Christmas 2011

How my friends celebrated Christmas back home...

Christmas lights in Denver

After our doctor's appointment today, we came down to Denver to buy me some...
-yep!- bigger clothes, since my belly is starting getting bigger. :)
We were hosted again by our dear friend Holly, with whom we also went out for a yummy dinner at the White Elephant and then... we went hunting for Christmas lights and
-man-oh-man!- we found some really crrraaazzzyyy ones!!!
Check them out!!!

We wondered, if their neighbors were able to sleep at night... ???

Holly enjoying a peacock :)

People stopping to watch another house with Christmas decorations

Santa with the rein-deers on a tit-a-toter

Also penguins came down to Denver, on a hot-air balloon!

This house had many displays, with all kind of toys in them.
They actually were accepting bids for them, since they said it was the last year they were putting out all of them, with lights included.

More toys

A train rushing by... well... one of them.
They were also going in & out of the actual house!

My favorite! :)

We decided that next year we'll come back down here with some more friends and with a map already in our hands to be able to find right away all of these crazy houses!!!

Wolf creek snowmobile trip 12/6/2011

Deepness

As far as I know I wasn't standing on the ground in this picture, I was just packing down more snow.

Stuck on a tree

Ryan's sled a little stuck

Ratz takes a turn

Snow was a bit deep down in Wolf Creek, sled is STUCK. gov't Snotel showed 48 inches. Ski area reports 58 inches. Frankly, this is one of those times where I actually believed the ski area. I didn't see the ground EVER. Click on the picture for full size

Pushing snow out front all day long

Ryan taking a bit of a break

Click on the picture for full size. Good views.

At the parking lot, changing shocks

Hauling the sleds on the truck

On the way there up Wolf Creek pass. Ski area is straight ahead.

What do I do now? (he's actually on the phone)

Cassidys' gave us another GREAT treat!!! :)

Cindy and Pat invited us over for dinner and...

YESSS!!!
We enjoyed it LOTS & LOTS!!!
As we always do!!! :)
They are such a great couple, great hosts and Pat is an OUTSTANDING chef!!!

During the day, I dog-sitted ny friend's dog Elwood, the Smiling Dog,
who was carefully watching me...
while I baked some goodies for dessert...

Then Chris came to pick me up and off we went to Cindy & Pat's,
where they were already in full work mode and they had the dinner ready in no time!
The Chef and his Helper

Getting the dishes ready...

The final piece of culinary art!

Chris horsing around

Cindy is ready to dive in

And Pat is proud to show off his art! :)

Rebuilding Sarah's top end

Very special moment. Rebuilding Sarah's snowmobile and the new Polaris piston's came from..... ITALY


Until next year...

Grand Lake & RMNP

Chris and I decided we need a quick overnight somewhere, before the Winter Season really starts in our Valley, so we headed out to Grand Lake.

At the same time, we also visited the near by Rocky Mountain National Park,
which we enjoyed very much, with all of its wildlife!!!




First snow-shoe of the year!


Chris, on the way to the Holzwarth cabins,
decided to plow the fields

Getting rid of the pine beetled trees

Holzwarth cabins


Chris enjoying the sun

Bun-in-the-Oven on his/her 2nd snow-shoe of the year :)