Christmas tree O' Christmas tree....

For many years we have not had a tree for Christmas. They are just too much work!!! For any one who was around in the early years you know that was not always true. We always had a tree.....they were not always conventional trees, but they were trees. Of course there was the year......well 3 years that we had the SAME tree( because I wouldn't take it down.) So, Sarah has prom pictures in front of a Christmas tree. But, things are different this year...we have Lukas to celebrate his first Christmas with, and do you not think he would like a tree????

Not that there is any dissension in the house. We are all uhhemmmm in agreement..

NOT.

You see this is where our tree should be!!!!

But, this is where it is!!!!

I have one week left to convince someone to get it down....I have my doubts!!!!

The weekend

A semi busy weekend here. Started out with all the snow and blizzard conditions. Dave and Sarah have been chatting about a snow blower for her. Dave found a used on on-line and we checked it out and picked it up. We headed to Sarah's abode to give it a try. So what do you think happened?????? Yep, it would not run.

We loaded it up and Dave took it home......Now me I would have given it back!!!! Dave let it go for the night and went out in the morning to try again. With a little adjustment it was off and running. We had our drive cleared so he practiced on the deck.

So back to Sarah's we went! Started up at her house and like us she had already shoveled all the snow. So they cleared her deck also. Now we wait for the next snow and hope all things work out well for her!. It sure will make it easier for her on those snowy days.

Smiles all around!!

And remember a few weeks ago when we went to Ikea??? This is one of the pieces that she bought all put together and in use.

The last 2 nights we have heard owls out in the woods north of our property. Now usually that would bring a smile to my face.....it does NOT!!!! The owl we are hearing is a great horned owl. They sound different that the barred owls we have nesting here. The worry for me is that they are a natural predator of our owls!!! They will eat ours. I will try not to be too concerned, but I better hear or see ours again soon!!!

Warm!!!

This is what it is like outside.............

And this is want it's like inside.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

And because for some reason this video didn't load so here goes.....

Hope you are all staying warm!!

Nother one!!!

It is time once again for me to take over the blog. G-ma was here for another short visit. The weather here was really iffy and so she took off and left me!!! Can ya believe it??? I have had a little cold this week. Started with a fever this weekend and now I am just sort of feeling a little off with a runny nose. But I will persevere with the blog for G-ma!!

The sandhill cranes are back in full force this year. Here are 4 of the ones that were hanging out by the pond in the snow. They are really loud but, so far I like them.

Here I am with my daddy right after g-ma got here. See how happy he is to see her!!! :)


This weekend mommy, daddy and I went out and cut down our Christmas tree. It is a real beauty if I do say so myself. It has been very tempting but, so far I am behaving myself and for the most part staying away!!! We shall see if I can maintain my distance!!!!! Some of those things they call ornaments are really intriguing.

Besides the whole walking thing, which I am really getting good at, I love playing with all my toys. I have my favorites and one of those lately are my Lego's. I surprised g-ma by pulling them apart whenever she would put them together. I could have made it easier on her by also putting them back in the box (which I do all the time) but why make it easier on her!!! Hey, I am aware that the rule is you play with it you put it back, but in all fairness she is the one who dumped the bucket!!!

After mommy got back, while she and g-ma were chatting I got a treat. I just discovered clementines. They are really yummy, and juicy. Don't worry it didn't ruin my appetite, because later I had some pasta, and broccoli, oh, and another new favorite......a whole bottle of dananimals yogurt. Mommy put a straw in it and I drank it all down, even slurped when I got to the bottom!!! YUM!

Grandma and I had lots of fun today even though it was a short visit. She really wanted to put a video up of how well I am getting around but blogger was causing her some grief!!!!! I am learning a lesson or two about balance and how to step over somethings....nothing tall but some of the little things I may leave laying around......hey, I am still young I don't always pick up after myself, ya know!!! Well, hope to talk to you all soon. I am getting excited for this holiday stuff I keep hearing everybody talking about!!!! Should be an interesting time. Oh, and I keep hearing rumblings about someone having a birthday party sometime next month!?!?!?! Wonder who that could be?

Bye for now!!! Lukas

???? Why is the title the hardest thing

I want to start this post with a Happy Birthday wish for our Amy. I can't do the same type of post as with the others, I have NO baby pics, awkward middle school, or embarrassing moment shots to put up. I do have some pics of her when she and Jesse found one another so here are a few.

Early on she became a part of the family. Trips to Nevada to celebrate the holidays.

Camping in Colorado.

And after she spent time with us she still agreed to marry Jesse. She can't say she wasn't aware of what she was getting into...she had fair warning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!

Last week we had our first measurable snowfall. It really was pretty and as long as you didn't have to drive in it not so bad!!

On Saturday we headed down to V-burg to celebrate the aforementioned birthday. When we got there Lukas was not feeling the best. He is working on those pesky top teeth. He was running a low grade fever and was a little messy faced!! But in true Lukas fashion he was trying to be happy. Here you can see he takes after his mommy!! They play the same!!!! :) :)

Lukas and I sat and read a book together. He was really enjoying it...........OK that should be we!!!

Once again Aunt Sarah will go to all extremes to get a laugh out of Luke. Here she is channeling her inner Baby Bop ( I know wrong color, but come on it does look like her) from Barney!! What else would you do with a Boppie? (get it???)

And after they played ....they lunched!! He wasn't too interested but anything was better than nothing!!

After all that excitement and eating someone found their best buddy for a little snooze!! It has to be noted that the first one to sleep was not the one with the paci!!!!!!

It was a good thing they napped. We went out for dinner and G-pa was more than happy to keep Lukas occupied. They checked out all the Christmas decorations the restaurant had to offer. They were both very happy. Dave is so very smitten with his little buddy and enjoys showing him around.

Oh and someone else wanted a nap after Lukas woke up. Once again Dave was happy to oblige(Or maybe he was just not aware!!!!)

Sleep tight Kitty!!!

Lukas catches up!!

HELLO.....HELLO.....Can you hear me NOW!?!?!?!

I am not sure why G-ma is behind in her posting but, I am here now to straighten her out.

I really love chatting on the phone. Well, I don't really chat but I sure do like to listen! I have the whole phone thing figured out.

Grandma came down, but just for one afternoon this week, I hope I get to see more of her next week!!!! So this is baby jail at my house!! I think it is more to keep the Schaffer out than me in!!! What do you think?

I am working hard at trying to escape!!!

So this is my new BIG news......it has been a ton of work....but I finally have it figured out. I may not be perfect yet but I am getting there!!!!

Oh, and I am not sure why but Grandpa says that I can't eat bananas at his house???

Do you see any reason why that would be a problem????

I guess this is just a short one...can you believe g-ma only put up these few pictures???? WOW!

Guess I will see you soon!

Busy weekend and new milestones!!

Thanksgiving weekend and it was so nice to have the time to enjoy family and friend

The table was set!

The turkey, and stuffing was cooked!

And everyone was fed!! We were lucky to have my folks, my sister Nancy and her hubby Mike, Sarah and our friends Tom and Ann join us for dinner. Plenty of food and fun for all!!

Lukas and Amy joined us for dessert a little later in the evening. Unfortunately Jess was home sick and missed out ( I sent leftovers don't worry!!) Lukas having a chat with great grandpa.

My nephew's Michael and Travis stopped by for a visit and Travis hung out with Lukas. It was great when Luke drooled on his jacket.....you would have thought the jacket was tarnished for life by the look on Trav's face!!! After that he armed himself with a Kleenex, so he could wipe as needed!!! I guess he forgets what he looked like as a little boy!!!! WOW was he a drooler!!!!!!

Here in the wooded wonderland we have had a lot of trees come down in the last couple years. In years past ( when we were younger!) we could take care of all the wood. We love a nice warm wood fire in the stove. Well, on Friday my niece and her hubby and 2 kids, (and their younger backs) came to split the wood for us.

Both Lindsey and Cody carried a lot of wood to the piles. I was surprised at how long they kept at it!!!

But sooner or later it had to end!!

You can see by the state of their clothes how hard they worked.

So they came in and kept me company for awhile. Cody started out being picky about the chex mix but that didn't last for long.

On Saturday with Jesse on the mend, he Amy and Lukas came for a visit. Amy and Lukas came earlier with Jess to follow. Before he got here the girls decided to run a couple of errands and grandpa agreed to stay home with Lukas.

I KNOW!!!!!!

Anyway just before we left g-pa helped with giving Lukas some lunch. He did a really great job and Lukas ate like a champ for him. There was only a little motorboating right near the end and that is when Dave turned it back over to me.

Today Lukas turns 10 month old. It is so surprising how much joy he has brought to our lives. He constantly amazes us with all he is learning and how fast he is learning it. He is ALL OVER the place. He is a really good natured little one. He is so full of smiles. He is holding at 2 teeth, but I think there are more coming soon. Ask him where his nose is and he points to it and will point to yours also. He loves to play paddy cakes, and explores EVERYTHING!!!

But, the really big news is............

YUP!!! he is walking. The biggest problem is that he is not aware of it!! He turns and just takes off. Doesn't care what might be in the way. He will be standing at the table turn and go for the couch, and that is 4 feet away. He is keeping everyone busy covering corners and protecting his noggin as he goes!!!

All in all a great Thanksgiving weekend. Hope it was like that for all of you!!!

WHEW!! that was a long one!!