When It's Springtime in the Rockies.....

It has been quite a while since I posted....but with Spring "bursting out all over" it just didn't seem right to let all these pictures sit in my camera with no where to go!

Can't wait to take the next picture when they hatch!

I have some unusual tulips popping up this year! Look out Georgia O'Keefe-now I want to paint this!

I forgot my camera card, but iPhone to the rescue--Rachelle, Sarah and I had a girls night out at the cabin to watch the meteor shower--one was all we could muster before we froze--meteor showers are a summer affair I have decided--however, Rachelle channelling her inner Giada more than made up for the lack of star power!

Zac and Jake are helping me "deck the halls" as we prepare for Springtime visitors and festivities!

I am a potter--in more ways than one!

Jake coming to the family's rescue and fixing us dinner-channelling his inner Iron Chef!

So, "the Muses have been in" the past few weeks as I have spent a little more time on the right side of my brain and less on the left. Cathy and Cheryl both joined me for a painting class as Michaels. Hopefully, we can have a few more "painting parties" in the future!

Well, they aren't Monets, but they are very fun!

Heather inspired me to quit talking about it and just do it. I have made my own dishes to eat out of this month, a table to eat on--now if I can just talk Jake into being my live=in chef so I don't have to make the food to serve too!

Family, Food, Fun

 Jessica came to visit this month and it made for three weeks of fun and family....never all together at the exact same time but still everyone was able to get together and celebrate.

One of our more favorite spontaneous activities, we broke out the paints and had a rock and roll, snowy evening paint-a thon!

Uncle Zac, going for Uncle of the year, welded swords for the nephews!

I got a taste of "twins for a day" (Don't know how you did it Cathy!)

Where the Wild Things Were--up at Soldier Hollow for a Day-the weather could not have been more perfect!

Rissy in Jessica's blessing dress--she isn't all Gregory-I see some Jessica genes there!

Lots of bonding with the sistahs!

Thank goodness, we were able to work in one Derby Cross Country Day before the snow goes mushy!

Finally, got some visitors to the cabin--more cross country skiing-of sorts!

And there was the Derby Girl Mardi Gras party--I guess I was too busy cooking to get a lot of pictures but I did get one of Romney and Brinley.

For as much as we like to meet and eat--we look really good!

And, there was a lot of eating--who knew Chuck a Rama was such a happening place!

I Can See Clearly Now...

Steve had cataract surgery this past week. Every day since, he has remarked several times a day about how clear everything is, how vibrant the colors are and how much happier he feels. I know in a small way what he is talking about. After a very long winter, of having everything clouded with a grey film...we spent a weekend in Southern Utah. I felt the same way. Everything was so clear and vibrant and it made me so happy!

I love the mountains but in the wintertime, I realize that the desert must be a part of my DNA.

The break from the clouds and snow lifted everyone's spirits!

Cousins--(although, I may need to quit referring to everyone that way!)

I love it that God uses a complementary color pallet in Southern Utah!

We hiked a long way to get to this "pond!"

I need to make some sort of motivational poster out of this picture.

It Was a Love Machine....

 We love: that's why life is full of so many wonderful gifts--Rumi

We were so lucky to get to host the Valentine Dinner/Dance for Andy's Friend's Clubhouse. It was an evening that won't be forgotten. Andy still had a smile on his face when he woke up this morning--and so did I.

Everyone started the evening by making Valentines for each other--while the girls took turns getting their nails painted and the guys took turns in the bathroom for a hot shave and hairstyle.

There was lots of help at the activity....Stacy and Kathy's sisters both came and I was again reminded of the importance of "sisters" in my life and how..... whenever you need them--they are there!!

Cindy (Stacy's sister) made four cakes earlier in the day and then spent the evening with my good friend, Jan Brown, cleaning my kitchen after the festivities.....love is in the air....and in my kitchen!

It has been a while since my family has eaten this well. Steaks, potatoes, chicken cordon bleu....all filled  more than just our hearts.

I kept calling these guys by "best men!"

And then the funnest part of the night began. The living room became a dance floor and we all rocked on!

Everyone danced, every dance!

Well, Darren did have to take a few sets off to join the band!

Katelyn's dance card was full the entire night;  she was in high demand among several admiring young men!

Can you spell H-A-P-P-Y!!!!

They just kept lining up!

Everyone was in their Valentine best--but with smiles like these who cares what you are wearing!

Trevor and his friend Ben provided the music for the evening--nothing like a little roaming drumbeat to make sure everyone stayed on their feet!

Jacob and I have been having a little contest lately to see which one of us can drive the other totally crazy first. But, when I watched him dance every dance last night and make sure that no girl was ever left out--I cried "Uncle" --I am afraid I will drive him crazy long before he pushes me overboard.

#prettysureheisgoingtobejustfine

In this very room, there is quite enough love for all us.....I am one very lucky lady!!