Telluride and Raef's Birthday - Days 6-8 (Making Snow Candy)

Good morning once again.  I have the house to myself until 11, when I have to pick up Caleb from ski school and I am delightedly spending it doing a bit of sewing.  Everyone else is at work or school leaving me once again in a quiet house.

It has finally stopped snowing and the town is bathed in white.  It is also a crazy, busy hubbub today.

I arrive on time at the preschool to meet the bus and settle in to wait.  They say it is late sometimes but after half an hour, several parents are starting to ask questions along with me.  It arrives an hour later --- crazy since I could have driven up there in 15 minutes time.  Turns out it is harder to round up 20 preschoolers than one would think.

Telluride and Raef's Birthday - Days 1-5

Starting the new year out right with another trip.  This time it is to Colorado.  I am Telluride bound and as I fly through these amazingly blue skies, it's hard to tell the clouds from the snow peaks.

Isn't it absolutely beautiful?  Today is my grandson's 11th birthday. ELEVEN!!!  Wow.  That almost doesn't even seem possible.

Raef is having his "party" on Sunday with the BIG GAME.  However, that doesn't mean that we can't at least have a birthday cake and sing a song.  Right?

Turns out that brownies work well too.  And that's about it for my first day here.  Lazy comes to mind.

On the Way Home --- Inspiration Strikes -- Sunrise Magic

Good-bye Billings.  It's time for my flight and the sun is just barely peeking out on the horizon.  I'm ready to head home.  I've missed my sweet Mister and only have a few days home with him before going to Colorado.  Time for some "Just Us Two" moments.

As we make our ascent into the sky, the lights from the city below are shining and sparkling from the snow surrounding them.  It really is quite lovely.

Ooooh, here comes the sun.  I am mesmerized as it shows it's absolute divine beauty.  It seems as though I have been following sunrises or sunsets for awhile now.  I have the idea in place for this year's mystery and as I fly it is solidified.  Oh the fun I will have with these colors.  Enjoy the eye candy as much as I did and remember that these are through a plane window -- not the cleanest one either.

Back to Montana - Matt's Family - Day 3

It's another chilly day in the neighborhood and my super fun grands are getting ready for school.  Bundle up, my precious ones, as it is definitely chilly out there.

Back to Montana - Matt's's Family - Days 1 & 2

Day 5 dawns and I'm now out in Lockwood at my son's house.  THIS is an early rise house so if you want in on the action, ya gotta get out of bed.  While the kids are waiting for breakfast, I brought some small puzzles that they can work on.  Zyra jumps right into working on hers, but you can see Hyrum in the background and he REALLY doesn't want to do this.  His father is a bit persuasive and soon he is working on his as well.

Back to Montana - Switchover Day 4

It's Day 4 in Billings and today I have so much planned that it deserves an entry all of it's own.  Let's get it started.  June Bug is everywhere this morning and I'm falling for this sweet gal.  Run Deb, run fast.

We are all hustle and bustle this morning trying to get out the door.  Malea is being non-cooperative and feels as though she is ready to go.  Mom and Kasey have both battled with her to get snow pants and boots on, without success.  I ask if they want me to  try and they throw up their hands and agree.  One harsh sentence from Gammy and we are soon getting ready to leave.  Yep, I'm just that dang scary when the deep, no nonsense voice comes out.  They are just not around me enough to know what they can get away with.  It's a nice tool to use occasionally.  I don't want to be the mean one all the time, but dang it -- we need to go.

Back to Montana - Rhiana's Family - Days 1-3

It's time to get this new travel year started!  I'm on an early morning flight to Montana for a week with Matt and Rhiana's families.   I haven't had a winter visit up there in a long time.  I'm packed, a the airport and waiting -- let's fly.

Upon my arrival, I exit the building and discover that no one is here to pick me up.  Well this is an auspicious beginning.  I get a cab and instruct the driver to take me to the school where Rhiana teaches.  After a quick hello to my daughter and her classroom, Kasey picks me up and we are soon on our way to get Malea so that I can have some one on one time with her while everyone else works.  There is a sweet little puppy in the truck as well and although I'm not a dog person, I could do this one.  She is just so tiny.  Say hello to June Bug.