Thanksgiving with Jenna in Maui

 Todd surprised me with a trip to see my good friend Jenna over Thanksgiving. Jenna was near the end of her two month Physical Therapy rotation in Maui, Hawaii. Thanksgiving morning I flew from Denver into Los Angeles and on to Kahului.  Jenna picked me up and I changed out of jeans and sweatshirt  into a halter dress and we headed to Mama's Fish House for Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of turkey this year I enjoyed  Mahi Mahi stuffed with lobster and crab, baked in a macadamia nut crust. It was amazing!!!!!What a fun way to start a ten day vacation.

My Dessert at Mama's Fish House.
Polynesian Black Pearl - Liliko’i chocolate mousse in a pastry seashell. 

Thanksgiving Dinner

We had a wonderful ten days together. I was so lucky to see the entire island and all it had to offer. Some of the highlights included Saturday Farmer Markets, Haleakala (volcano), Shopping and dining in Paia, Hookipa Beach, Maui Tropical Plantation, Road to Hana, Wailea and Jenna's Christmas party at a resort in Lahaina.

Eating a fresh coconut at the farmers market

Haleakala National Park

2 miles down into Haleakala

One day I saw 14 turtles laid out on Hookipa Beach

Hookipa Beach

Maui Tropical Plantation

Beach Days

We went swimming in this pool
that we had all to ourselves on the way to Hana

Fun Times

Ke'anae Arboretum

Ke'anae: The lady in the pictures lost her phone off the cliff. 

Wailamoi Ridge Trail

Black Sand Beach

In a blow hole at Black Sand Beach

Last Night in Lahaina

What a wonderful ten days with a good friend. 

I am so blessed!!

Pope and Young Record Book Elk For My Man!

After 60 long days of waiting........ We can now congratulate Todd Flaming with his Trophy North American Typical Elk.  

I named him Brutus

He gross scored at 316" and his final official score was 299 1/8".  This has been a dream of Todd's for many years and I am so proud of him.  

Harvest Time

Harvest went very smooth this year. Here are a few pictures of the fun.

Todd harvesting soybean plots

Todd programing his computer

Jeff cleaning out the header

Maxine brought out Moose and Levi to help with the harvest. 

Todd and Moose harvesting

Moose and Levi examining the harvested corn

Todd and Moose dumping corn into the truck

Great job boys you helped Uncle and Auntie a lot. 

We plan on having you apart of the 2014 harvest crew too! 

First Snow: October 18, 2013

On Friday morning October 18, 2013, we woke up to a winter wonderland. We had about 5 inches of heavy snow. It was so beautiful! Right after I took all these pictures the fog lifted and it was a stunning sight to see as the sun shined on the snow. I wish I had taken a picture.

Jeff shaking the trees

the back yard

the back swing

Front yard

The goat house

Looking toward the mountains

Todd shaking the trees in the front yard

Combine Pick-up Mission

Wednesday October 10, 2013 Todd, Jeff and I headed to Minnesota to pick up the three headers and two combines. We spent the first night in Kearney, NE then made it to our destination of  Peterson, Minnesota, on the second day. That night Todd, Jeff and Eric (friend of Todd) loaded the three headers on our trailer and prepped the combines for an early morning pick-up on Friday. 

The headers loaded and waiting 

 The trucker was 8 hours late, so we got to check out the cute little town of Lanesboro, MN.

Todd and I at the river

Todd had the best Strawberry milkshake ever!!! 

 When Neil, the trucker, got to Eric's house late Friday afternoon. Eric and Todd came up with the "dig a hole" loading ramp idea.

This plan worked out great!!

Eric digging "the Hole"

Todd and Jeff discussing "the Hole"

Backing semi into "the hold"and placing wood

Backfill "the hole"and call it a loading dock!!!
Red Neck Trucking at its best

Here comes Todd with Combine #1 

Combine on the loading dock

SUCCESS!!!!! Combine #1

Jeff and Todd measuring to make sure it would clear overpasses

Chaining down

SUCCESS Combine #1 and #2

Hours later loaded and headed for Colorado

These are the kittens that helped in the loading process

 The pit stops of our trip consisted of  three Cabela's stores. 

We explored Lincoln, NE, Mitchell, SD, and Sidney, NE.

The Pit crew!!

As many of you know, our trips tend to be full of "Adventures" ( broken parts, flat tires, sleepless nights etc. ) So we always need to be ready for anything. This trip Todd had both the truck and trailers checked out and brought along 3 spare tires, tools and a big jack. We were prepared!!! In preparation I prayed for a BORING TRIP!!! I know that might be a weird prayer, but with our type of luck it is necessary. God answered!! The only excitement we had was a late truck driver and seeing a lot of roadkill along the highways!