OLD FALLS RIVER ROAD, Colorado

This is part II of our wonderful trip up the  unpaved mountain road (Old Falls River Road) in the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK in Colorado, on September 17, 2012.   If you missed Monday's post,  go to the bottom of this blog post and click on 'older posts'...

Monday's post talked about some of the things we saw along that road ---as we drove higher and higher up into the mountains...  I ended that post showing you one picture of some snow on the tops of the mountains.  Luckily,  there hadn't been much snow that night before --so all of the roads were opened that day!  However,  we had shorts on ---and I'll admit that it go colder and colder the higher we went up into those mountains!!!!

The picture above shows us standing on a big rock --with the beautiful Fall Aspens blooming behind us!   George set up the tripod for some photos of us since there weren't many people around that day at all (which we loved).

As we got higher,  we could finally see the  Alpine Visitor Center at almost 12,000 feet UP.  See it up there?

This is what our Garmin GPS said when we were getting UP THERE.  See that elevation????

Here's another picture of the SNOW and our road,  as we got higher!!!!!

George caught me taking a picture of the treeless area --when we got up above the 'tree-line'..  Interesting that there was snow in some areas ---and none in other areas!

BUT---it was very cold UP there on the top!!!!!!  Can you tell?  (The wind was one thing which made it feel so cold.... BUT---I will say this:  It wasn't nearly as cold as it felt the day we went up on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina,  on Nov. 8, 2012!!!)

I love this picture of George  'on top of the world'.....  Don't you love seeing us with shorts on ---with SNOW behind us????? ha ha

Here's a happy girl admiring the little bit of snow around her!!!!! ha

Here's what the road looked like --looking BACK down the mountain, where we just came from!!!

FINALLY we made it to the top!!!!!!!  It was a GREAT trip ---and I'd do it again and again... IF you ever get to the Rocky Mountain National Park,  be sure to go on the Old Falls River Road.  You will love it!!!!!


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Bay Lee and Brooke at Fall Creek Falls

Here's another photo from our family Thanksgiving week.  This is two of my 5 grandchildren.  The one in white is in college and the other one is is high school... Hard to believe how they have grown up so fast!  They are both such gorgeous and smart young women --and I'm a VERY proud Grammy!

Have a great Wednesday.

Hugs,
Betsy

Bearden High School Football Game

Last week,  I posted about our experience attending my grandson, Landon's band play at the football game on October 6.   If you missed that post,  click HERE.

Today,  I'll show you more of what was going on at that game ---besides the band... As you can imagine,  I'm a people -watcher... SO---both George and I (mostly George) captured a bunch of good pictures of the game.  Hope you enjoy this latest batch.

The picture above was obviously the beginning of the game when a big banner which says "Bearden Bulldogs" was brought out on the field... While the band played,  the football team ran through the banner...

Here is a picture of the game itself.   Unluckily for Bearden,  they lost the game...  But --everyone still seemed to have a great time.

This is the dance team.   They did many routines when the band played in the stands.

Here is one of the band's majorettes ---as she twirls using fire!!!!

Here are the cheerleaders cheering the entire time --behind the football team.  NOTE:  The fan cheering section was behind the cheerleaders ---and those young fans really had the spirit...

There was a little of everything offered at this game---including fireworks!!!!   (Note that George took most of these pictures...  I had a hard time getting good pictures since I'm shorter --and was sitting behind a BIG man!!!! ha ha )

BUT---this is the real reason we went to the game...  Landon is a very talented young man --and we are both so very proud of him...

Hope you enjoyed our photos after a great evening at the ballgame.  There's just something exciting about being at a high school football game.  We loved it!

Have a great day.
Hugs,
Betsy

A Special Grandson

George and I drove to Knoxville on October 6, 2011 (along with Proud Papa, Jeff, and sister Avery) to watch Grandson Landon play in his band during their high school football game.  Landon is a sophomore at Bearden High School --and is a member of the drum line.

Can you imagine carrying FIVE drums????  I asked Landon if that was hard on his back --and he said it was NOT... Oh---to be young!!!!! ha

I enjoy high school football and marching bands since they bring back so many great memories of my childhood.   I used to play the Clarinet in my high school band --and  seeing Landon's band brings back some of the best memories from my high school...

SO--you can imagine how happy I was to see Landon's  band ---especially that precious drummer pictured above in the middle. (Doesn't he look like he is enjoying himself?)   As you can imagine,  I took LOTS of pictures at the game... Tonight I will just share some photos of the band with you... This is one TERRIFIC band.... I love the uniforms --much better than the 'formal' ones we wore when I was in the band.  Sign of the times for sure!!!!!  (Enlarge for bigger pictures.)

The band performed a fabulous show for us --using the theme,  "Clockworks".   Did I say that this is one AWESOME band?????  WOW--was I impressed!

There is a huge percussion section as part of the band.. That is much different from 1960 when I was in the band.

Can you see Landon in this photo???? He is almost in the middle of the picture.

You can see some of the color guard in this photo (and others).   Besides the color guard,  there were majorettes,  a dance team,  and other groups at the game, including the cheerleaders... There were so many things to see during the game!!!!!

I just had to show you one picture of what our band uniforms looked like in 1960!!!!  From left to right:  Eddie Joe Duffy,  Winfield Rose,  Ralph Shuler,  Jim Scott,  Joyce Bailey,  Trina Lane,  Betsy Banks,  Alice Darnell,  Jane Draper,  and Sammie Rhea Halstead...  We had about 60 members in our band (fairly small school) --and the 'drumline' consisted of a bass drum, and about 4-5 snare drums.  That was IT back then!!!!

Finally,  here is one last picture of my Grandson, Landon.   Isn't he just terrific?????  Of course,  we grandparents are booming with pride!!!!!

Hope you get a chance to see your grandchildren (if you have them).   Grandchildren are very very special!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Celebrating the Old and the Young

John Adams --on his 97th birthday,  two years ago

Today I celebrate two family members... First,  let me say a huge Happy Birthday to my wonderful father-in-law, John Adams.  Dad is NINETY-NINE today!!!!!  Isn't that just awesome?   All of his children (and spouses) will celebrate with him as we will take him out to dinner on Wednesday night.

John E. Adams

Most of you know that Dad and Mom moved in with daughter, Janet, in Tullahoma, TN several months ago.  They were both at the point in their lives where they couldn't live alone any longer.  You may also know that Mom died suddenly on June 6 this year. 

In 2006,  George and I drove Mom and Dad back to Winslow, Indiana--to see the church where they had gotten married in 1940.   This was one of the best trips I ever had with them. Just seeing their faces inside of that church was awesome!

After 71 years together (inseparable),  Dad is very lonely now --and doesn't seem to have a will to keep on living.  We hear that this happens alot with elderly couples who have been together for many, many years.  We are hoping that Dad will find a new zest for life --and make it to 100,  but that alone is up to him... Please keep him in your prayers.

John Emery Adams,  the best father-in-law a girl could EVER have!

But---right now,  let's celebrate with him those wonderful years that he has lived,  and been extremely healthy for most of them.  That man is an inspiration to me in so many ways.  I lost my Daddy in 1969 (and my Mom in 1991),  so when George and I got married,  I inherited the family I had so yearned for....  Hope you enjoy the pictures I picked out to share today...  Happy 99th, Dad!!!  We love you very very much!

A Sweet Picture of two people in LOVE --even after many, many years

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My Grandson Landon playing five drums in his high school band

The other person I want to celebrate today is my fabulous Grandson, Landon. My son, Jeff,  attended his son Landon's football game this past Friday night.  Landon is part of the large Drumline in his high school band.  Jeff took this picture from the tunnel above --as the band marched onto the field.

Landon is a fabulous young drummer.

As you can tell,  the drumline all wear black ---as opposed to the band.  Love the uniforms!  They are so different from the old traditional uniforms I used to have to wear when I was in the band umpteen years ago.  Can you imagine carrying FIVE drums??? GADS--my back would be killing me! ha...  But we are certainly proud of this young man and his talent.

Hope all of you have a wonderful day today!!!!! 

Hugs,
Betsy

Kids and Grands

The picture above is of my three sons, and it was taken in late 1971.  Bert (who goes by Tre now--since he is a III) is about 8.   Jeff (the baby) is about 4-5 months. And Mark is almost 2.  I had Bert in July, 1963, lost a child between Bert and Mark,  had Mark in Jan. 1970, and had Jeff in May of 1971.  There's only 16 months difference between Mark and Jeff.  Bert was a great 'older' brother!

This picture I think was taken in about 1981.   Bert would be 18 here,   Mark -11 and Jeff -10.

And this picture was taken in 2007,  the LAST time I have seen all three sons TOGETHER...   That's Bert and Mark seated and Jeff standing behind them.  I love my sons more than life itself --and miss them so much!!!

This past Sunday,  I got to see one of my sons (Jeff) ---and three of my five grandchildren.   We met in Knoxville for lunch.   All five of my grandchildren are growing up so fast.  The five are:  Bay Lee-17,  Landon-almost 16,  Chris-15,  Brooke-14, and Avery-13.   Bay Lee and Brooke belong to Mark.  Chris belongs to Bert.  And Landon and Avery belong to Jeff.  The three grandkids in this picture who came to see us were Avery,  Brooke,  and Landon.  I was THRILLED to see them....  I cried all the way home because I miss them all so much.

Here's a picture of  these three wonderful grandchildren with me and son, Jeff.

Can you see the smiles on George's and my faces?  We enjoyed our little visit so very very much.  We don't get to see any of them very much --so when we do,  that time is extra-special!!!

Finally,  Jeff took this picture of all five of the grandchildren,  taken when they were visiting their other grandfather.  From left to right:  Avery,  Landon,  Chris,  Bay Lee, and Brooke.    Isn't that a great group of 'cousins'????   They are all growing up so fast.  I'm so proud of all of them.

Hug your kids and grands ---and if they live nearby,  be thankful that you are there to watch them grow as they go through their busy lives!!

Call me totally crazy --but I am now on Facebook.   I truly don't have time to do something like this ---but my kids/grands are all on Facebook and that seems to be the only way I can keep up with them and hear from them....  SO---if you are on Facebook,  I would love to be your 'friend'....  Go to my sidebar and click on my site!!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Another Special Son

After posting a blog about son Jeff last week,  I thought I'd better introduce my other two sons to you.  This week is my eldest,  Bert.  Bert was born on July 18, 1963.  We lived in Athens, TN where my husband and I were going to Tennessee Wesleyan College.  My mother used to tell her friends that I had my first baby before age 21, and graduated from college before age 22.  I'm surprised that Bert made it through that first year.  I depended totally on Dr. Spock's Baby Book in those days.  Thank Goodness he was a good baby!!!! ha.. Above is one of Bert's baby pictures.  He hated what I did to his hair --but at the time,  I loved it...  Poor little guy!!!! ha

I love this picture of Bert with his son,  Chris (CJ).  This grandson lives with his mother in Florida --and I haven't seen him in several years.  Chris was born on May 29, 1996--and was the sweetest little boy in the world.  I used to keep him alot when he was a little guy.. I miss him very much!!! This picture was taken in 2003.

In 2004,  Bert had an incredible job for a year.  He loves the outdoors (like his Mom) --so he got a job as Restaurant/Food Manager on a small cruise ship in Alaska.   During that time,  he enjoyed getting to know the area --and even did some hiking and camping on his 'off days'...  He loved Alaska ---as most of us do!  The picture above is Bert and another staff person on their boat,  in front of one of the glaciers.

This is a picture of Bert with his sweetie,  Clementine (Clem).

Bert and Clem are restaurant managers, and this is the resort where they work in Galveston, TX.   Hurricane Ike did alot of damage to this place two years ago--so Bert and Clem and her kids moved to Las Vegas to live and work for over a year.  They enjoyed Vegas--but are glad to get back to Galveston.

This picture is Bert, Clem and her children:  Matt and Lily.  This picture was taken a couple of summers ago when they visited us.  They were coming to see us during Christmas this year --but the heavy snow kept them away...  I'm sorry that we didn't get to spend some time together.

This is a very happy Mama --with her son, Bert.  This picture was taken about 2008.

Bert is the son who sent me all of the pictures of the Sandhill Cranes --which are wintering near his home in Galveston, TX. Aren't they gorgeous????

Next week,  I will feature my middle son, Mark, and his family.  Hope you are enjoying getting to know more of my three sons.

Hugs,

A Very Special SON

Above is a picture of my 'baby'.... Hmmmm--he doesn't look like a baby anymore,  does he????? ha..  My Jeff was born on May 14, 1971.   I have two other very special sons --but today,  I'm featuring JEFF and his two children.  Above is a picture of Jeff taken when he took his kids on a camping trip in the Fall.  Jeff is a single Dad ---and the BEST Dad in the entire world.

This is my favorite 'baby' picture of Jeff...He was a cutie then --but is still a cutie now to me...

Jeff loves photography --and has loved it for many years,  LONG before I got interested in it.  They say that kids learn from their parents.. WELL--when it comes to photography,  I think I have learned from him.  The picture above was taken  recently by Jeff from his home in Chattanooga, TN.  after one of their big snows.

This picture is very special to me,  not only because it is a picture of my granddaughter,  Avery, but also because of what she is doing.   Avery is 12 yrs. old ---and Jeff taught her how to make Grammy's (me) famous Orange Balls,  a traditional Christmas dessert in our family.  I 'had' to make my sons Orange Balls EVERY Christmas --and you can imagine how excited I was when Jeff got the recipe so that he could teach his daughter how to make them.  I'm sure that this tradition will continue on in the family.

Jeff is the Comptroller at a very large Animal Care and Adoption Center --and absolutely loves his job there.  There are some adorable animals (such as the ones above) that come into the facility each and every day.  Jeff says it is hard not to want to take ALL of them home with him!!!!

Granddaughter Avery visited her Daddy at his work recently --and loved playing with some of the dogs and cats there.

Jeff visited us on Sunday,  1/16/11,  and brought lots of Christmas presents.  He was one of two sons who were supposed to visit us during Christmas --but the SNOW kept them away.  SO---we had our 'Christmas'  a little late!!!

Since Jeff has seen some of my bird pictures,  he wanted to take some himself.  He got some great pictures of some Bluebirds,  Goldfinch and a Pine Siskin.  He sent me the pictures when he got home that night.  I had to laugh because even "I" had not gotten a picture or even seen a Pine Siskin this winter.  I knew that we had had them two years ago---but none last year.  SO---I was quite surprised to see the picture of the Pine Siskin (shown above) which he took.

While Jeff was here on that Sunday,  four deer decided to come for a visit also.  Above is a picture which Jeff took.

Finally,  here is a wonderful picture of Jeff's other child,  his son, Landon.  Landon is a Freshman in high school and a drummer in the band.  I featured a blog about him and the band in the Fall.  If you missed that post,  you can click HERE.    This is his 'official' band picture this year.  AND--if I can brag (like Grammy's do),  Landon was chosen to be the sole drummer in the school's Jazz Band.  That is an honor--especially for a Freshman. I'm so proud of him --and of his sister,  Avery.   AND--I'm definitely a proud Mom when talking about my son, Jeff.

Hugs,