Night On The Town.

For Christmas Layne gave me an awesome gift.

I received tickets for several performances of the Columbus Symphony.

I LOVE going to the symphony. I love getting dressed up, going to a beautiful building, seeing other people all dressed up, and most of all the music.

I watch in wonder as the musician's fingers move lightening fast, making the music on the pages become a story, hoping the conductor doesn't throw himself off his platform when it gets exciting.

Speaking of the maestro, do they all have that same hair? Kind of unkempt and out of control? The one thing I do know is that he sure gets a great two hour workout.

The last symphony Layne took me to was in Salt Lake City about ummmm.......16 years ago! Last night, during intermission, Layne says to me, "Why has it been so long that we've done this together?" My smartalec comment, "Too many good football games on the TV, I guess."

In actuality, Layne enjoys going as much as I do. He was perfect company, even though he doesn't feel that great. We just filled his suit coat pockets with cough drops.

What a fun night. Can't wait for the next one.

Living with a 40 year old

Poor Layne. He has been so sick and today, at another follow-up Dr. appointment, he was told that after looking at the x-rays he was THIS close to being in big time trouble.

I guess Layne really does have full blown pneumonia. Perhaps he shouldn't have driven to and from Ohio & Idaho. Perhaps we shouldn't have had a huge birthday party for him. Perhaps we shouldn't have gone to lots of parties and played too late into the night. Perhaps he shouldn't have shoveled two feet of snow off the roof of the house. Maybe I should have tried not to be so put off that he didn't LOVE his birthday party. LOL

Could-a, would-a, should-a.

I kind of figured out that he really was sick when he missed several days of work after we got back from vacation. I think he has only done that twice in the past 15.5 years that we've been married.

Today we got a thing in the mail telling us that his life insurance is going up because he's 40 now.

So, this is what it is like being married to an older man. I love him more than ever though. Scarred lungs and all.

SURPRISE!

As many of you know, Layne turns 40 this week!

Tuesday, as a matter of fact.

For a couple different reasons, we celebrated a week early. Although, Layne didn't know that we were celebrating...until he got there. A great big thanks to everyone that came and that helped pull off the surprise. And was he surprised.

The house looked beautiful and the food was yumm-o!

Here he is planning his 30 hour ride home revenge.

Here are a few of us that love Layne.

Time to blow out the fire and open presents.

Even if Layne isn't a party animal, he tried to fake it real good, and the rest of us had a blast.

Happy Birthday Honey! Love ya lots!

I must credit Geri for all the awesome pics. I had over 250 really good shots to choose from.

All Aboard

It is time to start getting ready for our trip to Idaho.

This is always more than just packing a bag and taking off. It also involves a good cleaning of the house (so we actually want to come home again), laundry at the last minute, and 'YIKES! How are we going to fit this all in?' moments. Our visits in the summer aren't as tight, but winter visits require us to be a little more creative. There is just more stuff to take. Winter coats, boots, pants, gloves, etc. Two weeks worth of warm clothes for six people. In the summer all we really need is a swimsuit and a couple short sleeved shirts. We can't forget all our gifts we need to take and then the important stuff - snacks, drinks and entertainment for the 30 hour drive....I'm leaving the loading of the van to our master loader, Layne.

Today the kids are home from school because of an ice storm. So we've been cleaning. While I was folding laundry I had some time to think.

Here are a few of my self-conversations today:

*I'm thinking that since I'm missing a 1/2 of a month of enjoying the decorations at my house I can keep them up 1/2 way though January. Right?

*We had a lot of fun this year and we even got to see the one & only.....

Richard Simmons in person! (I know your jealous.)

Why I remembered this and yet, I can't remember most of yesterday...that's not good.

*I have absolutely fallen in love with snowflakes. I have them hanging all over my house, turned them into tags on gifts given to friends & neighbors, and I just LOVE THEM.

*The Christmas party at church was canceled (because of the ice storm) for tonight. This has created a problem. I was really counting on not dealing with dinner. Since we are leaving I've been cleaning out the fridge so we didn't grow something nasty while we were away. Hamburger Helper anyone?

Okay, that is about all that is on my mind right now.

Hope you have all had a great day & week.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Some of My Favorite Christmas Projects

(Stained Glass Cookies)

I love houses. windows. city streets, buildings & yards this time of year.

It is amazing how just a few decorations and some twinkle lights make everything look so happy and festive. Throw some cookies in the oven (or better yet, plug a wallflower in the wall) and everything smells just as wonderful as it looks.

(3-D Snowflake)

My favorite part of the season is Christmas Cards, hands down!

I added the links to the two projects up top, try them if you get a chance.

They are fun for adults & kids.

Enjoy the Holidays, Everyone!

End of Family Week

(thanks for the beautiful poinsettia, Becky)

Well, things didn't quite end with a bang like we had planned.

Actually, it did end with a bang...on Justin's head.

Mitch and Justin were racing on their bikes and Mitch cut Justin off. Then Justin's front tire hit Mitch's back tire and Judd went down. Big gash in lip/lots of blood/off to the ER for a couple stitches.

This trip to the ER wasn't quite as gross as when he nearly bit his tongue in half, a couple years ago, but it was yucky and Mitch felt awful. The big scab came off yesterday so it looks lots better now. The stitches come out next week.

So we spent our last night of Family Week at the hospital. We'll have to redo that night tomorrow. As a matter of fact, by popular demand, we'll be redoing many of our Family Week nights.