The Treehouse

Friday night Josh, Mark, P, and Alison went to Dr. Hall's house to check out his tree house. It has been a 3 year project. I had no idea it was so big. I pictured all 5 of them crammed into a tiny little tree house, sitting Indian-style, and hunched over so they didn't hit their heads. Uh, I was way off! This thing is huge! I can't wait til I can see it. A couple of the windows are actually windshields of cars. Random! There is spiral staircase, a fire pole, and plenty of monkey bars and slides. It almost puts the house on Swiss Family Robison to shame. :)

Happy ♥ Day!

Josh spent his Valentine's Day in Columbia, SC at the VA clinic there. He returned to Augusta only to go back to the clinic here and work on lab work. I had made him a very cheesy card and got him yogurt pretzels as a snack for his drive to SC.

That night, I took dinner to the clinic and we ate it together there. I made chicken & ham fold-overs, squash casserole, steamed broccoli, and a vanilla cream pie. I did a pretty good job. I was excited. I got to the clinic and was surprised that Josh had set the table, complete with candlelight- or torchlight. Whichever you prefer. Mark was kind enough to take our picture, and we even forced him to eat some pie with us. After dinner, we packed a little lunch to keep at the clinic for Josh, we wrapped up the pie so co-workers wouldn't see what it was and the resident's enjoyed it the next day. It was a bummer he had to work, but we made the most of it. It was a great day.

Early Valentine's Date

Josh asked if he could take me on a date early since he would be working on Valentine's Day. Of course I said yes. He gave me a pearl necklace, earrings, and bracelet. So beautiful! Then we went to a restaurant that we had never been to before called Pablano's. It was delicious! We shared this delicious meal with beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp fajitas and then beans and rice. Not to mention all the chips and salsa we could handle. Yumm! I have decided Mexican food is my favorite. What a good date and a surprise gift to go with it! Love it. Thanks, sweet♥!

Date Night

Last weekend Josh and I went to eat at a pizza place and we were given tokens to play in the little arcade game area. It was fun. We enjoyed ourselves. This hunting game was annoying though. Josh ended up shooting more deer, but my accuracy during the quail hunt helped me win overall. We had to play ski ball. This is the best game ever, even though Josh ALWAYS wins! Thanks for the fun date, Josh!

"Why don't he talk like a man?"

A conversation at work between a co-worker (from England), me, and a patient:

Patient: You sound like you live out in the country.
Co-worker: What? I've never been told that before.
(Insert me laughing and the co-worker looking at me)
Patient (to me): Doesn't she sound like she's country?
Me: No, I wouldn't call her accent country. But I know where she is really from.
Patient: No, you're just afraid to tell her she sounds country. You are afraid she'd kill ya or somethin'.
Me: What? No, she doesn't scare me and I wouldn't call her accent country. Maybe from the mother country.
Co-worker: I don't think I sound country.
Patient: Well just now you sounded like a damn Yankee!

The ironic thing is this guy had a very southern accent. Doesn't that make him country? Now I am confused... I will say, it was funny and it made my day. :)

Take time to stop and smell the roses

We are told that the weather this year is not normal. Hmmm, I think I like it. Josh noticed this blossom the other day. (I am so glad he takes time to stop and smell the roses!) It is beautiful. If it decides to be winter in February, I will be disappointed.

"Look at all these parts!"

Even though Josh spends a lot of time at the clinic, I am glad that they (Mark, Alison, and Josh) get some comic relief. Josh downloaded his pictures from his phone to the computer. Ah, the resident's office. Close quarters. They have re-arranged, now Josh and Mark sit back to back. Good thing they all get along. It is tiny when there aren't 3 people in here. I call it the closet, not the office. In the lab, their favorite place! :) Hard at work. Dinner time. I wonder what time it was when this picture was taken... Thumbs up! Look at those tired eyes!! Uh, not sure what exactly is going on here. Hmmmm, late at the lab, again, huh? Safety First! Would you trust this face?! I don't plan on letting him have a mustache anytime in the future...especially a black one! Several months ago, I had 3 random visitors at work. I was taking my lunch and half way asleep in the break room when these guys came in. It was a surprise, and it made me smile. I think they had a good time on their little outing. As Josh would say, "Cool guys". Dr. Hall and Mark. This is a familiar sight.

"I hope I can take the electric blanket back."

We were pretty sure that this would be our "First Christmas in Georgia". I was excited. I had the Christmas Eve dinner planned: turkey, au gratin potatoes, cheesy vegetables, rolls, dips, and pies. It was going to be D-licious! Josh found out on Dec 12 that sterilization would be closed at work the week between Christmas and New Years. He could stay and do the never-ending lab work, and try to stay afloat in this residency, or he could take some time off, be away from the clinic, and then try to catch up later. After getting the ok from my boss, we decided to go to Idaho for the 5th straight year for Christmas.

We flew home Christmas Eve. The Atlanta airport was DEAD! (Okay, it was the 1st time I stepped foot in that airport, but I am told it is busy.) All these years of traveling for Christmas, and we finally figure out that flying Christmas Eve wasn't nearly as stressful as trying to be home earlier.

The initial departure from the plane was a little "brisk", but we survived without freezing to death. I told LaDonna she wasn't allowed to make fun of us if we were cold all the time :) I love flying in and out of Jackson. So beautiful. And a great place for diverse people watching. The mountains are so beautiful, especially with snow. I have only gone "outside" when getting off the plane 2 other times (and those planes were tiny). I like it! "We aren't in Kansas anymore!" So unique!
Bryan was kind enough to pick us up from the airport. Kayson and CJ were so excited to see Uncle Josh. They insisted he sit in the back between them. It was cute and Josh loved it.
The Grand on a crisp winter day. Beautiful, wouldn't you say?
Christmas Eve was spent with Josh's family. Only Bryan and Cliff and their families were there. Still a pretty rowdy house full, but not even half of the family was there. Kayson and Brecken eyeing the counter full of candies, cookies, and pies. I love the look on their faces- that is how I felt too. There was tons of good food of course. How did I get so lucky to sit right in front of all of it?! I am surprised there were any leftovers... After dinner we went downstairs and started the Christmas festivities. Josh and Cliff. Nice shirt Josh!
I was teasing Braden about riding BMX bikes with training wheels. He wasn't amused. Playing some Christmas bingo. This was new this year. I thought it was great. The bingo Queen! The boys loved it! Brecken was concentrating. Bridger, Kayson, and Braden Kayson and CJ singing. They did a great job. Ah, the peanut gallery... We sang songs and read from the scriptures. It was a fun evening.
While we were singing, Santa left a sack at the door. The kids were excited for their Christmas pjs. Christmas morning was relaxed and we were able to enjoy a nice Christmas program at church. One of the musical numbers was a piano/organ duet from Handle's Messiah. It was beautiful.

Sunday evening we drove to my parents house. I made Josh pull over on the way so we could take this picture for Haley. This is the view on a clear winter day. The mountains look so clear and crisp. The sun was setting and it was beautiful. If only there was more snow to cover the brown!
My parents had no idea we were coming. I was nervous all day wondering if I should give them a call, or just wait til that evening. What if they called me? Do I answer and tell a string of lies? It was stressful! :) LaDonna and Bryant were the only ones at my parent's who knew we were coming. We planned to show up at my parent's just after they did. LaDonna wanted to see the look on Mom's face. We knocked on the door and when mom answered she said, "What are you doing here?!" It was perfect. We were so excited. It was so good to see everyone and spend time together. We spent the evening with my family singing songs and doing our family gift exchange. I felt like I was taking tons of pictures, but I don't know what happened. Brie, KayDee, and Brandon Bryant, LaDonna, Austin, and Kendall. I'm not sure what was said, but I am sure I said it-and it was funny. :)
Boise State's biggest fan. Austin was so excited! Kendall and Ty got scopes to mount on their guns. Kendall said, "Those squirrels don't stand a chance! Unless they are very far away..." We were laughing so hard. Josh, Ty, and Clay. (See Haley, he does wear the shirt!) Bryant and his new silk scarf. Nice!
Mom enjoyed her oven mitts. These were completely Josh's idea. He wanted to get some for everyone, and I am boring and said "no". Shucks! They really are cute and kind of fun. I like this picture of mom and dad- they sometimes have a hard time keeping their eyes open for pictures. This way, you can't tell. :) I told dad, "Don't blink! Keep your eyes open!" This is what I got. I guess you take what you can get. They have lovey eyes...
Later, we conned everyone into eating boiled peanuts. Not NEARLY as good as fresh ones- especially if Haley makes them, but they got the general idea: salty and soggy.
I should have made everyone sit in front of the tree for a family picture. What was I thinking?! Grrr. Next time, I guess.

The day after Christmas dad hooked up the team. Luckily it wasn't as cold as last year. I love it. It was beautiful. I thought these were good pictures.

That night we went to visit Grandpa Eddie. I am so dumb and didn't take a camera. Seriously! He is 95 years old (I think?). It was fun to visit with him. Josh was asking him questions. "What was your first car?" "When did you first get a wrist watch instead of a pocket watch?" etc. At one point a nurse came in to bring him his meds. We asked her if he behaved himself. She told us yes and that sometimes he was special. Grandpa got the silliest look on his face and of course we were dying laughing. It was priceless. Where is a camera when you need one? LAME!

At some point in the evening somehow electric fences were mentioned and maybe what would happen if someone were to pee on one (theoretically of course!) Dad got a silly look on his face and then came my favorite quote of the century, "Confidence is the feeling you get right before you do a dumb ass thing." Well said, Sir!

That night we were able to visit with Jack and Dannah and their kids too. It was a full house, but we missed Steve and LaDean (BOOOOO!) Cambree is too stinkin' cute, especially in KayDee's scarf and Brie's headband. She wasn't the center of attention at all... After she opened her present. Yes, she is very photogenic! She was a little shy at first, but she eventually warmed up, especially to Clay (after all, he did have a bag of Oreo's). This is after the Oreo's, can you tell? Poor thing, too many Oreo's! Hooray for the fat face ap, it entertains kids of all ages every time.
Alexis waiting to open presents. Sean with his new quilt from Grandma and Grandpa. Every little boy needs a coonskin hat! Dannah and Jack opening presents. I am not sure what Alexis is doing, but that is her in the pink pants. I hope she doesn't make a habit of that for every picture, but then again, she is Jack's kid! :)
Whew, I think I finally got pictures of everyone on here. We had a great time. It is always good to be with family. After we left Idaho Falls, we went for a drive to Bozeman. Then we met up with Josh's entire family the night before we flew home. I didn't take a single picture, and that is horrible. Josh and I both fell asleep on the couch without even playing a single game! We are boring!

The drive to Jackson the next day was long because the pass was closed. We had to go through Palisades, it was beautiful though. The sun even decided to peak out from the clouds. I realized how much I dislike the wind. Ugh. Oh well. Josh is pretty good at taking pictures with his phone while we are moving. Had to get our fill of mountains before we came back home. It was good to see everyone. Thank you for being you and making our time there meaningful.