Snow Day 2011!

Oh to feel like a child again!
This Sunday, Pat assured me that I wouldn't be going to work the following day due to the weather. I never want to be let down, so I chose to ignore him and plan for the worst. But my child-like instincts had me up ever couple of hours looking out the window. And to my amazement, at 5:00am, there it was...SNOW!
Pat was running around, yelling and out the door before 7:00am. I slept until 8 and woke up worried that I hadn't gotten my confirmation from work. After a few calls, my worries were gone and I was on the couch drinking coffee. Pat eventually came home and we enjoyed a great, relaxing snow day together!

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Year at Ryans house in Charleston. We were extra excited this year because Ryan and Haley just announced that they are ENGAGED!! We are all very happy that they finally took the plundge (j/k Haley)! I am so blessed to have two of my best friends also be my sisters! I was always sad that I was the only girl in my family but slowly over the years I have gained some great new sisters!

Notice the snow on his right knee! Aww!

 You're what??? ENGAGED!

One BIG happy family!!

 Aww! The happy couple!

 Of course the night wouldn't be complete without a little Rock band with Pat on the guitar!

Welcome 2011!

We are excited for the year to come!

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!