Howdy- to you dear folks from near and far away…Feels SO very good to have Christmas Days over now and looking forward to the days of 2015. Even though I just love Christmas and all the Holiday cheer, there’s just something about the thoughts of a quiet January that makes me feel quite delighted. Maybe it’s the idea of hitting the {To DO} list quite hard, or catching up with the mending pile, doing more writing, or maybe dreaming of summer over a cup of coffee (while gazing at snow outside) [ok, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself a little there! lol] Whatever it is, I’m always so very happy to be inside my cozy, warm house. But…reality says, “there’s a sister’s baby shower to plan and host, a long trip to get ready for and, and, and…” Wait! I thought it’s supposed to be a lazy, quiet month!?!
But let me back up again for a bit…we had such a lovely month of December. Along with the regular duties and volunteer work, it was made complete with:
1. A cookie exchange [with dear friends].
2. An elegant evening out with the niece to a ballet performance.
Here Miss Taylor is serenading us at her mama’s birthday party! She’s got the talent!
3. Cookie baking day at church with church ladies- for the church caroling and community.
4. A fun open house Garrett & I did in our home this year.
. 
Just something about twinkling lights over the Holidays…
5. Not just one Christmas Caroling with our church family [but TWO!!!] (I think in all, we sang to at least 16 households this year!)
6. Baking ALL day for the St. Nicholas project [with church ladies, again! For 30 community families- 720 dinner rolls, 30 pumpkin pies!] Whew! I’m blessed with a wonderful small army of awesome bakers in this church!
7. Going with my sis and her husband to pass out all the goodies to the poor folk of Delta, CO. What an amazing way to connect with people. It’s been so eye opening and a blessing for us indeed.
8. Shopping in the mall in Grand Junction on Christmas eve., just because!:) (Husbands new phone being doctored at Verizon in the mean time.)
9. And in the meantime, the laundry room got an extensive makeover! Yay! We are “almost” ready for final pics now. Finally! [stay tuned!] 😉
10. And last but most certainly not least…a SURPRISE getaway the husband planned for the weary wife. It was indeed wonderful, relaxing, amazing and inspiring! He whisked me away on Christmas Day- gave me a few hints on how to pack and drove on weird roads to throw me off track. We laughed and talked and laughed some more until we FINALLY arrived in the sleepy, snowy town of Ouray, CO. He had reserved a room at the Weisbaden Lodge, Tucked away up against the back of the huge Stone mountains. And it was perfect.
We had a wonderful, private, fenced in, outdoor hot tub for an hour. Complete with an underground vapor cave, a 60 minute massage (yes, he reserved this too!) and dinner at the Historic Beaumont Hotel. It. Was. Pure. Bliss. Almost heavenly.
This was the second time we have visited this place, and I would stay there again! Such a dear man to do this for me and a wonderful husband, made just for me. Life is amazing with him! I’m so blessed and thrilled to be his wife.
Coming into the quaint, cozy town of Ouray, Colorado…
Our sweet little spot, tight up against the mountain side of Ouray. A relaxing retreat. A hidden gem.
Our room, on the outside boardwalk…6 inches snow…it snowed all night
Thursday evening and most of Friday night. Brrrr!
Walking the town…
Ate a lovely breakfast and drank coffee at this sweet lil’ cafe Friday morning…
We drove to the top of a hill, overlooking the tiny town.
Ouray, Colorado {Little Switzerland of America}
“We viewed the monstrous icicles close to the Falls…breathtaking!
Old windows in our room that opened to the mountain behind us.
Beautiful tones of the bells wafting through the evening air…
It’s a Winter Wonderland on Christmas Day!
I just don’t get tired of Snowy Western towns!
Kids and adults sledding on the quiet streets. You could hear their shrieks and laughter from a block away. So much happiness. So much joy.
Bighorn sheep right outside the town. Headed towards home.
It’s been a wonderful vacation! And with parting words, “Wherever the road may lead you, may you walk hand in hand with Jesus”! And never let go of the reason for the busy, over-scheduled, joyful season, we call Christmas! Until Next year!
Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. Psalm 103:1 
Sweet day!!!