Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas With Grandmother Lynn

We went back over to the farm the first weekend of December. Newt, Kristy, and Ross all were still there, and my Grandmother Lynn was wanting to make gumbo with the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. We made plans for Friday evening gumbo with Grandmother. I spent the day with her.

We decided that afternoon to decorate her house with some Christmas touches.

We began realizing that it would be our last evening together until after the holidays. So, we decided to make it our Christmas dinner with Grandmother, and it was a wonderful evening indeed!

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving on the farm this year. My Grandfather went back into the hospital 2 days before Thanksgiving, so sadly, He was not able to be with us on the farm to celebrate. It made for a different, more laid back type of day. Everyone broke up into shifts of spending time with Granddaddy in the hospital, so throughout the day, we were all with him at some point. Jeremy and I drove in from Texas, Newt and Kristy drove up from New Orleans, Ross flew in from Montana, and Aunt Pam and Uncle Pete and my cousin Chris flew in from California. My Dad noted that it was the first time to have all of his children together since mine and Jeremy's wedding, which was 2 1/2 years ago. So, it was a pretty significant and special time to all be together. We missed getting a group picture before my cousin Chris flew back West, but this is the rest of us on Saturday night following Thanksgiving when Dad treated us all to Indian food - Yummy! Please continue praying for the Lynn Family and my Grandfather as He continues to remain in the hospital.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Chris & Elizabeth Visit!

Jeremy's brother Chris and his wife Elizabeth came to visit us! Chris started working for Schlumberger the Monday after Thanksgiving. His training started down in Houston, so they took a week visiting friends and family in Texas and Louisiana. We had a FUN few days with them!

We grilled one night at home, and Jeremy shared his home brews with them - I think they were a hit!

We enjoyed going to one of the local wineries here in Bryan, Messina Hof Winery! And, we introduced them to the Spirit of Aggieland by taking them to Yell Practice on Wednesday night, the night before the Aggies put up a good fight against the tu longhorns! It was great having them here! We look forward to the next visit!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Cochon de lait

Ross turned 30 on November 6th!

Chocolate Meringue Pie was his cake of choice!

My Mom and Tucker, my Dad and Mary Beth, and I all flew in for the festivities! We celebrated at Ross's home in Bozeman, Montana, and for us, it was all about meeting and celebrating with Ross's community up there! I loved it because there were young and old, and everyone in between. There were 6 month olds and parents of Ross's friends, professors, bosses, lots of dogs, and friend after friend after friend.


I even made a new friend! Rebecca. A cup of tea was shared between us in the days following, and the seeds of a new friendship were planted!

We had a blast! I love it up there! Big Sky Country! We all piled into the Pathfinder the next day and headed down to Yellowstone, hoping to see the wolves! No wolves this trip, but the elk and bison and antelope greeted us. I love all of the crazy thermal fun stuff you can see in Yellowstone! We enjoyed hot chocolate and tea in Cooke City and then made our way back. Pictures from Yellowstone are on a different camera, so if I get copies, I may post a few later.

One of our site seeing stops along the way was to see this climbing boulder that Ross and his two business partners (Strong Hold) built for the City of Bozeman! They are under contract to build two more for the City at other parks. If you'd like to see what he's up to and some of the different projects he's been involved in, you can check out their work at www.strongholdfab.com

We are all really proud of him! Cheers to our 30s! I love you my brother and wonderful friend!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Halloween

Wyatt Earp

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." - Wyatt Earp


Jeremy and I spent Halloween weekend on the farm helping take care of my granddaddy, so while we did not have a costume party to go to ourselves, we had fun getting some pictures of my Dad and Mary Beth before they went to their costume party, and, Yes, they won best costume this year!

Homebrew!

Jeremy has brewed two batches of beer this Fall!


An IPA and a Porter!

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Johnsons Visit

A flashback to Labor Day weekend... Mom and Dad Johnson and Grandma LC came to visit us over the long holiday weekend. The thought never crossed our mind that Jeremy would actually have to teach on Labor Day, but sure enough, Texas A&M does not take a day of rest on that holiday. It was school as usual. He still managed to find plenty of free time, and we had a wonderful weekend with our guests!


We marched/walked through campus showing Jeremy's parents where He spends his time these days.


Dad Johnson took lots of great pictures, capturing the moment!


We made it to March In, which is always impressive!


Behold, the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets - Reveille VIII. She is a five star general, and we are confident that She and Cloud Dancing would be big buddies if ever given the opportunity to hang out!


We enjoyed the famous Fightin' Texas Aggie Band at halftime in their signature block T formation!


And, We cheered our Aggies on to a Victory! Whoop!!!


We enjoyed the Holistic Gardens on campus!


Jeremy is of German/Russian descent, so we were really excited that Grandma LC flew down with German sausage in tow and taught us a few family recipes... German Sausage with Kraut and Cherry Dumplings! Such good food!


We're excited to learn a few more recipes during our time in Colorado for Christmas.


Much wonderful conversation was enjoyed around the dining table throughout the weekend.


And a walk to the park was enjoyed with Sweet Cloud Dancing. I can't believe a whole semester has already come and gone. Jeremy was a week into classes over Labor Day Weekend, and He just finished his first final today. We enjoyed our visit with the Johnsons, and we're looking forward to spending Christmas with them this year in Colorado.