It's New Years Eve

This is my last post for 2014. As the kids and I have recovered, (I'm almost there), from being sick for over two weeks...Jeff got it about a day ago, and so now the poor man is dealing with that, this New Years Eve. It's the sickness that never really goes away. You know, tickle cough, that forces you to cough up your lungs and ears. The feeling like your chest is going explode, from the force of it all. The moment you feel like sleeping, you gasp for air as your body prepares to go through a bout of coughing. Yeah. That sickness. Good times right there. So we are sitting here, in the living room, with our fire going, and literally being slugs. I did make homemade potato soup for dinner, and talk about wonderful! We've all just hung around the house, and it has been like that all day, which I didn't mind, because it's been snowing all day, and it's positively stunning outside. We received over six inches of snow so far...it's still snowing out there...so totals tomorrow. I took pictures of the alpacas today, because they just looked disturbed with the snow. Made me laugh.   I want to wish you all a Happy New Year, and here's to 2015! Blessings! 

Law-Dog And Mr. Keith. Ski Day!

Jeff and his buddy, Keith, went sking today, up at the Snowbowl. Jeff hadn't skied in probably 13+ years; and he said he did really well! I'm glad the two of them had their day up there on the slopes. They took one picture, while up there, and that I shall share! 

Merry Christmas 2014!!!

Happy Birthday Jesus! He is the reason, for the season! Let's start with last night, on Christmas Eve. The kids and I baked gingerbread men, snowmen, and Palm tree (thanks to mom and dad), cookies. We set out a couple for Santa with some milk, before the kiddos went to bed. Before bedtime, last night, we watched "A Christmas Story." It's a tradition. Once the kids went to bed, Jeff and I watched "Christmas Vacation," and wrapped all the presents. Christmas morning was great, because last night, I decided to wrap the hallway entry and the kitchen entry (so the kids couldn't get through to the tree, until we allowed it). It was hilarious! Seeing them sneak over, point and look, and just wait. I told them Santa must have done that as a joke. We had our coffee, cinnamon rolls, presents, and relaxing time in the morning. It also started to snow this morning, and has been off and on all day. We did, in fact, receive a white Christmas! Such a blessing! Around lunch time, I put the prime rib in the oven, and immediately started to smell the most delicious scent of the seasoned meat cooking. The kids played around the house, and enjoyed their gifts. We also took a little drive around Parks (as we usually do on Christmas), and then prepared for our Christmas dinner. The prime rib turned out once again! Juicy and tender...so full of flavor! We had au jus for the meat, homemade mashed potatoes, peas, and rolls. So dang delicious! So now we are at the now, and I got the kitchen all cleaned up...Samantha and I are watching her new Tinker Bell movie, as Jeff and Kent, are taking advantage of the snow on the ground, freezing temps, and working on building up a sled hill. So yes, that means snowmaking continues this evening! This was a wonderful Christmas. Very blessed to have a warm and cozy home, with food in our bellies, and each other to love and support.  

Christmas Eve Snow

Well, the good Lord allowed the perfect conditions for snowmaking last night. Jeff was pretty excited about it, and so was Kent! I took pictures this morning, and it just looked so magical this Christmas Eve! 

Early Christmas With The Family

We had my parents up for the weekend, to have our Christmas together. Mom and Dad arrived at school on Friday, and spent a couple hours hanging out with me. Paullette (our office manager), wrote "Mom" and "Dad" on their name tags, and I thought that was so cute. My parents got to see the all school movie as well..."Frozen!" All the kids were singing along (and of course Samantha was right there too). It was a lot of fun, and it was nice for my parents to be at the school. At home, we had lots of food, wine, sweets, opened presents, Jeff made snow...BUT my favorite part of the weekend, was getting to play the piano, while my Mom played her guitar, and Dad sang. All the years I've played the piano, I have never played along with anybody else, which means, this was also the first time, Mom and I got to play together. It was so amazing! Brought chills and goosebumps, and the music being played together, became a beautiful memory. We played "What Child Is This" and "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Piano and guitar just go together perfectly, and then Dad harmonizing with us playing.  I treasured that time with my Mom and Dad. The kids enjoyed their grandparents, and got spoiled too. It was a relaxing, early Christmas weekend. 

Snowy Snow Snowy Snow *Manmade* Snow!

Jeff really perfected his snowmaking machine! The power of this thing is awesome, and it really produces lots of snow! The pictures are showing what it looks like when it was on, for almost an hour. Just the Staffords, doing their thing! I'm sure tomorrow morning, our neighbors will look confused...."hey honey, do you see the snow on their property?! I didn't know it snowed. Where's our snow?" Ha. 

Christmas At Work/School

I totally decorated my desk and the library's bulletin board, for Christmas! My little "nook" is so cheery and festive...and I love it! This afternoon, after early release day, I had Christmas music playing, and Rick (4th grade teacher), told me, it's so happy by my desk and the ambiance reminds him of a little Christmas gift shop, with the lights on and music playing. So funny! What can I say???? I go all out for Christmas, both home and work!