A Bit of Family Time

I have to admit I get a wee bit jealous when I hear about the time my kids spend with their significant other's family.  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them and so glad they have them as part of their lives.  But, the few times a year I get to see them just isn't enough!  So, this past weekend, I was extremely grateful to go and visit them.  We had hoped for a beautiful fall weekend, however, the rain never moved out until Sunday afternoon, so we had to postpone our little hiking trip to Table Rock State Park until Sunday.  And, then, unfortunately, Beki got sick and couldn't make it.  Our time there was nice.  We celebrated Ari's birthday, even if a few weeks late, enjoyed dinner with everyone, spent a little time at the coffee shop, decorated fall cookies. 

 

When the rain finally stopped Sunday, we drove to the state park.  The fall colors were just starting to dot the landscape.  It stayed overcast and wasn't the best day for photos, but here are a few from our trip.

 

 

A little rock skipping!  I wasn't any good at it!

A Walk in the Park

There's a park practically in my backyard that I didn't even know about until a friend of mine mentioned she'd been there called Lone Elk Park.  There are a couple of trails in the park, but what makes it special are the Elk and Bison that live there.  Our first trip, we walked a part of the one trail.  We went near sunset the second time and saw some deer near the lake.  Had hoped the elk would be down near the water...not this evening.  It'll be beautiful this fall with the lake against the changing leaves.  A great place to go practice my mountain hiking, get ready for our next trip!

 

The whole family

 

 

Awww...a baby! 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall in the Mountains

I really did get way behind this past fall.  I had so many trip photos I wanted to share, but with the moving and settling in, visitors and Christmas, I just couldn't keep up.  Things are quiet now, the kids are gone, back to school and this mom is left with time on her hands.  When we planned our trip for October, we were hoping for good timing, spectacular color.  We were disappointed a bit.  Fall color in Zion came late this year, however, as we drove to higher elevations we did run into a little color.  The aspens up in Bryce Canyon had turned golden and a lot of them had already dropped their leaves. 

White as Snow

We had all hoped for a white Christmas this year. But instead of snowing on Christmas, it showed up a day late.  I woke up on the 26th and everything was coated in white.  It was beautiful and I decided to take a walk through the woods around my in-laws home.  What is it about a fresh snow?  It's like it calls my name and whispers, "Come spend time with me."  I bundled up with coat, gloves, scarf and boots and made my way through this winter wonderland.  I was in a world of white lace...every branch was lined with snow.

As I walked the path through the trees, there was a hush all around, it was so peaceful, quiet, and clean.  Except for a few animal prints in the snow, there was nothing marring the snow.

It was a reminder of yet another of God's promises...the gift of grace.  He will remove our sins and make them as white as snow.  Christmas time is over, people are taking down the decorations.  However, let's not forget that Christ came not for a day or a season, but forever.  To all who believe, like the snow blankets the earth, His grace covers us making us white as the snow, pure and clean. 

This big guy lives across the street.  I went over to try to get some pictures, but, as you can see above, he was way across the field.  I crossed the street to head back, stopped to take a couple pics.  He started mooing at me and when I looked over, he was half way across the field.  I knew he was calling me so I went back across the street and he practically ran over to the fence to greet me.  What a sweet ole guy!

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Love,
    ~Aimee