Birthday Train Ride

 It was birthday time again! My 25th and Grams' 94th. She wanted to do another train ride, so we booked our tickets for the 27th! We picked up Grams that morning and surprised her by Skyping Mom and Dad in England.  Grandma was thrilled to see and talk to them.  Afterwards we drove up to Heber to board our train.  Todd was the perfect gentleman as he drove the two birthday girls around. He treated us like royalty the whole day. I couldn't have asked for a better husband!

 Even though we haven't really had any snow, the scenery was still so delightful.  I loved to see the reflections off of Deer Creek Lake.

 On our train ride, the conductor came on through the intercom and told us a little bit of history about the train. He said the train was built in the late 1920s and used for transporting people and goods. Todd said, "Well Grandma is more history than this train, since she was around before then!"

 This barn is a replicate of an old barn that use to be along the train route.  Grams loved seeing the barn and horses.

 But Grams' favorite part was when they blew the whistle!

 This train ride was the best thing about my birthday.  I had two of the most special people in my life together visiting, laughing, and sightseeing. We had many good laughs, some memories shared by Grandma, and beautiful views to see.

After the ride, we went out to dinner together to a Mexican grill as we knew Grandma loves Mexican.  It was a wonderful birthday and I wanted to share my appreciate to all those who called with birthday wishes, sent beautiful birthday cards, and sent their love on that day.  Thank you!

Christmas Photo Shoot

On Christmas day, after we came home from church, we were all ready for our pictures to be taken. Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law, Louise, who wanted to practice her photography, she volunteered to do a photo shoot with us.  The pictures turned out so well.  Here are my favorites---pretty much all of them! Thanks Louise for this great Christmas gift.

Christmas Holidays

 On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed the traditional Fisher get together, with a dinner, Grandma's famous red slushy, Christmas Bingo, singing carols, and visiting.

 I did some last minute wrapping.

 Then Christmas morning, we had Santa's little elves come wake us up saying, "It's Christmas, time to get up!"

 Todd got a new gray suit, bathrobe, a football, shoes for work, and other clothes.

 We gave Jill a new pair of slippers, and Roger a new pair of running shoes.

 I opened a new picture frame to use for the house, new black boots, clothes, jewelry, etc. (Thanks to Sisters Retreat.)

Mark and Louise's kids opened a Wii.  Alfredo said "Hallelujah" and danced when he opened it.  So Todd being the great uncle that he is was kind enough to play it with them. We attended a very nice sacrament service, followed by a Christmas dinner.  Afterwards, we visited Grandma Fisher. 

The following day, we visited Adam and Alyssa and played the new game Adam got, called Zero.  I learned that what Jill said about how Todd loved looking at maps when he was a kid and would sit looking at geographical books for hours was true.  During the game, Todd came up with amazing geographical answers, like Pretoria for a city in South Africa, and named some random country in Africa that started with "M".  We all thought that Todd was just making up these answers until he was right and won the game! Don't challenge Todd to geography, he will win every time.  Next time we play Zero, I want to be on Todd's team!

Thanksgiving

 We enjoyed a relaxingThanksgiving weekend with the Fishers.  Todd and I played football with Alfred and Alaina.  Then, while Todd changed the oil on my car, I went on a walk with Alfred and Alaina as they rode their scooters.  We wanted me to ride too, so we rode double on a scooter. I felt like a kid again.

 Also, I enjoyed reading the book, Covert, the story of a police officer that infiltrated the mob for many years and later became a NBA ref---both jobs with a lot of pressure.  We had a delicious traditional thanksgiving meal, prepared by Roger and Jill as the family gathered together around the table.  Todd said he was grateful for his full-time job that he enjoys so much.  I was grateful for a good year of health, peace, and happiness.

 That Saturday, we headed to Ogden for the Christmas Lights Parade.  I had never been to a night parade, but if you bundle up, it's not too bad.

Alfred's favorite part was the Star Wars characters.
 

 Once Santa arrives from the parade to the park, he lights up the Christmas light village and then shoots off fireworks.  Below Todd is admiring the fireworks.  After the fireworks, we were all cold and hungry, so Roger treated us to a yummy Chuck-a-Rama dinner to warm us right up!