...Two Thousand Thirteen...2013
...Ruidoso trip...
Since Paul and I have been together, we have made many Ruidoso trips but never during the Christmas season. I have never really thought about it until he recently mentioned it. With that being said, we decided to take off for a few days. We planned for both girls to come along... but, at this particular time, Lindsay has alot of planning to do....So, it was Ali and Ben, along with Paul and I and the two dogs, Scout and Perry....As always, we had an awesome time.....I am so thankful that my dad provided us with a cozy retreat in such a unique, simple mountain village.
...arriving Thursday evening...
...our cabin in the tall pines of Ruidoso...
...breakfast down the hill at the Log Cabin...
...not everyday does one have deer at their doorstep...the pic below is dark..don't miss the nice rack...
...shopping at the Chili Pepper....
...Dinner at "the Laughing Sheep Farm"...a new place for us...It was a drive up and around the mountain...down in a valley...a farm to table experience...we each had the rib variety which included elk, bison and wild boar....wild boar being our favorite....with pomegrate tea!! accompanied by a western swing fiddler...
...Lunch on Suddreth Drive in a small eatery...Dreamcatchers...we met the group in pic with us who are Texas A&M fans.....playing against OU in the Cotton Bowl....go Sooners!!!! (the game on the table is called "Shut the Box".....fun game to play!)
(sidenote): Back in 1972, this place was a hippie shop that sold an assortment of things...I was into making macrame wall hangings...I sold one to the owners of the shop....
...Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino
....
...view of Sierra Blanca from the Alto area & Airport Road...
...church on the Ft. Stanton historic grounds...
...we revisited St Joseph Apache Mission Church south of Ruidoso...last time we were there, it had scaffolding on the west side while going through some repairs...
...the sanctuary...amazingly beautiful...
...at Grace O'Malley's Pub...Ali and I ran outside for pic when it began snowing...the village of Ruidoso had snow on Christmas Eve; however, most had melted. Ski Apache had snow but not enough for me to risk skiing although it was open. Ruidoso is about as far south as one can go and still have a ski resort. So, the Christmas holiday is always iffy.....we were told the slopes were busy but crowded b/c not all the lifts were open....
...below is a pic taken after we left O'Malley's in the Upper Canyon, which is the oldest area of Ruidoso...
...It snowed a little more overnight...this is what met us at the porch...
...downhill to the Log Cabin...Yum, Yum!
As always, we love this place...
...called Ruidoso !!!
..TIS the SEASON...Christmas Eve...
Nothing warms my soul more than drinking a cup of hot chocolate by the hearth and feeling the warmth from the roaring fire while thinking about how blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends....
The greatest news during this 'Season of Joy' is Brett and Lindsay's announcement.....
(Mamo's ornament announcing "Baby Holmboe due July 2013")...
...prepared and ready...
...Miss Lucia's world is about to be rocked ..BUT, we are anxious and grateful...oh, how we are grateful....!
Mamo comparing belly bumps...lol!
...Lindsay has some excited cousins and this
'baby' is one of them....
'baby' is one of them....
...and the evening continued...
...Bobby winning the guest drawing...The Twelve Days of Christmas in Oklahoma..
...3 generations of daughters...
sidenote: (We were missing 4 from our family gathering: Ron and Audrey Paige were sick and Brent and his new wife, Allison, went to her families' Christmas.)
...and la---ter...
...Ali with her sweet dog, Perry...
...stocking time...
"Joy" is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. ~Helen Keller
Christmas Sunday w/ Paul's kids...
...making memories w/ the g'kids...beginnning of a new tradition...roasting marshmallows...
De-LIGHT-ful Dazzlings Lights...
On this day Paul and I finished our Christmas shopping at Utica Square, then met up with Lindsay and Brett at Ted's Cafe Escondido in BA for a delicious Mexican meal......my favorite part is their freshly homemade flour tortillas dipped in their oh so famous cheese sauce..YUM.
After eating, we drove through the Rhema Light Extravaganza. This is something the girls have loved doing since they were young toddlers....Brett has continued the tradition with Lindsay...This year was the 30th year for this dazzling Christmas wonderland...
It was a beautiful night....
Candy making @ Mamo's...
Collins Christmas party..."Together We Can"
How sweet it is to be able to come together as a 'working family' and celebrate ....Along with filling our tummies with each other's delicious treats, we had an awesome time exchanging ornaments; and, in some instances, taking away ornaments....lol!
Even though we celebrated and had a good time, on that day, our hearts and minds were heavy.....heavy because we were saddened by the lose of 20 students and their teachers in Newtown, Connecticutt....We must continue to keep these parents and their families that lost precious babies, their small friends who were a witness to this horrific mass shooting, Sandy Hook Elementary School family, and this community in our prayers.
...this picture will forever be imprinted in my mind....so sad!
family Girl's Night Out @ Ali's house...
...tortellini soup, salad and apple dumpling dessert...along with appetizers and warm apple cider...
(missing Patti, Audrey Paige, Renee and Katie)...
May you keep your fire burning.....Wishing my family and friends warm holiday memories...!
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