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!!