember to take it horizontally.