Christmas Recap: Part 2

 Our girl and her family arrived on Saturday

When you come to visit, we put you to work. 😉

That smile melts my heart.

Supper is served!

Hard to stay inside when the weather's this nice 

I'm pretty sure L has put 100 miles on this little balance bike

We DID spend some early mornings inside

L loves elephants and received 2 in his stocking. He calls them Achis. I have no idea, but Achis they are. 🥰

He was introduced to his I Spy Quilt 

which was really for his birthday last month

Our girl gifted me this wonderful wooden trivet tree and L was fascinated with it

If it has wheels, it'll be a favorite

Our girl loves taking pictures as much as I do and I love that she captured some with L and me together.

 Not a fan of pictures of myself,

 but my heart loves these

And I'll admit that I'm thankful that at 61 (62 in a few weeks), I can still engage with our grandchildren like this

We had a one day cold front blow through that called for a fire and story time with Pap

But as soon as it warmed up a bit, everyone spilled back outside

It takes a lot to tucker out this 2-yr old

We piled into the Can-am one afternoon for what we thought would just be a short circle

But we all ought to know better 

when DH is at the helm. 

Short circles turn into 2+ hour hikes. LOL

But as always, it's worth taking the detour

Christmas Recap

 Happy New Year from the end of our dirt road!

January 2nd and time is already getting away from me. 😄 Our Christmas was filled with blessings and a house full of family and there truly wasn't any time to pop in here with a post. 

If I sat down, I fell asleep so I knew not to sit down until I crawled into bed. It'll take me a few posts, but things are slowing down and in between trips to the Conex to pack away Christmas decorations, I'll work on catching up. 

Our son and his family spent Christmas Day with us. 

I had excellent help with deviled eggs

I think E's the only one I know that enjoys doing the dishes on Christmas Day

My MIL did not want to come so DH drove over early Christmas morning and spent time with them while I worked on Christmas dinner. I packed up leftovers, and our son delivered them and visited with his grandpa for a while later that afternoon. It was 68 degrees on Christmas Day - that's not Christmas weather, but it was perfect for trying out that spiffy new pink rope!

Learning the mechanics

And she helped Pap chore 

and tend to his horse that had an accident the day before, on Christmas Eve.

 DH had taken him to town to ride through our heifers that are on wheat. He stopped in town to get a haircut and his horse pitched a fit in the trailer and wedged his foot between the trailer bars when he was upside down. Thankfully, he didn't break his leg, but DH spent 30 minutes sawing through the bar with a hacksaw blade and then a kind man stopped and said he lived close by and had a sawsall. He went to fetch it and they were able to make a 2nd cut and release the horse's foot. DH brought him home and doctored him, but it'll be at least 6 months before he heals and then we'll have to see if he's sound. Not the kind of excitement we want anytime, but especially not on Christmas Eve.

E stayed with us Christmas night and was a big help

 Good help is always welcome

She wanted to show Pap her muscles

Sneaking in one more shot because I can't leave it out.

But these posts are going to get long, so I'll pop in with another one tomorrow. 

Christmas 2023

 Look who came this Christmas! 

Our son had to work so he and his family were unable to come for Christmas, but we've been able to visit via video so that's the next best thing. 

When they took E to see Santa, she was apprehensive. I love this sweet shot Steph captured of E and her Daddy while they were waiting in line.

Escape! LOL

Mama and Daddy made it somewhat bearable.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, these two are already planning future shenanigans and adventures

Best gift under the tree!

We got in as much precious snuggle time as possible

Gram and Pap are smitten!

Adventure lies ahead!

                                                 

Our girl also spoiled us with homemade eggnog and Sourdough Raisin Bread

Precious cargo on board

Today I made another batch of Gingerbread Cowboys because we've got folks stopping in this week

Then one more night under the lights before Skeet and I pack it all away and ring in the New Year - but first a nap!