Weekend with Family - Jen's and Elena

 Feeling super lucky today.  Jen called and wanted to come spend some time with us.  That meant get up, get moving, get the house cleaned AND we decided to throw Elena into the mix since she had a free weekend.  Mister helped with the house for the morning and then went to pick her up.  They got back just before Jen, Louis, and Josh arrived.  We all chatted for a bit and then opted to go putt around with some miniature golf.  We went to Another Round and had a great time.  We had a bit of a wait before we could begin, so Josh and Elena gave this game a try.

Let's Get Cass Moved

 We've been moving towards this day for quite some time.  Plans are in place and family is gathering.  We are flying into Provo to spend a couple days with Cass before the actual move happens.  A little subterfuge going on, but we're doing our best to work through everything.  I'm just so happy the day has arrived.  As we leave Dallas, we notice all the new construction at DFW - new terminal being brought in.

Jacob Graduation and Time in San Angelo (story)

 We've returned from Montana and are off to San Angelo for a grandson's college graduation.  How cool is this?  I'm so happy for him and he already has a job waiting in Anchorage, Alaska.  That is even more exciting.

New Year's Eve Family Time 2024

 Rhiana and family are flying through Dallas with an overnight layover on her way home from Mexico.  We are thrilled to have the chance to spend some time together and rented a couple of hotel rooms near the airport to spend as much time as possible without traveling from home and back.  Mister and I get there a wee bit early to set up the room for a Christmas party.  We have gifts and treats.  Also, Jen and some of her family have also booked rooms at the same place and we are all together for this fun.

Family Christmas 2024

 Merry Christmas!!!  We are so lucky this year to have family sharing the day with us.  Mister has a wonderful rib roast in the oven and we have been enjoying great conversation and fun.  It's time to share some gifts.

Thanksgiving Family Fun 2024

 We are off to Abilene for Thanksgiving with Jen and family.  It will be an overnight so lots of family time ahead.

Out and About - Swim Meet and Fun

Our grandson, Josh, is swimming in Keller today.  That's fairly close to us, so off we go.  Fun to visit with Louis and watch Josh.  Black cap, white goggles.

One Week Into 2024 - Back in Montana - Week 2

 Winter in Montana is always beautiful, but sometimes cold.  VERY cold.  This is my morning hello.  Now, in all fairness, it is much better than it has been --- check out the previous post - Brrrrr.

Thanksgiving Time w/Family

 It's the day before Thanksgiving.  The house is clean and I've met Jen in Grapevine to take a glass together.  Here is the LINK to the Vetro Glass post I did sharing all of our fun.  We have a great time and even wander Main Street in Grapevine for a bit.

Hyrum and Zyra Come to Visit 2023 - Day 1 - I Fly and More

 Woot woot!!  Even though we just returned from a five-week, family trip and saw ALL the grands that don't live in Texas, we have two coming to spend a week with us.  I am just so excited and looking forward to the fun.  Their flight is sooooo close, and yet so far away.  For some reason, the gate is not ready for them.  I'm trying to be patient and remembering that their last visit, I was a running fool to meet their plane and this time, I'm all ready to go.  Ahhhh ---- here they come, at last.

Jared's High School Graduation, Bekah Birthday, Jacob ScholarshipTreats

 It is high school graduation number four for us today.  We've made it to Abilene for Jared's special day and are greeted with his montage.

Jon's College Graduation

 With 19 grandchildren, I knew the day would come when the college graduations would start.  It's here and I'm leaving retreat for a drive to San Angelo to witness Jon's graduation.  I have about a 3 1/2 hour drive this morning and the ceremony is at 10.  I manage to arrive with about 20 minutes to spare and it was a lovely drive this morning.  I didn't stop to take any pics but will try on the way back this afternoon - yes, I'm driving back as well today.

Thurber, TX History and Time With Family

 With an upcoming trip to Ohio looming, Mister and I are meeting Jen and family in Thurber, TX to borrow her car rack.  It worked so well in Missouri last year and I'm hopeful for the same result this go round.  We left Dallas around 10:15 and zoomed right to Thurber.  We had a great lunch at the New York Restaurant on the Hill and visited for awhile before deciding to check out the museum here.    While at the restaurant, there was a LOT of information on the menu.  I snapped pictures so y'all could read it if you so desired.  Ya probably need to really enlarge it though.  The history of this area is amazing and so fascinating to me.  It's pretty mind boggling that there is VERY little remnant of the city that once occupied this area.  Crazy, right?

Just below the restaurant is the W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas.  Now, the camera can come out.

Lubbock - Family Time and Weekend Fun - Saturday

 Round two of the swim meet starts today, but first, we have a bit of time to explore.  Our first stop is at the Buddy Holly Plaza.  Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holley was born in Lubbock on September 7, 1936 to Ella Pauline (Drake) and Lawrence Odell "L.O." Holley.  The youngest of four children, Buddy grew up in a musical household, with his mother and siblings singing and playing instruments.  Buddy showed  musical aptitude, taking violin, piano and steel guitar lessons.  He took up the acoustic guitar after his brother, Travis, bought a $15 Harmony model.  Buddy, with other young Lubbock "pickers", formed several country groups.  In 1955, he saw Elvis Presley in concert and was impressed by Presley's rhythm and performance style.  Buddy and his friends were opening for big country acts at The Fair Park Coliseum when Eddie Crandall, an agent and manager, saw a performance and helped Buddy broker a Decca recording contract.  Buddy's last name was misspelled on the contract:  "Holley" became "Holly".  Buddy's relationship with Decca was short-lived as his early recording sessions failed to produce a hit.  In 1957, Buddy and his new band, The Crickets, began working with producer Norman Petty in Clovis, New Mexico.  On February 25, 1957, they recorded "That'll Be The Day", the first of several hits on the Brunswick label.  Their success led to the band to tour widely in the U.S. and Canada.  In 1958, Buddy Holly and The Crickets toured England.  The group had a profound influence on rock and roll in England - from their sound to Buddy's distinct look.  On February 3, 1959, during a three-week tour of the Midwestern U.S., Buddy's chartered plane crashed after takeoff due to bad weather.  There were no survivors.  Buddy Holly was 22 years old.

Lubbock - American Windmill Museum

 Deserves its own post - I LOVED this place.

Lubbock - Family Time and Weekend Fun - Friday

 A last-minute opportunity came up Tuesday and we quickly arranged schedules to take advantage of it.  Leaving town on Thursday after Mister finished work, the crazy drive to Abilene took place.  It was CRAZY for the first hour as we simply worked our way out of the Metroplex.  Icemageddon was working it's way out and the roads were thawing, but slushy.  We were in solid rain until we hit Weatherford and it magically stopped when the weather guy said it would.  I know, right?  When are they EVER that accurate.  At any rate, things picked up after that and the roads were dry the rest of the way.  Hallelujah!!

Early the next morning, everyone is up and moving.  We still have the drive to Lubbock, but my sweetie has a bit of work to do first.  Once Jen and Louis leave, I'm ready and just waiting on my love.  Grace comes to visit while I wait.  Times like this do make me want a cat again, but the hair everyone just does me in.  Someday I'll be ready to tackle that again, just not yet.

We get on the road just a little after 8 and point the vehicle north to Lubbock.  This is a first time visiting the city for both of us.  The view?  Lots and lots of generator windmills.

Jen's Family Visiting

 We have a super full house.  There are big boys laying all over the place and I love the fact that they are all here.  Jen's family arrived last night and we stayed up rather late chatting so this morning they are a bit slow moving.  I'm in the kitchen making scones and frying bacon, but they are all still in dreamland so I move about with my camera.

Happy Thanksgiving - Abliene with Jen and Josh Bday

 Once Mister finished work for the day, we hit the road to Abilene.  A little over three hours later, we have arrived and dinner is served.  We are starving and homemade chili hits the spot perfectly.

Josh's Visit - Days 3 and 4 - Dallas Zoo included

 Today we aim to check off some more on Josh's list.  We're heading out while it is semi-cool and the zoo is our destination because we just didn't get enough animals yesterday.  Hahaha.  I LOVE the zoo so you know I'm joking.  As we arrive, the penguin pool is full.

Josh's Visit - Days 1 and 2 (Dallas World Aquarium)

 I am on the road.  Joshua would like to come and spend a few days with Gammy and Grandpa and I'm happy to have him.  I'm driving halfway to Abilene to meet up with Jen.  Music is playing and I'm cruising along when I notice these HUGE planes crossing my path.  I'm not sure just which planes they are or which base they're from, but it's cool.  I get Josh retrieved and home we go.  He goes into the guest room and we never see him again today.  

26th -  Peeking through the door, it's 9:30 and we still haven't seen him.  He has moved occasionally, so I KNOW he's alive.  Fourteen hours after he disappeared --- he has risen.  Too funny.  Some explanation that he is on vacation and I'm not going to wake him for anything helps and he discovers that this time here will be whatever he wishes it to be.  I think we're on the same page now.

At this point, Grandpa is on a conference call and the  noise coming from the street is crazy loud.  A peek shows that it will continue for awhile.  He's REALLY happy.