Life on the High Plains

A couple weeks ago we got to accompany Mr. Beans to the shoot for his high school graduation pics.  (How is this possible, he's only a little kid...but that's a subject for another post.) The photographer was absolutely amazing. She took so much time with him making sure she captured his personality. I got to sit by and hold the accessories while sipping on a glass of wine.  Yes, it has a straw and the photographer said that was to keep from messing up the makeup.   There were several changes of clothing and background. Shiloh wanted a shot with his favorite Sabotan t-shirt (who???) I loved this woman's artistic side and attention to detail.   Here's the best looking man ever! Of course these two had to have a special grandson and pappy photo.  They have such a special bond. Within a few days the CD with the photos were ready.  Here are just a few of my favorites. The session included family...

On Saturday we loaded up and headed to downtown Colorado Springs for the annual Veteran's Day parade which is held on the first Saturday of November. It was cold and I mean really cold.  It was about 40 degrees and the wind was blowing.  That's usually not too bad unless you're just sitting in it.  Coats, hats and gloves were definitely needed. Finally, it began led by Colorado Spring's finest. They were followed by the mounted guard from Ft. Carson. I love the salute to all veterans including those from our past. Ft. Carson also sent their band.  I wonder how these guys like spending their day off marching in a parade when it's so cold outside. I love WWII history.  I'm so grateful to that generation...I can't imagine what it must have been like to live during that time. We even got a flyover from the Air Force. No parade is complete without the horses.  These are the Pikes Peak or Bust Range Riders....

It's not uncommon to get absolutely beautiful sunrises here on the Eastern plains of Colorado.  A couple nights ago, however, we were treated to an amazing sunset.  A storm was rolling in the next day and it made for a very dramatic sky. It's pretty obvious what team God cheers for--the orange and blue of the Denver Broncos.  They need all the help they can get this year. Go Broncos! Happy Bronco's Orange and Blue Skywatch Friday!

For Irv's 60th birthday this year I wanted to give him something special so I surprised him with premium tickets to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.  Jillian and Brian were kind enough to let us join them for the three day event. You may have heard about recent flooding in Texas.  We had heard about it before we left, but didn't bother to take notice of where it was flooding.  We just assumed the coastline.  But no, it was Central Texas and it had been raining for days and days.  On the first day we couldn't enter our assigned parking lot because it was flooded and was apparently a big mud pot.  Luckily for us they diverted us over to the main parking lot which is paved. I tried to get Irv to take a trip up this tower that overlooks the track, but if you know Irv and heights then you know that this wasn't about to happen. With the premium seat package we got seats in three different locations for the three day...