Sunday Hike

We returned from our holiday visit with Audrey's family in Wilmette and got back to ranch duties.  Our Sunday hike was purposeful, as we wanted to get a GPS reading for a corner post.  We rode Bob over to our ranch entrance gate, and hiked up and down to our destination.  It was a clear day and we had a good view of our house, three miles away.

Cousin Visit

Papa's Cousin Ken lives about 45 miles north of Audrey, so we planned a visit the day after Christmas.  Cousin Carol, Ken's sister, drove down from Wisconsin.  We drove through falling snow to get to Ken's house, a converted barn built in 1890.  It looked like a winter wonderland.  We enjoyed brunch together at Ken's house, with Hannah (Ken's daughter) joining us.  After brunch, we went to the nursing home, to spend a few hours with Aunt Shirley.  We later watched old family slide shows .  We all enjoyed family time and reminiscing about the 50's and 60's. 

Scenes from Christmas 2013

We made many happy memories with Audrey's family in Chicago, over the past few days.  Sweet little Taylor Rhea, cooing and smiling, playing "owl fly" with Lauren, luminarias lining the street, angels at Christmas Eve service, Lauren's first chocolate fondue, opening gifts on Christmas morning, laughing so hard we cried while playing Clue.  We enjoyed every moment!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Chicago!  We are enjoying a few days with Audrey, Dan, Lauren, 

and little Taylor.  Its a white Christmas! 

Snowy Night

Snow started falling around 5 p.m. yesterday and fell most of the night.  By morning, the temperature began rising and the snow melted slowly at about 5500' and below.  Snow continued to fall on the mountains throughout the day.  Its starting to look a lot like a white Christmas!

Cloudy Day

We woke up in the clouds and were surrounded by clouds all day.  Gorgeous! 

Horses with Papa

Oscar, Pablo, and Doc were in front of the house this morning.  After lunch, Papa walked out to get them, to go down to the corral for new shoes.  They love Papa and easily went with him down the road.  Papa loves his horses.

Deer Grazing at Sunset

There was a herd of 12+ deer, grazing on the south side of our house, at sunset.  Beautiful!

Neighbor Visit

I drove to Antelope Ranch this morning, to drop a gift for Ashley and Dallin.  Ashley and I went on a short hike.  She sent me home with a gift of halibut that they had caught on a trip to Alaska a couple months ago.  Papa and I had halibut for supper tonight.  It was delicious!

With our nearest neighbor 2.5 miles away and our next nearest neighbors, Ashley and Dallin, about 10+ miles away, or 30 minutes away, it's always a treat to visit neighbors.

Celebrating Christmas

Carly and Colter, Madilyn, Colter Lee, and Traven came late this afternoon for Christmas dinner with us.  Papa lit luminarias with Madilyn, Colter Lee and Traven, before we ate.  We enjoyed a three course dinner, then opened gifts, and watched slideshows of photos taken on the ranch during the year.  The luminarias were burning brightly under a full moon as they left.

My favorite gift from Carly and Colter... a plaque that says, "Bless the Family Beside Us, the Memories Before Us and the Love Between Us.  Amen." 

Happy Holidays 2013

Happy Holidays, 2013!

We began this year with winter roundup on the ranch, the first week of January.  Claire and her family completed their assignment in Amman, Jordan, and came back to America for three months, arriving in late February.  Audrey's family flew out a few days later for a weekend Cousins Camp at the ranch, with Lauren, Emerson, and Colby riding horses and doing "ranch stuff."  Claire and Colby stayed another week with us in Tucson and we had the thrill of seeing Colby take his first steps.  

In early January, Whitney began her new  job as Director of Capital Budget and Financing for Princeton University.  I flew to Princeton in early April for our annual Girls Weekend, joined by my Mom, Audrey, Claire, Whitney, and Mary, along with the little ones.  We rented an old farmhouse and played "ring around the rosie" until we were all quite dizzy.  I stayed a few extra days with Claire, Emerson, and Colby before they left for Tbilisi, Georgia, on their next assignment. 

Papa and I flew to Portugal in mid-April for three weeks.  We drove from Porto to the Algarve, staying in historic pousadas along the way.  We flew to the island of Madeira for three days and then back to Lisbon for more sightseeing.  Spring in Portugal was beautiful, the people were hard working and helpful, the food and wine were good.  We loved every minute!

We invited Emily on a trip of her choosing during the summer.  We met her at DFW and flew to New York City for July 4 week.  We saw most of the big sights in New York on foot, plus a boat ride to see the Statue of Liberty, with Whitney, Toby, and Greta joining us.  We shopped until we dropped and loved the Lion King on Broadway!

Branding Week was the third week of July.  We had 43 for the ranch Branding on July 20, a big day on Winchester Ranch, with over 200 calves branded!  We had a wetter than usual summer and very happy cows.

Audrey and Dan made a local move in Chicagoland in August and asked me to fly up to help.  It was a busy week and fun to spend time with Lauren and help set up the nursery for baby #2!  In late September I flew to Kentucky to visit my Mom and Dad, seeing old friends and family.  I flew to Chicago on October 3, and baby Taylor Rhea was born about two hours after my plane landed.  I stayed a week.  Little Taylor is perfect, a very sweet baby.  I flew on to Dallas, where I met Papa and we stayed with Brian’s family a few days, to celebrate Brian’s 40th birthday and Emily’s 13th.  A big year for both of them!

Carly and I worked together on a bridal shower and luncheon for Savannah, Colter’s sister, in September and October.  We were quite a team and had fun throwing parties together.  Savannah and Will married on November 2.  Papa and I are blessed that Colter continues to manage the ranch.  We enjoy watching Madilyn, Colter Lee, and Traven grow.  

We spent Thanksgiving at the ranch, with Mary joining us.  We have just returned from a few days on Maui, driving the Road to Hana, whale watching, and enjoying the beach.  Papa spoils his horses and always has a leather project or two. I continue to chronicle our life on the ranch on my blog.    We are spending Christmas with Audrey’s family in Wilmette.  We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season! 

Love, Lulu and Papa

2013 Photos of our Grandchildren

 

Rainbow Return

Papa and I returned to the ranch today after a week on Maui.  We were welcomed by a beautiful rainbow over the mountains and a herd of deer in the yard.  Sunset was spectacular too!

Whale Watching

Papa and I spent most of our last day on Maui in a 30' rigid hulled inflatable boat, with the crew of Ultimate Whale Watch.  We cruised off the northwest coast of Maui, with Lanai and Molokai nearby.  The first time we went out, we saw a couple dozen spinner dolphins.  The dolphins treated us to a show of tricks, flying through the air, spinning about.  We only saw one whale on that first two hour trip, so Ultimate Whale Watch gave us a second tour, free of charge. 

 

We saw plenty more whales the second time out.  The crew taught us some things to look for, like blowing water or a giant splash.  These humpback whales were about 30'-40', so their splashes were visible miles away.  These whales live in Alaska and come to Hawaii for the winter to mate.  

We ended our day of whale watching with a shave ice in Lahaina.  Can't get better than that!