Its been a long winter and we are no where near the end. We've had a great year for skiing with a lot of snow, but I've skied less this year than the last couple. The kids are still loving the mountian and Isaac switched over to a snowboard this year. I expect Olivia to do the same next year and Boyd to follow.

We are supposed to have our Leadville house on the market the first of March, so hopefully that goes well and it sells quickly. The mine is making plans to open, so they are hiring a lot of new people. That should drastically improve the real estate market for selling.

We aren't sure what we'll do if it sells. I'm sure we'll rent for a little while. I'm hoping to end up down valley closer to work, but the prices are higher there. We'll worry about it if we sell.

Summer

We are well into summer here in the mountains. In fact, it will be fall before we know it.

We've worked on the house quite a bit, but have decided to hold off again on listing it for sale. We'll probably be sorry about March next year, but that is life at 10,000 ft.

The CBA Jamboree is this weekend and we will be camping Thursday (tonight) and Friday. David and Gretel will get here on Saturday and then Heather, the kids, and the grandparents will drive to CA to visit Heather's Aunt Betty. When they return the following Monday they will stay here until Friday and then drive to IL to visit. They will follow Mom and Dad back here to CO on the 18th of August, so they will be in IL almost 3 wks.

I'll try to get in plenty of elk scouting and bow shooting while they are gone, along with a little fishing, but I'll be one lonely guy and will definitely look forward to their return.

Elk season won't be long after they return (Aug. 28th). I don't have any photos of elk, but I've got plenty of NE turkey photos from our May hunt. I'll let the photos do the talking.

Turkeys

The IL trip was great this year. We had great weather and got to visit with family and friends. I killed two birds and Isaac one (his first). Isaac's bird had three beards and weighed 20 lbs.

On last Saturday, 5-22-2010, I killed a Merriam's here in Colorado. Isaac was with me but couldn't get the shot. We are headed to NE tomorrow to hunt the 26th to the 31st of May.

Isaac holding my CO Merriam's

IL Trip

We'll be pointed toward IL in three weeks. We are looking forward to the visit. Isaac and myself are also looking forward to the turkey hunting. We should arrive sometime around noon on the 16th.

Skiing at Cooper

We skied at Ski Cooper today. It was snowing most of the time, so the snow was nice. Photos of the kids:


Olivia

Boyd
Isaac

Isaac in the terrain park



Boyd in the terrain park

Isaac on the lift

Olivia in the terrain park


Olivia on the lift

Finally - Late Season Cow

I finally filled my late season cow tag on the last day, January 15th. It was an average size cow. I shot her at a range too far for me to even tell, but it worked out and we have a full freezer.

Knee deep snow in an area that should be neck deep. We just missed a herd here. The tracks can be seen behind me.

The Eagle County Airport was reporting -13 this morning. We never did catch the herd we were trying to catch up to. Elk sign can be seen behind me. The road is about 600 ft below.

My last day cow where she came to rest. The bushes kept her from rolling over a rocky ledge.

I dropped her head while trying to move her and got a little blood on my face. Eric wouldn't give me anything to wipe it off until he got a photo.

We did get her moved around for a photo and to start working.

Christmas 2009

We had a good Christmas this year, as usual. The kids decided they wanted to open gifts in the basement, so we had to leave Santa a note to drop them off downstairs instead of up. I've attached a few of the photos from Christmas morning below.

Isaac w/ new ski coat.

Olivia looking wild eyed wearing her new ski coat.

Boyd wearing his new ski coat and its removable face mask.

New ski pants to compliment the new ski coats. Boyd was rather fond of the lightning bolts.

Olivia is our horse lover. One day if we can afford land in CO, we'll have a few horses. Olivia is convinced that she will be a vet when she is older. I hope so.

Opening up gifts from mom and dad.

Everyone needs a pair of binocs.

Heather wearing all of the kids gifts to her. Boyd picked out the snuggie on his own. Olivia picked out "toe socks" and ski socks. Isaac picked out nice new mittens, so Heather's hands don't freeze while skiing in gloves. I bought her (actually I bought all of it) the hat. Santa put a nice MP3/camera/video player in her stocking.