Oh, what do you do in the winter time......

......when all the mountain is white.? Well, I like to sit by the fire, read, knit, crochet, listen to conference talks and podcasts on Alexa or Christmas music, but my most favorite thing is to follow the sun either on my deck or as it shines into my upper bedrooms most of the day. Mostly, I go outside and sit in it and read or crochet but there isn't a day go by that I don't feel gratitude for my surroundings and especially for this house that is my comforter. Now, Randy is having a bit harder time in this winter wonderland than I am and he finds it difficult to stay busy but I think he is learning to find things to do. I offered to teach him to crochet but he politely refused but he loves to go fishing with his buddies when they call and I know he is grateful for whatever "inside" work he can get but I think he's learning that I don't like to be on the go in the winter so the days are long for him. He looks forward to his mail runs each day. I love it here and especially when anyone ventures up to our high place in them mountains. (I forgot to mention that I think Randy likes removing snow with his two snow blowers).

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We love having visitors but not many venture up this way. We had Randy's family for Thanksgiving dinner and had a grand time. We had 16 around the table and lots of good food and fun. It was pretty snowy outside but didn't deter the kids from playing in it and enjoying the hot tub. I need to get a better picture.

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Spencer's family joined us on Friday for a snow day. They always find fun in the snow. The boys built a snow cave and Randy pulled the sled behind our atv..

 BTW.......Laynee is headed to Iceland with her traveling friends for another adventure.

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It's always a good time to throw a party and Lauri did just that. Joyce and I bought all our grandkids (even the boys) American Girl dolls.......why, you may ask? There are a lot of cheaper knock-offs. Well, when I was little, I loved dolls and got one most every year and sometimes got the same one twice with lots and lots of clothes so when Molly asked for and sincerely wanted an American Girl Doll, there was no question that grandma could do this.....but the others would need them too so Molly's could have some friends......

These are my childhood dolls. I am hoping that my kids will love their's as much as I love mine and my mom didn't get me any "knock-offs. They were Madame Alexander except for a few "Ginny" dolls that were kinda knock-offs of MA but I loved them. I can still remember the feelings I had when I got my dolls for Christmas and carried them with me everywhere. 

Christmas time is here and I'm sure the families with the littles are enjoying the season. We are enjoying it in a different way here in this winter wonderland but I am able to go to town and partakes of some of the activities the kids are in. I was at Legacy Elementary School to enjoy Lucy's show choir performance.......

I was very impressed with the staff and what I saw of the school and I can tell Lauri's kids are very happy here. Molly rode with me and proudly let me know that she has only been in the school for just a little while but she really knows her way around.
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AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

I can't leave this post without recording our fun girlfriend trip to Austin to visit Kathy. She was a wonderful hostess and showed us a lot.

 Every years this wonderful group of friends gets together somewhere to celebrate that we've been together for over 50 years, some of us longer. Phyllis, Stef and Shirlee Ann go back to neighborhood and primary days which is a really long time. This year Kathy hosted us in Austin and it was an amazing week-end. We visited Magnolia, The Alamo and most important, (picture bottom right) Kathy's 97 year old Veteran father and had a wonderful visit and loved listening to his stories.

 Met this little guy at a restaurant and had some fun pic ops. It was just a whole bunch of fun. San Diego next years. While I had to be gone that week-end, one of the most important events of Kyle's career took place and I had to miss it. The grand opening of Atwood Innovation Plaza but I loved seeing the support of his brother and sisters. We are all so very proud of Kyle. HERE is a link to learn more about it.

 I love my family.......no greater reward for parenthood than to see them do well and especially loved each other.