Happy New Year

Recognition

It is so awesome to see my son's name up there, knowing that he is being recognized for all his hard work!

Who needs to go to a rink...

When you can skate on the driveway?

Yippee!

The kiddos tell me that the snow is perfect right now...skiing, sledding, & snowshoeing.  They been out there doing it all.  And, they've built themselves a jump for the sleds! 

Whose toy?

Wow! Our family has grown!!

Every year we take this same group portrait, but you can't see Grammie & Grampa's Christmas tree anymore!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Ready& Waiting

Even the ones who are too old to believe, enjoy tradition enough to add to the annual note to Santa.

After the Ice Storm

So she'll always remember...

'Tis the season...

Carrying on with tradition...

I kept telling the girls about the fir pillows that my family used to make, but they were confused and thought I meant 'fur'.  This morning they harvested boughs, cut the branches into little pieces, sewed up some pillows, stuffed them, and made a bunch of Christmas gifts that smell awesome!

1st Post-operation Check-up

I got a new boot to add to my collection!

Mr. Kitty

She's getting to be quite the 'artiste'!

He built himself a totem pole!

Otto

Really, Mom? Really?

She's been trying for weeks...

And they finally landed on her arm and actually ate from her hand! She was so excited when she came back inside that she was almost crying!! 

She was very gentle...

Our youngest neighbor came to visit me this afternoon. She was very serious about coloring on my cast.

My work family knows how to make me smile!

I received some very kind gifts today!

Ya gotta laugh...

...even when you're down!

Someone is Glad Mom's Home

Just as soon as I got home from the hospital after the surgery on my ankle, I laid down on the recliner.  Aly immediately planted herself on my chest so that I wouldn't move again. I had no idea that she was concerned about me until then. It brought a tear to my eye knowing that she was worried about me since she's not a very affectionate cat.

Middle School Christmas Concert

This evening she played her clarinet with the band and they sounded great!  Unfortunately, I had to miss this concert as well because I had surgery to repair my ankle this morning.  But, once again, Dad called me so that I could hear them.  I put the phone on speaker so that big brother could hear as well and we were laughing at Amber's expression as she listened too.  Then, I discovered that my new smart phone is even smarter than I thought - it can take a picture during a phone call...

Their first band/orchestra concert...

Unfortunately I was unable to go because of my leg. However dad was able to call me and hold up his phone so I could listen to them play. They sounded great!

If you're going to do something...

You might as well do it right.

Freeport Sparkles Celebration

Today we met the sweetest sled dogs - all they wanted to do was kiss us!

Immortalizing Rusty

Archery as Science

 

We had to wait for daylight, which made us late getting to town this morning, but it was great watching him work so hard and be so excited about a school project.  His theory, which he did prove, was that accuracy will improve over time.  Considering how much he was shivering. (The cold was something he hadn't factored into his equation!) I was impressed that his final series of shots really were better than the first shots!

My View

I may not have a great view from my office windows...rooftops are only exciting when there are ducks on them...but, this afternoon I glanced out and saw this...

Just one more...

Every chance I get, I share the Oakhurst Dairy wagon horse (here and here!) with you...this year it's Maxx.

More from the Oxford Hills Christmas Parade

Look who's coming now...it's our favorite home-town Percheron team, Mighty & Daisy!!  Their wagon looked so festive and everyone was having so much fun - big smiles all around.  And, as usual, Mighty was a bit grumpy, but Daisy was enjoying all the attention and posing at every opportunity.  What a pair!

Candy!

One of the girls said that watching the parade was better than Halloween, because they actually brought the candy to you, instead of you having to go to them.  It was especially good when it was delivered by their favorite elf!  They were so happy to see him!!

Oxford Hills Christmas Parade

This year we got to watch her play with the middle school band in the parade!

New Skills

Today little sister learned to lunge Lily so that big sister could practice a new trick,

this time while Lily was walking!

Happy Thanksgiving

Amber is thankful that all of her girls are home for the long weekend.

Helping with Homework

National Cake Day

Amber says...

"It's never too cold to feel the wind in your fur!"