Football!

I love Fall for many reasons! I love the cool crisp weather, the changing leaves, and football - especially college football. I don't care for professional football for many reasons that I won't get into. Anyway, a couple weeks ago Joel, Jerry, Shelby, and I went to the Air Force vs Navy game at the Air Force Academy. It was a blast even though Air Force lost. There are two trophies that they compete for. One is the Commander in Chief trophy for the winner of the football game and the other one is for the 7 intramural sports they play before the game. Air Force swept all 7 of those and so they at least got one of the trophies.


We had some very interesting and entertaining people around us. About 5 rows down from us was a gang of middle aged people. They had one leader (note the picture)who would jump up during all breaks in the game and lead them in a very heart-felt cheer. They were awesome!

Sitting in the row in front of us were 4 guys who played football for Air Force. I don't think I have tell you that they took the loss to their rival quite hard. One of the guys had even came all the way from Washington for the game.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the game was the fly over before the game started. Of course since it was an Air Force game the fly over simply has to be great. They were going to have some people parachute onto the football field but it was too windy. However, they did have a Stealth bomber (B-2) and two of our brand-new fighters (the F-22). These are some impressive machines! I didn't get great pictures because I was busy watching. Later!

The Great Accomplishment!

Alright everyone work has just been crazy busy so I haven't updated in forever, but I'm going to try to catch up! Before I got started on all the somewhat interesting things we've been doing I wanted to let you know about our Great Accomplishment of the year...Last weekend Joel and I drove back to El Dorado for the weekend. It takes 8 hrs and 6 minutes and is 537 miles from our house and we drove it without stopping, not even once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall in the Rockies

Last Sunday after church Joel and I took a drive up to Cripple Creek to see the changing aspen trees. Cripple Creek sits at 9,500 ft (about 1,000 ft above us). There are more aspens there than in most other places because way "back in the day" the people who settled the area to mine cut down the pine trees for lumber.

This weekend the colors are supposed to be even better, but we probably won't make it up there again. The bright yellows and oranges were beautiful against the dark green of the pine trees.

I've always loved seeing Fall in Kansas and the Ozarks so I was pleasantly surprised to see so much color. I know it's still not the same, but here's a handful of my favorite photos.

Marshalls, Meet Your Foe!

So a few days ago Joel and I were removing some debris from a house, including a very large dog house. In order to break the dog house apart we tipped it over. As we did we were swarmed with yellow jackets which decided to follow us all the way to the front of the house and finally our truck - Where I was stung twice (the wrist and over my left kidney). Let me tell you, that is nothing like a bee sting. Joel somehow got away with no stings.



These mini-creatures had built their home right under the dog house into the ground. I had no idea that these things would build under items such as that dog house. When we got home I did a little research to make sure of what these angry stinging things were and discovered that yellow jackets and other such creatures are very common here in Colorado. That extension office webpage seemed to scream at me, "Meet your new foe!" I guess we'll know next time to be careful when removing large items from long abandoned houses.

Here's a guy that had a lot of fun getting rid of an underground yellow jacket nest! I wish I could have done this to that nest.

It just goes to show that no matter where you live there is always something to deal with and that no place is perfect.

Dad Update #2

This last weekend Jerry, Shelby, Joel, and I surprised Mom and Dad with a visit. We got to the hospital Saturday morning. It was great to see them both and I think that Dad enjoyed the change of pace. Dad actually seems to be doing very well, much better than after the back surgery last year. He is eating, has color back in his face, and is walking with his back STRAIGHT! Praise God for the difference already!


The doctors only went in from the front. He has a cesarean-like incision and they actually took all his “guts” out for the surgery. They fused a few more vertebrates and plated them and then put spacers between the vertebrates that were worked on before, as there were none put in the first time. The doctor also said that there wasn’t as much damage as he was afraid there was and the surgery went very well.

Saturday the doctor came and released Dad- much to his relief! He still has a long way to go and will need to be patient and do very little for the next 6 months, but I think he has a good beginning. Thank you to everyone who has been remembering Dad in your prayers!

Jennifer

Early Morning Visitor

Joel and I are definitely what you would call night owls, especially for working people. Last night (or this morning) we got to bed at about 12:45 and I had just began to doze off when we were both startled by a loud bang and Molly (our big Chocolate Lab) viciously barking. She doesn't bark often but when she does she means business. We both made our way through the dark house and flipped on the back porch light.

There before us, perched on top of the fence, holding on for its life was a large raccoon! It ended up jumping off the fence and running away. However, we were plagued for several more hours by being awakened by Molly charging the fence every few minutes. Apparently the raccoon was determined to get in the fence to eat Molly's food... It didn't happen.



I love seeing all the wild creatures up here. Of course we have raccoons but we also have tons of mule deer that run around town in the mornings and evenings. We were warned when we moved in to watch for the bears - apparently the black bears like to come down to rummage through the town people's garbage every now and then.

Please keep Dad in your prayers, his surgery is tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12:30. Thanks and have a great day!

Jennifer

A Picture Tour

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is having a great weekend! We have had a nice weekend. Today (Saturday) Jerry and Shelby came up and we all had brunch and then we drove out to Beuna Vista to see my Great Uncle Phillip and Aunt Shirley. We had a really nice visit with them and the girls won the fun-as-ever Skip-O game.

On the way back home we were exploring a country road when we spotted a porcupine. It was my first time to see a live porcupine in the wild. Joel grabbed the camera and ran after it. He got some great pictures, but the thing was definitely on the defense and would not let him see his head.



Some of the most gorgeous views in Colorado are on the way to and around Beuna Vista. Beuna Vista is surrounded by the fantastic Collegiate Peaks. All the peaks out here are starting to get covered in snow. Thursday night the weather guy said that we might get our first snow but it didn't happen.


So for all the family who have been asking to see pictures of our new house I thought I would include a few here. We are still settling in (a very slow process for us) so you have to excuse any messes you see.





I know those pictures were exciting, but I hope no one got too excited. Talk to you all soon!

Jennifer