Complaint Choir

I thought this was funny. I found it on Ireport.com

Spain

I created this slideshow of my trip to Spain this past year on Panraven.com. This is a great website. If you take a special trip or simply have some family pictures you want to memorialize this is a great way to do it. Also instead of just printing the pictures and putting them in a typical photo album you can order a book that you can put on your coffee table or display someplace at home. The book was a little bit pricy, but is a small investment to preserve your travel memories and it also is a great gift idea.

Katie's Christmas Art

 

Here is a sample of Katie's art work. She is really quite amazing. I know she didn't get this talent from me. Enjoy!

It's a Wonderful Life

Today is Emily and Katie's Christmas with me. Monday they'll be taking the train to Washington with Carolyn to go and visit Grandma and Grandpa Heia. Last night we sat down and watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Even though it's corny I still love to watch it and pull it out every Christmas. If things get bad all we need to do is think of George Bailey ... we can always find someone who is having a rougher time than us. If we make a habit of seeing the good things everyday ... we will not be overwhelmed with the difficult.

It's time to pour my morning coffe and start getting ready to cook breakfast for the girls. They're still sound asleep, but it would be great to wake them up with the smell of frying bacon.

Late Fall Snow Storm in Palmdale

We had a beautiful snow storm on December 17th. It started snowing at about 6:00 a.m. and was still snowing at 9:00 p.m. I didn't have to go to work today and won't have to go in tomorrow. I got up early this morning and went out about 7:00 to take some pictures of the rare snow we get here in the high desert. It usually snows once or twice during the season, but it rarely sticks to the ground. As I waded around in the field to take some pictures it was clear we had a little over a foot on the ground. Believe it or not, it's already almost gone.

Grand Canyon

Robert and I drove to Grand Canyon the Friday after Thanksgiving. It's about a 7 hour drive. We spent Saturday viewing the canyon and drove back on Sunday. Pictures cannot do justice to the incredible sights. It would be great to make plans to spend some more time there either in one of the cabins or camping.

Overdue Update

Emily, Katie, and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spending it with BJ and her family in Inglewood. It is great to spend the holidays with the loved ones. There were about 15 of us in all and we spent time simply catching up and reminiscing. Trav's brother and sister, Randy and Christi, were both there--I hadn't seen either of them in over a year.

This fall Emily has continued with her activities in the marching band. I've had the opportunity to see the band perform several field shows during the season. They're great and have a lot of fun. I will see if I can't get a picture or two to post.

Katie continues to do great in school and also pursue her interest in art. She entered some of her paintings in the Antelope Valley Fair and won an award or two. Also, I have a colleague at work who saw one of her paintings in the fair and wants to buy it. Imagine ... Katie, a professional artist! I'm not sure if she or I is more excited.