Happy 76th Birthday

We went out to Cha Cha Sushi to celebrate my Dad's 76th birthday.  We ate like pigs and enjoyed each other's company.

Badger Pass

Four years and one day after Grace's ski accident we were back and the scene. This time no one left in a helicopter!

It was a stunningly beautiful day.  We enjoyed skiing, playing nibs, playing with the dogs and soaking up the sun.

G and Amanda

The dogs came on the deck with us and Ahi slept in a chair while Hops climbed on top of a ski bag and curled up!

Spa Night

Grace got a bunch of facial stuff for xmas from Auntie D and Uncle B.  We immediately put it to good use!

 

My face felt so good afterwards!  I am going to buy a bunch for myself!

Family Heirloom

A few months ago Aunt Nancy contacted me and asked me if I thought Grace would like to have the baby quilt that was Grandpa Roy's.  The question literally brought tears to my eyes!  Of course my answer was YES!

So she sent it to me and told me to give it to G when I thought the time was right.   I thought Christmas when Grandma Anna and Grandpa Roy were there would be perfect.

The quilt was made for Roy, before he was born, by his Grandmother.  This would be Grace's Great, Great Grandmother.   It was used for Roy and his two siblings who followed:  Uncle Glen and Aunt Nancy.  The quilt was made from old clothes from Roy's mother, Frances.

Aunt Nancy reported that she kept the quilt folded at the foot of her bed until she was 21.

The quilt is incredibly good shape for being 82 years old.  Grace will treasure it forever and we hope to preserve it so she can hand it down to the next generation.

Christmas 2018

Christmas 2018 was especially appreciated due to the excess of family illnesses in the last few months.  Grandma Anna and Grandpa Roy came over in the morning and spent the day.  We played games and hung out.  Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom came over for dinner.  They had planned to be in EDH but Grandma Kathy had been sick with a cold and didn't feel well enough to make the trip.  But she was fine to come over and eat pork loin, roasted sweet potatoes and veggies!

Family heirloom

New mug from Amanda

The year of fleece jackets for Grandma Anna

Drew is thrilled with his new tools!

Love my new hat from G!

Beauties

These two....there are no words.  They are just stunning!  And they bring me so much joy!

Pierogis

We like to find the time over the holidays to make pierogis.  It takes a big chunk of time and a lot of manpower so the holidays are a good time.

We usually make them at the cabin but this year we made them in SJ.  We had to borrow a pasta maker from a friend but "paid" her with pierogis....which her husband described as "little pillows from heaven"!

TNDC White Elephant 2018

Classic TNDC shenanigans at the TNDC White Elephant party!  Highlights included:

• Googly eyes on Paisley's butt
• A poop emoji plunger
• Skid mark tight whiteys
• A men's meeting in the garage (not sure why they all decided to stand out there) - Patrick mooned them!
• The box game with "loser gift cards"
• Way too much beer being consumed - Kody had to spend the night
• Special guests - The Chubbuck Family from Colorado
• Teaching everyone how to do the "crow" yoga pose - Mr C did a somersault!
• Amanda was pulled over on the way home because someone had stolen a Range Rover - Paisley growled at the officer!

The one thing missing -- the Tia's who were in Mexico.

Avery FaceTiming with the Tias

Mikey's fish tank with gold fish taped to the side

Big Dan got the boat book!

Kyle's crow

Go Cindy!

Oh Kayla!

23rd Birthday

We had a family dinner of a giant prime rib to celebrate Drew's birthday!  Happy 23rd to you!

Cantata

Every year we go to Grandma Anna's church Cantata Service.  It is a great way to get into the Xmas spirit.  We all really enjoy it and Grandma loves having us there.

Feeling and Looking Good!

My Dad was in the hospital for the second time in about 5 weeks in mid-December.  I, of course, was concerned about him.  A couple days after he was released I sent my mom an email asking how he was feeling and I got this picture back!  I guess this is one of those times where a picture is worth a thousand words!  He looked and felt great!   As one of my friends said....he's doing better than the rest of us.

Christmas Decorations

Drew decided this year that he wanted a real xmas tree in SJ.  That was ok with me as long as he planned the details and I just went along for the fun.  Which is exactly what happened! We went tree hunting on a beautiful sunny day and cut down a big tree.  The dogs got to go and we did a little four wheeling.  The only thing missing was hot chocolate!

We came home from the hunt and decorated the house.  Grace is usually the master of decorating so we missed her but I was happy to have Drew step into her place.

Final Product

Oops

Santa Collection - including the needlepoint done by my Great Aunt

Celebration Time!

Let's all stop and celebrate.....I just paid Drew's LAST tuition payment! Woot!

Wow - does that feel good!

Rain....and snow!

The rain has been coming down here in the 'hood, which means snow in the mountains.  Jim and Drew are obsessively checking snow levels and road conditions and have started getting ready for the first ski trip of the season.  I walked out in the garage this morning and found ski poles hanging from the fishing poles - they had been painted last nite and were drying.  And Jim's now board was out to be waxed.

Thanksgiving 2018

I forgot to take any pics on Thanksgiving so it will be remembered in our memories!  It was a Thanksgiving that we were extra thankful for after the last few months of hospital stays for Grandpa Roy, Grandma Anna and Grandpa Tom!

We gathered at my folks house and feasted on low sodium, gluten free and vegetarian food.    We are all so needy!

Missing were Jim - who was getting over a virus and Drew and Amanda - who were in AZ with Amanda's family.  We were so happy to have G home for her first visit from college.