Pre Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa McKenney’s

Ellie and I spent the weekend with my parents. Our main objective was to visit with Grandma and Grandpa and the Cousins. I also wanted my Mom’s back up for a Christmas project I’m working on for Ellie.

We made plans to go to the American West Heritage Center in Cache Valley where they had different events such as tea parties, train rides, pony rides, Father Christmas, and a live nativity. On Friday afternoon we had a little tea party with just us girls. It was fun and we had a little lesson about manners and learned a little bit about life at the turn of the century.

On Saturday we went back with the boys and Uncle Jon to enjoy the train and pony rides. Ellie surprised me by getting right on the pony with out any hesitation. In the past she has been extremely reluctant to do such a thing but this time in the company of her cousins she was fearless. They also had a live nativity with a donkey and a goat. Unfortunately the donkey and goat were resting when we went on day two but we still dressed up the kids and got the picture…

Ellie also really got into helping Grandma with some of her Christmas treats. She was very focused on unwrapping some chocolate kisses for her

I didn’t complete my Christmas project unfortunately but I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did without my Mom’s help. It will just have to be a New Years Present instead…

Bada and Papa’s Pre Christmas Gifts

Yesterday we received a pre-Christmas package from Bada and Papa. Let me tell you it was met with much enthusiasm. I wasn’t sure about opening the box at first but then I found the card with instructions explaining that it was a pre-Christmas surprise. There were specific instructions for Ellie to share the shaker with her baby brother and let him hear all the fun too. It arrived just at the right time. Ellie and I were starting to get some winter blues after being “home bound” for a few days due to our latest snow storm. Now we have some fun stuff to play with until Christmas is really here. Whew, so here is a bundle of videos to show Bada and Papa just how much you made our day. Thank You!!!

[flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/4189698523/[/flickrvideo] [flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/4189659553/[/flickrvideo] [flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/4189808173/[/flickrvideo] [flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/4189869241/[/flickrvideo]

There are some more on my flickr page if you are interested too. Enjoy

Oh the Weather Outside…

It’s snowing and snowing and snowing. Started yesterday and I don’t think it’s going to stop until tomorrow. Of course Gary got the powder fever and got up early this am to make the trek to Alta for the frenzy. All I can say is that he will be coming home to a job of work because it is building up out there. Ellie and I went out for a hot minute to get some fresh air. She didn’t last long kept saying “go home”, but she did manage to get her share of freshies.

And then there are the things we find ourselves doing on these snowy home bound days. Oh the fun!

It’s Begining to Look a lot Like Christmas

We had a week full of fun Christmas activities including a train ride on the “Polar Express“, Gingerbread Houses, and getting our Christmas tree. It was a busy but very fun week.

First up the Heber Valley Railroad provides a nice little Polar Express ride during the holidays. We enjoyed Hot Chocolate and cookies, a reading of the Polar Express story, a beautiful moon light view, Christmas Carols, and Santa of course. Our neighbors joined us for the adventure. I’m really glad we did this Ellie and Zak were in awe. It was a good first interaction with Santa for Ellie. He was kind enough not to scare her too much and offered her a jingle bell. When he had to leave she kept saying “bye bye Santa”.

Next up we teamed up with our friends Jen and Zak to make Gingerbread Houses for the Midway Cottages for the Children Fundraiser. They came over Wednesday evening and we built our little gingerbread neighborhood. Zak and Ellie helped for a little while but then decided playing and running around was more interesting. So it became a Mom project. It turned out pretty good. The next morning Ellie checked it out for a while with big eyes naming all the gingerbread animals we scattered around the cottages.

Finally, on Thursday we picked up our Christmas tree. We were particularly excited because it is our first little family Christmas Tree. Getting a tree and decorating it was one of the little events I was really looking forward to this year. I did missed decorating the tree Marcoccia style late into the night with the scratchy old record player. I was worried we wouldn’t have enough ornaments or lights for it but it turned out just right thanks to what we have collected over the years from family and friends. Ellie got right into it hanging up bells and ornament, enjoying hot chocolate, and dancing to the Christmas music. It was a good night in our wee little home.

[flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/4161577080/[/flickrvideo]

Ode to Chip

CHIP, PICH, BOY, CHIPPER, CHIPPY, our dog, our guardian, our friend, our shadow, may you rest in peace boy…

Chip was a unique dog. His first year of life was a difficult one that left a mark on his personality. Gary was cautioned by friends not to take him that he was a mess, but there was some kind of connection there that bonded them. I think at the time they really needed each other.  He was a  nervous dog with a major separation anxiety problem but the more Gary loved and took care of him the more normal he became.

I met Chip about 3 or 4 years before Gary and I started dating. At a party one summer in Jackson Hole. I remember him pacing between rooms checking on Gary. I tried to pet him but he wouldn’t have it. Only Gary could touch him. I remember thinking “that dog is crazy”. Then a few years later I got to know Gary and his dog Chip. Chip got used to me right away and with a few years of maturity he accepted me as part of his “pack”.

Chip never got over his separation anxiety. He followed Gary everywhere right on his heals all the time. On our wedding day as we were taking our vows Chip made his statement by breaking free of the leash he was on and running down the aisle so he could stand by Gary. I will never forget that. So endearing and such a tribute to his loyalty to Gary.

My parents have been Saints for watching over him while we have gone on various trips. Dealing with his sensitive stomach and such. Over time they were the only ones that could take him as he got used to their house and the routine of staying with them.

When we brought Ellie home Chip showed mild interest in her sniffing and checking out the wiggly bundle. Both Adah and Chip accepted her right away too. Never acting out as she crawled on them, poked at them, pulled their hair. Most old dogs that have had the history of Chip’s first year don’t tolerate children but he never made me nervous around her. If he didn’t like it he would move to the next room or look to me or Gary to help him out. Even on the last good day he had he tolerated Ellie yelling in his face and chasing him around the room. He didn’t feel good and any other old sick dog would have snarled at the innocent playfulness of a child, but he just got up and looked at me for help. He loved us and we loved him.

I haven’t known Gary with out Chip. He has been with us through it all. There is definitely a missing piece now and an emptiness to our wee house. I’m glad I took the time Thanksgiving morning to brush him out before Gary took him to the vet. It was my way of thanking him for watching over Gary when I wasn’t there and keeping him company, thanking him for being such a good dog for Ellie to experience as her first relationship with a dog, and thanking him for loving me too and letting me into his insecure little world.

Many friends and family have responded to the news of Chip passing through phone calls and comments on facebook and skibumpoet. Thank you for all the love and support. I wanted to share some of the comments…