Low Key Christmas

After enjoying our coffee Christmas morning and taking care of the Jesses cats I hit the stream for a bit. 

We had some high wind damage just before we took off for Beau's

So clean up and repair was first on my to do list.

Door and window fixed - check.

Bees still look good 

I came across two praying mantis egg sacks while doing yard work

Burn baby burn

and this morning while fixing coffee we had 16 visitors at the bird feeder

 

Christmas in the Springs 2021

It's a long drive to the Springs but, it's well worth it so we can all be together.

Jace with a mitt full of racoons

These kids know just what to do with Uncle Beau's gifts, after out trip to Jimmy's last fall.

Jace is ready to real in a big one

Beau has become quite a chef.  And his mom and Aunt Barb have made sure the has all the right tools to get the job done.

And Kensley is ready to make Donuts for the family on Christmas morning.

They're back in Flagstaff and we're back in Bellevue 

looking forward to the next time we're all together.

SWINGING INTO THE SPRINGS FOR CHRISTMAS FUN

We were all happy to have a swing at our rental

Time to bake some cookies with Aunt Zan zan

cutting sugar cookies out

Sugar toppings for Sprtiz

Ta-Da

everybody helped

Kensley really likes sugar.

And cleaning up 

Ziplining break

58* in December.  You can't beat that.

And you can't beat Jace in a race.

Scooters

Beautiful

We like looking at pics of Jerry and Bumbles

We are so excited for Christmas!

 

Brighter Days On the Horizon

Mid October Jimmy and I broke down in SW Wisconsin on a Wednesday afternoon.

Curt accepted the challenge of dropping a different engine in it

Fast forward two months later and the engine was shipped from the east coast 

And brighter days are on the horizon for me and the Baja

Getting into the Christmas spirit means

getting into an igloo with friends

Guess who trumped their partners Ace?

Even though I Bumbled we got our Christmas decorations up in Dubuque

Working on my stash for next years landscaping projects

Just a few reindeer in the valley

 

Let's Get Started!

Armed with a dull saw and Susie's enthusiasm we hiked back to the point to get some cedars for our Christmas display in Dubuque.

And yes, to get the best little tree I would have to climb to get the tree.  What goes up must come down. 

It was a very nice day for our walk.

Shaping the tree in the manger

The kick off to the holiday season is the Bellevue christmas parade.

After being in the first parade more then 20 years ago, we decided that we need to be in it next year with the VW and friends.

Here are some lovely friends

And these guys too.

The brewery was hopping and the Krampus scottish ale with cherries was flowing

Let the fun begin.

 

Thank Your Elders.....HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2021🍗

Susie started out our Thanksgiving with Monte Cristo Sandwiches

We hiked back to put out the trail cam.

Then it was time for her signature Thanksgiving cocktail.

Last fall Susie and the girls from the Convivium harvested Elderberries and made Elderberry Cordial.

And just a few weeks ago I pressed several gallons of apple cider.

So Thanks your Elders is the drink.

We took a break to listen to Alice's Restaurant and enjoy the fire.

 Who's a good boy?