New Year's Eve 2009

We wish everyone a safe and happy New Year! We're sorry we can't be in Maryland this year, but are thankful to be cozy inside the cabin with a dusting of snow outside.

Las Noches de las Luminarias

Last night I had dinner with my friends Julie and Michelle and then we headed to the Desert Botanical Gardens for a night of music and beauty. The music ranged from country to hand bells and was so nice.
A cute skating rink

Julie & Michelle

An artistic glass version of plants

Country Band - The Hey Boyz

Dickens Carolers

Christmas 2009

Christmas in the Midwest this year.

Kirby, Chase & Torrie
Haley all snuggled in her bed with her blankie in front of a wonderful fire.

Brock and Grandma making lemonade with lemons we brought from AZ
This is the juice Donna used as a child to make lemonade for the men working in the fields

The beautiful tree at Kirby & Darcie's

A white Christmas!

Winter Weather

We had a winter storm blow through the state last night. Gusts were clocked at 74 MPH just north of our house. This tree was down in our neighborhood this morning as I went to the gym at 4:30. We had rain in the valley and snow up north

We are fortunate enough to live close enough to our cabin that Kendall was able to make a quick trip up north to make sure all was well. This one tree appears to be the only victim this time. I wish I could have gone with him, it looks beautiful!

Court House Lighting

It was great to have a touch of the season with the annual court house lighting ceremony up north. It was cold, but we bundled up and met our friends Kathy and Dan for dinner, went to the lighting and then back to our cabin for yummy apple dumplings. The gazebo was also lit
The side of the court house

Back home at the cabin

So cozy

Train at the Cabin

I guess it's time to post some pictures of the latest guests since they are already back home!

Friday we headed north to the cabin and had an afternoon of domino trains. Harold and Dad
Eva Jean, Mom and Annie

Saturday night we drove through a light display at one of our local mega churches.

Thanksgiving Feast

We had a very traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Place settings
I don't usually do a lot of fall decorations, but it seemed appropriate this year to put out some colored leaves

The Guests: Aunt Eva Jean, Uncle Harold, Aunt Anna (and of course Kendall - not a guest)

Dad and Mom

Thanksgiving Prep

Pumpkin and apple pies are done; and sweet potato casserole and dressing in the fridge ready for the oven tomorrow.
Pumpkin pie with a crumble topping and apple pieFall leaves on the pumpkin pie

Mining Camp Restaurant

We had a beautiful sunset last night as we headed to dinner at the Old Mining Camp Restaurant. It has been years since I was there the last time and about 28 years since I went there the first time with Lois.

Great 'props' on site
Let's hope times have changed!



We were close to where Uncle Bob & Aunt Lola Faye winter. We were able to stop by for a visit before dinner and then went back with them for a delicious pumpkin pie for what little dessert we could manage to eat after the great dinner.

Dolly Steam Boat

Yesterday we did the tour sit thing with Kendall's friend Ivan visiting. We headed a bit east to Canyon Lake and took a 90 minute trip on the lake on the Dolly Steam Boat. Use your imagination. Do you see a pretty little girl, an angel or Bach playing the organ?
It was a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine and temps in the 70s.

Ivan and Kendall

You can almost make out the sheep at the top of the hill.

Lake scenery

Open House 'Reception'

Last night Kendall and I hosted a wedding reception open house for his Aunt Lola Faye and her new husband - Uncle Bob. She was married in April in Iowa and they summered there. They have now returned to AZ for the winter so we took the opportunity to welcome them in style.My friend Michelle joined me to do final prep and help keep the food dishes full
The bride and me

The dessert table

Kendall's mom, Donna and her sister - The Bride

Dayne and Amanda's Wedding

A nice event for family to gather - a wedding! My nephew Dayne became the first of his generation in our immediate family to get married. We all were able to gather with the exception of Jason - sorry you had to miss it brother!

Dayne and Amanda

Exchanging vows. (you can almost see me on the second pew beside Mom)

The bridal couple with Whitney/Blake/Karen/Urbane

Cutting the cake

Thanks to Lois for the fabo pics!

Another Evan

Tuesday was the birth day of another little Evan, born to my friend Jennifer. If you recall, we had a baby shower for her at work about a month ago. I got to visit with him for a little while this morning.

Weekend

We had a nice weekend visiting with Lois. We spent most of it at the cabin getting some R&R. We left early this am to get her to the airport and saw balloons rising
Deer were out for an early stroll

The view from my chaise lounge on the deck as we read and sunned yesterday

Lois working on pics

Peaches Kendall and I canned before we headed north