The Dog Chair

My great grandfather was given this chair when he "retired" as "Worshipful Master"  (meaning: worthy of respect) of the local Mason chapter. The arms are carved dog faces. It was passed down the family from Grandpa and Grandma Eddy to Mom & Dad. We moved it to each of Mom's apartments when she sold the house - frankly, because no one else wanted it! After Mom passed away 

Before...

After...

 

the big question was "What do we do with the dog chair?"

We were all surprised when Megan said she did! And even more surprised when she said she was going to paint it! So into the motorhome it went and traveled to Texas!

It is now enjoying its new life in Carlos and Megan's bedroom!



I love to see these memories from my past being renovated for  the future!

 

Merry Christmas 2014!

We celebrated Christmas early this year - had a wonderful family week-end in Houston. We opened presents on Saturday morning, had our typical Christmas dinner in the afternoon (Roger finally got  his turkey and dressing!) and then went to the holiday light display at Skeeter stadium in the evening.
Megan found these cute "fishing chairs" for the girls at the antique show in Warrenton and had them redone. There is a place for your fishing pole, a drink and the tackle boxes are attached under the chair. I can just picture the scene as they use them at Inks Lake! We got them new scooters because they have outgrown their old ones!

Sonny, their "Elf on a Shelf," was naughty the night before and covered the kids Christmas tree in toilet paper!

On Sunday "us girls" went to see the Rockettes Christmas Show while the guys went to Rudy's BBQ! Seeing the Rockettes was a dream of mine since I was a little girl - before I knew I couldn't dance!! Remember when they were on the Ed Sullivan show? It was a wonderful Christmas memory with the girls!

 

Merry Christmas from Samantha, Emily and Jack!!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

It's hard to believe that Samantha is 9 years old! Seems like yesterday she was born!

She had a wonderful ice skating party - the kids made snowflake ornaments; ate pizza and cake and hot chocolate and then had fun on the ice. Heather did such a great job organizing it all - the kids even got gloves in their gift bags so they could wear them on the ice!

Notice her new braces?

 

 




 We had the whole rink to ourselves and it was so much fun! They divided the rink into 3 sections - for ice skating; broom ball/hockey; and bumper cars - and kids and parents had a great time playing together! Samantha is able to skate pretty well but the kids that couldn't had plenty of fun!

They had sleds to pull the little ones around in - they really giggled when Roger pulled me around! So glad to be here and enjoy the fun times with them!

Thanksgiving at the Dude Ranch

We gave up our Thanksgiving traditions and made new memories this year at the Rancho Cortez Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas. The weather was great and we had fun horseback riding, hiking and playing games. The food was a big disappointment but part of the memories!

We all went horseback riding but the girls and I went twice a day! Megan and Carlos took riding lessons. The cowboys were great with the kids and grandmas! On one ride my saddle started sliding off to the left - I leaned to the right, held on tight and called Chris the ranch hand riding with us! Poor Montana must have been very uncomfortable and bucked but I stayed on! Chris helped me off and while he was fixing my saddle I suddenly thought "Now I have to climb back on!" No steps out on the trail! But, I did it - yee haw!! Cowboy Larry said he was going to enter me in the rodeo next week!

On Saturday a world champion roper came to the ranch to entertain everyone. He was amazing and involved the audience in several tricks.

City Slickers in their boots

Pink bow cowgirl

Emily on a "pretend" horse 

Cowgirl Emily

Waiting to choose their horses

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Taking lessons

Cowboy Kevin - the champion of rope tricks

Montana and Me

We hiked up the hill to see the great view

C