Surprise

When Charles arrived at the church this morning, about 5:30 AM, he discovered that Sammy had been locked in the office! It seems that he snuck in the church and hid in the office on Saturday when the cleaners were in the building!! It was a good thing he was safe as it was -4F when Charles arrived!

Life goes on

Church family breakfast

A 8,000 piece puzzle of the Sistine Chapel

"Sew What" gathering

We have been fairly busy with our normal church activities recently as we can show from the three photos above.

A new bloom taking shape

 

Charles had an unexpected bonus today with the discovery of a new bud on the amaryllis bulb in his office. The bulb had previously displayed three bright red blossoms in December.

On to the next big thing

Looking down on the action

The gathering begins

The tree has been up for a long, long time

Our tradition is to take down all of the holiday decorations each year on January 6th, Epiphany. Our tree, which has had pride of place in our front room since November 2019, has been moved much to Wesley's displeasure! We had left the tree up, which had provided much joy in the darkest days of the pandemic. We kept changing the decorations, using items to reflect the changing seasons. 

Off to a great start

2023 is underway and Wesley is leading the way with an easy-going approach to life!

Year in review: January - June

New Year's snow

January: The community is reeling from the Marshall Fire; two big snowfalls; art on display in two shows; another Zoom course for Charles; fresh soup & bread from a neighbor.

February with Mission u

February: Belinda helps with a virtual Mission u; 11" of snow; Charles volunteers with art group for Marshall Fire victims; Belinda gives it her all for P.E.O., Mission u, and St. Paul's UMC.

NCAR fire evacuation

March: Wesley's 10th birthday; Charles goes to Cheyenne for BOM; Lots of P.E.O. activities; We evacuate overnight from the NCAR fire; Wesley Foundation activities.

April blossoms at the parsonage

April: Our first in-person Easter @ St. Paul's UMC; Covid outbreak at St. Paul's; Mother's day painting project; Additions to Mondrian-inspired outdoor pieces; Wesley escapes for two days.

Get well wishes

May: Get well treats from Belinda's P.E.O. sisters; Charles donates paintings to Hilltop Elementary (Boulder) fundraiser; Unexpected springtime snow.

Four pastors (and one wife)!

June: Charles takes lots of old paint from the parsonage to be recycled; We attend our third Annual Conference via Zoom; a new virtual art show; Golf.

Year in Review: July - December

P.E.O. birdhouse adventure

July: We begin our fourth year in Boulder; the swamp cooler fails and is fixed; a completed painting; Belinda makes birdhouse art with P.E.O. sisters.

Charles with his painting in the Boulder Library

August: Charles has a painting on display in the main Boulder library; Belinda takes part in P.E.O. functions; Charles takes part in a golf outing at The Ranch C.C.

A visit with Mom Alkula

September: We helped park cars at Wesley Foundation for the CU-TCU football game; Belinda led a program for the UWIF @ First UMC-Boulder; We watched with the world the events leading up to the QE2 funeral; The mystery rose inside the lilac bush makes its annual appearance; We went to Georgia for Charles' mother's 91st birthday; Charles takes a Sunday off!

First UMC - Cheyenne

October: Charles goes to Lander, WY for clergy orders; Belinda goes to Cheyenne, WY for a UWIF event; Charles takes a second Sunday off; First dusting of snow on the 27th; helping a church family move; Belinda's birthday!

Anniversary flowers @ St. Paul's 

November: First measureable snow since May; More snow; 25th anniversary on Thanksgiving Day.

Hotel Boulderado at Christmastime

December: More snow; Tour at the historic Boulderado Hotel; Major winter storm with -17 ° and 6.5" of snow; Annual BAA exhibit; Charles' birthday; Virtual Christmas Day service; 10" of snow.