Happy Birthday, Marty

Meet Prince Joe Wrangler, pictured here with our good friend, Al. He's an 8 year old registered quarter horse that has a great disposition and ready for Marty to train and finish as a trail horse. Marty hasn't figured out his barn (nick) name. Maybe "Joe," maybe "Wrangler," definitely not "Prince." Beau is hard to replace, but we're ready to ride!

Here Comes the Bride

Marty & I traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Scott & Holley last weekend for Richard & Megan's wedding and catching up with dear friends. Scott first met Richard in 4th grade when we moved into our house. We became friends with Richard's parents, Donna & Cris and the families connected. Cris & Donna relocated to Houston about 4 years ago ... we miss them. And wow, Scott & Holley have been married for two years.

Here we are with Cris & Donna


The happy couple (OK, Richard & Megan are happy too!)


Fun traveling with Scott & Holley


This one is for Abby - she loves brides.


While everyone turns to look at the bride coming down the aisle, my favorite part is to look at the groom's expression when he first sees his bride. Maybe it's because I have two sons. I am touched every time I remember the looks of love and wonder Brian gave Julie and Scott gave Holley. Priceless. Because Richard feels like a son, it was a special time. And as I stole a peek at Donna soaking it all in, I could definitely relate.

Happy 4th from the Lone Star State and Lone Star Park

Have a great weekend!

Spring in Crested Butte

It might be summer in Texas, but spring was just starting in Crested Butte. It even snowed the night we arrived.

Marty is shopping for a new horse. Shorty is a great quarter horse he rode for a couple of days. But it's hard to replace Beau - so he's taking his time.

We borrowed Molly so we could still get some good rides in around Red Mountain.

We came across a new fawn hiding in the middle of a meadow on one of our rides. Only the small twitch of her ear let us know she was alive ... and obeying her mother.

Just a week later and the wildflowers are coming out. It's going to be a beautiful summer.

Let Summer Begin

While Brian & Julie had a date night - we had fun with the kids in pool.


Abby likes to criss-cross the pool by herself


Grant likes to jump ... and jump ... and jump.


K likes to watch.


Hope you have a great weekend!

Our French Connection

We just spent a wonderful, relaxing time in the Loire Valley of France with Jeff & Terri. Thanks to the French connection - our friend, Nell recommended the chateau where she lived in high school and where she and Charlie return every year.



Chateau de la Vauguyon is just outside of the quaint town of Chinon in the valley known to be the playground of kings and queens. The chateau was magnificent and ridiculously reasonable.

Celian, the owner was friendly as were all the French people we met. And they were all gracious with my fractured French.


We spent the days exploring the castles and abbys ...




meandering through mustard fields and vineyards to picnic ...





or just enjoying the view from our own front yard ...



a daily trip to the boulanger and wandering our own quaint Chinon.



I get to celebrate my birthday in Paris!



We used the Bateau(boat)Bus to get around to the highlights.



Notre Dame


The Louvre - it was a warm day.



And wandering the streets around St. Germain de Pres.


For the whole slide show of our France trip that includes more pictures, just click on the picture below to use controls and see the captions. (Double click on the slide show to see the pictures individually.)

Goodbye, Beau

Marty’s horse, Beau died last night. We are so very sad. He’d been acting strange the past couple of days and the vet thought it was edema because of a heart murmur and we could only wait and see. Then they found him gone this morning. He was such a good horse; spunky and sweet. His lively spirit was perfect for Marty. Beau and Toby (my horse) were inseparable. The four of us had some great rides.



We are thankful for the good horse people in Crested Butte; friends who watch out for each other and our horses. Raye took the time to be with the ranch manager to call Marty this morning. She took this photo a couple of weeks ago when Beau was following her around.



She told me what happened after she found Beau and said her goodbyes, "Toby was lying down, but not next to Beau. I went over and hugged him, and he made some strange noises I had never heard before, like "huh, huh, huh". I do know they grieve, as I saw it this winter myself."

I am sad for Toby too – he always took care of Beau in the herd and is grieving too. And I'm thankful Raye will give Toby some extra hugs until we get up there to see him.