Christmas With the Gang - Wonderful!

We had a great time with the Gang in Forida for Christmas at Disney World.  The weather didn't exactly cooperate with us as it got a bit cold on a few of the days, but the Gang wasn't about to let that deter them from taking full advantage of everything there was to do.  Matthew at age 4 going on 5 was absolutely enchanted and had a ball.  All the rest of the Gang had been there before, so they looked forward to all the fun as they knew what to expect.  Our first stop was EPCOT Center on Christmas Eve.

 Lot of shoes lined up by the door.

 EVERYBODY gets their hair spiffed up before any outing.  That's Jenny with Noah and Matthew.

 The whole Gang and Grampa and Gramma at EPCOT (notice the EPCOT ball in the background).

 Each of the kids were numbered (!) and then there were mom, dad, grampa and gramma.  T-shirts were really cool.  (Remember, you can click on the images to see them full-size.)

 The tram at EPCOT.

 Inside one of the buildings at EPCOT.  Love the balloons.

 The tree at EPCOT was magnificent.

 Christmas morning - everybody gets new Christmas pj's on Christmas Eve.  This is Allie with Caleb.

 Needless to say, Allie had a hand in decorating the Christmas tree at our house. . . .

 Stockings for the Gang of Eight.

 Grampa and Caleb.

 Jenny and Zack enjoying each other on Christmas morning - I think Jenny liked her gift!

 Jenny was talking to her sister, Katie, in Germany as she sat with the boys in the hot tub at our house.

 Allie in her "attitude" glasses.  She does have attitude!

 Love this picture of Noah - he is wearing his new "spy" glasses!  What is this "glasses" thing?!!

 Christmas Dinner - Pizza at Wolfgang Puck at Disney Downtown.  Somewhat unorthodox for Christmas dinner - but nobody went hungry!

 Allie the actor always

 Oh, if only you could see the full shot of this one!!!

 Dr. Seuss at Universal Studios Great Adventures.

 Is that Josh under there???

 Finally, we made it to Magic Kingdom at Disney World - our favorite day.

 Mickey and Minnie dressed for Christmas.

 The ever famous Dumbo ride (we did not stand in line for this one - whatever you do, DO NOT GO TO DISNEY WORLD AT CHRISTMAS.)

 Love this shot.  So beautiful at night.

 By the numbers.  The Gang showing off their t-shirts.

The house we rented - it was perfect!

Key West Sunset

We so much enjoyed sitting here on the pier in Key West and watching this magnificent sunset.  So beautiful.

A Day in the Life of a Winter Woman

 This is Bootsie, our thirteen-year-old outside cat.  Companion to Sugar.  Number One Mouser.  Outside Cat???  Sure doesn't look like it!  Well, he's been pretty lonely since Sugar disappeared.  And with no one to snuggle up with (Sugar) in some of our sub-zero nights, we felt sorry for him and let him in a few times.  In the past if he got in the house, he would immediately race back outside.  Looks pretty comfortable, doesn't he!

 Now he has a new friend.  He and Chico get along pretty well - current best buds.  So this is how I start my day - with the cat and dog curled up together. . . .

 with me, in front of a nice warm, cozy fire with my morning coffee.

 Today I headed upstairs to my workroom to get started on one of my UFO's (un-finished objects) and have a nice cup of tea in my fun new mug - me and Mickey!  Thanks, Jenny.

So this a small stack of my to-do projects - I think I will be busy for awhile - a very long while - it's a good thing winter up here is looooong!  I look forward to digging into this.  Stay tuned!  What a great day.

Miami Album January 2011

An old part of one of the bridges in the Keys.
Fountain in a mall.

Christmas at the Mall.
Royal Palms
Interesting.
Interesting.
Very interesting to us mountain people!
Miami Friends
Marina viewpoints.
Marina Viewpoints.
Old timer fisherman.
Almost went in the drink for this one!  Photographers live such dangerous lives!
Nice car at South Beach.
More South Beach.





I could have spent a whole day here taking pictures.


Nice House!
Miami skyline at dusk.
Miami skyline later.  Taken from a moving car - as most all of these pictures were taken!  Not bad.

Daytime Miami as we were leaving.
Also taken from a moving car!
Headed home (to the airport).

My Baby Is Forty - the Big 40!

Happy Birthday to our daughter, Jenny.  You are more beautiful every year.  You deserve every good thing that comes your way - especially that handsome husband and those eight wonderful children!  Hope you have a delightful, happy day.