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!
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
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