Ghost Ranch 2007

Dwight, Sharon and granddaughter Kyra traveled to New Mexico last week to visit with family in Belen (Steve, Beth, Grace, plus Dwight's sister Marcia and husband Calvin), followed by a week at Ghost Ranch. Sharon went to a seminar on "Understanding the Israel/Palestine Conflict", Dwight did R&R, and Kyra made a new friend, Jennifer (granddaughter of a friend of ours) from Corvallis, Oregon. It was a wonderful week in a magic place. The pictures above show us relaxing on our porch, standing in the chow line with Steve, Beth and Grace, and Kyra with Jennifer.

Pictures of Grace - 6 months old!

Just wanted to share some new pictures of Grace Elizabeth Blackstock, who turned 6 months old on July 2nd! She's thinking about crawling and when that doesn't work, there's always Mommy!

Visiting Family in Wisconsin - July 2007

Sharon and Dwight were in Wisconsin last weekend and got to see the "fam". Took some flowers to Mom & Dad (Columbarium at Luther Memorial Church, Madison); went to a Rockies game with Kathy & Tom in Milwaukee (oh ya, the Brewers were there, too, and yes, they won, drat!) Got to see niece Catherine for a few minutes and meet her beautiful puppy, Lola (St. Bernard/Collie mix), and have dinner with Richard, Ann, Kathy & Tom. The last picture above is of the three "Gallaghers" - Richard, Kathleen (Joynt) and Sharon (Blackstock).

40th West High Reunion - Madison

Sharon and Dwight attended Sharon's 40th high school reunion in Madison, Wisconsin last weekend. Had so much fun, forgot to take pictures, except this one of Sharon with Ginny Dunn and Bitsy Siebecker. Fun to see "old" friends and re-meet some others.

Kyra meets Pastor from Zimbabwe

Granddaughter Kyra (age 8) worshiped with Sharon yesterday at Genesis Presbyterian Church in Littleton and met Rev. Paul Nashangwe, from Denver Presbytery's sister presbytery in Zimbabwe. Kyra told Rev. Paul that she wanted to help people in Africa now as well as when she grows up and can go to Africa. They exchanged addresses and will be communicating in the future.

Grace is baptized on Mother's Day 2007!

We were in Belen for Grace's baptism on May 13th. She didn't like the idea at first, but settled down in Granddad's arms after a bit and took it all in! Sharon sang "Amazing Grace" and Beth's parents, Bill & Sara Carlisle, participated in the service. A wonderful family event! Thanks, Steve and Beth, for sharing this with us!

Ventura Harbor on a Pontoon Boat!

We were in Southern California last week for the 2007 Western Regional Board of Pensions Consultation, representing Denver Presbytery, and added a couple of days to the trip to visit with friends Tom and Carmen in Oxnard. On Friday we rented a pontoon boat and puttered around Ventura Harbor - it was a beautiful day, beautiful boats and homes, shared with beautiful friends.

Grace Elizabeth Blackstock born January 2nd

Steve and Beth are the joyful parents of a beautiful baby girl, born January 2nd in Albuquerque. Grace gets to meet her Grandma and Granddad Blackstock in a few weeks and we are ready to spoil her!

Steve is installed in his new church in Belen NM - October 29

We enjoyed a long weekend in Belen at Beth and Steve's new home in late October and celebrated Steve's installation as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Beth's parents came out for the weekend, too, as did Steve's good friend, Howard. Dwight and Howard participated in the service.

We also got to see Genevieve and grandson Kaelan (age 2), who live in Albuquerque, and enjoyed dinner out in Old Town.

Kirk gets blessed during today's worship service

After finishing the Race for the Cure event this morning, Sharon headed home to pick up Kirk and get him over to Genesis Presbyterian for the animal blessing service. It was fun - lots of dogs and they all got along pretty well.

Sharon walks 5K in the Susan G. Komen Denver Race for the Cure!

Julie Weisz, Judy Richardson and Sharon pose for a picture after completing the race on Sunday. The Denver Komen Race for the Cure (breast cancer) is the largest in the nation - 65,000+ participants.

Fall - Rocky Mountain National Park

We took a day trip to Estes Park and into Rocky Mountain National Park today. Kirk rode along and was a big hit while we were sitting outside at Starbucks. It's like having a movie star in the family, the way people stop to meet, greet and pet him! But the fall colors were the real stars today. It was a perfect Colorado fall weekend and the aspen were glowing. What a difference a week makes! Last week the trees were still pretty green and dusted with snow. This week was glorious. Wish you were here!

Mountain Trip to See "Colors" Turns Into Snow Adventure!

Dwight, Sharon and Kirk headed for Dillon, Breckenridge and Fairplay, Colorado on Friday & Saturday. We left Denver Friday night around 8:30pm and battled a blinding snowstorm, taking 2 hours to get to Dillon (normally an hour drive), and were relieved to get to our hotel! Saturday morning we headed for the Starbucks in Frasier, then a leisurely drive to Breckenridge, and over Hoosier Pass to Fairplay. Lunchtime found us at the Bucksnort Saloon, south of Shaffer's Crossing - a must-have experience for every Coloradoan! It was a cloudy day and actually a little early for the fall colors, but we enjoyed the time away! Kirk couldn't quite figure out what we were doing, but he travels well and loves going wherever we go. We used our time in the car to listen to a book on CD, "Marley and Me" about a yellow Lab and his family. If you have a chance to read or hear this book, and you're a dog lover, you should take the opportunity. You will laugh and cry! We only got about half way through the book and hope to finish it next Saturday when we head to Estes Park to look for colors once again!

Dwight launches his own professional blog!

You can now visit Dwight's blog at http://journeywiththerev.blogspot.com/ and find his weekly sermons and lectionary readings. Your comments are welcome!

Sharon and Jordan enjoy a church retreat weekend

Sharon and granddaughter Jordan enjoyed a weekend together with members of Genesis Presbyterian Church for it's "Summit" retreat in late August at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies near Estes Park. Outdoor worship, small groups, and lots of play time for the kids made for a great time for all who attended.

Kirk Enjoys a Mountain Weekend

Dwight, Sharon and Kirk spent a couple of relaxing days with friends Jon & Danny Yeagley at their cabin near Fairplay early in August. We walked, talked, ate, talked, walked and laughed. Everyone experienced Kirk as a lapdog!

Steve and Beth Head for Belen, New Mexico!

Steve has received a call as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Belen New Mexico! Belen is located about 30 miles south of Albuquerque on I-25. Beth and Steve are looking forward to a lot of firsts in the next few months: Steve's first solo pastorate, Beth and Steve's first home, AND ... their first child, due in January!! Steve's first Sunday at First will be August 27th.

Ghost Ranch 2006!

Dwight, Sharon, and granddaughter Kyra enjoyed another wonderful week together at Ghost Ranch in July. Dwight used his study time to write about 20 sermons - enough to get him through the end of year. Sharon took a class on the parables told in Luke 15 - The Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost (Prodigal) Son - a class that challenged her and also brought her some peace. Kyra found a friend and they spent the week having fun and enjoying the beauty that is Ghost Ranch. Sharon climbed Chimney Rock again and Kyra says she wants to join her in the hike next year. Steve and Beth also joined us for a couple of days and we all celebrated Steve's 30th birthday during a dinner at Rancho de Chimayo.

Fireworks! July 3rd - Avon, Colorado

This was our third trip to the Vail Valley for the spectacular July 3rd fireworks display put on by the Town of Avon. The first time we enjoyed this adventure was two years ago, when Steve and Beth were married at Eagle River Presbyterian Church on July 3rd, while Dwight was the Interim Pastor there. Friends Tom and Ruth Powers have hosted our return visits the last two years and we have grown to love this new tradition. Had a wonderful dinner on Sunday at the Powers' home in Edwards, with friends/members of the church, and then viewed the fireworks Monday with Tom and Ruth on a hill above I-70. If you ever have a chance to see this show, don't miss it. Dwight took several great photos of the fireworks, including the one above.

Yellowstone Park - Winter in May!

Dwight, Sharon, and sisters Donna, Annie, Marcia, and friend Penner traveled to Yellowstone Park over Memorial Day weekend and were treated to 3 days of snow, lots of wildlife, and much fun. It's been nearly 19 years since we moved from Wyoming, but driving through felt like home. It was a wonderful trip. We enjoyed 2 days in Yellowstone, 1 day in Jackson, Wyoming, which included a drive through Grand Teton National Park. The photos above include one of us in front of one of the many waterfalls in Yellowstone Park, a shot of Jackson Lake and the Grand Tetons as we were heading home on the last day (the day the sun finally came out, naturally!), and one of Sharon as we greeted our first day in Yellowstone!