Visiting the St. Louis Arch

Jonathan bought me these flowers for our anniversary. So here's the Sweet Sixteen anniversary smooch! This arch should have been over the smooch.
Instead, Timmy is under the arch. And now, below, Danny and his daddy are under the arch. These pictures were taken a couple weeks ago during our trip back east to a friend's wedding in Indiana and to visit my folks in Illinois.

Climbing the steps to the St. Louis Arch.

Below, we are taking a walk near the arch under these beautiful shade trees.

Glen Eyrie Castle

I loved the beautiful bedrooms in the second story of the castle, with the gorgeous lace curtains, pretty wallpaper, and old fashioned furniture, and fireplaces in every room. People can stay in these rooms--for a nice price. Jonathan looking, too.
William Palmer had a bell to call his household together for conferences. Because it was our anniversary, Jonathan was given the privilege of ringing the bell!

I loved all the beautiful flowers in pots. These were near the Carriage house, where the tour began.

And here are more flowers--nasturtiums and snapdragons. They were so beautiful.

Sweet 16th anniversary!

Last week, Jonathan and I celebrated our 16th anniversary. The girls were excited about setting the breakfast table with a pretty, white table cloth. Jonathan made omellettes.

After packing a lunch, sending off a last-minute proposal by email, and loading a very heavy floor sanding machine to take to a friend, Jonathan and I were on our way to town. We had made plans to visit Glen Eyrie Castle just outside Colorado Springs near Garden of the Gods, and had an 11:00 appointment for a castle tour. We started off about 17 minutes late, and were afraid we might not make it in time, but thanks to Jonathan, we made it just in time! Here we are in front of the castle during the tour.
This castle was built by William Jackson Palmer, who founded Colorado Springs as a railroad stop between Denver and Santa Fe. The first part of the tour was a story by the guide and from a DVD about the early years of the castle. It was very interesting to not only learn about the castle's history, but the history of Colorado Springs as well.

In the picture above, Jonathan is peering into the 200-ft. long tunnel that Palmer dug from the castle to the carriage house, so that in bad weather he would not have to walk all the way to his horse stalls. I told Jonathan I guarantee he did not do the digging. He had how many servants, and he probably hired diggers. He must have had a lot of money, for all the trips he made to Europe to buy things for his castle. But for all his money, he lost his wife at the age of 44. She never saw his castle. That was so sad.

Here Jonathan is posing in front of the entrance to the castle, with red rocks in the background.

At the castle door.

Birthday time at Lucases!

We have four birthdays in less than two weeks! First one in April is Jonathan's. He wanted peanut butter pie instead of cake. The girls made it for him since I was busy taking care of a sick puppy.

Blow those candles out, Daddy!

Carrie wanted several of her friends to come to her party, so we had a picnic in town. It was rather chilly, which is why some are wearing jackets. Emily Duddeck, Michelle Giordano and Vanessa McVey are pictured here with Rose and Carrie. We had to change plans about which day to have it, and I only had a few hours to prepare the sloppy joes and two cakes. Carrie made the cakes, and we just put on some boughten icing. Very simple. Sorry, nothing fancy with only a few hours notice. But she had fun.

One of her gifts was a large art book from our friends the OMaley's. Carrie in this picture is letting her friend Emily choose a page to take home with her.

Then we had our own little home celebration on her real birthday several days later. Eleven years old. Here is her pile of pretty presents including books, Story Hour CD's, a hoop and other things.

We have four birthdays in less than two weeks around here!

After Our Colorado Blizzard

Rose and her snowman

The girls and Danny building a snowfort in the deep drift to the north of our house.
Sammy and Timmy were gone to New Mexico with Jonathan, so they didn't get to be part of this fun.

The finished fort, including poodle and puppies.

Happy Moments with Hannah

My children get the credit for getting some of these darling snaps of our littlest bundle of joy!
See you later!

The girls like to experiment with little hair bows that refuse to stay in Hannah's hair longer than time enough to take a picture!

Big brother Timmy helping take care of baby.

Baby Hannah playing a "duet" with Mommy on the piano Sunday evening.

Christmas and Sam's Birthday

Here are Rosie and Timmy helping to hang ornaments on the Christmas tree this year.

Crystal helps little Danny hang a homemade ornament on the tree. Homemade ones are the best! Some are cut out of Christmas cards in the shapes of bells, hearts, gingerbread men or other Christmas shapes.

Here is Sammy at his 12th birthday on December 1st. Sammy is our outdoor boy, caring for the animals and most of the outdoor work. He's like a right hand.

The children love this picture of our poodle looking ferocious! It gets up on its hind legs by the window to take a look at our kitty, who loves to lie in this sewing basket where the sight of it keeps the poodles prancing with a terrible desire to bug her. By the way, finally yesterday, this kitty caught her first mouse in the garage. And today she caught her second. Well, it is about time. That is why we accepted this kitty from Aunt Iva. Now hopefully she will start earning her keep!