FINALLY!!!!

I'm not one of those that complains about Winter or cold weather.  For one thing, I knew what I was getting into when I moved here.  In fact, the actual occurrence of seasons is one of the reasons I moved here.  Really though, I've realized that whether or not I am miserable has no bearing on the weather.  Whether I complain, kick rocks or scowl, the weather is what it is, so I may as well find the good in it and choose to be happy.....Not this Winter!  It seems to have been the longest Winter I remember.  Long and cold and wet!  I'm grateful for the snow pack and moisture we've received.   It was greatly needed, however, this time, for the first time in a long time, I'm done with Winter and am so happy that it is behind us.  Good Riddance!  

Here are some pictures of our life this Winter...

Let's start with this lovely lady.  My Grandmother's birthday is two days after Winter begins and two days before Christmas.  This year she turned a young 94 years old.  She is still so with it and I am proud to call her Grandma.  My kids probably don't quite realize how blessed they are to have her so near to us, but I do and I'm grateful she is here.  She and I both realize she won't be around forever, but what a blessing it is to have had her for so many years.  I anticipate many more.  She is such a strong person...she still does water aerobics a couple times a week!  She is independent and sharp minded.  She still has spunk in her...and if you doubt me on this matter, play cards with her, but be prepared, she'll tell you how she sees it and won't candy coat it.  For that I'm grateful.  She has seen so much in her life.  If you want to learn more about my amazing Grandma, you can click on the blog archive and visit the links titled, "GWG" or "Games With Grandma".  They begin in August of 2016 and extend to February of 2017.  She and I will be doing another soon in preparation for our upcoming family reunion.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA!!!!

Of course, just because it's Winter doesn't mean we stop living.  Leah and I still had our regular Daddy/Daughter Days.  Sometimes cookies, sometimes froyo, sometimes with a friend.  Whatever it is or wherever it is, Leah is always such a sweet and considerate date.  She is my princess. 

What do you do when your Dad refuses to buy you sugary drinks?  You make
your own!

Leah and Margot playing animal hospital.

Gotta' have milk with a HUGE chocolate chip cookie!

There were a few Daddy/Dax Days in the mix too.  He's at such a fun age and he has so much personality.  I love hanging with this kid.  He is, no doubt, my best bud.  

I can't remember where we went this time, but wherever we go, we leave with it all over him!

We try to expose our children to the things we love and also new things as often as we can afford.  These things are becoming their favorite things too, such as the theater.  We all loved Wizard of Oz at Hale Center Theatre.  Well, Dax not so much, but he behaved so long as we stuffed his face with treats.  If you've never seen a play or musical at the HCT, you're missing out.  Such a great venue and the performance is tops every time!

Leah is still loving karate.  She needs to practice more faithfully, but she enthusiastically is prepared twice a week to get her karate on!  She's very focused and attentive to her instructors and excels in the movements and choreography of it all.  

My good friend, Randy and his wife, Aimee, moved to the
UK this Winter.  I'm going to miss my lunches and talks
with Randy.  He's a good man and a good example of a
good Father, Husband and Man.  I wish him all the luck.  

In a previous discussion with Randy about moving to England, he expressed concern about
fitting in.  With his name being Randy.  In England, "randy" means "horny".  We gathered
some good friends for one last dinner out together before he moved.  I gave him a couple
gifts before he left in hopes of helping him fit in .  I gave him some "Billy Bob teeth" so
he could blend in with the good people of England.  HAHA!  And if that didn't help him to
blend in, than I gave him a shirt so he could totally own where he was from and set himself
apart...Sarah made it.  It reads, " 'Merica!  Kicking English Arse Since 1776! "  That ought
to win him some friends.  I'm glad I could help. 

Dax being Dax while Daddy was cutting his hair.

Since we adopted Leah, we've been extremely blessed to have Caitlin in our lives.  This is an amazing thing.  Not only were we blessed by Caitlin by way of our Leah, but Caitlin has become a big part of our lives.  She is our angel, but also like a little Sister of sorts and we love her.  She has since married and has a little girl named Kaydian.  Caitlin and Zach invited us to Little Miss Kay's first birthday and Leah was absolutely stoked to go.  She loves her "half sister" as she calls her.  She made the cutest card for her.  I wish I took a picture of it.  She drew a moon and a sun and let her know that she and Kaydian are like the moon and stars, forever linked.  It was sweet.  

Leah drew this picture for her birthmother, Caitlin. 

I'm usually the first or second to the church building every Sunday at 6:45am.
On this particular day, I found it quiet and serene so I took a picture.  I don't
know if pictures can capture everything.  

Marley staring out the backdoor wondering with the heck
Winter will pass.

For Christmas Sarah gave me a pass to a place called "Kiss My Axe".  Basically, instead of darts, you throw axes.  It's a fun concept and something different to do on a Wintery day.  My Brother, Jim, is working in Texas now six weeks at a time, so when he was back in town, it was a fun opportunity to hang with him and his family throwing axes and ninja stars.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!  

My Father would have been 77 years old this year.  For his birthday we celebrated by having our traditional meal including a couple of his favorites; fried chicken and cheesecake.  We then made some Tibetan Prayer Flags and hung them on his rose bush in the backyard.  I still miss you Pops!

Dax's Prayer Flag: "I love you.  Love, Dax"

Dax's Prayer Flag:  "Grandpa Bud, thank you for the Indian
blessing."

Sarah's Prayer Flag

Leah's Prayer Flag:  "Dear G-Bud, I miss you and Grandma
does too!  You having a good time?  See you later (Crying
Face), Love, Leah"

This little girl loves her Grandpa Bud so much.  She recently
finished a program at The Sharing Place to learn how to cope
with and deal with her grief.  It was her idea to do the prayer
flags.  

Leah with her group leader, Lauren, at The Sharing Place.  Leah had a hard time leaving
this place after closing out.  She grew to love the concept, activities and her leader, Lauren.
Most of all though, she left with an understanding of what grief is and that it is okay and
natural and how to deal with it.  What a special place this organization is.  If you don't know
what it is, you can read more about it here.  They can always use your generous contributions.

We noticed a couple days in a row that Chiko was laying down a lot more than usual in the pasture and that she seemed quite sad.  Then we realized that Summer was gone.  Chiko is Summer's boy and Summer has been sent to a farm to "retire" naturally.  It was visibly obvious that Chiko was missing her, so Leah and Dax have been trying to spend more time loving on Chiko.  I don't think Chiko minds the extra apples and carrots.  

About 5 years ago, while attending a play at the Scera Shell Theater, a local businessman introduced his concept of a family fun center called Provo Beach Resort and I won the raffle for a $100 game card.  We've never used it, until just two weeks ago!  It still worked!  We had a fun time doing rope courses, mini-bowling, playing Pac Man Air Hockey, Skee Ball, video games and more.  We'll definitely be back!

This little girl is fearless when it comes to adrenaline rushes.
She immediately found the scariest thing for her to do and
jumped at the chance to walk the rope course.  

After fun at the Provo Beach Resort, we chowed down on some Chinese Food

Snow, Snow and more Snow!

Leah is always willing to help and concerned about my arthritis.  She's a sweetie.

This is Sarah's face when she's not impressed after having to drive around looking for Marley
bringing her home.  I'm sure she was tempted to just let her go, but she did the right thing.

Movie night with the Trospers!

Uncle Josh and Aunt Marie invited and treated us to go to Top Golf one weekend.  What a fun time it was for us all.  We had good food, good conversation and realized how far my game has sunk since I last swung the clubs 8 years ago!

Leah and Dax had the most fun and did pretty well. 

The always funny Uncle Josh!  Thanks Josh and Marie for a fun time!

Here is Josh sitting under the heaters.  It was a chilly 25 degrees outside so those heaters
and hot cocoa helped to make the temperature more tolerable.

The Reeds came too.  Uncle Josh golfed with us and Aunt Marie golfed with Duane, Cole,
Elijah, Jake and Emerson.

After golfing we filled our bellies with some Hawai'ian food!

Leah has learned to take selfies and/or to decorate photos with memes, stickers and such.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019!!!!

A family that bangs pots and pans together once a year, stays together throughout the years!  Here's to 2018.  It was a good
year, and hopefully 2019 improves upon it!

2 - 0 - 1 - 9

St. Patrick's Day never meant much to me, but the kids love it.  This year, it fell on a Sunday, so I wasn't home to see them find their Patty's Day treats, but they irreverently showed up at church wearing those glasses and headgear.  :)

So, Winter is now in the rear view mirror.  On to brighter days and warmer temps.  We're all excited for the adventures of our most blessed lives to continue this Spring.