Debbie and I hope everyone is doing well. Time has certainly flown by again this year. I had planned to keep this blog updated each month this past year so that it wouldn’t be such an effort to share our stories with you. Needless to say, ‘that never happened’, and it’s December 12th, errr the 18th, and now, I need to finish...ahh the life of a proscratinator.
NOTE: This year I sized-down the pictures attached, you still can click on anyone and a new window will open with an enlargement of that pisture. Back arrow will take you back to the blog.
In January like most years, Debbie and I went up to St. Louis to celebrate Gram Neuner’s birthday. As has been the way, we celebrated at sister Kim’s house. This was Mom’s 88th birthday …can you tell ?
March came and we met up with Jeannie and Charles and Beth and JW for our annual Bluebonnet FIX.
This year Jeannie suggested that we travel to central Texas and take the Painted Churches tour. The tour in Lafayette County took us thru High Hill, Ammansville and Brenham Texas. The term "Painted" comes from the elaborate faux-finished interiors - painted by itinerant artists who advertised in church bulletins and newspapers. Several were resident artists in San Antonio. The paint - mixed on site - is still vibrant and bright - even after all these years. The churches were built in the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. They are most beautiful. To learn more about the churches and the tour,visit - http://www.klru.org/paintedchurches/map.html
Most of these churches had adjacent cemeteries. Some plots with markers showed their age.
And the Bluebonnets in this area were bountiful – Just about the best we had ever seen. We had a great time.
It's always a competition to capture the best BB Picture....some people will do anything to win ...
We also visited Washington on the Brazos state park, where the 'ad interim' government of the Republic of Texas was formed at the Convention of 1836. They met in primitive quarters at Washington- on-the-Brazos from March 1 through March 17, 1836. We saw a lot of period pieces on this visit.
On our trip we stopped by the BLUE BELL CREAMERY, which was a hit with all of us, ICE CREAM LOVERs.
Later in March we attended a neighbor’s Crawfish Boil down the street. Seems like there were several 'BOILS' which we were invited to this year. The kids had a blast – several parents had planned activities for the kids and the crawfish. We enjoyed the games.
April found us enjoying old activities with friends. Debbie and I haven’t fished since we have moved to Texas. We were invited by friends, David and Renee, to join them for a weekend at Lake Texoma, and we just had a great time…it helped that the fish were biting!!
Memorial day we took the camper up to St. Louis to visit the family. We had a lot of rain while we were there. Gram Neuner also took ill during that weekend. We spent a lot of time at the hospital that weekend. Eventually Mom would be moved to the St. Clair Nursing home, early in the month of June. Her health would continue to decline. In early July the diagnosis was she had widespread cancer. The doctors initially gave Mom several months to live, but that timeframe continued to shrink, finally Mom was moved into sister Cheryl’s house, July 23 to receive care. Mom would continue to be strong and had alot of good days at Cheryl's.
Late in July we decided to attend the Bi-annual Foushee Family Reunion (FFR) in Mt Crested Butte, Colorado. Before we made up the mountain[s] we all met in Colorado Springs for an evening, to visit with Aunt Lee. Pictured with Aunt Lee is her family – Sons David and Charlie on either side, seated on Charlie’s lap is great-grand-daughter Addison. Back row left to right: Ryan, Beth, Stewart with great-grand-daughter Hallie, LeeAnn and Lisa.
It was a good visit and prepared all of us [some 23 – 25 – it was hard to count some days] for what a week in the mountains living together would be like - thank you Zane !
We had great accommodations- 1 condo in town and 1 huge house in Mt Crested Butte with gorgeous scenery. Thank you Ed and Kathy !!
Our first full day in the mountains several us of took the chair lift up Mt Crested Butte.
Looking over Uncle Jim and Aunt Debbie’s shoulders,
you can see just how beautiful it is.
With us on the top Jess and Nicole
Ryan and Lisa Ed and Kathy
Uncle Jim, Aunt Debbie and Cousin Dan All of us –
On day 2 of the FFR – ALL OF US - took the Morrow Point Boat Tour.
The Morrow Point Boat Tour is a 1 1/2 hour trip through the upper Black Canyon, on the Gunnison River, within Curecanti National Recreational Area. We rode through the canyon on a 42-passenger pontoon boat, accompanied by a National Park Ranger (2) who entertained with history lessons and tales of how the land was before it was flooded. Beautiful scenery and and enjoyable ride awaited us. I have included the link and recommend the trip -
http://www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/boattour.htm
Once you arrive at the parking lot, you descend some 236 steps to the Gunnison River, and then a half mile hike to the pontoon boat….
Now you are ready for a boat ride.
Later in the week, several of us took a day trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This was another picturesque trip.
After our trip we stopped for ice cream and treats at a local eatery.
Before the week was up a large group of us, took off for the Upper and Lower Taylor River for white water rafting. Some had more white than others.....
On our way back home to Texas in August, we stopped and visited with Ralph and Cherie at their lake home in Lake Ozark, MO. We haven’t had many chances to visit with our St. Louis friends over the past several years and this was a welcomed visit for both families.
After leaving Ralph and Cherie's we stopped off in Oklahoma City at Beth and JW's new house. We always talk about getting together, yet we never seem to have the time for one reason or another....but this fall we planned to join them in October in Sedona, a favorite place for all of us.
Our first full day in Sedona we headed north to the Grand Canyon. Debbie had visited once when she was 12 and I had never visited the Grand Canyon till that trip....it is everything that you have ever read about it and more. Pictures [and we took a million of them] don't do it justice. See the link 'View My Gallery' for all the pictures this year.
On the return trip thru Flagstaff we visited the SNOW BOWL, a skiiing resort just outside of town. We caught hundreds of ASPEN just shimmering in the breeze and a couple deer ....
The day after the Grand Canyon [how can anything top it??] we visited several local wineries. We kept running into participants of a PORSHE rally which was taking place in Sedona, so we always had some cool cars in the parking lots.
Later in the week, we travelled southwest of Sedona, to the city of Jerome – an old mining town turned artist haven. Jerome, was a billion dollar mining camp and was once the fourth largest city in the Arizona Territory. Jerome boasted a population of nearly 15,000 on its hilltop haven. During its heyday, men and women from all over the world made their way to Arizona to find work and maybe a new way of life. Today artists and crafters populate the town along with its historic society – a lot of history to be shared here - a must see if in the area. [do I sound like Uncle Jim ?]
http://www.azjerome.com/default.htm
Our last full day in Sedona we hiking in the Coconino National Forest , Oak Creek Canyon. By far the most beautiful place we saw that week. The Grand Canyon will strike you with its grandeur - its hugeness – it will dwarf you – This area we hiked captivates you with its silent beauty and color. I know we were there at just the right time. Who would have thought Arizona would have so much color – simply beautiful –
In addition to the beauty mother nature had provided on this trip - we caught her last act - of a sunset at the Sedona Airport -
As tradition, we found ourselves back in St. Louis for Thanksgiving and family togetherness. We all got meet one of the newest members of the family, Conrad.
December has been very hectic so far. Back to St. Louis on the 4th for the Annual Friends dinner, with the Golfers (Bob and Nancy – Steve and Sue – Eric and Dottie) , Ralph and Cherie , Ed and Kathy, Glen and Mary. Looking forward to spending more time having fun and losing golf balls in 2010 with them.
And now back in McKinney getting ready for Christmas. Youngest sister Kim will be joining us. Nik has moved back into house, she wants to pursue an accounting degree and thought doing from our home was a good idea....we agree... Jessica will be here for Christmas too. Jess is still working in Pittsburgh, as the ESRI on site representative to FED EX. I think she is the one who gets all those ka-zillion packages delivered this season... :>)
Debbie an I are doing well and are very Thankful for all of our blessings.
We want to wish you a Safe and Merry Holiday Season and the Best of Luck in the New Year !!
Love to All -- Leo and Debbie
1 comment:
what a year!
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