Some Pictures

A Day at the Homestead

Well, it was snowing when we got up this morning; not much though. The day actually warmed up today.

The kids have been playing with their new toy; PS3. We've been watching old movies again too, in a much better quality of course. No I can't tell the difference but the games available for the PS3 are pretty intense. I got a Magic Bullet Blender, yes from the infomercials, and the kids have been having a great time finding more and more things to make with it.

Tim is going to be in Susanville again this week, until Thursday night. He gets Friday off for New Years. I am inviting all the family over for dinner on the first, including the in-laws side of the family. I could be quite a party. There are a lot of people on Carina's side of the family. Sharrill and her clan will be coming over also. The house is big enough and I think I will have everyone bring a salad and I will make a turkey and/or ham depending on how many are coming out.

We have quite a bit of ice all over the outside. It hasn't gotten warm enough for it to melt but just enough to melt it into slight puddles that freeze over night. It is still very pretty out here though. There is no snow left in Quincy so it looks nothing like winter.

I got the pleasure of helping Chris feed a whole gaggle of animals this week. If the world were a perfect one, this is what I would love to do. There's something quite satisfying about seeing horses being very grateful to the person bringing their food. The three colts were quite cute too. We also fed chickens, goats, ducks, geese, dogs, mules, and cats. The first day we went out it was pouring rain, not so fun and really cold. Thankfully it was the only rainy day.

A Wet Wet Day

Boy the rain is coming down, the temperature has dropped and I'm watching the Top Gear crew race across the North Pole. Obviously, they make it, but how idiotic is this.

It has been dumping rain all day. Chris and I went out to feed horses and such for a family they are gone for a week. It was great fun, believe it or not, but the rain was coming down in buckets, and the animals were pretty spread out. We then went into town to get the mail and a bite to eat.
Even got to see Mikey in the process.

I will be spending tomorrow and Wednesday baking banana bread, blueberry bread, and sweet corn cake for Christmas gifts. That's what happens when people can't make up their mind about what they want the most. We are having family out to our house for Christmas dinner. This year we will be having turkey and Filet Mignon, special request from Nathan. I will also be making mashed yams, a bit healthier then potatoes.

Except for finishing up some reports for work, I really don't have many plans for vacation. Chris will be feeding all week but Holly should be helping him. Since it's raining I guess not having plans is okay.

Tim is in Susanville this week. He should be back Wednesday night. He is on his own this week as the other two ended up in the hospital; for different reasons. He has to be the boss. Not his favorite thing to do but he'll so fine as he works well under pressure.

Winter Has Hit

Well, we were hit with quite the temperature change around here. At our house it was -15 and in Sierra Valley it was -26; not exactly warm. Our front door was actually frozen shut. The 26 degrees it is now seems quite warm.

Everyone is busy but fine. I just finished my last final and will be taking three classes next semester. I will then graduate in May. I will be taking a math class and two science classes. I'm really glad I don't have any homework to do over vacation. I do have work I brought home but it should only take part of a day to finish.

Tim will be in Susanville again this coming week. This will be his third week up there working on the generator. He will get Thursday and Friday off. Don't know if he'll be going up next week, it seems to be a last minute decision every time (wait and see).

Chris is enrolling at FRC for the Spring semester so he'll be busy. He is still playing with his string group and some other groups here and there. He is also doing odd ranch/horse jobs here and there. He spends most of his time with Holly of course. She is finished with her first session at UCDavis and is up for a month or so.

Nathan is busy with school. He is now playing guitar in the school jazz band. He and the band played in the school's talent show last week and did a great job. They did the Need More Cow Bell skit from Saturday Night Live. Pretty funny. He is also busy with his school work. He is enjoying his chemistry class but not the rest' if course. He doesn't see the need to do anything but math and science.

Mike and Carina are busy working and hanging out with their friends. Mike is almost finished with his probationary period at Safeway. He will then get paid vacations and insurance so that will be great for them. Carina is still working on her vet tech degree. I believe she is almost finsihed. They both still want to move somewhere where it doesn't get so cold and snow.

Raynelle' is finished with her classes this semester and will be going for one more. She may graduate in May if they let her walk 5 units short (she would finish the five units over the summer) Most colleges let you walk but won't send you the diploma until you finish. She is also working at the school. She has decided to apply for the Masters program at UNReno, which is great because we will be able to see her more.

Not much else going on in these parts. It's starting to rain and the ice is melting. The dogs are cozy inside and hate going outside. The cats have joined in with the dogs protest of not going outside. We are down to one guiene pig, the lizard now lives in the living room and the fish have taken over the tank(I think they need a new tank for Christmas) We haven't gotten any new animals, although Chris is lobbying for a miniture donkey to pull the sled and carry the backpacking stuff.

Well, once again, there's not much happening around here, but it is what it is.