Day to Day with the Wrights: Christmas Holiday Doings 2008

I am finally back. We had a really nice Christmas. On Sun. Dec. 21 Jen and her friend Jessica arrived at Denver Intl. They didn't get in till near 9PM. We got home and spent a little time with them then off to bed. On Mon. the girls took off and went to Garden of The Gods. A beautiful spot. A must see when visiting Colo. Springs. They took a long walk/hike. On Tues. they met a friend at the Outlets in Castle Rock about 45 mins. away. They had fun shopping and on the way home it started to snow to their delight. Nothing like snow at Christmas. I spent time finishing up baking and resting. On Wed. we spent the day cooking. Jen made homemade from scratch cinnamon rolls. Her friend Jess made chicken enchiladas. I got to sit and watch, though I did a little cooking myself to prepare for the big day. Late that afternoon we went to the first of two (yes) two Christmas Eve services. Our church Rocky Mnt. Calvary had four services so we went to the first one at 3:30. After that we went to the Cowboy Church at the Flying W Ranch on the West side of town. It was a beautiful evening, very cold, and the sun was just setting over Pikes Peak. At the entrance to the ranch their just happened to be a herd of deer. How fitting for Christmas Eve. The service was very different from the one we had just been to but very beautiful and meaning. The cowboys were very friendly and we were made to feel very welcomed. We are going to try their Sunday morning service some week.

When we got home we enjoyed the enchiladas and of course had to have some cinnamon rolls. Then it was clean up time and time to relax and think about all the Lord had done for us. Christmas morning was very relaxing. Most of us didn't get up till after nine, and the kids wanted to eat first, so we ate and sat around the table talking, then they wanted to get their showers. I never opened gifts so late before. I think I was more anxious then the kids. Yes even in their 20's they are still "the kids". We finally opened everything Santa had brought and everyone was very happy. Steve bought me (for the family) a Zoo pass. Our zoo is considered the highest in the World. Over the holidays they decorate big time and our open at night for a special price. To my surprise everyone decided to go that night. They were open. So we got going on dinner and cleaned up very quickly and were on our way by 6:30. We all bundled up and took off. It was a beautiful cold and clear evening. To my surprise the animals were quite active. We were told that they actually heat some of the rocks and areas for them so they are more comfortable. Everyone had a great time, lots of laughs. At the end of the this I will post pictures for you to enjoy.

On Fri. the kids went ice skating, and I slept. I am still fighting mono. So I tried to rest when I could. On Sat. they took off for Orange County. The next week we relaxed. Steve had two weeks off. His birthday was Dec. 29, so that morning I woke him early and surprised him with a trip to Breckenridge. We drove up the I-70 and on the way saw a herd of Bison, and later two long horn sheep on the side of the mountain. We did some birthday shopping at the Outlets in Silverthorn, then drove on into Breckenridge. The scenery was beautiful... I will include some pictures from our drive up and home. We had lunch at Bubba Gumps, a favorite place and then walked around town. We watched some skiers then headed home through the mountain passes. On the way home saw 2 separate herds of Antelopes. To bad by that time it was pretty dark and we were traveling rather fast so I missed some good photo opportunities. On News Year Eve we went to our friends the Harrells. Kathy had a nice dinner for us and the guys BBQ'd outside (about 20 degrees). We learned to plays Hearts and enjoyed good conversation. At midnight we went out front and got to see the fireworks from the top of Pikes Peak. It is called a fourteener. Being it was such a clear night we could see them very clearly. A lot of years it is too cloudy at the top of the peak to see them. We got home around 1:30 and collapsed. New Years day was very laid back, eating leftovers and watching Football. Elisabeth and family came up on Fri. the 2nd. Matthew has changed so much in the four weeks since I last saw him. He is well over 11lbs. now. He smiles a lot and likes to giggle. Cameron has grown a lot also. He is now playing basketball. We had a nice time with them and had Christmas with them. It started to snow again of course on Sunday when they were heading home. They had to leave earlier then planned. Thankfully they got home safely. So that was our holiday. Now it's back to life and a new year of possibilities. May this new year fill you with hope and a desire to reach out to family and friends and deepen those precious relationships. May the Lord bless you and keep you....

Blessings,
Louise

Enjoy the pictures: