First Day of Winter Roundup

Papa and Colter began winter roundup, with a long ride from the Rock House corral to the Patterson pasture and back yesterday.  They moved cows and bulls from the pasture nearest our house and checked on the rest of the herd.  The big Roundup is today, with preg checking and sorting tomorrow.

Full Moon over the Catalinas

I woke up to this full moon this morning, as it was setting over the Santa Catalina Mountains. 

First Light

As the sun peaked over the mountain this morning, it shone on Buck Knob.  Snow is still hanging onto the north side of Buck Knob.  Papa and I are grateful every day, for our magnificent views.

34th Anniversary

Papa and I were married 34 years ago today!  Our wedding was on a Saturday morning, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Tucson.  It was a beautiful day.  We had eleven people plus us at our ceremony and brunch reception at the Arizona Inn, afterward.  Thirty four years later, we are celebrating a wonderful life!  Four children, eight grandchildren, and so much to be grateful for!

Snow on New Year's Day, 2015

We had big clouds at sunset yesterday and we woke up to snow all around.  A beautiful way to begin 2015!   We hiked in the afternoon and found Colter working on fence in the snow. 

Happy New Year!

I took these photos earlier this week, at sunset in Saguaro National Park West.  The saguaros are so majestic, its hard to believe they are real.  Wishing you a happy New Year from the Sonoran Desert!

 

 

 

Family for the Holidays

We enjoyed every moment of Christmas 2014, with Whitney and her family, and Mary joining us.

Playing on the Ranch

We've been busy over the past few days, riding horses, riding in the Ranger and the truck, gathering sticks to build a fire to roast marshmallows, hiking, eating, and roping goats with Colter Lee, Traven, and Madilyn.  We've had fun with Greta and Toby, Whitney and Corey!

White Christmas

With Whitney's family arriving late on December 24, we decided to act as if December 25 was Christmas Eve.  After arriving back on the ranch, we had a big lunch and settled in.  After naps, we had a light dinner, with a pot of chocolate fondue for our traditional Christmas Eve dessert. 

We woke up this morning to a white Christmas!  We had light snow during the night, and it covered the mountains and as far as we could see.  It was beautiful!  After opening gifts and having Papa's pancakes for breakfast, we went out to play and hike in the snow.  Whitney, Toby, Papa and I went down to the corral, so Whitney and Toby could ride the horses.  Oscar and Pablo were well behaved.  Was fun for all of us!

  

 

Our Surprise Gift

Carly and Colter surprised us when we returned to the ranch today, with a new steel "Winchester Ranch" sign, hanging over our ranch gate.  Thank you for this Christmas gift, Carly and Colter!