A Great Adventure

We have had such a nice fall that M and R have gotten so much work done.  Lots of fencing and building of windbreak.  I swear the place is starting to look like a fort!  I was actually almost hoping for some bad weather so we could do something else (I said, almost).  Finally, the the time arrived for the trip we had been planning so off we went to Vegas, baby!  I was definitely ready for a vacation.

We were supposed to see Merle Haggard on our first night there, but he ended up in the hospital so we went to the rodeo instead.  We had to find seats at the last minute and they were really great seats--lower level to the side of the bucking chutes.  The rodeo was excellent!  The next night we went again.  Our seats were upper level but still good.  We went dancing at the rodeo after party one night and to Gilley's the other night. 

The next night we went to see Brooks and Dunn and Reba McEntire who were awesome.  I've always been a big fan of Brooks and Dunn so was happy I got to see them. 

We met friends afterward at the rodeo after party and stayed out a bit too late so the next day was kind of low-key.  We went down to Fremont street and wandered around and then rode the zoom line.  That was really fun.  I've always wanted to zip line.

From there we went to Arizona to celebrate my mom's 90th birthday.  All three of my sisters were there and one of my brothers.  We were supposed to go on a hot air balloon ride on Saturday but the weather didn't cooperate so we went bowling instead and then went out dancing.  On Sunday we had cake for her at church and then an open house at my sister's house.  It was fun to meet her friends and put faces to names. 

The crew of favorites

The perfect cake--so many books, so little time.

From there we went to a Christmas concert put on by my sister's choir.  She made sure I sat where I could watch the harpist.  I've always wanted a harp and have vowed that some day I'll have one of my own!  I love Christmas music, and it really helped put me in the mood for the holiday.

The rescheduled balloon ride was rescheduled again, and by then two of my sisters had gone home.  The only reason I was thankful for a late flight home.  It was a pretty cold ride, but it was memorable and so fun!  Entry and exit was a bit interesting, but we discovered that Mom is pretty agile for a 90-year-old. We are so blessed to have her in such good shape mentally and physically.

Me and my mommy, waiting for our ride.

Ready to go!

The view from 4000 feet

Cheers! We did it!

The weather was unseasonably warm when we left home, but winter arrived while we were gone.  There was a big storm the day before we got back to Billings so our pickup was covered with snow, and the roads home were a bit interesting, but we made it home safely.  Junior was so glad to see us--as we were to see him!  That's the worst part of traveling, leaving the dog behind.

We've been enjoying the Thievin Seven Days of Christmas this week with M's family.  It's a bit cold so today is a good day to hang around the house enjoying some hot cider and some down time and talk about our great adventure.