Rewind....A Few Days!!

Here are some pictures of our trek to the frozen tundra of ND/MN. It was 68 degrees when we left on Friday, the 19th. Then........

The temp when we left the 2oth from KS. The further north we rode, the colder it got!!!
Bundle up, baby!!!! It's cold outside!!!



Couldn't resist taking this picture for my sista friend, IRENE :-) We follow directions real well!!!

Merry Christmas from the frozen tundra of ND!!!

It certainly is WHITE here!!! And frigid!!! Kiddos are loving it!! Layer up, bundle up, shovel in hand or sled, and they are off!! Only rule is that they have to have a buddy with them if they are "tunneling" through a snowbank. Vents are covered with wet gloves, hats, boot liners....you get the picture. Picture, you say? Yes, I will be posting tons of pictures in the coming days. If you are reading this, have yourself a Merry Little Christmas or Big, depends on how good you have been all year. Be safe and SMILE!!!

Time to UPDATE!! I have slacked way too long....

So much craziness since I posted last. My new job is wonderful!! And I love it lots!! I am off til after the NEW YEAR, lucky me!!! So that means finishing the last of the Christmas shopping. Packing for our trip up to the frozen tundra of ND/MN. Hard to get into the spirit when the temps here are in the upper 60s!! But the wind outside sure sounds like a blizzard. There are more leaves inside the house than outside. The dogs are to blame since those dang sticky leaves attach to their fur. Ruger sports more leaves than the trees and he doesn't seem to mind. The vaccum is working overtime cuz I can't stand the crunch of the leaves under foot. Ok, so I only vaccumed four leaves today but enough already.

Boys enjoyed a fun hunting expedition last weekend. Mom got the whole weekend to herself. She rearranged furniture/rooms so she could put the Christmas stuff up. Lights twinkle, garland with bows, Christmas tree ornaments for us to enjoy. Haven't spotted Ruger lifting his leg by the tree!! Christmas card pictures arrived yesterday. Labels were bought today cuz MOM isn't handwriting the envelopes, NO WAY!!

Spencer and I volunteered today. We helped out at the HOLIDAY STOREHOUSE. I helped families shop for their kids while Spencer helped load the goods into their cars. We take for granted the things that we have. I heard different stories from the director there. It broke my heart to hear the story of how one mom cried that her child would have something under the tree to open on Christmas morning. The boys are not exchanging gifts this year. They are going to shop and donate so other kids can have a good Christmas.

Extreme Makeover Edition is here in town . It has been the talk all week. We haven't gone by yet but plan to Sunday. Monday is the big "Bus Driver, MOVE THAT BUS!!!" day.

Say It's Your Birthday!!! Well, It's My Birthday Too, Yeah!! Well, Not Til January But Hey!!!

My little brother, Eric, celebrated his birthday last week. The above picture was taken this summer and yes, he is TALL!! I always look foward and love the big bear hugs I get when I see him. He has to bend over to hug me but then stands straight with me hanging on for dear life and my feet wondering where the ground went. Guess I am the one who gives the bear hug!!! He is my little brother in years (three if you are wondering) and I love him dearly!!! We look nothing alike except for our noses. Oh, and maybe, the freckles......XOXOXOXOXO

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was great!! It was wonderful not having to get up with the "TURKEYS" ahem...I mean "CHICKENS" to get the bird in the oven. For the last four years, we have given the bird the hot oil treatment (also known as deep frying). This is the only way I'll eat white meat. The bird is just so juicy and yummy. And it only took 54 minutes to bath the bird.

Our neighbors, Scott, Mary, and Christa, joined us for the feast. It was delish and we are so thankful to have such great neighbors/friends.

After the feast, we played games. Darts, pool, apples to apples, and spoons. We laughed so hard.

Dessert was also a highlight. Apple, blueberry swirl dessert, and pumpkin pie. And PLENTY of REDI WHIP!!! Oh, YEAH!!!