Anna, 4 weeks old

It didn't take us long to "be in the neighborhood" as we call it and stop by to get our hands on Anna.
She is now 7 lb 12 ozs 21 inches and so cute....of course.  Grandpa has a difficult time of sharing. 

 Kathy and Jerry Sanders were so sweet and gave us this rocker chair.  I think it looks beautiful and just waiting for a little girl to sit in it and start watching all the spots on TV!

WP, Wednesday 2011

It's our last day in Winter Park (for this trip) and I'm sad to leave.  This trip came at a perfect time for me.  I do feel refreshed but I could stay a few more days to just soak up the vistas and the cool temperatures. 
Hal mentioned on our way up the mountain he wanted to stop at one of the gold mines along Hwy 70 and take a tour.  Since we got up a bit early today and already packed we decided this would be the perfect opportunity to take our tour. 

Do you see veins of gold?  Not so much....

 We got what we paid for, $10/ea for 30 minutes of a lot of blah blah blah.  We can now mark this off our list of things we want to do.

We are having fun now.

 As we left the gold mine, didn't stay to pan for gold, we saw this river and some river rafters.  This is what I want to do next year.

We are on our way to meet up with Chris Ingle at the house for lunch.  I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of their beautiful home and all the remodeling they have done.  Their backyard is truly a Home and Gardens yard.  So inviting.  Susan is giving Chris his 40th birthday party Saturday night and I can only imagine how festive it will look.  We had lunch outside with Chris and Stella.  Susan had to work and Katie was at pony camp.  I know what she's going to want for Christmas.  It was great to visit with Chris and Stella as you can image has grown so tall.

On our way to the airport to return home.  Already making plans for next winter and fall.  Love the mountains!

WP, Tuesday 2011

Today was very laid back.  No one could make a decision about what to do...so let's go to breakfast and think about it.  Back to Carvers for our last delicious breakfast.  We finally decided that we wanted to go to the top of Mary Jane mountain.  It's one of ours and George's favorite ski runs and mountain.  Several of us came up in July of 2007 to spread George's ashes. 

Once we arrived and saw George's tree a wave of peace came over me.  We held hands and said our prayers of thanksgiving and remembrance of George.

We spent the rest of the morning up on the mountain taking "Photo Op" shots.  We (Susan and I) had a blast with the camera.  They guys were great sports.  After all, it was a beautiful cool day outside.

 Another Obit picture

 Thank you John and Susan for another wonder trip to WP.  Hal and I are very greatful and we love every moment we are here with you.  Our Love.

WP, Monday, 2011

To me this trip has been a little more laid back than previous trips.  In years past we would be ready to walk out the door by10:00 ready to hike for the day.  This trip we have coffee and talk about the day, walk to breakfast and talk about the day, go for a hike and talk about the day, come home have dinner and take a walk and talk about the day.  At the end of the day, we all agree it was a great day!
Susan and Hal enjoy working puzzles.  So they say...this was one of the hardest puzzles they have worked. You can't see it in this picture but this is a 500 piece puzzle and there are only 499 pieces.  I took a picture of the two of them on the floor with butts in the air looking for the missing piece....they wouldn't let me post the picture..can't image can you?

Today we walked to our other favorite breakfast place, Mountain Rose (AKA The Kitchen). We sat out side in the sun and it was lovely.

 I just love this picture of John..

 After breakfast we decided to take a nature hike. There are a lot of pics here, they were all breath taking to us.

There were fields of these beautiful blue flowers that look to us like bluebonnets.  We will have to find out what they are called.

 We were quite surprised by how much snow we could still see on the mountain tops.

 All of these flowers are just growing wild in the landscape.

 So cute!

During our hike to breakfast, we decided to take a hike to the base of Winter Park and get our ski tickets for next year.  It's a 7 mile round trip hike which is filled with all kinds of beauty.  This stream is usually running but never this fast.

As we were walking, it was thundering the whole time.  We were fortunate to get to the base with only sprinkles which we thought was just delightful.  Once we got our tickets, which is another story, we went and celebrated with having drinks at the base.

As we were hiking home, it started raining on us.  No a problem to Texans!  We were almost dancing in the rain.  However, later on that evening we had a real thunder, lightening and rain storm.  Perfect for sleeping.
We stayed in for the evening and most of us in bed by 10:00.  What a great day!

WP, Sunday 2011

There is nothing better than to breath in some fresh cool air during the hot and dry days of a Texas summer and especially this summer.  Shortly after we arrived in Winter Park yesterday we heard thunder.  We all ran out on the deck to hear the thunder and see the rain.  What a sight.  I instantly felt refreshed.  We all said at that instance that we wished it could rain back home.  When we woke up this morning and checked FB we learned it had.  We are so very thankful.  This is our view from the front of the condo.  It looks so different during the summer months.  You can still see some snow on the mountains in the distance.

 We walked to breakfast to one of our favorite places, Carver's.  Afterwards we took a 2 mile hike around the neighborhood and this is what we saw. There are several festivals going on this time of year.  In fact the Jazz festival will take place next week.  Here they are setting up for some music this afternoon and later this evening.  Just look at the beautiful flowers in the background.  They are everywhere.

 This is Colorado's state flower, Columbine.

 The first year I joined the group to ski we stayed in The Miller's Lodge.  You walk over a bridge to get to the house.  Of course during the winter it's frozen and in the years past during the summer there was a small stream.  But this year with all the snow from the winter and all the rain during the spring/summer this is what most of the streams look it....rushing.

 These are some of the runs we ski on during the winter.  It looks like a maze.

 Some more beautiful flowers...just as happy as can be.

 We are always looking for our Obit picture and this is the one I want.  I'm as happy as can be!

 A great picture of John and Susan

More tomorrow as we journey out and find new surroundings taking in all of Gods glory.