To Quote a line from 'GONE WITH THE WIND', .."The happiest days are the days babies are born".... And that is today. This morning at 8:12AM, our newest grand daughter was born to Katy and Kent. She weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and is 21 inches long. And her name is Lucia Anne. Welcome little one, you are loved very much.

It has been snowing since before we got out of bed today. And it is not supposed to stop until sometime tonight. It is not a hard snow, just gently falling, but it just will not stop. I don't know how much is out there, when it is over two inches we have a service come and clear it off the drive and walkways. It's well over 2 inches already. I am so tired of winter already. And last night watching the Packers LOSE is just to much to bear. Baby O, please come soon and cheer me up!!

Happy Birthday, Little brother.
Today is my brother's birthday. I am posting this for two reason. 1st, I love and miss my brother and wish him all the best. Second, I want to tell him, "Please post something new on your blog!" We are all waiting and waiting for news and new photos.

Yesterday was the baby shower for Katy and Kent. The little Olson is due in about 2 weeks, so in other words, at any time. Her friends held the shower for her and it was a very nice afternoon. Everyone colored a fabric square, that should result in a really cute quilt. They received many fun and lovely gifts. This was the first shower, baby or otherwise that Grandpa Mike ever attended. Looked to me like he was having a fun time. He even made two quilt squares! We will be sure to let everyone know when Little"O" arrives and if Little O is a boy-O or a girl-O.

While I am posting holiday pictures, I will post Christmas day with Katy, Kent and Olivia.

I am trying up post a video of Mike and Olivia. She was wearing a Christmas collar with bells and Mike thought it was great fun to shake, shake, shake Olivia to the tune of 'Jingle Bells'. I will try to get the little clip on here again later.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our visit to Mike and Angie in Mesa.

Poor Patrick tried to make it to Midnight for the New Year. And he almost did. The fell asleep around 11:45PM.

Patrick wanted to go to the park every day. He was a hit with the other kids with this rocket launcher.

As you can see, both boys love their grandpa.



This is Aaron, he is 'Sooooo Big!' What a sweetheart he is. He certainly had changed since our last visit when he was about 6 weeks old.

Here is my favorite mixed matched Nativity Set. Part I painted way back in the 70's, and the rest I picked up a few peices a year from the Christmas Market in Torreon. The oversized baby is a Mexican tradition. In fact I had to argue with the vendor to buy one this small. The devil is also a Mexican tradition. As far as I could understand, it was to symbolize that evil is always lurking around. I esp. like the 'extras', the tent, the fire pits, the animals and the cart. It just does not feel like Christmas until I get this put up.

I know everyone is probably sick of Christmas things by now. But here are a few more pictures. The tree this year looked pretty much as it did last year, with just a few new additions, the Santa climbing the ladder is new. He is really cute, goes up and down carrying a string of lights. The other new addition are the Santa and Rudolph shelf sitters that Katy and I made this year. And if you peek out the window past the tree, you will almost see the new outdoor decorations we added. Two animated lighted deer.