Brianna has been enjoying hanging out with her friends in Tricia’s ward the past couple of weeks. There has been shopping adventures and game nights. While she was sad to miss the dance in our own stake, she had a great time with Hannah going to a friend’s house to celebrate a new year.
I, myself, fell asleep before midnight, but Doug and Tricia gave assurances that it came and went in the usual manner.
It is very sad to have a cast on your leg when everyone else is in the yard enjoying the beautiful morning.
It was worth waiting for this picture perfect ending to a wonderful day.
(It hasn’t snowed on Christmas Day in Charlotte since 1947.)
It is my first white Christmas ever!
Enjoying the day…
projects to complete
waiting for dinner
listening to the Christmas story and sharing talents
showing off new pajamas
enjoying the new fireplace on the patio
and now there’s only one more sleep ‘till Christmas.
Papa went with Tricia, Courtney and the boys to the IMAX at Discovery Place. They saw “Legends of Flight” which tells all about the Boeing Dreamliner while giving an overview of the history of flight. Of course, they really liked it.
Then they decided to walk the streets for a little bit and checked out Christmas decorations downtown.
Meanwhile…
I was visiting my friend Sandy, from California, who happens to be near Charlotte visiting with her kids for the holidays.
We went to the speedway tonight to view the 2 1/2 mile lights and music show.
As a bonus we also got to take a ride on the 24 degree banked track, which I personally thought was freaky. Doug and Brianna wished that they were there in his car.
Afterwards we parked the car and enjoyed some of the activities on the center field.
It was 32 degrees and the s’mores were a huge hit especially since that meant standing right by the fire.
As it turned out…Friday night after Doug fell off the horse, we were going out to dinner. However, he realized that he didn’t have his wallet. At first, he thought he lost it when he fell, but then we kind of decided that it might still be at home in his other trousers because he had a quick change before coming out to the farm.
When we got home much later that night however, there was no wallet.
The Williams’ spent about six hours a piece looking all along the trails where we had ridden, but to no avail. On Monday, we ordered Doug a new driver’s license.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday night Doug got a phone call from Greg. His daughter lives on a property adjacent to the farm. She raises goats that graze on her father’s pastures. For the first time ever in the two years of goatherding, the goats decided to graze in a new area.
Of course, the goat dog, follows them and watches them.
Today, the dog brought something back with him.
Doug’s wallet. There were teeth marks in almost every item in that wallet, and a pretty fair job of tearing apart the leather had been accomplished. So it was inevitable that Doug would have needed a new driver’s license anyway, but…it wasn’t there. Maybe the goat dog will bring that home next time ;)
Thank you Roxy!
About sixty teenagers gave a Christmas concert at church this evening,
including our own favorite, Brianna. They have been practicing for many weeks, and they did a great job wishing all of us a
Merry Christmas!
It was a beautiful winter afternoon. 
Perfect for a ride.
It was decided that a cart a pony was the best option for me.
The giant donkey wanted to be friendly while Kentucky Lass got hitched up.
All set and ready to go.
The men were on horseback.
We had a great ride, right up until some dogs spooked Doug’s horse, which then sent him flying and left him-- literally breathless. Some days turn out like that.
However, we still had a wonderful evening with our friends, and Doug will be feeling better soon.
President Uchtdorf suggested in conference four key relationships as we determine what matters most. The fourth being the relationship with ourselves. He suggested getting to know ourselves better and one of the ways mentioned was to enjoy God’s creations. It has truly been a pleasure to follow his advice by watching the twins that have been showing up with their mother in my garden every day.
They haven’t learned the stealth of their mama. They are little puffs of fur that bounce and prance. They do all kinds of gymnastics getting themselves onto and off of the glider. Mama entertains them switching her tail for them to grab while they wait for their own turns licking at the hose.
It is very tricky trying to get a picture of these wild cats, since they scamper away the minute the door of the house is opened. I had to take these pictures through the glass.
Mama has been hanging out near the house for a long time. I hope she has found someplace safe and warm for the three of them since the weather is going to be getting much colder.
Happy Birthday dear Brianna. She ventured out for some Black Friday shopping. Then got her nails done.
A group of us went to see
Tangled, which was a fabulous movie about a girl having a birthday! Our celebration was not nearly as spectacular as Rapunzel’s, but we did go to Panera so that Brianna could order her favorite meal there…mac-n-cheese.
Unfortunately, there is a nasty 
