Happy Birthday Dad!

Ok, so it really is not my dad's birthday. It was on the 31st of December. I am just tad bit late with the posting of the photos of his celebration. So, without further ado, here they are!

His NikePlus

(we've created a monster!)

Fancy Dancy new tool belt- watch out Stylista!

Serious new work gloves-
see, they even make you look serious when you wear them!


Nose clamp?

Yummy peanut butter and chocolate ice cream pie!

Happy Birthday again dad! Thanks for all you do in taking care of us!

Thanks especially for making the morning coffee, keeping track of and changing my oil, being the best handy man this side of the Pecos and basically putting up with me!

I love you!

Austin is Home!

Austin arrived today. I had no difficulty getting to the airport since I left Tacoma around 10:30, right after I dropped Paige off for her late start at school. (way early but I wanted to be sure to allow lots of time in case there were travelling issues like they kept reporting on the AM news)

His plane was 35 mins late (DB was there and able to greet him at the gate as he got off the plane) and then the drive home was CRAZY!!! It had been snowing the entire time with the temp dropping. The roads were icy and snowy and very, very slick. The traffic was extremely heavy trying to get in and out of the airport. The airport started cancelling flights and we made it home in about 2 hours (when it normally takes about 30 mins). We made it home just in time to drop off his suitcase, say hi to mom and dad, grab a freshly baked cookie my dad made for Austin's arrival, and then off to drive in the dangerous roads to pick up Paige.

We headed straight home, where we were safe and warm.

Austin then proceeded to show us some of his wrestling moves. Having been the recipient of wrestling moves from both the kids' dad, Eric, and my brother, Eric, I declined. (those moves can hurt and I am not as young as I used to be!)

So, Austin decided to wrestle Paige.

In the kitchen.

With Meg not quite understanding what was going on.

At first it was all fun and games...

Then her head was slammed into the floor.

Then she was put into hold,

After hold,
Until she was pinned.

We then had a tasty dinner of King Crab Chowder in sourdough bread bowls (one of Austin's favs). We sat around with 3 of the 4 candles lit in the Advent wreath and had great conversation.

Then the kids decided to go out and play in the snow. Remember, it gets dark here about 4:30 in the winter time. It is still very difficult to get used to. Probably one reason I will never move to Alaska- too far north and the days are way too short in the winter.

Anyway, here are some photos of the kids playing in the snow.....

And for all of you who really know my kids, yes they are BOTH in their own jackets~!

Austin has decided that he needs to wear a jacket in the windy, bitter cold of the Texas panhandle winter and Grammy searched the entire city of Tacoma and found the perfect jacket for Paige- one that she likes and will actually wear!

Now it can stay in the 20's all week and my kids will not only be stylish, but warm!!! :)

She's baaaacccckkk!

Mom has arrived safely home from her almost month in Oklahoma. She was helping my brother and nephews especially with Parker's surgery and broken leg. She said it was HOT down there and she melts in the heat. She is so used to the "Hades Hot" weather (to quote an old friend of mine from Amarillo) that she is currently wearing a sweatshirt over her t-shirt because 60-something seems cold. :)

I am gald that she was able to help my brother, but I am glad that she is home, especially since I am on crutches for a few days due to my ankle surgery this morning.

Everything went well and I should heal fine. Hopefully this will decrease my pain after activity which will enable me to increase my activity level again.

Lon took some really "good" pre-op photos of me, but I cannot figure out how to get them off my camera onto the computer.

Anyway, it is nice to have mom home again! I have been talking her ear off all day long- in between bouts of sleep. Let me tell you that the residual anesthesia/mophine/percocet combo does wonders for your ability to carry on an intelligent conversation. Poor mom, on the reciving end of that all day. No wonder she kept telling me to go back and lay down with my ankle elevated and rest!