Jack Frost

The mornings have been so beautiful with frost covering the trees and low hanging fog. I was returning some books to the South Jordan library this morning; it was so pretty I had to stop and take a pic of it. I forget how much I do love cold, crunchy days.

Scott bday party

Scott decided on Tempanyaki for his birthday dinner. He usually goes to PF Changs, but thought it would be too busy on a Friday night. The food was good and also fun, lighting the fire, cooking in front of us.

Christmas Eve Party

Paige and family came to the townhouse and the party began. Jason and Chris fixed beef tenderloin and lobster, along with grilled asparagus, Scott fixed Chris' black and bleu salad, and we had several desserts. I made Grandma Hobart's mac and cheese.

We enacted the Nativity Story, and had other readings that are traditional to our family. Jason always reads A Cup of Christmas Tea, reminds us so much of Aunt Phyllis. Paige had a few new ones, and I did Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa, which is new also. Didn't read The Little Match Girl, so sad and everyone complains saying it is too sad.

I rewrote our Nativity Play, trying to get the perfect balance of words, songs and movement. I'm not ready for Broadway, but close.

Christmas Eve Day

Jason and Chris went shopping for the food for dinner in the morning, Rick, Scott, and I went to Walmart shopping for our part of the food, and by 1 we were all done. Aly had some things to do, including getting her hair done. Everyone then just relaxed and lazed around; Jason and I decide to go shopping at Jordan Landing, the Kohls in particular for his ceramic fry pans. And of course all the stores must be checked out, including Barnes and Noble. At Dress Barn I tried on a dress; she asked my name to write on the door. Jason snapped a pic of it.

Temple Square and City Creek Mall lights

Last evening we all met at Temple Square to view the lights. When we went on Wed night I remember the lights at the mall being prettier. Nay, not so. Temple Square is much more dramatic. It was a mess trying to find a place to park but after we actually parked and got there, the evening improved and we had a nice time.

Skiing

Our family started a tradition many years ago of skiing over the Christmas holidays. In Indiana it was Perfect North by Cincinnati. After we started having Christmas in Utah it was one of the Utah resorts. Sadly, participation has really dwindled until yesterday it was only Chris and Jason hitting the slopes.

Jason is rocking his Chester Molester 'tache

Ggrrls school Christmas Program

On Wed Scott and I went over to Paige's to see the ggrrls perform in their school programs. We could see Macy really well, she was on the top row, but Stella was on the bottom row and Paige said was the shortest, smallest in her class anyway. It was a cute program, really happy I got to see it. Macy is the top left. I mean right. I was going to change it, but instead am showing my right and left dyslexia.

City Creek Mall

Scott and I went to the airport to pick up Chris and Aly on Wed at 4:30pm. Chris knew of a wrap place that he loved the food and used to eat when he worked at Fidelity in Salt Lake City. We went there and the food was delish.

The lights downtown are amazing, the stores are actual stores, not like a lot of stores in major cities that end up being antique, law offices, etc. We walked into City Creek and the layout and architecture is amazing also. Love it. It reminds me of how much I love this city.

The lights were beautiful and so vivid. There was a fountain/light display that had music with fire coming out of the water - I'm running out of adjectives to describe just how startling and pretty it was.

Note the fire in the water that would flame up and down with the water and music

Dropped Scott off at the Jazz basketball game to meet Kincade; Chris and Aly and I drove to the townhouse. Rick's plane was delayed so I didn't pick him up until almost 10pm. Got home, happiness and fun with this Christmas Holiday!!

Library

I am a reader. Most of my children are readers. Whenever I would move one of the first things I would locate would be the library. And so last night I was looking for a library and signed Scott up for a library card  (surprised he did not already have one as he is a reader also). Salt Lake County library system told me the card would be ready today. And so today, before Scott and I went to Paige's for the little squirrels school Christmas program, we went to the South Jordan library.

Super nice. Scott got his card and looked for books. I got 3 books. And Scott took a pic of a cool candy made display, pic to follow.

On the way home we went to the Riverton library to get the book Scott wanted. It must have just gotten checked out because it had shown it being in. Their interlibrary system showed a copy in Herriman. But I did get another book.

Off to Herriman. Another nice library and yay!! It had Scott's book and I got another book.

I love libraries. And Salt Lake County library system is very nice with 19 different locations, anyone of which the patrons can visit and return books to. Handy.


Made completely out of candy

It's cold

This artic blast sweeping the nation is putting some serious hurt and cold on us. Yesterday it was 19* in Cedar Park. Cedar Park!! Right now it shows 41*. Park City is 12*. South Jordan is 19*. Indianapolis is 15*. When I talked to Jason at lunch, it was 1*. All the schools were on 2 hour delay.

Scott and I drove to the Seven Eleven; he dashed in and out and didn't wear his coat and it was cold!!

But I have to say I kinda like it. I like putting on my winter coat, scarf, gloves and braving the elements. And the mountains here are so pretty. I could stare at them all day.

I pretty much seem to just like wherever I am.

My terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day getting to Utah

I left yesterday at 10am for the airport; flight didn't leave until 12:25, but Rick needed to get to work. Plane left on time and all seemed well, then about 1 hour from Las Vegas the flight attendant said we were diverting to Tucson due to high winds in vegas and they shut the airport down, nothing leaving or landing.

Because this meant I would miss my connection in vegas to salt lake, they changed my flight there. Good. Got to vegas only to discover my flight out of there was delayed. Meanwhile Rick was spending HOURS on the phone trying to get my car rental changed.

Finally arrived in salt lake, cold and snowing. Waited for my turn to get the rental. Drove to Scott's. safe and sound.

Trail of Lights

The first Christmas we were in Texas I was looking for activities and came across this big light display at Zilker Park. Every year I have wanted to go there, and every year we have not gone. Until this year. Rick was serving Christmas dinner yesterday evening and didn't want to go anyway, so Chris, Aly, and I decided to go. We knew it would be a huge crush of people; it was. The highway even going to the parking area was backed up a long ways, perhaps a mile or longer with the cars creeping along.

Chris was thinking about going to the Fidelity parking lot and then just walking, but that would have been a 2-3 mile walk. As we were driving along Barton Springs Rd, he found a lot to park in. Yay! Cost $10 but we were going to pay that anyway.

It was about a 10 min walk to the park with the light display. Lots of peeps but the weather was a nice 53*. I had on my long coat, scarf and gloves and it was too warm. Chris didn't even wear a coat, just had a Henley on.

They had brought Zoya; alas, no dogs allowed. Chris stayed outside with her while Alyona and I walked thro the display. We kinda hurried (while still enjoying the lights) so Chris and Aly could go, but Chris decided he didn't need to, he walked all around it and looked at lights.

I bought Chris a funnel cake but shouldn't have because he and Aly are on a diet, no breads, etc.

There were a lot of bicycle rickshaws taking people places, it looked like such fun to ride one. When we get back from Christmas I want to go downtown, eat at a restaurant that has outdoor seating, ride a rickshaw, walk around and enjoy the nighttime ambiance.

I'm glad I finally got to go to the Trail of Lights. The pic below is of the Austin skyline with the light display in front. The moon was so cool looking and it's not showing up in this pic, but was in the original. So much prettier in person, as usual.

A globe with Texas and Austin highlighted!

Long weekend with Jason

Rick and I left on Thurs morning and arrived in Indy at 4pm. A good flight.
Jason was home and we went to eat at the meatball place. Going out to eat is a recurring theme with Jason.

Fri: Picked up Fred from dialyasis and drove him home. He looked pale and was weak. He said he wasn't in any pain, never is, which is good.

Sat: Ate breakfast at The Egg and I. It was quite delish. Saw Fred and Ginger's family at Fred's. Ate linner with them, I brought cornbread. It was delish also.
Went to Pat's; she is doing great. Michelle does a fantastic job, we are so grateful for her.
Either Fri or Sat or Sun we had Donatoes; I of course, have no control when it comes to Donatoes and I think I ate 1/2 of a large. It was delish.

Sun: Went to Bloomington to see Justin and Dixie. Ate brunch out, it was just ok. Justin has a beautiful house, Dixie is sweet.

Mon: Saw Fred and Pat.

Tues: Got up at 4:30am to go to the airport. Flight home was good, seemed short. Nice to be back home.

Pics to follow.