Overnight Trip to Steamboat Springs

Kelley and I drove over to Steamboat Springs, CO last weekend.

Some friends of ours from Michigan (Chris and Mindy Munden) were there skiing for a few days. We really enjoyed hanging out with them and enjoying their condo for the night.

This was one of the shots Kelley took during our drive. There was quite a bit of snow and they city got 14" the night we were there.

National Western Stock Show - Denver

Last night, Kelley and I went to the National Western Stock Show in Denver. The NWSS is quite an extravaganza. We planned to go to the rodeo but it was sold out. Instead we wandered around the site and visited the western art show, some farm animal viewing areas, craft bazaar, horse jumping competition, etc. Kelley loved the art show the most. She also enjoyed the horse jumping. Me, I just loved all the cowboy hats.

I almost thought I was on the Fannin Farm with all the Black Angus we saw.

Here is Kelley at the arena.

This last image is the location that Kelley chose to paint today. The weather has been very nice here of late. Todays' high was about 60 degrees.

Christmas Trip to Michigan

Kelley and I had the chance to head home for about 10 days to celebrate Christmas and New Years with our families. We had way too much fun and already miss everybody.

Christmas Day was spent at the Shirkey home (after eating breakfast at the Fannin house). Here we have some shots of the backpack models, Micah and Alyssia.



Karter shows us his cool dude skate boarding attire.

We then headed to Ann Arbor for the Fannin Family overnighter. As you can see, next year we will have at least one more participant...Mikayla is due next month!

Some of us had to get ready for dinner with "my hair had a party last night" hairdos.

While others showed off some "mad" pool skills.

There was a "youtube" viewing session that lasted lat into the night after a crafts extravaganza.


There are no photos to prove it but we had a nice evening on Sunday, 12/28, with the Mark Shirkey family (minus the El Paso contingent). We had some pizza and went bowling afterwards. No matter what anyone says, there shall be no special sanctioning council meeting convened to discuss adding bowling to the TOC. However, there was a TOC "round-table" breakfast that occurred in Jackson, MI last week.

New Years Day many of the Shirkey-Fannins met at the Shirkey home to watch football and hang out. Here are 3 of the attendees shown below. This photo has 3 generations...Grandpa Mike, Dad Daniel and Colin.,


A gingerbread house was assembled and was able to free-stand for approximately 10 seconds before falling to the hungry hands of the builders.

Amanda was hoping to watch GVSU play, but they weren't on the TV this year.

Our final day was capped off by breakfast with the Spring Arbor Fannin's and a trip to the mall.

Kelley and I thought we were going to get out of Michigan without having to work, but the final afernoon found us chopping wood with Mom and Dad Fannin.

Man, it was a super trip and we are so thankful to have the chance to go home for a bit.

Love, David and Kelley