Baby Strackeljahn

Above is the link to our first ultrasound video!

Cousins

Just thought I would post this cute picture of these cute cousins from Chloe's 2nd birthday party

Sam, Patrick, Kimber, Chloe and Ty

My dad

As most of you know, my father passed away Sunday night. Several people have asked to see his obituary, so here it is. Thank you for your sweet calls and messages of encouragement. They mean so much to me.

Stewart Rose, III, retired United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of New Mexico, passed away Sunday evening at his home in Albuquerque. Stewart had a long and rewarding career as an attorney and a judge, and an even longer and more rewarding life as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, stepfather, and fast friend. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rose Spader; brother Paul Z. Rose (Ann); daughters Connie Rose Hunter (Tom), Carolyn Rose (David Midget), Sheila Rose Gillespie (Dennis); grandchildren Ian Stewart Hunter, Timothy Young Hunter, Jamie Lee Hunter, Hannah Rose Midget, Lauren Rose Gillespie, and Carlton Davis Gillespie; and Rose Spader’s five children, Denise, Debbie, Michael, Mark, and Matthew, and her five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40+ years, JoAnn Dinsmoor Rose.

Stew moved to New Mexico in 1949 and began his love affair with the West. From backpacking through the San Pedro Parks Wilderness (well, with a horse) to sailing his home-made Hobi on Cochiti Lake, to shooting his potato cannon at one-too-many mountain man rendezvous, to skiing at Sandia Peak, to enjoying a stirrup cup before the hunt with the Juan Tabo Hounds, he made the most of this land and this life.

In 1982 Stew was appointed to the bench, and with his customary focus, intelligence, cigarettes, and positive outlook, served for 16 years in positions including Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Judge on the Appellate Panel of the 10^th Circuit, and visiting judge for districts of Kansas, Colorado, Utah and Southern Florida. He received an Outstanding Judicial Service Award from the New Mexico State Bar Association in 1992. He had great affection for his fellow judges, clerks, deputies, and secretaries. Before becoming a judge he was an attorney with the firms of McNeany, Rose, & Sholer and Ashby, Rose, & Sholer.

Please join us in celebration of the life of Judge Stewart Rose on June 1, 2012, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Albuquerque Country Club, 601 Laguna Dr. SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the meantime, Stew would suggest that you ride a horse or drink a glass of wine (or both) in his honor. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.

I believe most everyone knows by now.. if not Skye's going to share the news..

This is how we told Sherry and Dale... Dale got it right away, but Sherry said, "You're getting a puppy?" So I "politely" responded... yes, we're getting a puppy. LoL Eventually it dawned on her and she was quite excited, as are we! =o)

Dinner at our house

We celebrated Emilee and Hannah's birthdays this week with a rousing night of food and laughter.  And then we were entertained by the kids (both young and grown) as they joined together for some spontaneous music and dance.

Oh and one more thing:  The date was March 11, not February 11.  It seems I've lost touch with the calendar......

Owl Walk

What a magical evening I had last night! I went on an owl-spotting walk with the Greater Salt Lake Audubon Society in City Creek Canyon. I walk in the canyon almost every day, but it was so enchanting to walk it slowly, with about a dozen people, in the moonlight. The leader had a tape recorder with the calls of great horned owls, screech owls, Saw-Whet owls, and long-eared owls. We saw a golden eagle at the outset, two herds of elk (man, they are huge!), and various small birds. As it got darker the leader played the owl sounds and called a huge great horned owl to us. He sat in the top of a big spruce tree, silhouetted by the last remaining light in the western sky. It was awesome. Then the stars and planets began to pop out. We saw Jupiter, Venus, little Mercury, a really bright red Mars, Sirius, the Pliates Sisters, Orion...about 3.5 hours of walking and listening and chatting softly with some really nice people. Perfect end to a beautiful day.

It's (finally) beginning to look more like winter

The weatherman/woman said the chance of snow this weekend was good.  Of course, he/she has said that many times this year -- all for naught.  So this time, we thought we'd "triple-dog dare" the forecasters and head up to the mountains for a few days.


Low and behold, we woke up Sunday to a fresh snowfall of 6-8 inches of fluffy stuff.  Add that to the existing foot or so and you get a wonderland for good girls and boys and dogs.

Oakley playing in front of our cabin.

He eyes the new snowdrift.

Despite Carolyn's warning, he jumps into said bank of snow.

And immediately, he discovers a desire to escape the mound.

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."
John Ruskin

We hope all is well in each of your worlds.  We're looking forward to seeing many of you in Quincy for Easter.  Much love, David, Carolyn, Hannah (she sends a big "hi" from the NW), Oakley and Circa from under the couch down in SLC.