Over The Hill Part II- friends and fam

Phone call from my old friend (since 7th grade) and riding buddy, Lisa, from California.

I don't know what Debi & I are laughing at- I think it was an "old" joke.

Friends, Steve & Wendy Washburn

Tom, Rose (my neice), Kris, Phyllis, & Shaun

My Mom & Rose

My Dad

Sis Jenny

Pam & Roland Henrie

Shaun & Max McArthur, and Eli

Over The Hill part 1- the surprise

So, On Sat, the 18th we woke up to a MAJOR SNOW STORM. We had plans for my birthday to go down to Cari's and go to the movies with the kids and then go look for flooring/paint for the house. When I saw the weather I said to Tom- "why don't we go down later- instead of trying to get to the early show" He insisted that we go now and he jumped out of bed at 7 AM and started plowing the drive so we could get out. I thought- that's uncharacteristic of Tom- he hates getting up so early when it's snowing and cold. But he insisted that we were going down to the valley and having a fun day.


















Then, when decided we'd better take the truck as the car wasn't running very good in the cold and the roads were snow packed and we needed the 4 wheel drive. Again, I thought, he is driving like a mad-man in this weather-what's the hurry? We really could go to a later showing...



















So, needless to say, when I walked in cari's family room- I was VERY surprised to see a room full of people- family & friends (some I haven't seen in quite a while- but very dear!)

Oh NO!

I just spent 2 hours posting pictures from my surprise b-day party and I don't know what happened but I have nothing- any ideas how to figure out what happened and where they are?

IF I WASN'T ALREADY OVER THE HILL...

Guess What I Saw

Okay- so this is a little guessing game for the Grandkids-

Guess what I saw on the way to Church last Sunday?

Hints:
It's bigger (much bigger) than a bread box (boy that saying dates me!)

It's animal - have you made a guess yet?

And it rhymes with "loose" (that probably gave it away for you)

I'll share in a couple of days...
Meanwhile, an update.

We celebrated Kaylee's 2nd birthday on the 9th- that was fun- we also celebrated Grandpa Tom's - I made him his favorite cake- German Chocolate!

We've been working on the house- especially Tom- he's been doing alot of cleaning up after the construction workers and helping Tyler finish up the electrical- THANK YOU TYLER SO MUCH!!! It will be nice to have more convenient switches, more lights, and a porch light!

The freezing cold turned back into rain yesterday- then sunny skies- it almost feels like a heat wave (40 degrees!)

Our new community theater is finished and they are having the first production in March. The director asked me to try out- it's "Blythe Spirit" a comedy about a man who's first dead wife comes back and "haunts" him and his second wife. I play Madam Arcati- the psychic that conjures up the first wife. It's a really fun part- I get to act really crazy. It will be exciting to act on the new stage with all the amenities! It even has live audio and video feedback in the green room and dressing rooms!

Last Saturday, we had some of our good friends overnight at the Center- Mike & Phyllis Peterson. We went out to eat, came back and played some games- then on Saturday- Phyllis and I went to our Stake's Geneaology Conference while Tom & Mike went ice fishing. We all had a great time- I learned a lot- and Tom caught 2 fish- which we ate Monday for lunch! t is so nice to have such good friends that we love doing things with.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HONEY

I love this picture of Tom that Kelli took a few years back for his knowledge management website. I can't remember what Kelli said- but it made him laugh and she caught it just right. It's hard to find a picture with a good smile on Tom- because once, someone told him he had an ugly smile and not to show his teeth. And so we are forever trying to get him to do a REAL smile when we take pictures! I love his smile, especially because he gets a twinkle in his eyes. And I see him smile all the time- but you bring out a camera and there it goes- into hiding.

I was going to write something really mushy here- but I don't want to embarrass my easily embarrassed husband (which I probably already did) so I'll try not to make it too mushy... But Tom really has been a blessing in my life. We've overcome a lot together and what impresses me most about him is his willingness to keep learning and growing and trying. The next thing that I am grateful for is his kindness to the underdog, underpriveledged, and ignored. He is always willing to stop and help a stranded motorist, or chat with a lonely widow.

He's not perfect- and sometimes I get really frustrated with him, but he never holds a grudge and always forgives me of my trespasses. He is always willing to do the dishes and take out the garbage, and help with the horses. He supports me in my callings- and is always there to defend me when I get down on myself or second guess a decision I made that didn't turn out quite like I had planned.

Insides and Outsides

Here's a few thousands words in pictures...

Tom clearing the drive at the center after our HUGE snowfall yesterday. See pics below...
Looking across the street at the Museum.

Over 2' of snow...

These 2 pics are of Mt PLeasant main street- it really looks like an old fashioned Christmas here.

The pics below are of the live Nativity that was done in Fountain Green. We took Kyle and Ryan to it. Start down lower if you want to see the pics in order...

Baby Jesus and his family.

We're approaching the manger scene- the 3 Wise men are on the left.

Outside of Ceasar. Note the snowflakes in all the pictures.
The boys waiting for the hay ride to take us to the Nativity.

Arriving at the nativity.

This is our living room wall/hall. That is adobe bricks incase you've never seen any before.

Note the rock wall- Tom's removing the bench that was by the window- we figured we mmight as well clean up all the misc stuff we could while we had the opportunity. Note the rock wall that's now exposed.

The mess in the lower bathroom- no crawl space.

we meet with the adjustor/contractor hopefully today to see what's next and when.