Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!! (I know, I know ~ but better late then never!)

Ok, I know it has been forever since my last post. No excuses, but it has been busy!

It is Winter in Colorado!!

A recap of the past few months:

I went home for a few short days over Christmas and had a really nice trip! Christmas is such an awesome time of year and to spend it with the family and friends is always special.

After Christmas I flew back to Colorado with my brother and his family. We hung out at the house for a few days (we tried to go snowshoeing in Estes Park but it was WAY too cold!!) and then we headed up to beautiful Breckenridge for the New Year.

Emily and Alex making a snowman and snowpuppy in the backyard.

Emily and Alex sledding at the golf course near my house:

It was quite chilly in Breckenridge but we had a great time nonetheless! The mountains got tons of snow (I-70 was actually closed and we were just about to cancel the trip but then the road re-opened). It was slow going but we eventually made it! Our room was nice and cozy but you cannot beat watching the fireworks over the mountains on New Year's Eve from our nice, warm room!!

Alex and Emily of course rocked on skis!! It was tough keeping up with them at the end of the day :)

The day we skied was absolutely gorgeous! The views from the lifts were simply amazing and the town fun to explore. Can you tell who is who??

The day after Bryan, Michelle, Emily and Alex left, I finally found my dog! I have been looking for a dog since around Thanksgiving and I finally found the right match. Topper is a golden retriever mix (looks like she has a bit of German Sheppard and something else small?) and is about 1.5 years old.

Steph and Topper hanging at the house.

She was a bit abused (I don't think physically but she was starved and tied up in the back of someone's yard; she also does not like men!) but she is doing great. I just don't think she was exposed to much of anything ~ like stairs, other people, other dogs, cars, the outside...but she is such a sweetheart! She is getting better and better every day.

Now I just need to get her trail trained in time for the spring. She absolutely loves the snow ~ maybe I will take her on a short snowshoe hike before the winter's over.

Steph, Topper and Jack playing in the backyard.

The crew relaxing in the kitchen in the morning. Steph routinely gets pummeled by the dogs several times a day!

Don't worry, Lacy (my cat) still has the run of the house and is keeping Jack in order. They fight over the most popular spot in the house: on the top of the chair by the window.

Anyhow, I went down to pick her up on January 2nd and on January 4th Robyn, Steph (and their little dog, too!), Nana and Papa drove out. Robyn, Steph and Jack (the dog; well we think he is part cat and probably part rat...) moved out to Colorado and in with me!! Yeah!

We went snowshoeing in Estes Park one weekend in January which was a lot of fun! Robyn and Steph by the Charlie Brown Christmas tree :)

Steph running in the fresh powder.

Me and Steph posing...

I have had a full house for a bit but it is certainly nice having everyone out. Things have started settling down and the Colorado winter so far has definitely been manageable and very beautiful. The dogs are getting along well (although they certainly have their moments!) and Lacy (my cat) has handled all the ruckus well.

Steph and Robyn being silly when we pulled over to watch all the elk...

I really should carry my camera everywhere! Not only is it gorgeous, but Steph, Robyn and I (along with the dogs) were out walking around Golden Ponds and we saw a bald eagle flying supper close by ~ so Amazing!! I have seen about 4 or 5 eagles in past few weeks, mostly on my walks by the creek and down by the lake.

Just a pretty shot that Steph took in the park.

So January and February came and went. I spent some easy weekends taking Topper out to the lake or along the creek, but of course we there was a bit of exploration to be had!! We took the dogs down to Cherry Creek State Park last weekend which was beautiful (both the day and the park!).

This weekend, it was about 73F on Saturday and we went for a walk along the Poudre River trail in Fort Collins. Today it was about 35F and snowy! What a change in the weather ~ gotta love Colorado! Still, both days were B-E-A-UTIFUL!

I am scouting out good trails for dogs and also dusting off my campground book :)

Until next time: Happy Trails!