Colorado Christmas

Christmas 2011 has come and gone ~ and so has our trip our west.  I wanted to start this Christmas reflection with a quote from Real Simple magazine ~ the "modern manners" section had a parent ask the question, "my neighbor's kid told mine there's no Santa Claus.  What should I do?"  Part of the reply (from T. Berry Brazelton himself) "you should tell your child that you believe in Santa, too."  I should?  "Well, don't you? I do," he said firmly.  "We all believe in Santa on some level or other, right?  If we didn't, we would be in deep trouble." 
We started our trip west at 3:18am Monday morning (12/19).  We headed straight into a blizzard that dumped a foot of snow on Hays, Kansas overnight.  We made it to Aunt Chris and Uncle Bud's house...but that last 90 miles into Hays...as the rain turned to freezing rain to ice to slush to blowing snow...was SCARY.  My husband is a fearless master of driving in the worst conditions, and he was disappointed that the gate on I-70 wasn't closed at Russell.  We were ever so thankful for T-Bones and the excellent food and drink AND the warm bed to rest in. 
The next day was fine traveling after we drove out of the snow.  It was one of those rare days when we crested a hill and could see the faint outline of the Rockies in the distance ~ still some three hours away.  There is something magical for me in those mountains.  I know it sounds corny, but it lifts my soul.  They are so majestic and AWE inspiring.
Highlights of our Christmas trip:

• Mike's dominant tooth ~ you know it's not as sharp as it used to be.
• a Big Foot sighting ~ yep, that's him, on top of the mountain.  He's not moving because he's hibernating. (I took a picture for proof)
• playing Mexican Train dominoes for hours on end
• WINTER SOLSTICE celebration that included a poem, a dramatic speech, a quote, sparklers and a YULE LOG cake (try #2) that was good looking as well as yummy (last year's try #1 not so good looking)
• a 45 minute sleigh ride (in a REAL RED sleigh) that only lasted about 20 minutes...but it was so cold I was ok with the shortened experience.
• spending time with my parents and brother Bill & Clare & the girls.  Wish brother Bob & Christy & kids could have been with us...but not this year.
• trumpets waking the dead Christmas morning
• Mary Grace and Maggie having a American Girl Christmas!  oh, my the clothes and the shoes!
• a truly beautiful and joyful church service Christmas morning
• running the bike path on Christmas Day with Stephanie and Mike for the most glorious run in the mountains I've ever had!  We ran Stephanie's pace and I COULD BREATHE!  running along the lake with the snowcapped mountains all around...does it get any better?
• making the trip home in 20 hours and 20 minutes.  Mike thinks this is a new record.