Vacation Time!

We don't usually vacation in the fall because I don't have vacation days to take, however we had a wedding to attend in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy, so we decided to go. We flew out so we could get the most out of our time off.

Mom, my sister, and my aunt met us at the airport. We were the last to arrive since we were delayed due to mechanical problems. Our first stop was The Royal Gorge.

I am not a fan of heights or tight spaces, so I didn't go on the cable car. The last time I was on a cable car was in 1987 at the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque, NM. I swore I would never ride one of these again, and even though I was going to try it I just couldn't.





I did walk about halfway across the bridge until I could see through the cracks ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GORGE!!!! I freaked and luckily Bud was close behind with Mom in the car so I could hop in.


The next day we headed up to Pike's Peak via the Cog Railway.


It began to blow and snow while we were up there and it was COLD! I could sure feel the thin air and it took me a few minutes to not be light headed. the views were beautiful! It snowed for two days on Pike's Peak.
Garden of the Gods also had beautiful views!


Miramont Castle Museum was on our list.


It had an interesting history, but wasn't really what I would consider a castle.
The Manitou Cliff Dwellings were very interesting. It is hard to imagine the life they lived in the small homes built into the hillside.


And the reason we decided to take this trip now was the wedding at the Air Force Academy. The chapel is beautiful inside and out.






We had a great time with family. The elders were all there.


The oldest of the baby boomers were there. There are 22 grandchildren on this side of my family. The oldest was not there, but then we go in order from left to right (with the exception of another missing one between the two on the right.)


And on our last day we really had an excursion as our navigation system sent us on a wild goose chase. We were up the side of a steep mountain with one way traffic and only a pile of gravel to keep us from going over!


That brown at the bottom of the picture is the gravel. We did have some fantastic views though! And we came off the mountain and found our own way to Seven Falls.


Of course we took the opportunity to tour the Air Force Academy too.
It sits nestled in the mountains.





We had a great time! Thanks Bud, for being the chauffeur for four women!



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One of these days I know this is going to happen.

                       Chance has his own iPad now, so I'm sure he'll be better than I am soon!

Payton made his own Prezi last year.  I'd like him to come and teach it to my class!  Kids are so good with technology in part because they aren't afraid to try things.  I have to work hard to keep up with them!

Funny Girls!

I just have to share these photos. We have nine grandchildren--7 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. The girls are sisters, Clara and Aela. Aela was born in May. She was happy to have her picture taken.


UNTIL................















Clara joined her!




It just makes me laugh! I'm sure Tasha wasn't laughing as she was dealing with two crying girls!

I hope it puts a smile on your face too!
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A Fall Weekend

It got COLD at the end of last week!
--So cold I convinced Bud to let me turn on the fireplace.


And that is no easy feat. He has a strong rule that we don't turn on the furnace until Thanksgiving. Just ask the kids! They hated that rule of his, but now most of them do the same. Funny how things change when they're paying the bills.
--So cold I put the heating blanket and flannel sheets on the bed.
--So cold we DIDN'T go camping.
--So cold I made chicken noodle soup and croutons. The croutons are especially good in the tomato cream soup. (Both recipes are on the side of this blog.) But we put them in the chicken noodle soup, and they were great.


--So cold I put a roast with carrots in the oven and warmed up the kitchen. Sadly, no potatoes and gravy since we're trying to eat healthier, but we did have a yummy squash.


--So cold I froze at Payton's football game.


--So cold I spent my weekend cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and sewing, and spent very little time outdoors.
It's just too early for this cold weather and killing frost. But then, it's Iowa in October. I could be wearing my capris again before long. Or at least I can hope!

What did you do to stay warm this weekend?
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Fall Outside My Door

Fall has really come quickly around here! The flowers are gorgeous!
The mums are looking good in a variety of colors--burnt orange,


maroon,


and bright yellow.


I love mums, and I have them all around the yard. Our mild winter really helped them do, well this year.

The fall Clematis is looking good.


Our trees are beautiful, although some of them are just starting to turn.


I have two different colors of sedum right now--dark purple


and light purple.


The burning bushes out front are beginning to turn their glorious red, but the ones by the house haven't begun to turn yet.


There are still some leftovers from summer doing well, although the temperatures are really supposed to drop later this week, so they may not be around much longer.
Impatiens,


Begonias in a pot--


And decorations around the door.(kind of haphazard since the wind messed with them and I didn't fix)


I love this time of year in Iowa. The colors are fantastic, and the weather is beautiful. I can wear jeans or capris with my sweatshirt, and be comfortable either way. Camping and football along with leaf watching are fall fun activities. What could be better?
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