Family Christmas 2007

We celebrated family Christmas
Sunday the 23rd. We had Aiden all day he is 20 months and adorable! He's a big boy and is talking lots, he loves trucks! By the end of the day he knew g-mah and sissy(Aspyn).
Aspyn is 7 and in 2nd grade she is
getting so grown up! She was so excited about spending time with herbrother Aiden.
Ava 11 months is the petite one, she is a little doll. She started walking at 8and a half months and is very active. Always a happy smile on her face
Cierra is 6 and in 1st grade, she has had a busy year. Soccer, Brownie Scouts, Dance, Swim, Piano and Chess.

Thanksgiving 2007 was incredible! Cierra and I headed down to Boulder Utah Wednesday night what a beautiful drive through peaceful small towns. The sun was setting as we went through Bicknell headed towards Torrey my favorite Utah town. As we headed up and over Boulder Mountain is was as if the sky was split in two by a huge grey cloud that then turned orange and pink ahhhh. Once we got to Boulder Lodge and checked in we headed next door to the Hells Backbone Grill which really isn't a grill at all but a delightful oasis in the desert. I chose the pecan crusted and molasses glazed trout with carrots and beets, melt in your mouth sage bread, (between a biscuit and cornbread) was served along with fresh warm cinnamon apple cider. We had decided on desert but were too stuffed, as we left the crisp air hit our faces as we gazed at a gazillion stars in the sky. We cozied up under our down comforter and watched a movie.

Next morning Thanksgiving day Kent arrived around 8:30 Hurray daddies here! We drove towards Escalante which is part of the Grand Staircase to the Kiva Coffeehouse which had decided to open for breakfast after closing for the season. It was the only place that morning within 70 miles to get a latte! Thank You! As we waited for our breakfast we took in the the view from this round kiva-like house, the desert is so magnificent.

We then hiked to Lower Calf Creek Falls a 6 or 7 mile hike to a beautiful waterfall. Kent and I had been here on our first camping trip together almost 10 years ago! It was Cierras's first time-the fresh air and vigorous hike prepared our tummies for what was to come. We had reservations for the 3:00 Thanksgiving meal not knowing what to expect. The restaurant had all their tables lined up in three long tables to serve family style. And then the feast started and WOW what a feast the menu had 18 items listed, each and everyone was served along with 5 offerings of dessert. Some of my favorites were the warm red cabbage salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts, cream of pumpkin and jalapeno soup, apple cider&herbed salt brined organic local heirloom turkey with oaxacan chile mole gravy, spiced cherry-cranberry relish, creamed swiss chard with tarragon ok ok everything was delicious!! The restaurant amazingly thrives on it's own organic garden and local foods.

A 15 minute break is given to walk outside at sunset between dinner and dessert so perhaps you can find room to indulge in heavenly deserts like chocolate-chile pecan pie or apple pinon carmel pie. What a Thanksgiving feast it was, our table had people from Page Az, Las Vegas Nv, Steamboat Colo. and Portland Or. I believe it was enjoyed by all.

Friday morning we awoke to the first snow of the season! We took another hike this time to Upper Calf Creek Falls. Down the slickrock into the canyon the fall is almost hidden around the bend. Another gorgeous waterfall.

After our hike we were headed to Grand Junction Colorado to spend time at my parents house. My brother Steve and his daughter Amber were already there. So up and over Boulder Mountain again only this time their was a couple inches of snow which made it very slick so it was a 20 mile an hour trip over but again scenery that was breathtaking! Red rock and the snow covered Henry Mountains painted quite a picture.

We enjoyed family time over the weekend. Kent and I had the opportunity to take another hike on Saturday. We went up to Liberty Cap part of the Colorado National Monument, nice hike parts of the trail reminded me of the Grand Canyon. All in all a splendid Thansgiving that I am very thankful I had the opportunity to experience!

Arches

A little trip over the weekend to Moab and Arches

Cierra and I hiking along the Courthouse Wash.

Can you see the spooky Halloween face in the rock?

Hiked the road out to Eye of
the Whale Arch messed around

behind it naming rock formations.

Cierra sitting by Screaming Rock

Spaceship Rock

.

Cierra and I sitting in
front of Parade of Elephants

Debbie and Cierra sitting on Double Arch

.

Fall or Winter Hike?

More snow over the weekend, wanted to take a fall hike and enjoy the colors. Decided on Butler Fork maybe up towards Mt. Raymond. Didn't get far at all before it was a winter hike! Took the right fork over to Dog Lake, trees were bare half way up but snow was beautiful.

Dog Lake had a little ice on the west side.
Saw a couple people up there with their dog

and few bow hunters. Pretty quiet.

Thought this was unique, aspen leaf on snow in a tree.