Winter Adventures of 2011

 

Winter started off with a “bang” at the buffalo farm this year.  We hosted our first New Years party with the Tate’s…ya know, the “Not New Years Eve New Years Party” we’ve been talking about.  Yep, we got serious about our party and Kristen showed up with the perfect ball for us to drop at midnight…a $5 disco ball from Target…what a find!  We should have been better prepared because 10 minutes before our main attraction was to take place we were all scrambling trying to get things ready for the 10 second countdown.  (I didn’t realize this until now, but notice the clock in the background…great work, Ben!  Unfortunately I didn’t give Ben enough time to learn the ropes on my new camera…next year, Ben, we’ll be better prepared.)

 

First we needed a long section of rope to lower our ball and then we were fumbling around with the iPod to set our countdown…and of course the screen went blank on us about 4 seconds before midnight…it was truly an event to say the least!  We were all quite pleased with our...

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“Happy New Year!!!!”

 

“Check out this cool thing we got hanging in our living room now…we can really put on a party now!”  We decided that next year we’ll have something rigged up that won’t require someone standing on the other end of the rope to make our ball drop AND since we made our own night New Year’s Eve, we might as well have our midnight on our own time too…then the Tate’s won’t be so tired on the drive home.

 

This past week brought about some delightful snow…I say that because I didn’t have to work that night, if I had, I probably wouldn’t be blogging about it, let alone calling it delightful.  But the next morning found me throwing on my boots and a heavy coat…I’m sure looking like I should belong with the local hobo’s in the train yard…do we even have one of those?  But there were pictures to take and as it doesn’t snow in the summer when it’s hot and I wasn’t into cold feet, this was the look a chose.

Of course my hubby couldn’t wait to put the snow plow on the front of the truck.  He certainly takes good care of me…the driveway was plowed, my car was cleaned off and if I ever get into any trouble on the road, he’s always willing to come help me out.  He also went to the neighbors and plowed their driveway since her husband was out of town and she has a new baby to take care…between you and me, even if the husband would have been home, Jamie would have plowed the driveway…he’s just that kinda guy.

 

This past weekend also had us busy as my parents are now moved into a new home.  I use the word moved loosely here…although most of their stuff is in the new home, it certainly doesn’t all have a “home” just yet.  But as usual my family knows how to make a move happen and in true Smucker form, we had the old place pretty well picked clean by the end of the day on Saturday.  They have a beautiful new home and we all agreed that this place really does feel like home to us…the old place worked for the time being but they both deserved a little extra space especially since the business office also shares space in their home.  And as much as we adults felt at home, the kids felt it even more I think.  They finally have space to play and run at Grammy Mucker’s house…Rachel’s way of saying Smucker.

I can’t take credit for the picture above, our good friend Phil the Bill (remember, Papa Smurf has nicknames for everyone), was also over to help with the moving.  He found my new camera and for at least a half hour he was useless as his mind was, understandably so, completely wrapped around my camera.  It has that effect on you.

 

Have I mentioned that the kids like the new place yet?  There is a space upstairs off the loft that has a little people door and is now the home for all the kids toys…it didn’t take Isaac long to show me the little people door, he thought that was just cool.  I agree!  He was also all about helping out when he found out they were getting the “big truck” to move some of the bigger furniture.  He was in charge of pushing the button to make the lift go up and down…it was quite comical to watch, he was VERY serious about his job AND by Saturday night, he was one tired little boy and was even admitting he was tired…I think that’s a first.

Well that about wraps up our winter adventures for 2011 so far.  It’s been a very busy year for us and January isn’t over yet so keep checking back for the continuing adventures of Me and Him!

I can’t end this post without remembering someone very dear and special to Jamie.  He was unable to help with the moving on Friday and Saturday because he decided to travel up north to see his Cookie Gram and say his goodbye.  She passed away peacefully on Saturday evening and I’m so thankful that Jamie made the trip up to be with his family and say his last goodbye.  She was a special person and will be greatly missed.  Here was part of Jamie’s status on Facebook recently, I thought it was well put…

“Here is to you Cookie Gram.  I’ll be seeing you at some point just keep the cookies and pancakes coming.  Love ya!”

 

Isn’t it great to know that one day we will be reunited with our loved one’s in Heaven?!  What a comfort to know that she’s in a better place…no more pain, no more sorrow…just a beautiful eternity with her Heavenly Father.  I’m so thankful for the impact she had on Jamie’s life, may you be richly rewarded, Cookie Gram.