Evan's first Elk!

Well, news from Chaffee County is that Evan got his first kill. I just got the copy of the picture on my email without details. I will post more as I have the information. I did crop the photo to rid of some of the gore. xo

. . . He shot her at 175 yards and hit her on the first shot in the liver. He shot three more times to make sure she did not run off. They will return to Salida next weekend to butcher her and bring her home. Big thanks to Uncle Kenny for his guide services and to Aunt Sammy for the hospitality! xo

Christmas day in Salida!

So we wake up to see what's in our stockings, shower, and load up the car to drive to Salida to see my family. Even though it sounds like an inconvenience, I truly love the drive with the kids close and cell phone service lacking. We arrived at my sister Sam's to a house full. As I was introducing Blake's friend, Sam, to all of my family, the reality of it sank in and I had to giggle. My mom was there with her husband, Fred. My dad was there with his wife, Peggy. My sister, Niki's dad, Rod, was there, too. Grandma and Papa Turner were there visiting with us all. I would really like to see a Christmas card next year with Mom, her husband, and her two ex-husbands ~ this is our life. Fortunately, the big D doesn't tear this family apart, it brings us all together for the holidays. xo

The boys woke early the next morning to hunt for Evan's cow elk. No luck on day one, but they stayed behind in Chaffee County and the girls and I returned back to the city. I am hoping the next post is about Evan's big kill. Cross your fingers.

Christmas Eve at our house!

It's become a tradition to have a BUNCO tournament at our house on Christmas Eve. Clay's family comes over and they play to win ~ especially Camie's family! ;o) We play four rounds and at the end pick a winner, a loser, one with the most BUNCOs and a traveling BUNCO. This is a great time. Everyone plays and you get to chat with someone new every round. We also started a "white elephant" Gift Card exchange which is really a lot of fun. It's always a hoot when Granddad ends up with the Victoria's Secret GC or Shanna with Cabela's! We played 'til late in the evening, Santa came, and Evan anxiously woke us all to see what Santa brought for Christmas morning. Who needs sleep? It's Christmas!

Our family was also blessed to have Blake's friend, Samantha join us for the holidays. We all love Sam and enjoy having her as a part of our family.

OUCH!!!

Snow and below freezing temperatures have caused icy road conditions in town. Miss Blake has gotten a good taste of winter driving. Unfortunately, a curb jumped out and smacked right into her wheel on the way home from school. Bummer!

My civic duty.

I just completed my seven day obligation of jury duty today. I served as a jury member for a triple murder/attempted murder trial here in Fort Collins. The case was centered around meth. What a sad, sad, sad world just right around the corner in my home town. We, the jury, agreed upon the verdict of guilty of all counts. I believe 100% in our decision, but my heart is heavy from the weight of the decision.

Pay attention to your kids and their friends, and love them. Then, love them some more, and love them even more after that.

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20091208/NEWS01/912080322

Parties, parties, parties. . .

We went to Dr. Kent's Christmas party this weekend and will have Atlas's in two weeks. Kent also puts together a party for all of the employee's children as well as a cocktail hour, after-hours, the night before Christmas Eve.

Count down to Christmas!

Here's a good shot of Evan's annual gingerbread masterpiece. The lights are on the outside of the house, we will pick out our tree this weekend, and the presents are starting to stack up. I love this time of year!