We ARE There!

Well, I believe we have arrived.  South Padre Island is where the mobile Snow Chateau has landed.

A fun day playing in the sand and surf!

I got my toes in the water,
Ass in the sand,
Not a worry in the world,
But a cold drink in my hand, 
Life is good to me.
Life is good to me.

It's Rugby!

While we were out visiting the CA Snows, Nicholas had a rugby tourney we were able to attend.  I know N.O.T.H.I.N.G. about this sport.  I was totally confused the entire time we were watching.  About the only thing I figured out watching those three games was that you best be tough to play.  Talk about a contact sport!  Oh, and the ball has to touch the ground to score....not that I saw a single score happen.

Here's a few from the action.

And if your electronic device doesn't support to see the embedded video, here is another link.

Nicholas's Rugby Photos

Are We There????

Well, I'm not ready to say we "are" there, but we have made a stop along the way.  We've been at Bill's son, Chuck and families for the weekend.  In between all the running and shuffling, and chores to be done around the camper after leaving it here for the past two weeks.....I stepped outside this afternoon to see a sight I'm not used to - "Palm Trees and Snow Caps"  It's a pretty sight......

Wedding Candids

Earlier this year our grand-daughter married her prince charming out in California.  (OK, so not actually my grand-daughter, but Cayleigh will always hold a "grand-childs place" in my heart, just as all the kids hold that spot.)  

Cayleigh met Jake at the Naval base where her Dad was stationed prior to retirement.  You guessed it, we have another Navy man in the family.  Two years ago the kids made a vacation out of meeting the others family; driving from California to Montana, through Wyoming to South Dakota down to Colorado then back home.  That's a lot of miles for kids to travel together.  When they told us the trip they were taking, I told Bill, a wedding or a murder will come out of this.  Late this past summer Cayleigh called as a very excited young lady......

Bill was honored when Cayleigh and Jake asked him to officiate the ceremony; I was a nervous-wreck, but honored to document the bridal sweet and other candids of the wedding weekend.  I enjoyed capturing the moments that are lost in the chaos that reigns during such an event.  Candids don't always have the most fantastic sharp focus we hope for, but they do capture the emotion of what's happening along with all the different personalities of everyone involved.  

The sun came out just a couple hours prior to the ceremony starting making for a beautiful day for the happy couple.

Just a fun photo...Preacher man holding a bible and a shot gun over the lovely couple.  
Cayleighs reaction to this was "That moment you realize you're stuck with eachother for good." 
 Not a bad spot to be.

Full Circle

What is the greatest compliment you have ever received?  Do you know?  Do you have to think about it?  I do.  I know that answer.  I received it this past Christmas time on Kalisha's wedding day.  (Kalisha being mentor kid #1.)

As a teenager, Kalisha had some struggles and wasn't getting along very well at home.  Hey, that's part of the process of growing up - asserting your independence,  butting heads with authority figures, making your own decisions......not always the best decisions.  

I was just here for the ride with Kalisha.  Another adult in her life with no connection or baggage to bring to our relationship.  A sounding board when it was needed.  A teacher and mentor.  Somebody to hang with offering up no judgment, just a different perspective when needed.  Insight to help navigate life when it takes unexpected twists and turns.  

Kalisha married a good Navy man.  Someone I believe will be her partner in life.  She looked so pretty and stunning.  I was proud to remember that awkward young teenager I first met, but look into the glowing eyes of a beautiful woman full of integrity, hope, loyalty, honesty, I could continue.  As her Dad walked her down the aisle to her about to be husband, I saw a tear in Connor's eye.  I had one also, but was holding it together until her Dad gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek.  There was no more holding it together, I was a hot mess.

After the ceremony, Kalisha's Uncle Mike was visiting with Bill and I as we reminisced about the awesome teenage years. Then it came....the greatest compliment I've ever received.  Mike says it was me that made the greatest impact on her life.  I couldn't agree, it was a team effort to raise that young girl that has become a great young woman that is and will continue to be an asset not only to her relationships, but to her family and her community.  Uncle Mike said, no.  Uncle Mike says I was the one that made the difference and the turn around in her.  All I could do was give him a hug and say thank you.  That was a very humbling afternoon.

Fast forward to this past weekend.  Kalisha is in the process of getting ready to move to Hawaii to be with her husband.  (Don't blame her a bit.)  Us "sisters" needed a day for just the two of us to catch up, giggle, and get our hike on.  This time we hung out, it was her leading the way, not me.  We've come full circle with her at the helm this time - a fitting way for us to spend what is probably our last day together before she moves. After we were matched up by Big Brothers/Big Sisters, our first adventure together was a hike in the Hills.  Now, our last adventure (for now) was a hike in the Hills.  

Serious stuff looking for a spot to write in one of the books.

Taking a break. 

The view looking south from Poets Table.  A 'secret' spot I've heard of, but never been to.  Kalisha knew just exactly where it was.

Thanks kiddo. I enjoyed the day more than you know. I'm honored to have been apart of your journey thus far, and am excited to see where your journey takes you next.

Baby, It's.........

Admit it, you know you finished this blog post title with "....It's Cold Out".  True.  It IS C-O-L-D out in what is supposed to be balmy South Dakota.  Our temps have been far more like the temps we *thought* we left behind in Pinedale.....highs barely breaking zero, but then there's that wind chill factor.  I really haven't even wanted to know what the "feels like" temps are.

But, back to the Title of this post.  The real title, is Baby, It's Goose Huntin' Season!  Last week, day after Christmas, Sadie and I were scheduled to go goose hunting with another one of the mentors in SD Youth Hunt.  Well, like much of the west, we got a little snow and whole lot of wind both on Christmas and the day after.  I begged off questioning the safety of my trying to get to town.  Sadie said she didn't want to go either if I was questioning safety.  Good call girl.  Anyways, I couldn't get out to our county road, let alone down to the freeway that was closed from the state line half way across the state.  Fast forward to New Year's Day and we have a re-scheduled hunt!

It was a balmy 7* when I left the house to head to town to pick-up Sadie and meet up with the group.  By the time I got to town, Rapid City was boasting 14*, and less wind then at home.  Off we went to get our field set-up.  I have no idea what the temps were when we arrived, it didn't matter, there were decoys to get set up and snow to be dug out for a couple more blinds!  By the time we were all done setting up, my bronchitis cough was trying to hack up a lung or two, so I opted to hang out in the truck, with the motor running, where it was warm.  Did I mention I was in a warm truck?  Kids and other mentors were troopers though; truck read a constant 4*, they all stayed out until a little after 1.  There may have been a little horse play waiting for the birds to fly in an effort to stay warm, but hey, nothing wrong with killing a little time while waiting.

I had not planned on staying in the truck, so I did not take a long lens along with me; plus I was in a TERRIBLE spot for taking photos.  There weren't a lot of birds flying, but one particular group that did come in had me totally cracking up watching.  I was beginning to wonder if the hunters and their guides were sleeping!

No connections were made during the day with any birds, but the kids had a great time - mission accomplished!  I'm told after all those birds landed in the decoys, Mr. Guide Sir mentioned that maybe he should have called for shooting! 

Winter's Wonderland

Christmas Eve I took Sadie (my latest Little) out to update her archery photos.  While we were getting set up, I was treated to some ducks flushing from the creek.