General Hoke Update.....

So, the last month has been busy. Steve was out to visit and hopefully Heath or Layne will finish blogging about that. They went to the Sand Dunes for a couple of days (I stayed back to work) and since I wasn't there to describe the photos taken, I have asked one of them to do that. After Steve left, school started and things just get busy when school is in. Layne is running track again this year--she didn't really want to but it makes things so much easier when I can pick her up at 5:30 (and it is good to run)!! She is also in her second month of the Olympic Lifting Club!! She has been pumping iron 3X a week and she really likes it. She likes being strong and this past weekend it has paid off. She is also in a volleyball league that I am volunteering my coaching time to. So, very busy!!

Then, in all of that, we have started working in the back yard. This is the time of year when Heath isn't as busy at work and can take some time off. He will be taking his second Friday off and working at home in the yard. We have made some good progress. It will take awhile, since the yard is a complete waste. The first two photos are BEFORE pictures. This was the back yard when we moved in and where the dog kennel was located. As you can see, we had some water drainage issues. We had moved the dog kennel last summer, but the water was still a problem. It seems that our neighbors yard drains into ours when they water. It is great to let the dogs out into the mud!!



Also, notice the location of that spindly evergreen tree (now named Dobby). In the next photo, you will see that it has been moved.




This brings me to my story of Layne's lifting and how it has paid off. Heath spent some time digging a hole and then getting the tree out of the ground. Now it would be time to move the tree and Layne was given the trunk (up high on the tree) and I was going to lift the bottom with Heath. He had put a burlap bag under it and we each had two corners. I just couldn't lift it--but Layne could. She moved the tree with Heath--WOW, it sure made me feel great. I guess maybe I should sign myself up for the Olympic Lifting Club!!! But, great job Layne!! Now she can move stuff around with Heath and I can just direct.

Also, you can see we have moved the dog kennel and then started the rock border around the fence. Heath has also put in drainage tubes to help with the water issues. We got some serious rain a couple of nights this week and it seems to be working!! Very exciting.

The dog kennel is now on the north side of the house, kind of out-of-sight from the back yard. We made it a little smaller and have been leaving the big dogs out during the day. I think they like it better.

This would be the area that Heath is going to tackle next. You can see where he left off and maybe by the end of the weekend I will have some more AFTER shots of this area.

So, for now it is school, weights, track, volleyball and back yard!! That is probably enough??

I wish everyone a great weekend.....

Also, just to let everyone know (not sure if I have) I seem to be back to 100%. There are no lingering effects from the Bells Palsy. I am TRYING to handle stress better and take some time for myself--that doesn't always happen. But I am good and glad it is over!!

First Day of School

Layne started 8th grade this year...........yes, read it again--it is true. It is really hard for me to believe. She is still my little girl and I just can even tell you how fast these 13 years have gone. I am so proud of her in so many ways every day!! I thought I would share the pictures we took on the first day. We forgot to take the front porch picture but got a few from my office at work.

There she is, walking away. I remember when I left her at school in kindergarten, she cried. Now I cry!!

The next first day of school will be high school--that might me even harder for me.........

Pikes Peak Update

Layne blogged a few weeks ago about a hike to Pikes Peak with Heath and another father/daughter. She didn't put in any photos and I wanted to get some up. So, enjoy these great photos.

Steve's visit, so far.....

......and it has just been three days, but we have packed them full of fun. He arrived on Saturday morning and we headed to the farmer's market in Old Colorado City. We got some great veggies, ate at our favorite Front Range BBQ and then went to a few shops. We have never really shopped the cute Old Colorado City. Two cool things that came from this--we were able to see the amazing art of Michael Garmin and found a used bike shop. (Layne is in search for an old cruiser.)


Steve having some yummy BBQ!! We sat outside and it was a beautiful day--it was great.

Since he had just arrived that morning, we wanted to do something outdoorsy but not too tiring. So, we took the Gold Camp Road drive--another activity we do with most of our visiting guests. It is a beautiful drive, below is Steve on one of our stops along the road.

While driving back through Colorado Springs, we came upon a car show. Steve and Heath love car shows--Layne doesn't really love the car shows. However, she was a good sport--even though she doesn't look like it. She is a teenager now........

This photos is a little better.

I think Steve and Heath could look at these crazy cars all day--I know they could!!

Serious analysis of this red number--I suppose I should know what it is, but I don't. Sure, there are some very beautiful cars. It is impressive to see how someone can make them look so great, but it was hot.

Day two was a trip into the mountains, not far into the mountains. We headed to Divide, CO and the Crags trail. This was a first for the three of us and after finding the trail head--it was nothing but beautiful the entire way.

We took only one dog and he had the time of his life. Sully was great and below he is ready to hit the trail.

It is important to read all the safety information, especially what to do when you encounter a bear.

Heath with the pack!! Did I tell you he forgot to pack snacks!!

Just one sign to get you going in the right direction.

One of Sully's many pit stops in the stream. He enjoyed just standing in the water to cool off.

Steve sitting by a cool rock formation/cave??

Heath and Steve taking a scenic break.

It isn't the easiest to hold hands and hike, but we managed for a bit. Like I said earlier, it was so beautiful there and it was a wonderful day!! Not too hot at all.






Heath is always exploring and climbing--I am sure he could live in the forest with only the necessities.

Layne's first attempt with the timer on the camera--pretty great photo.





Almost at the top, this is as far as Layne and I went. There was an amazing view and well worth the work to get there. Layne planned this photo--found the correct rock to set the camera on and ran her butt off to get in position. Great job Layne!!

Layne and I just hung out while Steve and Heath went up a little farther.

My favorite photo of the trip, great one to end the blog with--Layne and Sully, so cute.

Yesterday Heath and Steve went golfing and packed for their big camping trip. That is where they are off to today. The are going to the Great Sand Dunes!!! I look forward to the photos from that trip. I am staying home since I have to work. :( Have fun guys and see you on Thursday.

Thanks for checking in.........

Just an update.....

It seems that I have been blogging pretty poorly. I am going to update all of you with the photos I have available and then try to keep this up-to-date better.

About two weeks ago, we finally decided on a color to paint our bedroom. The last of the upstairs rooms to paint. I chose blue, not because it is my favorite color, but because I have seen it in magazine a lot lately and "it is the most soothing color you can paint your bedroom". I could sure use some soothing and relaxing space.

So, in Heath and Tori fashion, we buy the paint and get started. I don't just buy a sample or one can--we get what we need and then we determine it isn't the right color. I had only done the trim, but decided it was too dark and too teal and we had gotten two gallons. I think/hope we can use it somewhere else??

Our second choice is always what we want. I just don't know how to get to that point first?? I am going to stop buying more than one gallon or just go for the small samples.

It turned out lovely and blue--our fabulous stained glass below. I just need a new ceiling fan and bedroom furniture and it will be complete!! That does make me a little nervous because I have been looking for furniture for over a year. I am going to be patient on this one.

On July 29, to be exact, I came home to find what I thought was snow in our yard. It had been storming that day but I had no idea it had hailed so much. It was very odd to see and only at the bottom of the downspout. Colorado weather is very strange.

Heath had taken his bicycle home that day also and got wet. He has a better story to go along with this photo and I will encourage him to share.

There was also this beautiful rainbow--I am not sure I have ever seen one so bright. If you look close, there are actually two.







Heath's dad arrived on Saturday morning and we have done some fun things with him in the past few days that I will get that up very soon.



I only wish I had a more interesting life to blog about. Thanks for reading.

"Pikes Peak" (also know as "The Climb")

It was 3:45am, my alarm was buzzing, and i only got five hours of sleep that night.

By the time we got to the starting point of our hike, it was about 6-o-clock, and about 40 degrees. I was freezing and so tired.

The "short" hike up to tree-line was--what I thought at the time--difficult. About two hours long. But past tree-line, the "long" hike, was just crazy.

I had never been so cold and so exhausted that much in my life, but with the first sighting of the peak, I pushed on.

The view I must say, was just beautiful. I took so many pictures. But then...I dropped my camera. Fortunately just on the trail, not over the side, but it did get scratched-up. And i had only had it for a couple weeks!

So anyways, back at the ranch... We had a thousand feet to go, about an hour hike, and a storm came.

It was thundering through the sky and in about thirty minutes it would have been over us. We had a crisis on our hands--continue on, or go back.

Well, my friends, family, people who remember me when i was just "sooo wittle and sooo cute!!!" that i have no idea who you are, we decided to go back. I know, I know. Not very exciting. But I must say I was happy with the choice we made. You see, about five minutes from the bottom it started to rain, then poor. So if we would have decided to go to the top we would have had to make a really long and wet hike down for about an hour. Good decision I think.

So all-in-all it was fun--for the most part--and really cool--both ways--but I don't think I would hike up that same trail again. Definitely some other less difficult and not as long hikes. But who knows? Maybe I'll end up climbing all of the 14ers. Who knows....


~Layne