Bye, Bye Christmas Tree

We decided it was time to take down our very first Christmas tree.  It was beautiful and served it's purpose!  We knew it was getting dry and we will be leaving for Texas Friday after work, so it was time.  We carefully wrapped up the ornaments and put them back in their boxes.  Heath carried the tree out to the burn barrel.  I was sad to see it go, but boy after I saw how fast it went up in flames, I am so glad we got it out when we did!

I took a few pictures of our decorations as well before tucking them away again for next year.

We added my new stocking to their collection.  They gave
me an angel stocking holder.

Last but not least, the temperatures are dropping!  Tomorrow is supposed to be one of the coldest days on record with windchill.

Happy Birthday Sis!

I made three pans of homemade "cinnamon-less cinnamon rolls" for Christmas and this is what we have left over.  They were a big hit with the men.  :)

Today, Heath and I get to share our whole Saturday together.  We relaxed most of the morning and then I played house while he went to town to get a few things and make some exchanges.  We had an awesome day together that ended up at his parent's house with the Nebraska game playing in the background after supper.

God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Today is my sister's 26th birthday.  She is in Australia on her way to Thailand in a couple of weeks.  I hope it is the best birthday ever!  Happy Birthday Sis!

Relax and ENJOY!

It snowed and snoWED and SNOWED all day yesterday and all day today!  Thank you for a *white* Christmas and safe travels for my family to join together!  REJOICE, REJOICE IMMANUEL!

This morning Heath left before sunup for work, like usual.  I prayed and prayed and prayed for his safe return home.  I couldn't help myself to call him, probably before he even got to work, to see how the roads were.  He said snow packed and slow travel.  Later this morning, I called him again and he said alot of places were not even open or had a late opening due to the snow and weather.  This is winter in Western Nebraska.  It was absolutely beautiful for me, who was blessed to have the day off and get to stay home, but for the working folk, not so much.

I had a list of things to do today and enjoyed taking my time to get them done and enjoy them.  Late morning, I put on my coveralls and did chores.  It was fun because I took Penney and the dogs for a walk in the snow.  We all had a blast....see pictures below!  :)

Happy in the *SNOW!*

Lots of playing!

Birdies.

Beautiful barn with snow falling.

Out for a walk.

The farm covered in snow.

Buried deep!

"Let's go guys!"

Miss Penney.

Lovin' Life!

The dogs saw Penney rooting around in the snow, so
they followed suit.  Little did they know, she wasn't
hunting like they were, she was  actually eating the
fresh green grass under the snow.

They appeased me by posing!  :)

Heath is so excited because Mya is becoming a great pheasant hunter.

I love this photo....his smile!

~Rejoice, Rejoice Immanuel!~

The good Lord brought together my new family today in celebration of His Son.  We got to share the day together gathered around the fire as the snow was gently falling outside, almost like a reminder of when I was a child.  We used to watch It's a Wonderful Life together.  Although those were great and wonderful times and I am now blessed with my own family, it doesn't erase those precious memories of my family all together.

We opened gifts from Mama.  Heath got 'bossy' socks as he calls them.
They have an "R" and and "L" on them.  LOL!  :) 

Kitty left me a Merry Christmas present in my lettuce that I
was attempting to grow....grow no more.  Thank you for the
fertilization Jasper!  GRRR...we just bought him a
new litter box and fancy litter for Christmas and
all he wants is DIRT!

Table all set and ready for company!

A surprise gift left on our back door last week
from Bussinger's.  Thank you!

Love this one.  He was helping me in the kitchen.

Fuzz with her horseshoe flower Heath made for her.

Briggsy helping Pa open his gifts, specifically his sausage.

Fuzz, Gram, and Justin opening presents.

Andrew with his new Bear's sweatshirt.

~L.O.V.E.~

Modeling my new lingerie from Heath
and swimsuit from Barb.

~Christmas Eve~

I posted this on Facebook for work today.
This is a pivot nozzle covered in snow.

Last minute grocery shopping....picking up a few more things!

New Year's Eve service.  Heath helped serve communion.

Christmas Choir!

SOO handsome in his bow-tie!

Pie Baking Night

Above are the pies that I made for Christmas day dinner!  The one on your left is a Bean Pie~looks and tastes like pumpkin pie~made with mixed beans grown here in Western Nebraska.  The pie on your right is Debbie Huffman's Old Fashion Cream Pie!  So excited to present these on Christmas day!

Pretty, Pretty Lights

Heath did such a nice job with our lights!  Merry Christmas!

*Chores*

We are very thankful for our farm light!

It is crazy doing chores in this snow as the drifts are knee high!  It is super fun taking the dogs out with me in the snow.  The cat even joined us a few times.  I ended up carrying him back from the corrals though.  I think he was in over his head, literally!  Quite a fun crew!  TEAMWORK with Heath and I both feeding and checking on our livestock both morning and night, just depending on when we get home/leave the house.  All the animals are taken care of and all of our heated waterers are working!  PRAISES!  :)

One Car, One Cell Phone

Today, my little SUV was the only vehicle~not stuck or buried in snow~to get us off the farm this morning.  Thank goodness for my Honda!  Heath and I rode to town together early this morning.  Heath drove us to his work and once we got his Pepsi truck all warmed up, I made sure he could get rolling before I left.  Then, I headed to the Y to swim.  WOAH, it was slick out today.

About midmorning, Heath stopped by to tell me that he did not have his cell phone.  He thought that maybe it was in his car at home.  He had tried to get out in it this morning before finding out that it would not be able to clear the snow drifts.  I offered him my phone since I planned on being in the office all day, but he said he didn't need it.  By about 4 pm, I started getting worried.  I was just about to call his office headquarters in Alliance to see if he had left yet and then I planned to head down to Gering to the warehouse where we were this morning when he came walking in.  He was able to get a ride from someone who was on their way home.  Talk about perfect timing!  Thank you Lord!

Sunday!

Kid's Christmas Story Play at Church

Today, was our day to cook for the college kids.  Until about a week ago, this was just a date on our calendar and then ended up being a very crazy, but fun morning.  We found out the children were having their Christmas play during Sunday school, Stella, my swim coach would be joining us for church today, I would be taking family photos, and we were cooking for the college kids.  Heath and I went grocery shopping this morning and then hit the Christmas play before he went to the kitchen  to start cooking and I met up with Stella for church.  He basically cooked for 27 people by himself!  We had to give Pastor Wayne a hard time because this was the first time in a while we had gotten out before noon, so we rushed Heath a bit.  Once church was over, we found out there were only two college kids, so Heath asked me to go recruit some families to join us for lunch.  We had a great turn out and really enjoyed the fellowship with the families that were able to join us.  After lunch, I went to take family photos.  We had fun and I think the turned out great!

Heath cooking for the college kids!!  Homemade Chicken and noodles, salad,
Hawaiian rolls, mixed veggies, and Barb's chocolate cake.

We got home this afternoon and I took a two hour nap before rising to make Debbie Huffman's famous sugar cookies.  I have to admit, Debbie's taste alot better than mine and one year at their annual Christmas party, I hit the all time record of eating 17 Christmas trees!

In the beginning....

Following instructions....

Final Product = Debbie's Sugar Cookies!  :)

Our First Married Christmas

Dim Lights

Bright Lights

 

Our fireplace is working!

Our Granny's and Grandpa's will be remembered.

A few special ornaments.

A few special ornaments.

A few special ornaments.

My Sister, Kristin's, First Christmas

My First Christmas