New Year's Day 2010

I don't even remember when this tradition began, but sometime early in our marriage. We always make homemade Chinese food on New Year's Day. Once upon a time we made so much of it that we had too many things to choose from.

Over the years we have narrowed it down to egg rolls and ham fried rice.

This year we also made some garlic beef with pea pods. We used some leftover prime rib, garlic, and a bag of pea pods that I had in the freezer. It was really good!

Duff's Aunt Aggie from Roosevelt came into town this afternoon for a visit. She never goes anywhere without a small packed suitcase and one of her sewing machines along with a duffle bag of fabric. Just in case she needs to 'whip something up'! She is quite the quilter and that is first and foremost her passion.

Above, Aggie and Lisa rolling the egg rolls.

Mike stir-frying the veges and leftover Christmas ham getting ready to add the rice and seasonings.

I don't really like to put things in any window sill. Just my fettish. But it was a necessity with this many people. And saved us tons of time washing glasses. Everyone always knew where to find theirs.

Some of Aggie's sewing tools. She has the coolest fold up self-healing mat on one side and on the other is an ironing board mat. The tool on the left is a chalk stick. I had never seen one of those before.

And so she got Meredith involved in the sewing too. She is explaining a technique. Aggie was making Natalie a cover for John's car seat. It velcros on to the handle and then drapes over the baby and carrier frame to keep the baby warm and private from would be well wishers. It's interesting how some people just think it is okay to touch babies, even strangers. Oh, they mean well, but do they really stop to think about it?

It turned out darling and if you click on the picture you can see the detail of the fabrics.

Aggie also brought a box full of mincemeat cookies. I think they are totally nasty, but they are truly one of Duff's FAVORITES, ever. And she makes them for him whenever she comes over. I do have the recipe for them in Grandma Vera Duffy's own handwriting, but can't ever bring myself to make them. I very glad they have this relationship and she can bring them to him to satisfy his hankering! We enjoyed our visit with her and she stayed for 2 days and 2 nights with us. Aggie and my mom went into town shopping and had a really good time together.

CougarHaven Snowman 2010

Greeting all those who come our way.

Blessing Shawl

My mom is really good with handwork and her projects keep her busy, build her hobby, and gives lots of happiness to those who receive her gifts.

Here is the blessing shawl she made for John's blessing last Sunday.

She made the body of the shawl, but couldn't figure out the edging. So the night before the blessing, she had me finish it. I holed myself up in my bedroom and crocheted hour after hour to get it done. I thought, it's just edging. I didn't know it was 6 rows of it!

BUT, I got it all done except for the very last row with the picot on it. I finally figured no one would know except for me, so he was blessed with it and then I took it back and finished the last row on the drive home the next day. It took me from St. George to Victorville to get that onelast long row done.

I think it turned out very beautiful. And now the Newell family has their baby blessing shawl.

Thanks, Mom/Grandma Great for the legacy of your handiwork.

Robert's Bday/New Year's Eve

Robert was born on December 31. So New Year's Eve is a double celebration for him.

Natalie made his favorite cake: Yellow with chocolate frosting.

And he requested tacos for dinner.

I helped her make 100.

My dad held the baby every chance he got.

And he put him right to sleep!
Guess he hasn't lost his touch!

Karley and Christine heading out to the New Year's Eve Dance.

In the meantime: you guessed it. More Rock Band, this time with Auntie on the drums. I should mention that we were playing along to the Beatles. Love, Love, LOVE it.

And John slept soundly on Grandpa Great's shoulder right through it all.

We toasted with Martinelli's at midnight and hit the hay!

Creeping Along On The Heber Railroad

On New Year's Eve we went on the Heber Creeper. It is as it's name implies: it creeps along at a leisurely pace. I LOVED it. We went on the Lakeside Ltd. which is the longest one they offer in the winter time. It goes to the Deer Creek dam just at the base of Timp. I think I would really enjoy the ride in the summer all the way down to Provo along the river!

We saw bald eagles, deer, foxes, birds, and a P51 bomber fly over the lake!

Isn't this picture pretty?
I'm learning to use my camera better. Josh got Meredith a camera like mine for Christmas and she reads the manual and has taught me some tips. Adrianne and I put the window up and I took this picture out of the train car.

Look at the character in this old railcar.

It was still decorated for the holidays and the Polar Express that they run during Christmas. I'd love to go on that with grandkids!

If these walls could talk!

We stopped at Soldier Hollow and let off 1/2 the passengers to go tubing. It was a cute way station stop.

The trees were gorgeous with the frost and snow!

Just like magic...

The sun shining on the Provo River as we crossed the bridge.

It rocked Josh to sleep.

Auntie with her popcorn.

Natalie got a break and got out of the house. Robert kindly stayed with the baby while he napped.

Duff gazing.

Adrianne and Mike on the return trip.

My dad thoroughly enjoying himself.

He had some train stories to tell of his own when he was in the AirForce. Why haven't I ever heard them before???

I need to get him to write them down.

Mama visiting with the people behind her.

She loved the ride.

Just her pace.

Snow covered extra railings.

Thank you for stopping for us.

Josh and Meredith pose on the engine.

Meredith and I both walking down the aisle taking pictures. So we snapped one of each other!

Moi taking a pic of Mere.

Me and Lisa posing in the office/ticket booth/gift shop.

I took my Dramamine and didn't get sick at all.

Mike and Adrianne.

Hey, hey, the gang's all here.

Great ride.

I'd do it again, but all the way down, and with grandkids.

All In A Day's Work/Play

Snow blower is up and running for the season. And the 'guys' got into it!
It's a man thing and definitely a necessity where there is snow.

Mike clearing some of the ice that had already formed.

Ice on the driveway is a bad, bad thing!

Josh demonstrating his skills.

Getting the job done on the north driveway.

All done! Now we can get Auntie's car out!

p.s. click on the pictures to enlarge and notice that Josh is in gym shorts!

Tubing

This bag of hats, gloves, and scarves, plus...

...this bag of long underwear and snow apparel, equals...

...lots of fun doing this at Soldier Hollow!

Ticket To Ride

Josh and Meredith got this board game for Christmas.

Everyone loves it.

That, plus fresh donuts from the bakery at The Store ='s

...this. Some serious strategies going on.

...with lots of IBC rootbeer and cream soda we chill in the snowbanks out by the front porch.