Jamie's Birthday

We had dinner on my birthday to celebrate my and Jamie's birthdays. Crazy as usual but always nice getting all my family together.

Jamie's gift was holding down the fort while Melissa and Violet headed to Omaha for Violet's first scrimmage volleyball tournament.

But when Violet woke up this morning in Omaha, she had a 101* temperature so they turned around and headed back home. Not the best birthday gift for Jamie but look on the bright side. He got to spend quality time with Lincoln, Hazel and Goldie. Happy Birthday Jamie. May next year be even better!

Another Milestone Birthday

The dreaded day has finally arrived. I turned 70 years old.

It's not too bad. It was actually more like Christmas for me. Lots of goodies.

I remember when I was much younger, like in my 20's, thinking 70 years old was ancient. Honestly, it is!

Elf on the Shelf

Sprinkles, Frosty and Sparkles arrived today marking the official start of Christmas at the Taylor house.

Melissa always seems to find cute ways to stage the elves.

I had an elf when Violet and Lincoln were younger but I gave that chore up. Too much preparation for me plus no one gets to see my Elf on the Shelf but me. Am I turning into Scrooge? Goldie didn't make the first picture. She was still sleeping.

The First Snowfall

I believe in the old folklore that the date of the first measurable snowfall correlates with the number of times it will snow this winter.

November 30th was the first snowfall which means we'll have 29 more days of measurable snow. Why couldn't the snow gods have waited one more day which would have been the 1st of December leaving only 1 more day of snow.

This was 2 hours after the snow started to fall. The total wasn't much and the next day all the snow was melted. Typical Missouri weather. Snow and temperatures in the 20's one day and sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's the next. Why do I even live in this state? Oh yeah, my family is here!

Thanksgiving

I take advantage at Thanksgiving to have everyone help set up my outdoor Christmas decorations.

I was running back and forth between the yard and the kitchen and forgot to take one single picture of everyone working. Bushes were cut down, lights were put up and the whole menagerie of flamingos, geese, the pig and even the dinosaur was set up. If you look real close, you can see me sitting on the bench next to the tree.

I blame my forgetfulness of taking pictures to making the perfect Thanksgiving meal. No dry turkey over here. At least I can still cook!

VIP Day at Mason

I've been going to VIP Day (Grandparent's Day) for the past 7 years starting when Violet was in Kindergarten.

Violet has moved on to middle school so now it's Hazel and Lincoln.

The donuts are the same, the picture booth changes just a bit, but I swear these desks keep getting smaller and smaller and lower to the ground.

Happy Birthday Lola & Khloe

Lola and Khloe are celebrating their 13th birthday.

They may be losing their hearing and arthritis is setting in but bring out the bacon and they're just like puppies!