Christmas at the State Capital in Pierre, SD

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with Uncle Rich and Aunt Henrietta.  Had my favorite meal and then just relaxed for the day - had a little more turkey for supper and off to bed early.

 

Friday morning we went to McDonald's for breakfast since the local restaurant in Sturgis where we had planned to go was closed.  Had a GREAT time just laughing and sharing and visiting.  I do enjoy being with them.

 

We left early afternoon and took a back road to Pierre and the State Capital.  I had heard that they had an indoor display of trees and thought it would be fun to stop on our way home.  Boy, what a boring drive til we reached Pierre.  Drove out to the big Oahe Dam which was nice. 

 

Found a hotel with a little help from Amy - thank you very much!!  Checked in and went to Arby's for dinner and then to the capital.  There had to be at least decorated 40 trees and a huge state tree, which I thought was the ugliest one there.  My favorite, by far was the license plate tree.  A lot of the trees were decorated by school children.  I'm glad we went.

 Thought this was a cute way to display an old door or maybe a window.  I might try it next year.

 This was the state tree and it had these huge peachy colored fake flowers on it.  It reached all three floors but I was not impressed at all.

Well, that's it for this week.  Have a great time celebrating the Christmas season.  I'm going to Holly's Christmas concert on Friday night and Chase's Tuba Christmas on Saturday afternoon.  Looking forward to both of them.  I might even get to have lunch with my favorite younger daughter tomorrow.

Love to you all,
Gramma and MOM

Dear Gramma,
I thought I should just change your background quick while I was thinking of it. I found this one and it was titled "The Holly and the Ivy". Fitting, huh? Plus it has polka dots! My favorite! Love you bunches and bunches and bunches. Thanks again for the wonderful evening! I love you more than I love ice cream!
Love,
The Granddaughter Who Has Had The Most Time To Wiggle Into Your Heart
(but that's super long so I'll just summarize it...how about, Your Favorite? ;)

Coming Home from Washington

We had decided to start for home on Monday.  Forecast said snow flurries were to start Tuesday morning but you just never know what it's going to be like going over the Washington/Montana passes.

 

We passed walls of ice falls (frozen water falls) which were very pretty.  Kinda hard to see how nice they were but I took all these pictures through the car windows.  Some of these ice falls had water flowing over part of them - awesome.

 

 

 Our first pass is just after we leave Seattle and all was clear - sailed right on over the summit - little snow on the sides but the roadway was dry.

 Not so lucky on the second pass - the roadway was a bit wet with some slight snow showers coming down.  Didn't have any problems though since the temperature was above freezing so once again we sailed through it.

 Didn't really see any vehicles in the ditch except this truck which had jack-knived on the side of the road.  I am so blessed to have one of the best drivers around when we travel.  Thank you, honey!!!

 Made it to Spokane Valley the first night with no problems and to Hardin, Montana the second night.  When we got up in the morning, this is what greeted us.  We arrived in Sturgis early afternoon and our hosts were waiting for us.

 Another tranquil scene from somewhere in Montana.  I love the red buildings along the road and just can't resist taking pictures of them.

 Amy and Kurt, every time I see this sign in Montana, I think of your family and wish it were Minnesota instead.  I love driving through Montana because the scenery is constantly changing and is so varied between plains and mountains.  However, it is still a looooooooooooooong way!!!

Have a good week.  With love to all of you!!

Gramma and MOM

Sam's 6th grade Musical - Back to the Manger

Our trip to Washington this fall was all about this young man and he was amazing.  Sam's had a part in his 6th Grade Musical, "Back to the Manger".  Isn't he the handsomest 40's young man you've ever seen?  He even had to wear a "mic" and had to wear makeup - we're talking big time theatrics here.

 

He did such an amazing job and we are so proud of him - he said the acting part went well but he's still not so keen on the singing part.  I went to his musical twice yesterday and we'll be going again tonight and my heart does a little flitter each time I see him come on stage.

 

 Sam's class has 80 children in it and they all fit on the stage. 

 The play involved this Time Machine which took the kids back to the church caroling party from 2015 to the 40's through the 80's.  The kids then sang and danced through each decade - their principal even came on stage and danced a little disco - GREAT show.

What a fun time we had and how proud we were that this young man is our grandson.  He was the best of the best.  Way to go, SAM!!!!

Couple of years ago, we bought this little "tree frog" for the tree in front of our house but the tree was too large so we brought it to Washington with us and he fit perfectly on this tree in DeAnn's front yard.  Isn't he cute?

Well, that's it from Washington.  We will be leaving here on Monday and should be back in eastern South Dakota soon after Thanksgiving.  Will be spending Thanksgiving in Sturgis with Peter's brother and his wife.

Happy Thanksgiving to all - what are you thankful for today?  I could do several posts on all I'm thankful for.  (Oh, that's right, I started doing just that but didn't get far.  May have to start in again when I return home.)  God has blessed us so richly in this past year - our cup is overflowing!!!!!

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Good Trip to Washington



As most of you already know, we are in Washington at DeAnn's home.  Our trip out was very nice - we did it a little differently this time.  We left earlier in the morning and then stopped earlier in the day and of course, went to bed earlier than usual.

 

We saw some amazing scenery - all of my pictures were taken in the state of Montana.  It takes us almost an entire day going from the southeast corner to the northwest corner.  The snow that we did see was all in Montana.  We had a small amount of "snow showers" when we went over one of the passes; otherwise clear sailing with very good roads.

 

 

 Love this bridge:

Lots of yellow mixed with the green - very pretty.  No red leaves, however.

 

Absolutely loved this tranquil scene - this was taken through the front windshield of our car.  It was nestled down in a valley in the middle of all the snow.  

 

 

Have not taken any pictures since we've been here but will try to remedy that soon.  Went to Sam's socceer game last Saturday and he made a goal.  He also got "spiked" near his eye while playing goalie - a badge of courage.

We've having a grand time - Peter is busy working on DeAnn's "to do" list - I really don't have anything on my list since I'm unable to paint.  At least that's one good thing about having a trigger finger.

Breakfast out yesterday; lunch today and breakfast again tomorrow - love this life of leisure.  Have a GREAT week ahead.
\
Love to all, especially a blonde college freshman
Gramma and MOM

Indoor Band Concert

It was Chase's evening to shine last Thursday.  He had an indoor band concert featuring their parade songs as well as their field show.  It was wonderful - much improved from the first time we saw the program in September.  We are so very proud of this young man!!!  He says he really likes marching band and will be doing it again next year.  Can you pick him out in these band pictures?  He's the handsome one with the trombone!!

 

He even posed for pictures with three of his favorite gals.

 

 

We had pizza with the Koele's, and Hiemstra's at Dar's Pizza before the concert.  The only way it could have been a more perfect evening is if Sam and Katie could have been with us. 
I don't know how we came to be picked to be the grandparents of the most awesome kids ever!!!!

Love to all
One proud Gramma!!!

Scholarship Banquet & A Finished Shed

Last Friday evening we were invited by this lovely lady, Wilma, to attend the Dordt College Scholarship Banquet.  Wilma's husband, Rich, set up a series of scholarships before he died and Holly was the recipient of one of them.  We did not tell Holly we were coming and it was priceless to see her face - she looked right at me and all of a sudden, realized who she was looking at.  We had a wonderful dinner and program.  So proud of you, Miss Holly.

 

We took Holly home with us for the weekend - she needed a little "Grampa and Gramma loving".  On Saturday afternoon we made applesauce - it was a fun activity.  Holly just sat and peeled the apples with the little peeler and I had to do all the work!!!!  But then if you see the crutches in the background, you'll understand why.

 

Peter's "summer time" project is finished.  Kurt and Amy had an old garden shed in the backyard that was rotting away.  Peter decided it would be a good project for him to undertake.  It turned out so nice - I know I have before pictures somewhere but can't find them.  Will keep looking.

 

NOW I have to get to work.  Have guests coming for dinner tomorrow night so have to do some dusting and vaccuming and grocery shopping.  Have a wonderful day!!!!

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM