January 2024
We're loving our New Year's snow. You can almost see a smile on our cactus.
Flagstaff
We're a little over an hour from Flagstaff.
It's a fun town with a cool vibe. Bekah and Howdy are chillin'.
Sedona
Donny came out to visit in January and we took a day trip to nearby Sedona and the surrounding areas.
Help in the kitchen
Gracie, now five, loves to come to Nana's house.
Much of the activities are outside with dirt and animals, but she also enjoys helping Nana in the kitchen.
Exploring Arizona
In January, Sheila and Don took a trip to Wilcox, AZ where they visited the Chiricahua National Monument, relaxed at the western themed Air B&B, and did some local wine tasting.
February snow
That's Gracie's tractor in our backyard. This video was taken during a brief February snowstorm.
One thing we really enjoy about being at 4,700 feet is we get enough snow to lool beautiful but not enough to be inconvenient. No chains, no shoveling.
Bearizona revisited
In March we took another trip to Bearizona.
Spring has sprung
It's nice having four seasons. In California we had two, green and brown.
Out for a ride
Bekah had been training a horse for a friend in Southern Arizona.
She and Sheila took him out for a test drive in the neighborhood.
Still getting eggs
We're still getting more eggs than we can eat.
Hands across the water
In April, Bekah and two of her friends went to England to visit their good friend Elysia.
Elysia, Bekah, Arianna, Natalie.
Our friend, Nora, won second prize at the Yavapai County Fair for this beautiful picture she painted Bekah and Cibique. She painted it from the photograph shown at the right.
Open Mic
Don performing at a local open-mic.
Sheila and I visiting my sister Lisa in Big Bear, CA. That's Lisa's cabin in the background.
Donny's band
Sheila and I took a short trip to California to watch Donny's band, Badsoma, perform at an artists showcase.
The event took place on the roof of Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.
Goat rodeo
Bekah's goats provide entertainment and more milk than we can drink.
The goat milk tastes like drinking melted ice cream. Bekah's been making goat cheese too.
Gracie and Uncle D enjoying a frozen custard when Donny came out for a visit in May.
Territorial Days
Territorial Days is the biggest local event in Chino Valley.
Over several days, the town hosts a parade, car show, and fireworks show.
Bekah and a co-worker, Morgan, were recognized at the town counsel meeting for their hard work planning and organizing the events.
Quick trip to California
We got to visit Don's cousin, Sandy, and her husband, Buck, at their beautiful home in Bonsall, CA.
This was my view from the chair at my dentist's office in Chino Valley.
Pickin' in the Pines 2024
Don and Sheila at Pickin' in the Pines, a bluegrass festival in Flagstaff. We went with our friends Steve and Lynn Rutherford.
Friends from out of town
Getta, our good friend and former Trabuco Canyon neighbor, took a trip to Flagstaff.
It was great to visit with Getta, her son, Raz, Glenda and the kids.
Trick or treat
Our neighborhood is semi-rural and many of the properties are large so we don't get trick-or-treaters.
The town puts on a big trick-or-treat event at Memory Park
Cheryl, James, Gracie, and Sheila
The cowgirl life
Gracie on Cibeque (Cib) and Auntie on Cake.
Cib is a very good horse and Gracie is a natural cowgirl.
Veterans Day parade
Veterans are respected and appreciated around here and the Veterans Day parade is always well attended.
Click here for more photos and a list of the 2024 Veterans Day Parade Winners.
A visit from Donny
We love it when Donny comes to visit. It's a long drive but a short plane ride from Long Beach, CA
Donny, Bekah, and Gracie decorated one of the outdoor trees. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Holiday Light parade
Prescott claims to be Arizona's Christmas City and we believe it.
On November 30th, family, friends, and neighbors gathered to watch the Holiday Light Parade followed by a bonfire at the Mile High MIddle School.
December to Remember
Bekah helped plan and facilitate Chino Valley's December to Remember Christmas event. It included a light parade followed by entertainers, pictures with Santa, free gifts for the kids, and several food trucks.
Gracie received a stick horse.
Christmas parade and courthouse lighting
Each year, Prescott closes the streets around the courthouse square and hosts a Christmas parade.
In the evening, residents gather in the square are treated to a live band, choir singing Christmas songs, and a reading of the Christmas story from the Bible.
The evening is topped off by the lighting of the courthouse and surrounding trees and a fireworks display.
Denver work trip
Don spent several days in Denver on a business trip.
While there, he was able to spend some time with his dear friend, Randy Raysbrook.
Christmas
Here's a fun look at our Christmas.
It's our third Christmas in Chino Valley.
Cheryl, Jame's, Gracie, Rebekah joined us. Donny joined via FaceTime for a while. The modern family Christmas.
Baby goats
Despite rumors to the contrary, there is nothing cute or entertaining about baby goats...absolutely nothing.
Farewell to 2024
Over 10,000 people attended the annual Prescott Boot Drop.
We rang in the New Year with live music, hot chocolate, and fireworks.
