Birds

Some days we have so many birds in our honey locust tree that Reed jokingly says the branches are going to break. The birds looked so cold today. Sometimes I wonder how they survive when they are so small. These pictures were taken between the slats of our blinds right through our bedroom window.

One little...

Two little...

Three little birdies.

More birds...

and still more arriving.

Then something will startle them and they all fly away. A few minutes later their numbers start building again. And so goes the day. The next pictures show the same sequence from the dining room window.

See ya later

December Sunsets

12/06/08

Sunset from our front porch:

12/30/08

Sunset over Hyrum Dam

Winter Landscape

In the late afternoon on Christmas Day, we went for a ride. The temperature was relatively warm and it was raining so much I didn't think we'd have any snow left. Up Logan Canyon it was snowing quite hard and the plows hadn't been out so we turned around at the old Zanavoo. Deep slush and puddles were everywhere. Then the temperature dropped, the wind picked up and we got plastered with snow. It was neat to watch the swirling snow from the warmth and safety of the house. When we opened the front door for a peak, we found snow drifts on the porch.








In the morning when Reed opened the garage door, this is the drift that was against the garage:

And here are the front steps after the worst of the drift had been cleared:

Everyone has been digging out with snowblowers, snowblades and snow shovels. There are piles of snow everywhere. I am so thankful that I don't work in retail (John D's) or customer service (Icon) like I did for so many years and have to be at work on the 26th of December because it was one of the busiest days of the year.

In the backyard:

More shots of the Wellsvilles:

(enlarge to see some of the glittering sparkles)

No, we don't like snow but we have to admit that this left a pretty white landscape. Our backs, shoulders and arms ache. If there has to be a storm, it is nice when Mother Nature dumps it and then comes through with a blue sky and sunshine.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day the kids checked out what Santa brought and opened a gazillion gifts. Reed cooked breakfast while they got ready. After everything was cleaned up and packing was done, they headed for American Falls for a few more days of fun and celebrations with Brandon's family.

Then it was off to the Johnsons for a visit. As you can see, each kid got a Nintendo DS. It was really quiet around there as each one was intent on figuring out and playing on his/her DS. I think these are gifts that will really get used, keep them busy and sharpen their skills. Kim and Bryan got a card table and chair set.





All is peaceful and calm on the homefront. We are home alone. It is one of those 'lounging around' days. We had tuna sandwiches for lunch. Reed had a nap. We have watched the birds having their Christmas feast at our birdfeeders. It has snowed on and off all day but the bulk of the big predicted storm has not arrived yet. It is so quiet all I can hear is the hum of the refrigerator, tapping on the computer keyboard and the click of the mouse. I caught up on the holiday blogs. I did a couple of sudoku puzzles. Reed is inputting family history information on PAF on the other computer. Okay, what should we do next? Christmas Day has come and gone. We were able to spend time with family. We were home for Christmas. It was a white Christmas. Now get me out of here. Time to go somewhere warm.

Christmas Eve...part III

Our Christmas party began with a tasty dinner...ham with pineapple, cheesy casserole potatoes, peas, rolls and butter, red/green ribbon jello, relish tray and soda. For dessert we had eclairs and Christmas M&Ms. After eating we had a white elephant gift exchange. Then we handed out and opened gifts. For the Schvaneveldts I had the kids remove a shoe and sock and figure out what their gift was by doing the "This little piggy went to market" saying on their toes. It took them a couple of times to get it right but they finally caught on--"and this little piggy went 'wee (Wii), wee (Wii), wee (Wii)' all the way home." The VanWagenens gift isn't going to be presented until spring but I had cards with letters on them to represent what we they'll receive. They had to put the letters together in the right order. N-A-P-R-O-M-I-L-E-T. Anyway, it's a 'trampoline.' After all the presents were opened we ate the treats, cleaned up, packed our cars and headed home. We left Robin and Andrew with getting their house back in order. Thanks to them for hosting the party! We appreciate all they did.

Smile! You're on Conlin's Candid Camera.

Random shots in random order. Disclaimer: I know everyone is better looking than in the pics.

After we got back home, Brandon set up the Wii. We played a little bit. It was the first experience for Reed and me. Here is a picture of Reed bowling.