MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Not been keeping up on posting on the blog lately.  Not much going on around here worth posting actually.  But over Christmas we did do a ski trip with our friends Ike and Brenda (Have celebrated Christmas with them for years!)  Their two sons Rustin and Riley were here as was Riley's girlfriend Avery. We stayed at an ARB&B in the Sula area which is close to our little ski resort Lost Trail.  Not much snow for skiing, but we did manage to have a good time skiing on what was open at the resort.  Only 2 of the 5 chairlifts were operating.  They do need more snow that is for sure.

From left to right: Connie, Brenda, Avery, and Riley.

Ike waiting on everyone to get ready.

Sitting around in the living room.

We all think that Ike looks like Vice President Cheney. 

Riley telling a fish story about how big the fish was that got away!

Connie, Brenda, and Rustin.

At the end of the skiing day having a beer.

The lodge we stayed at.

Zeph saying it is pretty boring laying around listening to these people tell stories!

Lots of nice racks on the walls.

And some of the bed frames were quite interesting.

Starting to play some kind of game.

Connie in the kitchen cooking up some lasagna.  Zeph just wants to play Frisbee!

A great fireplace.

Starting to play a board game.  

We are planning on heading south for a few months in a few weeks.  Will post more as we usually do when we are traveling. 

GARY'S 8OTH BIRTHDAY PARTY

My brother Gary turned 80 years old and we had a little party for him.  It was at a restaurant in Hamilton and was supposed to be a surprise but I think he had gotten wind of it.   Most of the family was there along with some of his friends.  It was fun and all had a good time.  I forgot my camera so Connie had to take pictures.  And she did a fine job!

Gary thanking everyone for coming.

Brenda, Ross, and me with the hat on.  The rest of the pictures are of the crowd.

UPDATE 31 OCTOBER 2019 - THE START OF HUNTING SEASON

Been a spell since I updated the blog so thought I had better get to it.  Not much going on except fall things such as getting everything ready for winter and hunting season starting.  Connie and I traded in the old BMW car for an F-150 pickup that is way to fancy.  I will never learn how to run all the features on this thing!  It even will parallel park itself!  We call it the "town car"!  I will have to take a picture of it and put it on the blog.  Right now it is way to dirty to do that.  We have had some snow and then it melted a little and the roads are a mess.  Consequently so is the pickup.  Now it is just cold.  Single digit cold. But warmth is predicted.

Our friends Ross and Brenda are here for hunting season and Ross got a nice fat cow opening morning.  The rest of the family has not even taken a shot.  Lots of deer around but the elk are in hiding.  We are having a mountain lion problem in our area also.  Neighbor lost 11 sheep and others over in the coal pit area have lost sheep and goats. Over on the lane I grew up on, one family has lost 9 sheep.  We had cat tracks 85 yards from our door the other morning and nephew Doug saw lots of tracks last evening when he was hunting just to the north of us.  Bear spray and pistols are being carried.

Me riding Blu - my new favorite horse to ride.  She takes care of me!

Snow on the patio.

Blu gets her name from her eyes.

Dell watching the sunset.

Snowed hard for awhile.

Cat tracks.

Brenda took the pictures below.  Thanks for sharing Brenda.

Ross with his cow.

Getting the elk cleaned.

The nephews sighting in rifles.

UPDATE 29 SEPTEMBER 2019

We got our first snow of the year/season today and it was pretty wet.  Not much just about 3 inches but will sure make the corrals muddy.  And the temperature will drop tonight.  So yesterday with that kind of forecast I got our camper all winterized.  And we covered a few flowers last night. 

Our friend Pam from Utah stopped by for a visit and it is always great to visit with her.  We took her for a horse back ride to the east of our place.  Also did a drive up Willow Creek and was surprised how smooth the road was.  We had heard they had graded it this summer as they are going to do some logging up there we hear. 

The view of the valley from higher up Willow Creek.

Lots of color along the road also.

Pam riding Bill and Connie on Peg.  Connie kept her helmet on after doing some jumping on Blu.

The Mexican Daisies look a little cold with the snow on them.

This is the first time this Century Plant has ever had snow on it I'll bet!