Turkey Day - Final Day

On our final morning in Pagosa, I went with Warren and the boys for a walk in the canyon and wow, was it COLD! I thought I was overdressed with long johns but I was glad 10 minutes into the walk that Warren had convinced me to wear them!

The Shuldas' home backs onto the canyon and its quiet and so picturesque.

The boys love to hike and go on walks and they love the forest and canyon especially because they find sticks and stones to bring home with them. Our car is usually littered with them (mainly by Cullen) but somehow we manage to 'lose' most of them once we're home.

We walked across small frozen streams and of course the boys wanted to stand in the streams to find out if their weight could hold on the ice. I have visions of taking off my jacket to dry them and keep them warm after slipping and falling in and although I love my children, I love being warm more so they stepped on that ice at their own risk!

There are a few houses that back onto the canyon and this is one I really like. It has a hot tub off the back patio which would be amazing on a cold snowy night when the stars are visible and there is nothing out there but trees, the occasional animal and God!

Did I mention that it was cold? This is the snow being cold!

Cullen is convinced that this spoor was from coyote. That child can spot anything. He has a keen eye for nature and animals and sees things before any of us. He has a very kind and soft heart for God's creatures.

This is my favorite dog. Sorry Zulu but lets be honest here. Hershey is sturdy, friendly, sweet, quiet, protective and did I mention sweet? She also bows to me each morning when she gets up. OK, she bows (i.e.: stretches) to anyone who is in her personal space when she gets up in the morning but I like to think she does that just for me. She's one of the best dogs I've ever had the pleasure of befriending and she's rewarded well with scratches and loving words from me whenever I see her.

Hersh is definitely a farm dog where as Zulu is a city dog. Zulu's back legs are skinny and she walks as though she has something up her butt. Hershey's legs are like a cowboys and she walks like one too. Zulu looks like a runway model next to Hershey. Hersh is strong and sturdy and so we call her "the country girl" and Zulu is "the city girl" and since I've always wanted to be a country girl myself, I prefer Hersh over Zulu. She's also less needy and man, if one thing bugs me the most about people or animals, its when they are needy. (God didn't give me enough of the 'mercy' gene when He created me.) Zulu is needy. Hersh isn't. I prefer Hersh!

Jordan and Brayden have been friends ever since they first met. They are 1 year apart (Brayden being older) and get along well. Out of the 2, Brayden is the most gracious and giving & Jordan can learn a few things from his friend! Brayden & Jordan call each other 'brother' and say "we are brothers in Christ" which is actually true but its cute coming from a 10 and 11 year old. I doubt they know what that truly means but since these 2 are church kids, they'll pick up a lot of church lingo before they fully understand most of it.