Christmas 2011

 The Ames family tradition of orange danishes.  I broke my sugar fast this one time during the holidays.

 Gary's new long johns.

Gary got me this awesome looking foxtail plant.  I hope we can keep it alive.  Gary also got me a new coat and gloves to wear to Sundance, pictures later.

We got a live Norfolk pine for Christmas tree.  I hope I can keep this one alive too.  I have had them in the past and tried transplanting them, and they died, so this one I won't transplant.  They are native to New Zealand.

 Our Christmas palm.

Lucky and Smokey get cuddles.

Crystal's 21st birthday

My baby is 21!

 By this time, she is getting annoyed with the picture taking.

We went to a restaurant called "Tequila's" for her birthday celebration.  They have the best pico de gallo ever.

Snowshoe 2012

Got up to the Grand Mesa the week after Christmas.  This year, there is about half the snow as previous years that I have seen, about 2-3 deep this year (there has been a few storms since, but every storm that comes through is about a one-day thing, nothing staying for long).  This time, even though I have hiked and snowshoed near Water Dog Reservoir many times, I have never noticed all these pictures on the trees.

You can see the gate to show the snow depth.  Last year, snow depth was over the gate.

Oil is booming in these parts.

Even could see patches of ground.

I love this Sponge Bob hat.  It is not very attractive, but so comfy.

Hi Jazzy.

Jasmine goes snow swimming in deep powder.

Rabbit Valley

We have been exploring the area of the Utah-Colorado border this season and finding it very cool and fun.

Lucky, Dawg Dude, Gary, Chance, Jasmine, and Buddy (somewhere in there).

Rock face.

Funny rock face.

Gary scrambles, go for it dude.

Lucky, Gary, Buddy.

Jasmine, Buddy, Lucky, Dawg Dude, Chance.

Jabba the Hut.

DD and Jazz in a moment.

Lucky brings up the rear.

Lucky is our current very puppyish foster.  She is a big girl!

Profiles.

The Secret Castle.

Slot pool from above.

As J. J. Abrams likes to say, "good flare."

The Thunderbird Clan (my clan).

This is the only time I have seen the Colorado River from here (except on the train).

Fat, Chance (but working on it).