Goodbye '08, Hello '09

The days have been flying by and here we are...entering a new year already. We've had a grand time with Ryan, Amy & Damion the past 7 days. I'll post pictures soon.

Yes, we 3 did stay up to see the new year "in" with some of our best friends in RR. Benjamin was too busy playing to take notice of our countdown. We left shortly after our "breakfast at midnight" - with happy hearts & full tummys.

Here are some funny/cute things we've been hearing aroud here...

"Mommy, I needs some almums please." (almonds)

"I heard firetruck crackers in my bed last night" (fircrackers)

"My daddy is the best in the whole wide world."

Happy New Year to each of you!

This & That

View of downtown Austin from this past weekend.

As of 12/20/08 the unofficial count of construction cranes in downtown Austin is 13 (per the Austin American Statesman).

The tallest building is the Austin 360 condos & has 44 floors. However the Austonian residential tower will have 56 floors when completed in 2010.

Snow/ice & our pobano pepper plant

Hugs for Simon


Finishing a Clifford the dog puzzle with Berlin. We love puzzles.

We're here

Well, we've had busy days & then we found ourselves sick this weekend. No fun. Hopefully this week will go better. Here is a poem I've been wanting to share. It came from Berlin's Bible. We were reading a chapter to him & found this poem tucked in the pages.

Steadfast Heart

I've dreamed many dreams that never came true
I've seen them vanish at dawn;
But I've realized enough of my dreams came true
To make me want to dream on.

I've prayed many prayers when no answer came
though I waited patient and long;
But answers have come to enough of my prayers
To keep me praying on.

I've trusted many a friend that's failed
And left me to weep alone;
But enough of my friends have proved tue blue
To keep me trusing on.

I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For birds to feed upon;
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hand
To make me keep sowing on.

I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain
I've gone many days without song;
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.
author unknown

Montana!

We had a wonderful trip to Montana - good flights, a pleasant 4 hour car trip to the farm, 7 relaxing days on the farm with Russell's family, fantastic food & good visits.

Well, we did see some snow - OLD snow - by the parking lot at our hotel in Minot, ND

Outdoor activities included rides in the wagon

Benjamin and cousin Colter

Great-grandma Ruth with her wonderful pies & 8 great grandkids

What a mess - loads of toys for the kids


Pouring over tractor books with the cousins

A ride on the Grandpa Larry's JD tractor - what a thrill

Northeastern Montana

A ride on the 4 wheeler with Dadddy