There is a blizzard warning!

 It was suppose to start around 6:00 but it was more like 10 before it really came down.

                  You can hardly see the fence in the back and their yard is not very deep!

                      I will take pictures in the morning.  They are expecting snow measured in feet.  This will be new for me too!
Oh and there was a 2.7 earthquake here today too... center was about 40 miles from us.  I don't need any more "new to me" things!
Later

The snow was crazy.  it went from an inch or two in places to 3-5 ft because of the wind.  We played around in the 4x4 and got stuck in deep snow but it was fun.  I was walking Buddy and stepped into a drift that was up to my thighs.  It's hard for an old woman in boots to get out of something like that by herself.  I probably could have won "funniest videos"!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Merry Christmas everyone.  I hope you had a wonderful fun-filled day.
We had lots of food and there were presents galore under the tree.

                   It looked like an explosion at a toy store happened in the living room.  LOL

                                    I got some beautiful earrings from the James Avery store!

                                  I think this is for warmth not just darth vader or whatever

 Logan took forever playing with each toy for 30 min or so before moving on to something else

 Doug got some new tools, a bag to put them in and more wemo electronic stuff

                                            I think someone really likes his new fire engine!

                                             Ashlynn playing with some of her dolls

It was a wonderful day.  We ate too much, played hard and enjoyed the nice weather.  Today it's snowing.... more on that tomorrow.  There is a blizzard warning.  I have never been in a blizzard!
Later

Getting ready for Christmas

I can't believe Christmas is almost here.  I have finished all of my shopping.  All of the presents are wrapped and under the tree.  Well not all of them.  I bought myself an Instant Pot pressure cooker and was going to put it under the tree but I couldn't wait to use it.  So far I had made a whole chicken, pork butt, a beef roast and chicken wings.  All were delicious!  It is so easy to cook in this pot, I might actually start cooking again!  Not everyday, let's don't go overboard, but... often.  lol

The chicken wings were great.  From frozen to almost fall off the bone done took 20 min.  I then coated them with BBQ sauce and put them in the oven on broil for a few minutes to  crisp them up.  

Lori has been busy baking for Christmas.  She made fudge, oatmeal cookies and an Italian cream cake.  She was working hard on the cake and I walked in the kitchen.  She was whipping the egg whites by hand.  I made the mistake of telling her that she wasn't whipping fast enough.  I was thrown out of the kitchen.  Note to self:  Never criticize a woman with a whisk in hand and a 18 month old pulling on her leg.  I took my grandson and we went to the den and watched cartoons.  Lesson learned.  LOL 

We are suppose to get a bunch of snow the day after Christmas.  Anything above 3 inches is a bunch to me.  I think they are forecasting in feet not inches..  We will see..... Could be fun.... could be....

Later

A tour of Bell Helicopter

Today our son took us to his workplace.  He is a quality control inspector for Bell Helicopter.  They are very particular about visitors.  Approvals had to be made, temporary ID's had to be issued and we had to have an escort with us at all times.  We couldn't take any pictures, which was a bummer because it was really interesting.  We saw different stages of them building the V22, the new V280, an Apache helicopter and a Huey.  The V22 is the one that looks like an airplane but takes off like a helicopter.  The engines rotate.  The were doing test flights on two of those, an apache and a Huey.  I can't imagine how scary that must be to take a plane up for the first time.  Will it fly?  LOL  Well, it better!
It really was an interesting morning seeing the way they put these big machines together.  They just keep getting bigger and bigger.  The propellers don't look that big until you are standing right next to them.  It amazes me how they fold up.  I really wish I could have taken pictures for you but I didn't feel like getting arrested for espionage.

                                                             This is  a picture of a V22.

This is the new V280.  The experimental aircraft that we saw wasn't complete.  In fact, it was just the fuselage.  They were installing all of the wiring, hydraulics and other stuff.  LOL  They were building the engines and propellers, but they weren't compete.  A lot of the work done on this aircraft was being done behind blinds.  They don't want Boeing seeing what they are doing.  Boeing makes the fuselage, so there are Boeing employees in the Bell plant at times.  it all sounds very "James Bond" secretive doesn't it?
I got these pictures off of Bell's web site.  I should be ok.  LOL
Later, I hope  LOL

Baby it's cold outside!

We had snow last week.  Enough that there is still snow in places.  It was so pretty.  But it has been so cold too!  I don't care for the cold, but I loved the snow.  I have finished all my Christmas shopping.  I love amazon.com.  I did most of my shopping online.

Lori has the house all decorated for Christmas.  I need to take another picture of the tree because now there are presents galore!
This is the first time in my life that I have not put up a tree.  I thought about buying one of those little 2 ft trees and put it on the dash of the motorhome,  but I just haven't.  We spend most of our time at Brian and Lori's house anyway.
Nothing else going on here.... Just trying to stay warm!
Later

Thanksgiving, an Ice storm, and guess who is sick

We had a wonderful thanksgiving week.  Well, the days before thanksgiving were great.  My entire family was gathered under one roof and anytime that happens, I am a happy woman.  Unfortunately, an ice storm decided to grace us with it's presence thanksgiving evening.  This caused Mike and Kaitlyn to leave after lunch to head back to Houston.  It was a world-wind day.  We ate lots of good food and then Mike, Kaitlyn, Lucas, Brian, Lori, Ashlynn and Logan all exchanged Christmas presents. Thanks-mas is what they called it.

We ate and then the gift opening began.

Logan thought the box was the best toy!

A family picture

My boys are still just big kids.  LOL

Everyone loves Star wars!!!

Even though we didn't want them to leave, it was a good thing they did.  This is what we woke up to the next morning.  Unfortunately, this is ice not snow.

The day after Mike and Kaitlyn left, Lucas ran fever.  By saturday they took him to the ER with 102.7.  It was suspected he had roseola.  By Monday, he had the rash.  Yep, it was roseola.  By Monday, I had a terrible sore throat.  I had ulcers all over my throat and uvula (that hangy down thing in the middle).  Strep throat.  I am too old for this stuff.

Later!

In Amarillo, enjoying the kids and grandkids

We haven't done much since arriving here.  Just having the chance to all be together is the definition of happiness for me.

Brian's house is full of kids and dogs.  LOL  Everyone is getting along just fine.  Haven't had a dog or kid complain.

                                          Looks like everyone is connected to social media!

We did go to Palo Dura Canyon today.  Mike and Kaitlyn have never been there.  It is just as beautiful as I remember it.

 Right before we left, the sun was setting changing all the colors of the rock formations.

                                            I even got a shot of the moon above the canyon.

A beautiful ending to a perfect day.  We need to enjoy these 70 degree days.  The weatherman says snow is coming our way this weekend!
Tomorrow we start to prepare for Thanksgiving!
Later

Let's play catch up

There hasn't been anything to write about since all we have been doing is playing with Lucas and going to doctor appointments.   Medicines were changed, tests were ordered and return appointments were made for February.  Guess we know when we will be coming back.
Our plans are to leave Houston on Friday and head to Austin.  Yea, I know, that is not the direction we should be going. Mike wants to take us to a BBQ place in Austin.  This place is suppose to be so popular that people line up before they open for a chance to eat there.  I can tell you now, I am not standing outside in a line for hours just to eat BBQ.  I love BBQ, but you can get it without standing in line for hours!  Mike and family are following in their vehicle since we will be staying in Amarillo after Thanksgiving.  We will celebrate Christmas while there too.  This way Mike,  Brian and their families can actually see everyone open presents.  We plan on arriving in Amarillo on Sunday.
I look forward to having my entire family together under one roof again.  It's loud and messy with kids and dogs running around, but it is wonderful.  I love every exhausting minute!
Later

One Doctor Appointment down!

Today I went to the endocrinologist.  My blood work was great.  My A1c was 6.2,  my good cholesterol was low and my bad cholesterol was a little high.  Everything else was within normal range.  I have been having some bouts of low blood sugar so she lowered one of my meds and changed it to a extended release and stopped the other.  To replace the one she stopped, I get Victoza, an injectable.  This is not an insulin, I don't need that.  But I am not sure what it is.  It lowers blood sugar but at a low dose, should stop my bouts of low blood sugar.  Last night it dropped to 57.  I don't like it when it does that.  Makes you feel like you are going down, like a one egg pudding.  I don't know what that means, but my mother said it all the time and it fits.  LOL  One of the side effects of this drug is weight loss.  I hope I get this side effect.  LOL  Another is nausea.  I hope I don't get that one, but I think that is why you get the weight loss.  Who wants to eat if they are nauseated all the time.  The nausea is suppose to only last a few days and stop as your body acclimates to the meds.
Tomorrow is doctor appointment number 2.  This time it's Doug's turn.  He sees his heart doctor.
I hope he gets as good a report as I did today.
Later

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

                                  Lucas had to rest up and get ready for his first halloween!

 I can't ever remember the name that goes with this costume.  I know it's a character from an animated movie and that's all I know.

I am ready for my close-up grandmama.

Kaitlyn was ready too!  I remember this character's name, Maleficent!  Right???  lol

Other two grandbabies.  Ashlynn is a pink Ninja and Logan is a baby vampire.  Lori was suppose to dress up too.  I think or at least wear her Harry Potter cape and carry her sword.  I didn't get a picture from her though.  LORI!!!!!   Where's my pic?

               Ashlynn is growing up way to fast.  She will be a pre-teen before we know it.
                                                         Is that what you call it now?

You can just see the mischievousness in this little guy.  It's all over his face!  LOL

I love my grandchildren! 

 Oh, and my children too!  

Hwy 59 is rough on tires!

We woke up to a beautiful day and were on the road by 9:30.  We were making such good time that we decided to see if we could make this trip in one day instead of our normal two.  The trip was uneventful until we got on 59 S just right outside of Houston.  In fact we were within 8 miles of the exact spot we blew a tire on the motorhome last year.  Or was it year before last.  Anyway.  Our tire monitor went off suddenly and I looked at it and it said we had 1 psi on the drivers front tire of our car.  This part of 59 is rough and they are working on it.  I think they must always be working on it but we had just passed through a pretty rough area with lots of construction.  I don't know if we ran over some debris or what happened but this tire is toast.

                                             Not a lot of room between him and the traffic.

Doug pulled over as quick as he could.  It wasn't a great place to be stopped and there wasn't a lot of room to change a tire, but Doug got busy and I stood watch.  I don't know what I was suppose to do other than yell, but I watched.

You have to look real close.  Can you see the jagged tear in the tire, just below the light ray.

It didn't take but around 25 min. and we were back on the road.  Of course that put us on Beltway 8 at 5:30.  Not a great place to be, but it wasn't as bad as I-10 at 6.  LOL  Our arrival time before the flat was suppose to be at 6:09.  We pulled into the campground at 7:00.

Mike and Kaitlyn brought Lucas to see us and we all went to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant.
This being a work night, they dropped us off afterwards and went home.  We needed the rest anyway.  It will be a busy day tomorrow.  I guess first on the list, a new tire!
Later