Christmas

It was quite a different Christmas for our family this year. We didn't travel nor host anyone in Greeley. It was just our little family of 6. We had a quiet Christmas Eve, and enjoyed a mellow Christmas morning opening gifts and stockings. Thanks so much to our families for their very thoughtful gifts! 

Baskets

Trying to keep sister busy over break is quite a task. In this months issue of Family Fun magazine, I noticed an insert for some fun winter crafts/projects. One of them was a New Years Eve party basket. No, not for adults. For families with kids! So Sarabeth and I set to work on crafting a few of them for our friends. We ended up making 4. Well, I bought the supplies and sis made them. She did great. And tonight we blessed a few families in the greater Greeley metro area with a basket. Happy New Years Eve Eve! 

2k14

With 12 hours left in 2014, I guess it's time for a few year-end round ups. The first is a photo generated by some company via Facebook. It analyzed your year and provided this fun newspaper like front page of your most popular post and top three "likers" of your posts. So thanks Wes, Kelly and Mark! Happy New Years Eve! 

Donuts

For the second year in a row, King Scoopers gave out one free donut per Scooper card after each Broncos win. It was a real highlight for me on 11 Mondays this season. I got what I hope won't be my last free donut on Monday after they crushed the Raiders. Onto the playoffs! 

Odds 'n Ends

A few pictures from the last several weeks that didn't need their own blog post, but were fun and special enough to make in a group post! 

The sun rising over my King Scoopers on an early Saturday morning...

My Wiley Roots mug that is always waiting for me...

A snowman Sarabeth made at her school Christmas party...

A new book I won from the author on a Facebook give-a-way page...

Tulo watching over our Christmas tree...

Reading a good book on the front patio the third week of December...

Grandma

The same weekend of Best of the West, Jim and Janet made a quick jaunt to Greeley after feeding the band for Jim's annual Christmas party for his job that's held in Denver every year. Even though she wasn't here long, grandma sure was busy! Making cookies with the kids and getting all dressed up for a picture with her favorite son-in-law! 

RMCRI

One of the benefits of having cancer (if that isn't a weird enough opening sentence) is the time I've been able to spend at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute. My work schedule finally allowed me to get back in a regular exercise routine. So every Monday, Wednesday and Friday this fall I would have a personal trainer waiting for me at 2 o'clock. This semester it was Brian. He is a great guy and a great trainer. He would plan the workout schedule for the day with included 20 minutes on the treadmill, 4-6 different exercises on the weight machines or equipment and finally some ab work and stretching. It felt great to be back on a regular exercise schedule. From August to December, I believe I lost about 12 pounds. Other highlights include doing 101 chair squats on my last day and a one rep max of 535 pounds on the leg press. Thanks again Brian. Good luck and Godspeed after graduation! 

Best of the West

Once again this fall, Noah tried out for and was selected to participate in the Best of the West band concert in Grand Junction. Jen was asked again to be the female chaperone for the weekend. Jim and Janet opened their home when the band arrived on Thursday for a homemade dinner! While Noah practiced on Friday with his band mates, Jen and Janet helled around Junction and had quality mother/daughter time. The band performed on Saturday and home they came. Here's the pool party at the hotel, Noah and his girlfriend and Jen with a few silly students. 

Pictures

While we are all together as a family for Thansgiving, we were able to get some family pictures taken by Aunt Kim. She did a great job getting all 11 of us to look good together. She also took some individual pictures and each family together. The University of Wyoming provided the picturesque scenery.  

Crowder

My favorite brother and nephew made the trip to Colorado for a postponed David Crowder concert in October. We had been looking forward to in since I bought the tickets in March. After I got off work and Jen took a half day from school, Wes and I were off to Denver like two dirty shirts!

What would a trip to Denver be without a stop at the Tattered Cover? I ended up with three new books  and Wes with one. We lunched at our favorite pub near the hospital where I had all my work done. Then it was off to the Paramount Theater. I was excited because we had actual seats. Wes was excited because we had early entry. FRONT ROW BABY!! Crowder was so close I actually had to step back a bit in order to take pictures. It was a great set as you can see from the SIGNED set list. We really enjoyed the meet and greet after the show. Even got a picture with the man himself. A great brotherly day in Denver.