Happy New Year 2012

Spending a day at home looking at our financial picture and being grateful at how far we've come. A lot of old debt was retired and saving money is at the top of the list. 2011 was a very good year for us. But 2012 will be even better!

Allan working from home and me with part time agrees with us and our life style. Our health is good and we so enjoy our daily routine! A big family reunion is planned this coming summer to honor my parents 60th wedding anniversary. We have a lot to look forward to.

We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and blessed new year!

Last Trip to Gordon

Allan and I set out on our last big adventure to see Melanie, Adam, and the boys in Gordon, Nebraska. They will be moving shortly and I really wanted Allan to see that part of our country!

We left from TIA and flew to Houston, then to Denver, and ended up in Rapid City, SD.
Four airports and three flights! We made it and settled into our hotel room in Rapid City until we could drive to Gordon the next day.

We drove to Mount Rushmore the next day. Beautiful ... but COLD! I enjoyed looking out the glass window while sipping hot cocoa. Allan ran around taking pictures at every angle.

We arrived in Gordon around dinner time and everyone was waiting! It was so good seeing them again -- it had been too long. Hezekiah is tiny and beautiful and we all took turns holding him. After a nice supper I got the presents out and passed them around! The boys were so excited. New Christmas outfits, PJs and new toys.

While we were there we saw lots of snow -- but not crazy below zero temps like the last time. Allan and I took short drives around town and ventured out to Fort Robinson on the far west side of Nebraska. We also had Isaiah take us to some of his favorite places ... the park, library, Covered Wagon ( a local fast food place). Allan shot a movie for him to remember all this.

We went to Mass at St. Leo's and Sunday service at Grace Lutheran. A Thanksgiving supper was served after church. We enjoyed meeting all the members.


Wine time. Allan's smiling now ... not the case earlier! Too many people packed inside a jet make for an uncomfortable ride.

Dinner in Denver! Found a wonderful French Bistro in the airport. A much-needed break!

Dessert, anyone? They tasted as good as they looked! Yum!

We got into Rapid City late so we spent the night at the Alex Johnson Hotel. Very nice!

Local wildlife.

SNOW! Guess we're not in Florida now!

So excited to be at Mount Rushmore!

Allan's pretty happy about it, too!

The Money Shot. Another tourist took this picture of Allan and me. I will always remember how cold it was that day. Allan also celebrated his birthday. Happy Birthday!

Beautiful shot of Mount Rushmore

Had lunch in Keystone, SD. Buffalo burgers! Delicious!

Main Street, Gordon, Nebraska

Florida flamingos don't do well in Gordon winters!

The reason for our trip!

Poppy meeting little Hezekiah.

Three little guys waiting for us!

Nanny handing out the presents!

Captain America toys were a big hit!

Nanny and the Spider Boys!

Adam and Isaiah

Melanie and Hezekiah

Noah!

Sunday morning angel face!

How I spent my days!

All too soon we were back at the airport to begin our long trip home. It was 14 degrees in Rapid City and it was 78 degrees outside when we landed in Tampa!

See what I did today!

Dug around the garage and came up with my outside Christmas display. Whatcha think?