8 Months!

Since we were on the road we thought would would just chronicle Elle's 8th month with our vacation pictures. At this stage Elle is still not crawling however she does have a very effective pivot! She spins in cirlces in order to change her vantage point or scoot closer to her desired location inch by inch. She looks like a dog chasing it's tail or a beetle bug turning circles trying to get up right. This is one of our favorite "tricks" she does. We thought she cut a tooth on this trip but it must have been a mirage, she still has only gums. Just as every other month she has completely enhanced our lives!

Here we are in El Paso, Texas buying groceries for our camping trip. 

Elle and Sam at H & H Car Wash. Contrary to the name they serve  up some pretty mean mexican food. 

Elle on one of her many gondola rides in Telluride.

The Kirkendall's at the Pockrandt's in Red River, New Mexico. 

 A little more exposed than the gondola. Here is the pair on one of Red River's ski lifts. 

Elle and Sam at our second campsite on the way home. Although we gave it a good effort we did not make it through the night. We checked into a mountain lodge around midnight. It was too cold for little's and we just didn't have the proper gear to keep her warm. Worth the try nonetheless!

A great 8th month indeed!

Vacation - Telluride!

Not too long before sunset we arrived in Telluride. After a delicious home cooked dinner Ali, Sam, and I walked to see the super moon. We were very impressed, until we found out 2 days later that the super moon was actually the second night after our arrival. ;)

Papa and Elle were the early birds. I am not sure Elle got the worm but she sure enjoyed Papa's undivided  attention. 

Telluride had quite the public library. We enjoyed a late morning there with the family. 

The beloved gondolas!! As you can imagine the cousins LOVED riding the gondolas to town. 

We didn't want the kids to have all of the fun so Sam and I took off on an adventure of our own. We secretly bought helmets so not to worry Ah and researched the trail to lead us up our first "14er". We summated Wilson Peak, 14,016. This is one of my most favorite adventures. I started out the week doubting my ability but each step I took on the trail I gained ease of step and confidence. I am so grateful that I was able to complete this challenge mostly due to Sam's enthusiasm, smarts, and encouragement. 

Here is the monster. 

Back to the library... not really I just couldn't move the picture up with out distorting all my work - perfection is the enemy of done! Here Elle and I sit in a chair I found charming but others seemed to find creepy. ;)

A natural rock climber.

These two, they really love each other. 

Cuteness.

I really enjoyed taking Elle on our high altitude hikes! She did great. 

The beauty of the Telluride Valley is indescribable and of course this picture does not do it justice.

The early birds still after that worm.

Good food!!

It was so fun for Sam to get extended time with the Burri clan.

This was my first trip to Telluride and I was completely enchanted by it's beauty. What a priceless vacation we had, we are so grateful for our time with our family!

Vacation - New Mexico!

I recently read that "perfection is the enemy of done". That is my motivation to get this blog up to date. Not that I am really striving for perfection. Maybe in my case it is that distraction is the enemy of done. Either way this needs to get done!

We left Fort Davis en route for Red River to visit one of my very best friends Becca Pockrandt and her husband Ronnie. We planned an overnight camping trip in New Mexico near Alamogordo. 

Here are Sam and Elle at the Three Rivers Trailhead were we camped. Aren't I lucky to call these two my family?

We put Elle to bed at 7:30 and waited for the storm to hit. The perfect ending to the day. Elle did very well camping for her first time. 

Dinner ;)

This was the condition of the road leading OUT of the campsite. We were unsure our little Elantra could make and I was beginning to panic. Even though Elle did great camping I was ready to get back to civilization after one night! Luckily the car did great. Sam floored it with Elle in the back and me behind the care ready to push. Elle let out a hoop and holler as Sam took off. They are quite the duo. 

Just beyond the road crossing is one of New Mexicos riches collections of petroglyphs. Just as we began our hike through ancient drawings we saw this Lizzard warming. 

We were really amazed and grateful to see these works of art. Since there is so little accent artifacts in U.S. and the West that I become completely enchanted by very old things. 

This foot is so narrow, I think it could be a foreshowing of Ell's adult shoe size!

Somehow we magically arrived in Red River. Every morning we took Elle for a walk to see the ducks. As you can see she thought she was a very special guest. 

The only thing I asked Becca was that she bake cookies for us - she is an excellent cook and baker. Elle loved "helping" her. 

Everywhere Sam and I went people would dote over Elle UNLESS we had Becca and Ronnie's dog with us. Then everyone would beeline to him and begin to dote. Elle could care less but Sam and were dismayed!

Here is an action shot of one of our many hiking adventures. 

The all too important snack break. Where would we be without those pouches!

We were trying to get a nice portrait of Elle with her wildflower...

After many  great meals, games, hikes, and general fun times we hit the road again to meet Ah, Papa,  Aunt Katie, Uncle Clint, Charlie, Evie and Ford in Telluride!

Vacation - Texas

My wonderfully smart and determined husband finagled an 18 day vacation beginning in August. The timing of this vacation was perfect as it allowed us to meet with both sides of the family. We traveled first to Fort Davis to join the annual P&M Jones Family Ranch Meeting. This year marked my 30 consecutive year to spend a late summer weekend in the Davis Mountains. I was so happy my family of three was there together!

We later traveled to New Mexico to visit friends and ended up in Telluride for the Kirkendall family vacation. This post is part one of three reporting on our blessed time in nature with family and friends. 

This might seem like a meaningless picture to post but these Barn Swallows and their nest are one of the many memorable icons of Fort Davis. These birds fly everywhere busily feeding their young. Their lives and noise always play in the background of the memories made. 

Sweet Aunt Caydee and Elle, Elle is in good hands ;)

We were so glad that Maw-Maw and Elle and got to spend more time together. Aren't they beautiful!

Elle loved her play time with Paw-Paw. She was so impressed with his agility at 86 years of age. 

Happy in his arms. 

Elle enjoyed all of the family. She of coursed was passed around all weekend. Here she is with Aunt Barbara and cousin Albany. 

This is what we do, we sit and chat and sporadically climb mountains. Oh, and yes, we eat too ;).

Elle just loved playing with the boys, here she is with cousin Zane. 

Time with Maw and Paw.

More chat time. 

These are the rocks right behind the Indian Lodge where we stay. They change colors withe the tone of the rising and setting sun.