There is something about holding a newborn that is just special. It makes all of the other troubles of life disappear for a while, as you contemplate their utter dependence on others, their complete acceptance of whoever is holding them, and the great journey they have ahead of them.

Shown is our new grand daughter Ashley, about an hour old. She was born last night at the birthing center at the old Memorial Hospital, a still a very nice facility, although not as convenient as the new one for sure! One of the reasons we chose Colorado Springs as our home 17 years ago was that it was a place our children might be able to settle and have their children. Here is proof positive!

This is a special day for us, our newest grandbaby is scheduled to be born today. Of course you never know for sure until it happens, but they are planning on inducing labor, so the odds go up considerably!
The weather seems to be warming up a bit after a cold winter, we should be back in the 50's today. March and April are our snowiest months normally, so we have no illusions that winter is close to over (the best skiing is still ahead of us!), but the warm sunny days are a nice break that you kind of expect when you live here. I did not ski this weekend, Presidents Day is kind of a zoo up in the mountains with all the kids off from school, but maybe after the next storm.
The new Costco at Barnes and Powers opens tomorrow. I am a little skeptical as to how much better of a shopping option it will be over Sam's, but I like choices, so we'll see. A lot of people seem to be waiting for it like it will change the city, the Gazette even gave it front page coverage today. Maybe that says more about the lack of news than it does about Costco! We'll see.

Travelling cross country in the middle of winter tends to be a pain. Whether it is problems where you are coming from, where you are going to, or where the airplane you are going to ride in is coming from, there always seem to be problems with midwinter flights. We just returned from my dad's funeral in Michigan, and it feels so good be home again after spending endless hours waiting for delayed flights! It also feels good to have the warm sun on your skin, and see the mountains (it was less than 1 mile visibility when we left!) It was wonderful to see everyone and visit, and funeral was actually a very uplifting service, but I am glad to be home.
We are all looking forward to some skiing this week to make up for some lost time over the holidays, the snow is looking good with over 40" of base most everywhere now.

My dad died last night, at the age of 84. It was a strange way for the year to end. He had been ill for a long time, and in a way, it was no surprise to anyone, and yet we were all still caught a little off guard. He was a Marine, had served on Okinawa among other places in WWII, and became a real estate broker about the time I was born. I'm not going to do an obituary for him here, but I do want to honor a man who was husband of one wife for 60 years, raised 6 kids, served his country well, and was strong in his faith in God. He'll be missed by many.

This photo was taken just a month or so ago when I went back to Michigan to visit.