Christmas Tree Gathering

The Annual Christmas Tree gathering trip to the Big Horn Mountains!!!  Gotta love trudging through the snow to find a 'mountain tree' to cut down --- this is the first year in 9 years that we haven't had a child to carry --- well completely carry... Jack had a piggy-back ride with me most of the time.  It's tricky when the snow is as deep as he is tall!!!

But we did enjoy some snow angel making...

 (Love that Ella is totally buried here... ) 

And here is our tree!!!! 

Meg and Dave are carrying it out --- she was really helpful since I had Jack on my back! 

And then we did the "Night Tree" thing -- for the past few years, it's just been too much to try to do... but this year, Meg took charge of it and strung the popcorn and cranberries for the birds and other forest animals to have a snack...

(Here is a LINK to info on the book The Night Tree by one of our favorite authors, Eve Bunting, so you can see what it's all about)

And we got it home and set up that evening -- we were tired out from the sledding adventures after the tree gathering - pics of that to come later -- and so we decorated the tree the next day... in our jammies! ;)

And just today, our wood/coal burning stove was installed and is kicking out some heat!!! 

So, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

and we made the cookies last week -- already ate and shared them all!!!

We pray that you and the ones that you love will be together this Christmas season to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Merry Christmas!!!

Fun at Whitney Water Park in July

How I wish Jack was in focus on this picture!!!

Goodbye Brook...

Brook

March 24, 1998 - September 2, 2011

Our sweet Brook passed away on September 2

She was 13 years old and the very best dog I've ever known...

and I don't just say that because she was ours...

We had her cremated and buried her in our back yard and in the mountains

 It was Meg's idea to paint some rocks to mark her graves with ---

 

 Sweet Ella needed one more goodbye when we started to head back to the truck...

We love you Brookie and we'll see you on the Rainbow Bridge...

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...