It's a Secret.

Finally Matt and Brit are sharing their very exciting news...

I've nearly spilled the beans a thousand times. 

We are so thrilled for our newest grandbaby next Spring.

Giving Thanks

We are so blessed.  

We have a nearly non-working oven. 

Our microwave went ka-put just before Thanksgiving. 

My aching shoulder has been confirmed to need surgery. 

Doesn't really sound so wonderful - but you know what??

Our kids offered to host our family Thanksgiving meal.

They took it a step further and prepared the majority of the food as well. 

I made a salad, brought pickles and a veggie tray. 

We gathered at Krieg and Karissa's home where they cooked their first turkey for our first gathering there. 

Everyone had a place to sit together.  

The table(s) were set perfect. 

Thanksgiving 2014

Cheeks shows his Dad some toys until the final countdown for dinner. 

You know what?  My new remote works awesome...  especially when you point it in the right direction.  

Snow Day

This is our 13th winter in Idaho.  We moved here from Wisconsin so it hasn't always been what we consider "winter".  We've had a fair share of snowy days.  Often snow removal was done in shorts and sweatshirt - and sometimes with a leaf blower.  We've had a few snowpacolypses as well.  For me, if it's going to snow please let it be anytime in November and December.  Bring it on!  As of January 2nd - it's time to move over to Spring...

Last week we heard of the big winter storm for days in advance.  Some weather forecasters went so far as to say 6am Thursday - which BTW was NOT the case.  However as daylight was breaking a few flurries were starting to reveal themselves in the not yet dimmed street lights.  By the time I left work at 10:30 there was enough snow on the ground to look like this...   

Actually I just wanted to take a picture of our very sexy new tires. There's just no exciting way to share "We have new tires! on social media.  Dang!

By the time I arrived home, Mike already had the first snow removal taken care of - with the leaf blower mind you.  The ground was definitely covered white.  

This lone pair of leaves hanging on for dear life in the tree across the street. 

I bet our campground flamingo wishes he flew south for the winter

Nothing new here for the frozen tundra. 

The last of our grapes.  We didn't get back out to cut the final bunches.  These would make some amazing dessert wine.  The sugar content must be perfect. 

It took awhile but even Ruger was refreshing his memory regarding the white stuff.  

Friday morning it was STILL snowing.  The plows were busy in the parking lot when I arrived to work at 5:30.

And when I got off work at 10:30 it was STILL snowing!  I was loving every white minute. 

Snow removal was still taking place on a regular basis but Mike had to break out the shovels.  The snow was wet and heavy.  We had about 6" so far. 

Our grandsons were enjoying a snow day as well.  Cheeks was able to test his Alaskan/Michigan/Wisconsin roots and seemed to like what he saw. 

 Mr. T was busy helping his Mom with some shoveling and then when Dad came home they built a barricade in the front yard.  Mr. T even came over to help out his Drahma on Saturday after soccer.  We cleared snow off the deck and the pavers around the fire pit.

Friday night we agreed the season for drinks on the deck had succumbed to winter. 

Saturday morning the skies were crystal clear and brilliant blue.  The temperature was in the high 20's. 

Snowed in.

Here's one yard gnome who probably wished he was anywhere else. 

Oh did I mention?  Saturday was Ruger's 1st birthday. 

Happy Birthday Ruger!

October - check

November 1st.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween.

We've definitely enjoyed the remaining days of October.

We've maintained keeping one step ahead of the deluge of falling leaves. Mike has been blowing leaves out of the flower beds and mowing.  Thursday Erin and Cheeks came over to do laundry. With rain and wind in our weekend forecast I wanted to do one more collection. We raked out flower beds and picked up the large piles in the yard. Cheeks was a typical 'nearly two year old' and shuffled through the piles of leaves dropping into a belt flop  and fits of laughter.

The yard looked like this only briefly...  after a weekend of wind, rain and cold weather they fell steady for a couple of days.  The trees still aren't empty but we definitely have our work cut out for us. 

We were blessed to have good friends drive over from Seattle for a visit.  Mike and Linda have been a part of my life since my early Navy years when we played on the squadron women's softball team and later I moved in with them and their two young sons.

This weekend relaxed, enjoyed breakfast out, took in the flight show at the World Center for Birds of Prey and shared the infamous homemade Mexican food for dinner.

Ruger spends his days chasing the squirrels in the yard - and there are many right now collecting food for the winter. It's a 'ruff' life. 

Ruger is nearing one year old already.  He has definitely settled into a routine with my new work schedule.  Apparently this is his post about 10 am in preparation for my 10:30 return. 

Big news for our extended family!  Our 'like-a-daughter' Tara is engaged to Nick.  We are so very excited for them.  Nuptials will take place September 26, 2015. 

Our oh.so.creative daughter managed to make a couples costume for her and Cheeks based off the PBS cartoon Peg and Cat.  Isn't this adorable!?

We are a big blurred...  but try to capture an 'usie' with a hyper dog and an 18 month old on a sugar rush.

I am so in love with these two fellas. 

Drahma and Mr. T

The fellas

Trick or Treating with the cousins. 

October also brought the Mrs. Idaho Pageant.  Our daughter-in-law Karissa has spent this past year as Mrs. Meridian Village, preparing for the big event.  Though it's not my usual activity we decided to make a girls night of it and have some fun.  DIL Britnee was home sick but Erin and I enjoyed dinner and drinks at Twig Bistro before joining the Karissa Fan Club at the Pageant venue. 

We are very proud of Karissa.  She had a creative Idaho State costume depicting winter.  She looked lovely in her evening gown escorted by our youngest son, her husband, Krieger.  And my hat goes off to her and all of the 38 contestants for coming on stage in a swim suit!  Karissa made it into the Top 15 contestants and was voted Mrs. Photogenic.  

Erin, Krieger and Mom

It's been a great month.  Just busy enough.  As we move into the next season - Holidays - we need to remember to relax and enjoy every week.