It's Snowing!!

First snow of the year!  I think all of the schools in the area were closed, including colleges.
The news said 8 inches.  I measured about 6 out here.  Sure was beautiful.  I really enjoy the snow...if I don't have to drive in it.

 

Got all my trees up.  I named them this year.  This is "Elegance" (dining room)

 This is "Whimsy" (sun porch).

 This is "Wild West"...(living room)

This is "Kids Play".  (playroom)

This is "Around the World" (my office)

 

This is "Woodsy" (our bedroom)

 



 

 

Now, just finish my shopping, wrap presents, prepare menus, write Christmas cards....and I'm READY!

 

How many more day 'til Christmas??

 



Cael is Five!

Really, Cael!  You're five already!  How did this happen so fast? 

Cael turned  5 on Tuesday, December 3rd.  Our tradition has been to take each grandchild to Build-a-Bear on their fifth birthday and Cael was no different.  He wanted an Iron Man bear.  Since they were calling for bad weather Thursday and Friday, we went to the mall after I picked him up from preschool on Wednesday.

He picked out a camo bear to stuff and put a heart in.  He also picked out a roar sound for his bear.

Then Cael picked out an iron man costume for his bear with sketchers shoes.  He named the bear "Iron Man" when he has his costume on and Tony Stark when he doesn't.

 

Next on Cael's agenda is the main event.....his birthday party!  It was Saturday evening with most of his family there minus the Houston cousins and the Kansas City cousins.  We all enjoyed his Hot Wheels party with hot dogs, chili, nachos, French fries.....mmm good stuff.

Here's some pics from the evening's festivities:  Happy Birthday to Cael, happy birthday to Cael..........

 
 

 

Look at that big smile!  That's a happy five year old smile!  Cael, you are so much fun...

 

Mema loves you soooooooo much!

 

 



Houston once, Houston twice

I don't think I've ever gone to Houston twice in one month, but this was an absolutely necessary change of plans.

For one thing, Bailey had her last two volleyball games Thursday night, November 7th and Monday, November 11th.  Ruth Ann ran a 5K on Saturday morning, November 9th and Micah played a flag football game Saturday afternoon.

So, you see, there was no way I could not go for this weekend.  But then Bailey's birthday was the day after Thanksgiving and Karla and I usually drive down to celebrate with her.

Well, Southwest had a web special going and I could fly down Thursday and fly back the following Tuesday for $149 round trip.  Yes, really!!  So, Gary took me to Branson Thursday to fly out at noon and Wendy picked me up at Hobby in Houston at 2 pm.  Perfect!

I just loved watching Bailey play.  She did great!!  She has never played on a team before and made the Junior High A team.  Way to go Bailey! 

 

Here's Ruthie,  with her Girls on the Run team.  This morning's run was a practice for the meet on December 7th against other teams.  Ruthie came in third behind a 5th grader and another 4th grader.  She's an awesome runner!!

 



 

 

The national director of Girls on the Run surprised them and showed up for the run.  They got to meet her and hear her speak.

Here's the girls!

And here's Micah getting ready to play his Flag Football game!

Hike!!

 

So fun to watch Micah...in the middle of the all the action doing a great job!! 

 

 

Then, of course, we did some shopping and we girls went for pedicures.

 



Tuesday, I said good-bye....but just for a couple of weeks because on Thanksgiving day, Karla and I took out about 4:30 driving to Durant, Oklahoma, where we spent the night.  We have stayed at this Best Western a couple of other times, but when we drove in this time, there were no lights....the lobby was black.  A guy opened the door for us and told us a transformer had blown and someone was coming to fix it, but it could be a couple of hours, so if we wanted to go somewhere else, it was okay.  The clerk already had our keys fixed, so we went ahead and got our room. We unloaded our luggage, then went to Wal-Mart for flashlights and lanterns.  Lights came back on around 11 but went back off for a while when we were sleeping.

Left around 8 the next morning and drove the rest of the way. Arrived in Houston around 2 pm.   This is what welcomed us in their living room!  Beautiful new tree!

 Bailey's birthday supper happened to be their Thanksgiving meal with turkey and all the trimmings.  She opened her cards that evening so that she could do some birthday shopping Saturday.

Wendy and Bailey love to try on fancy dresses in the stores.  They look like they are ready for prom!

But...Bailey did find these jeans....

and this top..........

Karla found this foot massager and everyone gave it a try.....aaaahhhhh!!

 

 

We had a wonderful four days with this fun family.  At least with this good-bye we will see them in about a month at Christmas.

Only 17 more days..................

Love to all,

Mema