Let It Snow!

Pat loves the snow. I, on the other hand, am not as mesmerized by it. I think this partially because I grew up with it and also because it is just so darn COLD! My grandfathers house sits directly in the middle of the mountains. This is another thing that I am used to and Pat can't get enough of.  Pat spent a lot of time hiking the mountain ('the hill' as my family refers to it) with Maggie.

There were a few times he talked me into joining them. I love him for that! I forget how pretty it is and how much fun it can be.

Snow Angels!!

"Pat Loves Melissa"

So sweet!

Maggie loves the snow too. Well, actually, I'm not sure if it's the snow or the freedom she gets to run in it! As we made our way up the hill she would run ahead and then stop to make sure we were coming. The farther we went the more comfortable she got. We would call her every once and a while to make sure she wasn't sniffing her way down the other side. When we reached the top and Pat and I were hanging out playing in the clearing and all of the sudden Maggie showed up... She just sat down licking her lips. I took one look at her and said, "Pat, I think someone met a porcupine!" And sure enough, there she sat with 6-8 quills sticking straight out of her nose!! She didn't seem to mind them until Pat started pulling them out!!

Pat got them all out except two. So we headed back home for the pliers. On the way down we ran into Piston and Hemi, my brothers Shiloh Shepherds. If you would have seen them playing you would have never known she had porcupine quills stuck in her nose!

Yes! She put her nose in another hole!!!



Unfortunately, the burs on the quills were in too far and we couldn't get them out. We called the vet and took her in at 7:30 in the morning. The old country vet, that my parents have known for years, knocked her out and got them out without much trouble! And the best part was the bill...$40!! Any animal owner knows that it is unheard of to walk in and out of a veterinarians office for that, especially with anesthesia!!! All's well that ends well!

Merry Christmas!!

This year we had a quiet Christmas morning. Some family members were unable to make it, and while we missed everyone, it was nice to slowly wake up and take our time getting around. We eventually opened our presents and by mid-afternoon we were preparing Christmas dinner (by this I mean my mom). Pat and I do not generally exchange gifts so I was very surprised on the trip up when he insisted that we stop as we were passing Target. I tried to get some hints, but he wasn't budging and I was so surprised to open my new coffee maker!!!

Pat was also surprised with his Food Saver.

I would like to take the credit but it was from my parents.

Hey I thought we weren't doing gifts!!

And best of all was Maggies gift, made especially for her

by Grama Becky. It is so cute and looks just like her!!

By late afternoon the kids showed up. My nephews and niece have other grandparents to visit so by the time they get to our house they have done a fair share of opening gifts. But that doesn't mean they aren't interested in more...

Rick had Pat for the gift exchange

and he got some great grilling accessories!!

We finished the day with a big turkey dinner! We had a wonderful first Christmas as husband and wife and I am looking forward to the next 60!! Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Pat, Maggie and I loaded up the four-wheel drive family sleigh, at 7:00 am on Thursday, and headed to Pennsylvania. It was an uneventful trip but we made good time which is always nice. Of course Pat was pleased to see that everything was covered with snow.

The town of Port Allegany is very small and with the exception of the grocery store, pharmacy and the new Dollar General there isn't much selection for shopping. Pat and I needed to pick up some last minute items so we made the 45 minute drive to the nearest mall. It was dark on our way home so we got to see all of the decorations and lights on the houses and some of the town squares. With all of the snow it was cold but neat to walk through and look at them all!





Let the Festivities Begin!

We started our Christmas celebrations a little early because we would be leaving town to visit my family. We started by visiting Jackie and Jenny for a few hours. This gave me an opportunity to give Jordan and Julia their gifts. They seemed to be very happy with them and Jordan was so sweet and thanked Pat and I individually (without being prompted) a number of times!

After our visit we went to Pats parents to exchange gifts and celebrate with them. We were there until after midnight... It's always so hard to leave when you are having such a great time and you know you won't have that opportunity again for a while!

Just call me Martha Stewart

Actually you can just call me Becky Baumgarner. We are supposed to wear a tacky Christmas sweater for work this week. Given the time of year and the fact that I am frugal I decided to ask mom if she had anything I could borrow. Unfortunately her sweaters weren't tacky enough so she found some ribbon and beads and I turned a regular sweater into a Christmas fiesta! I can't take all of the credit for this masterpiece...mom helped pin the ribbon on the shirt in the shape of a tree, but I sewed everything on by hand!

I also decided I would make some holiday treats for everyone at work. I made peppermint bark and chocolate toffee. I bought little boxes to put them in and as I worked on making everything I kept getting ideas for packaging. I looked around the house to see what I could find and I am very pleased with how everything turned out! I never realized I could be so crafty. Thanks Mom!!

Weekend Celebrations!

Pat and I had a busy weekend...

 Friday night we went to the HBA Holiday Ball with Ryan and Haley. I was feeling a little under the weather so I wasn't performing at my full potential but we still had fun. I enjoy getting dressed up every once and while and this was the perfect excuse!

Saturday afternoon we traveled to Moncks Corner for Ryan Leapharts wedding. Ryan was Pats partner in crime for much of middle and high school. It was nice to meet his family (and him) and hear all of the nice things they had to say about Pat. We got an opportunity to reminisce and share old stories. Pat was also able to clear up a few "situations" that went unexplained when they were young.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the bride and groom but I managed to get a quick shot of the guys before everyone departed.

Happy 30th Birthday Pat!!

I am officially married to an old man! I can say that because I have another year before I hit the big 3-0. Pat and I celebrated his birthday by lounging around the house and relaxing. His birthday was Sunday and Becky was the first to wish him happy birthday at 10:30am. It would be another few hours before he would get anymore well wishes because he turned his phone off! He disagrees with me, but I think he was in denial because by Monday evening he was ready to celebrate for real. We went to his parents house and his Dad grilled some great steaks. There was no cake but there were candles, so we ate and sang and celebrated the day the love of my life was born!!!

By Wednesday he was ready to celebrate with my family so we went to my parents for another wonderful dinner.

What's age anyway...just a couple numbers?! We all know that Pat will never have to worry about being old, no matter what his age. Thirty isn't that old anyway and neither is he...He has the hair to prove it!!!

"The Best Day Ever!"

After a long and successful day shopping with my mom Pat approached me with a great idea... He wanted to go through the lights at Saluda Shoals with Jackie and her girls. I was a little tired after a full day of shopping but I can't resist Christmas lights!
After everyone got something to eat, Pat got everything cleaned out of his car, and we played babies for a bit we were all ready to go! Jordan and Julia were exctied from the minute we got them in the truck and they got REALLY excited when Joey climbed in back to sit in between them. It was quite a site! Joey and the girls in the back and Jackie, Pat and I in the front. After Jordan established that I would be safe and had a seat belt in the small middle seat, we were on our way!
It is so much fun to do activities like that with kids (and Pat) because they get SO excited! We were all impressed with the lights. Julia didn't know what to do, she just stared out the window and occasioanlly she would hear an upbeat song and dance to the music. When we asked Jordan if she was enjoying herself, she said it was, "the best day ever." (*Note: She had already been to see Bethlehem at school, to a movie with Grandma, and to the doctor with a busted knee.)

Oh Christmas Tree...

I absolutley LOVE Christmas!
I love to decorate.
I love the music.
I love what the holiday represents.
I love that everyone is happy.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

This year we went to a tree farm to hand pick and cut our own tree. Unfortunatley, the farm doesn't grow the kind of tree that 'Pat Bunyan' likes, Frazier Furs. So we rode on the choo choo train, walked around and looked at them, pretended to cut one down and then bought a precut Frazier Fur!

The best part was that Maggie could enjoy the festivities too!

Hmmmm. Which one should we choose?

Ahh, yes. This one.

The Big Burly Man and his tree.

Santas little helper!

The Stiers are ready for Christmas!!