Wrapping up December

Early in December the husband and I went to Kirkland to see our son Derek and meet his girlfriend. They've been together since July so this was huge to finally meet her. 

Typically the weather is rainy for this time of year but we totally scored on a beautiful 54 sunny degree day.

 Derek treated us to a boat ride around Lake Washington and I gotta say, I was in heaven.

It also gave me some one on one girl time and it may sound crazy but I already love her. 

We had a lovely time and I went home with a smile on my face and a full mama cup.

 The twins turned 8 in November which is a big number in our church. Should they choose, they are at the age to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and to say the least, the boys were ready.

December 12th was the big day and with the Covid restrictions we were able to watch via Zoom. These are special moments that grandparents don't want to miss so truly it was the next best thing to being there.

Then we had some early Christmas cheer come our way when Elsie's parents brought her into town for a three day stay. 

I even had her help make rolls for an early Christmas dinner.

There was just something extra sweet in those rolls.

Other than that, we just played and played.

Even did a little dancing with Grandpa

Just before they were ready to head out of town, Elsie's Uncle Derek rolled in so naturally we had to get some family pictures.

It was nice to have the brothers together even if it was just for a little while.

My guys!

The husbands parents were also here and of course they too relished in spending time with Miss Elsie.

That little girl has everyone under her spell.

 It was a wonderful early Christmas, but there was still Christmas day ahead so the in laws came back and Derek was still home which made for a quiet quaint Christmas morning.

We had a big breakfast then exchanged gifts. Later in the afternoon Derek and I headed to the gym. The boy likes to work out and I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to exercise along with him. 

I'm telling ya the lad is as strong as an ox and if he had a hammer in his hand one would think he's Thor, you know the hammer-wielding god who is associated with lightning, thunder, storms, strength and the protector of mankind. 

Whew, is it possible? haha

What do you think?

Then something magical happened, just before Derek and I left for the gym it began to snow and continued to snow well into the evening. 

.

It's December 25 and we had our first real snowfall of the year giving us a white Christmas, the cherry on top of an already wonderful day.

Merry Christmas!

 This year has been a wild ride but we got through it.

Hoping for a healthy New Year and a thriving economy.

Merry Christmas!!

Halloween cuteness overload

Elsie turned 8 months in October, which happens to be her mom's favorite month so with that being said Elsie pretty much had a different Halloween outfit every day of October.

I'll start the cuteness with Elsie and her mom sporting matching shirts and Elsie's devilish grin.

And then there's just something about this photo that I love. It looks like Elsie is lending a sympathetic ear with her hand on Sally's lap.

She's just cute as a pumpkin 

And in case your wondering, those toenails are painted.

Not only does her mom love Halloween, but she's a big fan of everything Disney.

Cinderella, Snow White, she's our little Princess.

We have throughly enjoyed Elsie's first Halloween and I believe the feeling is mutual. 

We just love her to pieces.

November is also a happening month as these two cuties are turning 8. Eight, how can that be?

They are smart, funny, kind, well behaved and pure joy to be around. Shoutout goes to their parents.

There's something to be said about good parenting.

I'm also celebrating my first year with Dixie. We brought her home last November when she was a two year old. She's really growing and maturing all the while maintaining her sweet personality. 

She loves to be where ever we are, follows us around and doesn't quite understand personal space. She's jealous when I spend time with the other horses and bangs on the gate to let me know.

She's my babygirl and she knows it. I love her beyond measure.

We even had a little Halloween fun together.

The Weather is starting to turn and our beautiful fall days are coming to an end. The nights are cold, the horses coats are soft and fuzzy and I'm eating more, I believe it's called, storing up for the winter.

He knows a guy.....

 The husband is a man who likes quality work. He expects it out of himself and doesn't expect any less from anyone else. 

Being an electrical contractor and electrician by trade he has always provided top notch professional work. He's dependable, able to solve problems, has great time management skills and has an attention to detail like no other. He likes things straight, level, clean, and precise.

His work ethic has given him an considerable reputation among his customers.

With this being said, when he is needing something done outside his expertise he hires a professional.

When we need new floors, he knows a guy.

When we need something tiled, he knows a guy.

When our house needs painting, he knows a guy.

He doesn't fool around or cares to do any of this himself. When he wants it done, he wants it done correctly.

Shoddy work does not exist in his world.

During our farmhouse remodel we have had painters, a flooring company, tilers, a plumber and had even contacted a building contractor to have someone to do tape and texturing for minor repairs, build us a room as well as have their finishing guys put up new baseboard.

At one point in the bathroom the new shower stall was under construction and drywall was required. 

Ken, my husband, was unable to contact the guy who specializes in installing it and being under a time crunch, he decided to put it in himself.

It's not rocket science but it also wasn't done to his expectation. Since he was 'the guy' who installed it he had no one but himself to blame.

"This is why I hire out, it's no big deal because its going to be behind the tile but it still bugs me, he lamented.

I just nodded with a sympathetic  look, as there is really nothing I can say. 

To add some perspective in our differences he originally took out the old shower insert in the master bathroom and had a new one installed, professionally. 

Looked great to me but he noticed it didn't fit snug against the corner of the shower stall. He asked me what I thought and I told him it was fine.

To say the least it bugged him enough to take it out and we ended up having the shower stall tiled. 

The house is almost done and in a couple more days a cleaning service will come and professionally clean the house before we move in.

As I was talking with my sister about getting close to moving, I also informed her the county is widening the road that parallels our pastures. 

We were contacted by the county months ago about having to move our fence line. They said they would pay for it if we could get them a price. So we did and they paid in advance.

The fence moving project has begun and my sister asked if Ken is doing it.

I just laughed and said no....He knows a guy.

Summer's End

 How is it even possible? Summer can't come to an end when it feels like it hasn't even started. It's such a crazy year with Covid shutting things down, selling a house and trying to move.

When our grandsons found out school was about to start, they broke down and cried, not that they were crying over school, but that they haven't had their summer vacation with us.

It's true, traditionally we have the boys for two weeks every summer but with trying to sell our house it's put a crimp in our plans. Knowing how sad they were, and I'm still not convinced it wasn't their parents who were the ones crying, I threw caution to the wind and said they should c0me for at least one week. 

I can play for a week.

So they came and we played.

We also had a fun visitor who throughly enjoyed the boys as much as I did.

Elsie and her parents came for a couple of days and boy did she have the twins wrapped around her finger. 

If truth be known, she had us all wrapped around her cute little fingers.

She even brought her swim suit 

and was quite the bathing beauty.

The boys loved spending time with the horses as well. We didn't ride every day but they were good helpers on the farm, I would even go as a far as deeming them horse whisperers.

Farm kitty welcomed their attention and appreciated being brushed everyday.

Scooter riding and playing with the neighbors was a hit also. 

They are at the age where playing with the neighbors was first on their list of things to do.

It's truly going to be hard leaving our neighbors as they are like my extended grandkids. We've watched their family grow from one child to four. 

Next year the boys will have to make a playdate instead of having the convenience of running back and forth from house to house.

A week went way too fast but now it's go time, we have a house to pack up. 

The end of August is approaching fast.