Fun party games

Until Monica's wedding I had never seen the most amusing, entertaining party game to come along in a long time -- Shake Face. The process is simple. Using a point-and-shoot camera, get folks to shake their heads as the pix is taken. The results, as you can see, are hilarious. Apparently there's a whole website devoted to it as well, complete with prizes for the best shots. We had lots of fun on the fringes of the dance floor catching everyone at their best. We still can't figure out how we can't seem to find a single pix of Pat Benger, who was having lots of fun mugging for every camera. Try it! BTW, this shot is of James' buds, Wei & Amy, obviously professionals.

How to ward off snakes

When our dog, Cody, was still alive, Carolyn would walk him around our property, curiously wearing her snow boots, even with shorts in the summertime. When asked about the boots, she said it was to protect her from snakes. Apparently it worked too as she said recently that she's "never seen a snake out there." We all guess it's sorta like that old joke about the guy standing on the corner clapping. When asked why he was clapping, he told folks that it was to keep elephants away, and when they responded that there were no elephants around here, he responded, "See, it works!"

Dad passes

I'm sad to report that my dad, Bill Youngs, succumbed to cancer October 25 at about 5:00 p.m. We were fortunate to all be with him when he passed; our mom, Nell Youngs, my brothers Gary & Tim, and our wives Carolyn, Sheila and Cheryl. I think this photo nicely captures his spirit and is one of the ways we will remember him most. He had an awesome sense of humor. In keeping with that we published a quote on the front of a handout for his memorial service, "On a hot day you can't beat a root beer float...except for buttermilk!" We will pay tribute to him Wednesday, October 29, 11:00a.m. at his church, Littleton Church of Christ and he will be buried in Chapel Hills Cemetary, just behind the church, with one of the best views of the Rocky Mountains anywhere in Colorado. RIP dad!

Ride to the top of the world

Last week Carolyn's siblings, Bill & Judi, and Judi's husband Steadman, came to Colorado ostensibly to sort through mom's old photographs. We managed to party a little too and do some sightseeing. Highlight of their trip was a venture to the top of Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet above sea level. On one of those picture-perfect Colorado Fall days, we boarded the famous cog railway operated by the Colorado Springs & Manitou Springs Railroad. At the base of the mountain the weather was predicted to hit 85 degrees, but at the top of the mountain, we found 40 degrees and very little air. It was a beautiful trip both ways and the clear view from the top was spectacular in every direction. Steadman delighted in making cellphone calls to his family from the top of the world. The scenery on the way up was colorful as the Aspen trees had just about reached their peak Fall colors.

After the trip up the mountain we drove through quaint Manitou Springs at the base of the mountain and stopped for a light, late lunch.

It was a great Colorado day.

Grandluxe Railway vacation

Our vacation in August on the GrandLuxe Railway was wonderful as we spent about 6 days on this vintage train traveling from Tacoma, Washington to Jackson Hole, Wyoming through four national parks -- Mt. Rainier, Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Teton. The scenery was incredible and the parks magnificent. We also enjoyed the train travel very much and met a lot of great folks. There were only 69 passengers on the trip so we had lots of time for pampering and visiting. 

Sadly we learned when we returned from the trip that we were on the second to last trip as GrandLuxe closed it doors and is trying to sell the railcars. Too bad because the food and service on the train were great and it was very relaxing for the most part. No TV, no phone, no computer most of the time. It was kinda cool too staying in the U.S. and seeing some stuff we'd never seen. 

We spent two days before boarding the train celebrating our 37th anniversary in Seattle. Lots of fun there too. At the end of the trip we drove back home from Jackson and enjoyed the scenery of Wyoming & Montana.

Speaking of masculinity

Apparently my brother in-law, Steadman Matthews, is very comfortable with his feminine side as witnessed by this photo of him (right) with our neighbor, Rita Krupp. Even with all the make-up his persona as a woman is questionable. The occasion was our Academy Awards party in which participants dressed as characters from some of the movies up for awards that year. Stymied by an idea, his wife, Judi, suggested the main character from Transamerica. Well, it certainly was trans-something, but a big hit at the party. Folks had to look quick too as he quickly shed his costume saying that his panty-hose were riding up uncomfortably and his heels were killing him.

Comfortable with my masculinity

My marketing director, Steve Temple and his new wife, Tina, thought it would be funny to give me the pink Fem-Hat you see here as kind of a joke based on my having to write something for one of our female contributors. The thinking that I had to write from a feminine perspective, I might need some sort of motivation if I had to do it again. Well, I'm pretty in touch with my feminine side (and very comfortable with my masculinity as well), so I don't really need the cap, even though I wore it all day after receiving it.