Happy Holidays 20212,
We began 2012 at the ranch with Claire, David, and Emerson visiting for a few days. Emerson loved riding horses and playing on our tractor and ATV. They left on January 3, our 31st wedding anniversary. I raced back to the ranch from the airport that day, to take lunch to the cowboys working our winter roundup.
Colter is about to begin his fifth year of managing the ranch. We thank God every day for him, Carly, and their children. We enjoyed dinners with them throughout the year and frequent visists as Colter checks water with the boys. Our branding on July 21, was our biggest yet, with over 185 calves branded, 38 cowboys and other helpers on hand, with perfect weather and big smiles. Brian, Amy, Emily, and Sarah came from Dallas for branding weekend, and Mary came from Phoenix.
We welcomed one new baby to the family this year, Colby Douglas, on April 26, in Amman, Jordan. I flew over in early May to meet Colby and spend time with Emerson, Claire, and David. Mary joined me for a second week in Jordan with a memorable trip of riding camels in Petra. Claire and David will complete their two year assignment in Jordan in February 2013 and will return to the states for a few months before their next move to Tbilisi, Georgia.
Mary and I flew from Jordan to Florida in late May for a girls' weekend on Longboat Key, and to celebrate my Mom's 75th birthday. I worked for a couple of months on a surprise gift and enjoyed giving it that weekend. Audrey and Lauren joined us. Papa flew to Florida for a few days the following week. We also enjoyed several visits with Aunt Rhea in Tampa over that week. We drove to Ocala for Aunt Margaret's 80th birthday party on June 2 and an overnight with Mom and Sonny.
Audrey and Dan have enjoyed their first year of parenthood with Lauren, turning 1 on December 5. They live in Chicago. Dan stays busy with his work and Audrey continues to enjoy her PR work as well as lots of time with Lauren.
Whitney and Corey are enjoying Austin, with Toby, 3, and Greta, 18 months. They bought a renovated 1940's home in Austin in February. We flew over the first weekend of March and did a whirlwind weekend of decorating and home projects. We drove to Colorado in August for a few days with them at Beaver Creek. We enjoyed stops along the way, lunch with Peggy and Charlie in Miami, AZ, an overnight with long time friend, Dick in Durango, and a stop at White Sands National Monument on our way home.
On October 8, Aunt Rhea passed away in North Carolina. We gathered along with my Dad, Whitney and Greta, Audrey, Dan, and Lauren, and Mom and Sonny, in Tampa, the first weekend of November, for her memorial service. We enjoyed time with family, cousins Renee and Russ, Jane, and Debbie. Aunt Rhea has had a significant influence on my life and she is missed.
We've made other memories this year, with a trip to Canyon de Chelly in February with Mary, an overnight at the Sierra Grande Hotel in NM on a visit to Bosque del Apache to see thousands of migrating Canadian geese, and a three week trip in September, when we cruised from Seattle to Alaska and back to Vancouver with a stop in Victoria, and a visit to Butchart Gardens. We flew from Vancouver to Calgary and spent five nights in Lake Louise and Banff, then on to Montreal for two nights before boarding another cruise to Boston, with stops in Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, and Bar Harbor, Maine. The leaves were turning, the air was cool, and we enjoyed beautiful drives through the countryside at each port.
We continue to enjoy the ranch but are grateful to have our city getaway in Tucson. Papa suffered a broken ankle in late August when Oscar stumbled and fell on him. His ankle is healed and he is back for joining me for most daily hikes. He has worked on various leather and wood projects this year, as well as ranch projects - fence, road, water... I took pottery classes and water aerobics classes in Tucson over the summer. I take lots of photos every day and write on my blog several times a week. We take in museum exhibits, concerts, and ethnic restaurant experiences a couple of times/month. We are spending Christmas with Whitney's family in Austin. We are constantly reminded that life is short and we want to have no regrets.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Love,
Lulu and Papa
.jpg)
We began 2012 at the ranch with Claire, David, and Emerson visiting for a few days. Emerson loved riding horses and playing on our tractor and ATV. They left on January 3, our 31st wedding anniversary. I raced back to the ranch from the airport that day, to take lunch to the cowboys working our winter roundup.
Colter is about to begin his fifth year of managing the ranch. We thank God every day for him, Carly, and their children. We enjoyed dinners with them throughout the year and frequent visists as Colter checks water with the boys. Our branding on July 21, was our biggest yet, with over 185 calves branded, 38 cowboys and other helpers on hand, with perfect weather and big smiles. Brian, Amy, Emily, and Sarah came from Dallas for branding weekend, and Mary came from Phoenix.
We welcomed one new baby to the family this year, Colby Douglas, on April 26, in Amman, Jordan. I flew over in early May to meet Colby and spend time with Emerson, Claire, and David. Mary joined me for a second week in Jordan with a memorable trip of riding camels in Petra. Claire and David will complete their two year assignment in Jordan in February 2013 and will return to the states for a few months before their next move to Tbilisi, Georgia.
Mary and I flew from Jordan to Florida in late May for a girls' weekend on Longboat Key, and to celebrate my Mom's 75th birthday. I worked for a couple of months on a surprise gift and enjoyed giving it that weekend. Audrey and Lauren joined us. Papa flew to Florida for a few days the following week. We also enjoyed several visits with Aunt Rhea in Tampa over that week. We drove to Ocala for Aunt Margaret's 80th birthday party on June 2 and an overnight with Mom and Sonny.
Audrey and Dan have enjoyed their first year of parenthood with Lauren, turning 1 on December 5. They live in Chicago. Dan stays busy with his work and Audrey continues to enjoy her PR work as well as lots of time with Lauren.
Whitney and Corey are enjoying Austin, with Toby, 3, and Greta, 18 months. They bought a renovated 1940's home in Austin in February. We flew over the first weekend of March and did a whirlwind weekend of decorating and home projects. We drove to Colorado in August for a few days with them at Beaver Creek. We enjoyed stops along the way, lunch with Peggy and Charlie in Miami, AZ, an overnight with long time friend, Dick in Durango, and a stop at White Sands National Monument on our way home.
On October 8, Aunt Rhea passed away in North Carolina. We gathered along with my Dad, Whitney and Greta, Audrey, Dan, and Lauren, and Mom and Sonny, in Tampa, the first weekend of November, for her memorial service. We enjoyed time with family, cousins Renee and Russ, Jane, and Debbie. Aunt Rhea has had a significant influence on my life and she is missed.
We've made other memories this year, with a trip to Canyon de Chelly in February with Mary, an overnight at the Sierra Grande Hotel in NM on a visit to Bosque del Apache to see thousands of migrating Canadian geese, and a three week trip in September, when we cruised from Seattle to Alaska and back to Vancouver with a stop in Victoria, and a visit to Butchart Gardens. We flew from Vancouver to Calgary and spent five nights in Lake Louise and Banff, then on to Montreal for two nights before boarding another cruise to Boston, with stops in Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, and Bar Harbor, Maine. The leaves were turning, the air was cool, and we enjoyed beautiful drives through the countryside at each port.
We continue to enjoy the ranch but are grateful to have our city getaway in Tucson. Papa suffered a broken ankle in late August when Oscar stumbled and fell on him. His ankle is healed and he is back for joining me for most daily hikes. He has worked on various leather and wood projects this year, as well as ranch projects - fence, road, water... I took pottery classes and water aerobics classes in Tucson over the summer. I take lots of photos every day and write on my blog several times a week. We take in museum exhibits, concerts, and ethnic restaurant experiences a couple of times/month. We are spending Christmas with Whitney's family in Austin. We are constantly reminded that life is short and we want to have no regrets.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Love,
Lulu and Papa
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