Christmas 2012...

Bruce and I had a quiet Christmas this year.  Neither girl was able to come, so we were alone - but not completely.  Our good friends, Robin & Steve, invited us to share Christmas dinner with them, their daughter and her husband and his parents.  It was a wonderful meal!!!

After dinner, we all headed to the basement to Karaoke our lungs out!!!!!!!!!!  We always have a blast doing Karaoke at Steve & Robin's.  He has a professional setup and we can embarrass ourselves with quality equipment!

Shyla drew Bruce's name this year and he got a great pair of house slippers, among other things.

My Christmas gift was a little more extensive.  Bruce let me get new solid surface countertops in the kitchen:)
We had recently gotten new flooring and I also changed out my electric cooktop for a gas cooktop.  I love it!!  The lighter surface really brightens up the kitchen.(the old countertops were black!)  Bruce was very generous to let me do this and I love it - and him!!!

More importantly than the material things we received for Christmas were the blessings of friends and family.  We were able to Skype with both kids and were able to watch the grandkids open the gifts we sent them.  When family is so far away, technology makes life a little more wonderful.

Our wish for all of our friends and family in this new year, is for God's blessings to pour down on you.  We love to have visitors, so if you are ever in the area, you are welcome at the Blackketter Arms Hotel!!

Thanksgiving 2012...

This year we went to Oklahoma and Texas for Thanksgiving.  We had a great time and the roads were mostly good both ways.
We were blessed to have dinner with Jane & Dean, Don & Wanda, Jeff and two of his sons, Danny & Terri and two of their sons.  It is always good to connect with family.
No surprising, the highlight of our trip was spending time with our new grandson, Pierce.  He is 5 months old and we thoroughly enjoyed him.

 He is one of the happiest babies I have ever been around.  He has a wonderful disposition and such a contagious smile!!

 This is his first attempt at sitting up.  He reminded me of the Leaning Tower of Pierce.

 Pierce and Geezer became good friends.

 The always necessary picture of Geezer and Gramby with the baby.

 I even managed to get a picture of Clay and Shyla!!

 This was my favorite position the entire week.  I loved rocking him to sleep.

When in Dallas, do as the Texans do (or something like that).  Ellen (Bruce's sister) and her family have a tradition of touch football before the Thanksgiving gorging.  Looks a little crazy to me, but I'm not from Texas.

The busy time at Auntie-auntie Ellen's wore Pierce out and he slept quite of the way home.

The holiday also wore out Baxter and Maggie.

We had a wonderful time and always cherish the time we spend with Shyla, Clay and now little Pierce.  Can't wait for the next visit!!!

A Country Legend...

Tuesday night Bruce and I went to see Loretta Lynn in concert.  It was a very good show.  It amazes me that this 80 year old woman can still sound like she did 50 years ago.  She is a legend in country music and I am so glad we were able to see her in person.

On to other things...
Autumn has arrived in Billings.  The trees are shedding their leaves faster than we can rake them up.  The weather has been warm, but I know that winter will arrive sooner or later.

We had Trunk or Treat after Bible class last night.  The weather was nice and the kids (and adults) had a great time!!!

This N That.... Mostly This...

I haven't blogged in a while.  Not much going on, just work, church activities, etc.  We went to camp over Labor Day and I took some pictures of moss, lichen, etc.  One guy asked me what I was taking pictures of and I told him moss & lichen.  He said, "Why?".  I don't know, I think its pretty and interesting.  So, because of my weird photographic tendencies, you are the recipient of my oddity.

I am always amazed by the variety of God's creation. Such intricacies and beauty in the smallest things. Whereas some see nature as an accident of the cosmos, I see such detailed design and I believe God had a ball on creation day(s). Such imagination and creativity is no accident.

A Visit With Pierce...

I made a trip to Oklahoma to meet Pierce.  I did manage to squeeze in a little time with Shyla and Clay as well.
Pierce is a little cuddlebug.  He is so sweet and is a beautiful little boy.  I am so excited to watch him grow.

Without further ado, here is Master Pierce.

 Sleeping is his favorite hobby right now.  We think he may expand to touch football, tee ball, soccer and golf at some later date.

 He even got his mom into his hobby.

 Dad & son having what looks like a serious conversation.

 What a cuddlebug!!!

Last but not least, a picture with Gramby.  I love you little man.

Family Camp 2012...

We just got back from Family Camp.  We spent a week at Yellowstone Bible Camp, as we do every year, and had a wonderful time, as we do every year!!!  The week spent there is soul refreshing and we are able to make new friends and renew old friendships.  In my opinion, its as close as you can get to Heaven on earth.

Our daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters were also able to attend which only added more enjoyment to our week.  The two oldest girls are in constant motion from the time they wake up to when their heads hit the pillows at night.  They wore me out, but I loved every minute with them.  The baby, was just fun to cuddle!!!

 Miss Grace loved playing outside in the playground.

 Looks like Clementine wore Geezer out!

 Both girls wanted to put their feet in the canal.  The water was COLD!!!  I don't know how they stood it for so long.

 Geezer loves to fish with Lily.

 Frozen cherries make a great treat on a hot day.

 Gramby with Clementine.

Getting three little girls to sit still for a good photo is a lot like herding cats.

 Lily demonstrated her singing skills at the Friday night talent show.

Grace didn't want to be shown up by her sister, so she took over the microphone.

The Great Brucelini!!

The week before camp, there was a huge wind storm which blew down 12 giant trees in camp.  Here is the biggest one.  We measured it at 114 feet, but that was after some of the top had been carted off.

We had a great week and are already looking forward to next year!!

We are grandparents again.....

We would like to introduce to you the newest member of our family.

Master Pierce Dennis Dwyer.  He presented himself on June 27th, and weighed in at 7pounds 3ounces, and 20 inches tall.  Isn't he handsome?

Congratulations to Clay and Shyla for the new addition to their loving family.  May God bless you with wisdom and love as you raise Pierce in the Lord.
We love you!!!