Saturday, a full day

It all started blandly enough, would you like to serve breakfast at the Renucci House? I thought, no biggie, the boys need a service project or two for their next rank of scouts. We'll go for it. We signed up and then we got busy. The boys had a birthday party the night before which used to be a done at 7 deal but runs later now with louder and bigger events. To get to where we needed to be, we were up and at 'em at 5:30, and to get the boys moving it took bribes with Monster and Mountain Dew. Not pretty, but effective. We got there on time and actually had a great time serving these people that were struggling with some serious, long term health issues. Most memorable, a young teen that was looking at a second bone marrow transplant to beat the leukemia that was attacking her and the wife celebrating her 34th wedding anniversary with her husband under going a major bypass surgery. I was really proud of Ian and Spencer for pitching right in, serving with a glad heart and sincere concern.

After that we did a bit of shopping for Christmas for Holly while she was at Choir practice. She's leading a choir this weekend for our pre-Christmas service at church. I was going to buy her a baton so she could lead with power, but she said no. Then I asked which choir robe was she going to use. Her answer, we don't do choir robes in a modern church. I am not sure, but I think we're missing something here. I had visions of...well never mind. I work in the children program and we are pretty modern too, so I should leave Holly alone.

Once home again the boys and I suited up and headed back out, this time to hit the hill, the sledding hill that is. We went to Wabisis and that's where today's photos come from.

Spencer is reading a magazine as we head out. One of the few times I remember that he wasn't guiding us.



A panorama shot of the area


The boys working their way up the hill after a good run.


I asked Ian to strike a pose, I don't think he knows I was posting these.


Spencer was really tired out by this point and I laid down next to him to get an interesting angle on him. I like it.


After sledding we needed some hot drinks, so here's Ian and me.



And Spencer and me


This was just for fun, but I like the way it turned out


Now we're into movies and snacking. I love lazy days!

Have a great day!
Pat

Closing in on Christmas

Been awhile since I did two posts in two days and so I thought I'd see if I could still do it.

Work was a bear, but I realize everyday how blessed I am to have a job, even if it does drive me crazy. Oh, and for those that are aware of my track record and how often I used to change jobs, I just cleared 7 years at this one and I am still having fun!

As we draw up on Christmas I wanted to share a bit of our decorating style from our house.

This shot shows an ornament tree from Pier 1, Holly and Terri are into this. Pretty cool in an old school way. On the right hand side is a "traveling Santa" that was the last gift I got from my Mom. Pretty cool, but I don't' understand why she thought mine should be travelling, some of my siblings have travelled pretty extensively.

This shot is of Jake and Daisy Hendrick's Christmas tree. That's Holly's Grandpa and Grandma. The tree rotates and it has the disco color wheel. I like this because my own Grandma Ames had one of these. It's like home, circa 1964, aaahhh!

Holly's been collecting trees for quite awhile and we see the result in this shot. Lots of little trees and each one has it's own story as to why we have deemed it worthy of being stored and then displayed. The Santa on the left is a two piece porcelain statue that has been in Holly's family longer than I have. (almost longer than she has actually!)


This is our stockings hung with care.
I wonder how soon St. Nick will be there?


Finally a bit of signage from my dear sister Maureen. This is the best advice I can give. Remember, the best gift of all is offered by Him. Why not take it!

Have a great day!

Pat

Thursday Quiet

Greetings friends!

We have been smoking busy of late. We have celebrated Smithmas with Holly's side of the family, I did an east coast trip for a week, work is crazy busy in the office, but the production is not moving so much and wished happy trails to Bob as he headed back to Florida after a nice visit with us and with Larry and Terri.

The first two shots are of Smithmas, our Christmas celebration for the Smith side of the family. As always it was fun to have Larry, Terri and Jake over and this time was no different. We all seemed to have gotten some good stuff. The boys are getting stuff now that is either practical or a computer game that they want to play but baffles us. Oh well, it's still great to get to gether with family, eat and tell stories.

I did kind of a 2 shot panorama, here's Jake, Larry, Spencer and Terri

And here's Terri, Holly and Bob

This was taken today, but it really finishes out the panoramic shot, this was were Ian and I sat for Smithmas.

Last week I went to the East Coast for business. It was a pretty good trip, I flew to Boston, went to a customer, drove to Jersey and went to a BSF (the Bible study that I go to on Tuesdays is actually world wide and all the classes are in step so I didn't miss a thing). While in Jersey I visited two other customers and then I headed into New York. Here's a shot of the desk in my hotel room, I stayed in China Town, as you can see, it was pretty tight quarters. After New York I went to Richmond VA for a final visit and then flew home. My hotel in Richmond was as opposite to New York as possible, lots of room, sorry no photo, but I highly recommend the Hampton on the south side of town. Friday I flew home. While I was gone the was the "Blizzard of 2009". Teh boys were off school for 3 days and with the dip in temperatures, I am sure that Bob was once again convinced that living in Florida was best.

Finally, I took a couple of shots with my new Camera (Thanks Bob!)

Here's Bob and the boys.


Here's Holly and her Dad


As with all extended trips, I am sure that Bob was more than ready to get home, but we really enjoyed having him home for the holidays.

Have a great day!

Pat