Does anyone but me think that December goes by much faster than any other month of the year?  I doubt that any of you think the days drag by (THAT only happened when we were kids, awaiting that one big gift from Santa!). We were so blessed to have Meredith with us for a few days while she attended a conference at NCMC this week.  And, as a bonus, she was here for her birthday on Tuesday.  We took her to Bonefish for dinner- a favorite dining spot for all of the Simmons Clan.  It was an amusing dinner for sure, beginning with a couple of spilled beers (one right in my lap) and progressing to driving home in a blizzard, me with a death-grip on the backseat door handle.   It was worth it all to have her here with us !  Luckily, the weather cooperated and she was able to get back home Friday afternoon.

 

The California gang also left us Tuesday morning, just before the snowstorm arrived.  We stopped by to say goodbye and  share some of Meredith's peanut butter pie with them Monday evening.  After dessert, we were entertained (?) by some "planking" skills being shown off by Spencer and the kids.

On Friday, my sister, Pam, came and stayed with us for the weekend.  What a treat!  (for me, anyway).  Saturday morning, we (Carrie, Amie, Pam and I and two others) toured the Holiday Homes, sponsored by the Assistance League. Thankfully, it was for a good cause as the homes were disappointing.  We did have a great time anyway, touring most of Greeley, from one end to the other!  Saturday night, Brad, Pam and I went to a movie- saw "Gravity" with Sandra Bullock.  Nice to see an adult movie occasionally, although I do enjoy the kid movies!  Sunday morning, following a huge breakfast at Randy's (diner), Pam volunteered (seriously!) to help me clean out my closet. OMG, can you say, "What was SHE thinking???"  Anyway, after several hours and a box of large trash bags later, we loaded up the pickup and took it all to GoodWill. 

 All of the  sudden, it was Sunday dinner time again.  Brad made everyone's favorite, the pork roast with mushroom gravy and Amie brought holiday peppermint brownies.  The Frosts were attending the first of many holiday parties, so we watched the kids.  After dinner, I told them that they could do a craft project (what was I thinking???), so we rolled out the marshmallows, frosting, pretzels, licorice and graham crackers and they "built" snowmen.

 

Happy Monday to you all!