Rock Springs

 

My driver.

Jackson and I made the scenic trip to Rock Springs, Wyoming to pick up Courtney.  We met her mom and sister and brother there and had lunch together. 
Since there is so much scenery on the way there, I had to take pictures of man-made things. 
The windmills were spinning.  I forget how huge they are!
On the way there we went through Bear Lake and on the way home we came through Weber Canyon. 

Ward Ski Night

Brayden Jensen, Noah Mercado, and Savanna

We had a great night of skiing! Well, Savanna did. There isn't much snow and I hate to ski on the icy stuff, so I stayed in the lodge and got caught up on a little sewing, where it was warm, and besides that, the hot chocolate needed tending. There ended up being more snow than I thought. They have 2 feet compared to the ten feet they had last year. We're a little low on snow. It's hard to complain though, we still aren't feeding our cows!

New Years Eve

New Years Eve at the White's
Jackson over indulging.  It is a blast to go to the White's.  There is always delicious food and loving family to be around.  Bryan and I stayed up and watched the "ball drop" in New York and kissed our New Year in and went to bed!

Christmas at Home

We had a great year this year!  The girls got dolls from Williamsburg, VA.  It has been a long time since we had dolls delivered to our house.  They also got boots, jammies, a game, dresses an slippers.  Jackson wasn't fun to shop for this year.  He just wanted grown-up stuff. 

Bryan got carried away-- as usual--and got me these earrings.

 

Savanna has had plenty of treats!

Really, she is smiling because we didn't have to go feed cows this year.  There is no snow and the cattle are still out feeding on the dry ground.  It is so nice but we really do need some snow!

Peek-a-Boo Jackson

Chelsie was lifted up here and was very nervous because Bryan is saying "shoo shoo".

My Mom made this quilt for me this year.  The design is called "Courthouse Steps" and it is gorgeous!

Bryan surprised me with this lantern from Williamsburg.  He was with his sister Vickie and I wasn't with them when they were shopping so it was a surprise to me!

The kids got me these new pots.  I love them and am excited to use them.  I think the kids are just as excited for me to use them. 

Christmas with the Summers Family

 

B. White came in with this on the back of his shirt on Christmas Eve.  It took everyone a while to notice and then when we did get it we were so excited to hear the news of a new little one joining their family.  The pencil test is a Summers tradition to tell what gender and number of kids that you'll be having. 

Jackson and Jason

The great-grand kids Nativity

Nathan, Owen, Autum, Caroline, Grace, River and Chloe.  Charlie (Little Dog) was the baby Jesus this year.

Grandma DiDi and her bunch:

Caroline, Grace, Nathan, Charlie, Owen, Holden

By next Christmas she will have at least 2 new grand kids!

Jackson's new window scraper from Grandma Marj.

Sierra and her pass to Beaver Mountain.

Savanna also has a ski pass.

As always, there is a ball game going on at Marj's.  We fill up the front room of her house when we get together.  The  couches and chairs are full and the floor is also full.

A little lovin' for Grandma Marj.

Christmas was on Sunday this year so we met a little later at Grandma's than we usually do.  It was good to have everyone together to share in the love of this special day.

Christmas Eve with the Reay Family

 

Steve and Kelly

Amanda--up close

"We Wish You A Merry Christmas, We Wish You A Merry Christmas..."

"I am trying to play this game, Mom"

When we go to Grandma Reay's house there is always a card game of some sort going on.  Our favorite is Canasta. We also like 31, Tripoly, Phase 10- played with face cards, 21, a little poker for a few of us, Crazy 8's, Fish, War, Scum and any other game we can find! As soon as the grand kids could count and tell what the numbers were, Grandma was teaching them how to play cards.  It is a fun tradition.  The silver case is full of chips, just in case someone wants to play serious. 

Jackson is already missing Courtney who went home to Cheyenne for the holidays.  Poor Jackson:(

Once again, Grandpa's chair is overloaded.  The chair he is sitting in has been recovered and rebuilt several times.  I guess it is a comfy chair--no one knows--grandpa is always sitting in it!

We have to have Grandma smothered too!

Sierra 18, Savanna 14, Chase 15.

Jackson, Sierra, Bryan, Savanna enjoying Christmas.

Puzzled?

Every year at Christmas we put together a puzzle.  This year we did this one of  D.C.  It was a fun one but a tricky one.  We keep it at 500 pieces.  That is enough for me. 

We have an old artificial tree.  I love it.  The lights stay on and I don't have to re-string them every year.  It is small enough to fit in the garage and in the house.  I wanted to put it downstairs when we got the grand piano but  Bryan didn't think it was a good idea.  "Santa might get lost" was his excuse.   I am not a great decorator but these are some of my favorite ornaments.  I put all of them on this year, not just my "cowboy'" ones. 

This ornament came from Sierra's trip to Europe.  It is hand blown glass.

This is part of the Nativity that Bryan gave me a couple of years ago.  I love it and it could stay out all year if no one else would complain.

                Sierra's friend gave her the antlers and red nose for her car.  It was quite festive. 

I have had this jolly couple since the kids were little.  It used to sit in front of the fireplace and we would have to move it on Christmas Eve so Santa could come down the chimney and not tip it over.  It's a good thing Jackson thought of that.  I would have felt bad if it had gotten broken!

Speaking of Jackson, here he is!  Still using his present from last year.  Unfortunately, I haven't improved my pull-up record much since then.  I really should use it more often.