By the light of her Christmas Tree

Grandma Shupe gave the kids a Christmas tree for each of their bedrooms. Loreli has a stack of books ready and waiting for her to read...by the light of her Christmas tree. She isn't related to me at all :-)

A Big Blizzard Welcome to Jill!

My sister Jill has been here for a little over one week and this is her welcome party! A nice big snow storm in the form of a 24 hour blizzard. This picture was taken at hour 2. It's hard to tell in the picture, but about 4 inches have already fallen. The storm was/is predicted to be a doozy, enough that they have actually closed some businesses and cancelled classes at the local universities for today and tomorrow. Portions of the freeway have also been shut down. That is a big deal in a state where everyone is used to and expects snow! Should be fun. The kids can hardly contain themselves. If I let them they would be building snowmen and sledding down the little hill in the backyard right now! Jill and I are a little less enthused :-)

If only...

If only all my kids could love homework like Loreli and her cousin Isaac. They had a play day and asked if they could do their homework while they watched cartoons. Why couldn't that attitude be contagious? That is one "disease" I wouldn't mind spreading around :-)

Happy 42nd Birthday Scott! We love you!!!

A Happy Sad Day

Our beloved next door neighbor, Suzy, passed away yesterday. She was 93 and lived a great life! She was one of the greatest ladies we have ever been privilaged to know. Loreli will especially miss her! She always ran next door to give Suzy her daily hugs. Even though we will miss her, we know that she is in a better place. She is with her husband and daughter who went before her. She told us every day how her husband loved to "give her hell" (her words, not mine) and that she couldn't wait to get to heaven and give it back to him. I am certain that the family reunion was a great one! We will miss her and I am so glad that we got to be part of her life for almost 12 years!