When my cute grand babies visited recently,

I set the table for Sunday dinner before I went to bed on Saturday.

Ella is a dog lover;

she got up early and found all of Chloe's stuffed doggies.

It was so cute to wake up to Ella's doggie teaparty

What in the world have I been up to?

-Christmas in California

-Christmas Day in Disneyland - super fun!

It was misty and cold in the morning,
then the sun came out for a beautiful day.

-New Years Rockin' Eve Dance with The Freeman Bros Band























-Arrived home in San Antonio and got very sick for the next 2 weeks (I am still a little stuffy and scratchy throat). Seriously the one of the worst colds I have ever had.

-Wonderful weekend with Mike and Marci and grand-babies and Chrissy and Zach (we missed you, Brit and Ili) and lots of cooking and great food.

-Teaching Young Women lessons the past two Sundays - which, I make more of a production than it needs to be but the girls love it . . . so I have to live up to the precedent I have set....which is fun and I love it too. (was that a run on sentence?)



Mom is doing well in her new digs
She lives with my sister, Marsha, now.

the photos are poor quality because Chloe decided to take our new Canon pocket camera off the auto settings and try custom settings, that didn't work most of the time, but that's ok.

Fresno's beautiful fall backdrop was a fun setting

for some family photos.















We were already dressed up, so why not?







Thank you, Chrissy!

for bringing your equipment and taking our photo.
(if you look close, you can see the remote in her hand










The family just didn't feel complete
without my dear sons and daughter in law
and my cute grandbabies,
but being with just my husband and 4 children was very healing.
I loved being confined together in a the car for the 24 hour drive (each way).
Steve and I grinned from ear to ear for 48 solid hours.


it was wonderful.

Rusty and Rembrandt


The day we left for California to attend dad's funeral,

Rusty was unable to get up

and he would not eat.

I knew the signs....

it was exactly how Scooter acted the day we had to put him down,
11 years ago.

The timing was terrible.

We said our good-byes and Zach (Chrissy's hubby) took him to the vet,
who confirmed our fears....cancer.

Rusty was a sweetheart.

I miss him.

....and so does Rembrandt.

Ever since we arrived home from California,

we have showered all of our love on Rembrandt.

The attention we wish Rusty was here to get, is all directed at Rem.

Come to think of it,

maybe it is displaced love and attention for Tom, my dad, and Wyatt too.

Anyway, it makes us feel good to do it.

He gets extra petting and treats, baths, grooming, and he sleeps inside.

. . . I don't even like indoor pets . . .

dear me

The day after Thanksgiving,

we visited the monument to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.


******

At 9:01 life was normal





At 9:03, it was forever changed





168 people died

the small chairs represent children





Among the survivors is MSG William H. Bonebreak,

Brittany & Ili's former Bishop









Ella left a chalk heart next to the children's memorial wall




Afterward, we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant






then, we hugged the babies good-bye.

Mike does this trick.

It involves a toothpick, spoon, and fork

.....and defying logic and gravity.

Once again, we were treated to his trick at Thanksgiving


******

Brittany and Ili hosted our fun visit

in Oklahoma City




After a delicious dinner ....




Ili built a bonfire for a great time in the fall air












mmmmmm smores!