Hardware Ranch

Cindy and I had Martin Luther Kings Day off so we decided to take those who could to Hardware Ranch. Shannon, Connor and Payton and Mom and Dad could go so off we went. The day was very nice. It has not snowed for a while. Even though it was cold in the valleys with the temperature inversion, Hardware Ranch was really pleasant for the middle of January. We had to wait in line for a while but it was so pleasant that was not a problem.















The line moved to a point and we thought we would get on but they stopped us because we had too many in the group. It turned to our advantage though because we were the first ones to get on the next ride. The ticket taker asked Payton if she wanted to ride up front with the driver. Of course she said yes to that so Shannon and Payton rode up front. Connor clung to Cindy because he did not want to be up front which worked fine.

Off we went. There are not as many elk this year because most of the snow is already gone up in the mountains even though it is still frozen solid in the valleys. There still were some elk though.

It was a nice ride and a good way to spend the holiday afternoon.

New Years Eve

After a very interesting December with the cold, and the wreck plus trying to do all the Christmas traditions. It was even different. We had been searching for a car to replace the lost Cruiser among all the other things and came across a good deal in West Valley. We went down Monday night to look at it and then the next day on New Year's Eve we purchased it and brought it home. The two and a half hour miracle that afternoon to get the car was interesting but now Maddie has her RAV 4 and the dogs can travel in comfort.

We arrived home just in time to host the party with some of the family. There was food and games and of course at midnight, noise and fireworks. It was a good time for everyone.

Christmas

After the concerts and all the activities throughout the month comes Christmas Eve. We met at the Weavers this year. The air was clear on this day and the sunset beautiful from their balcony.We enjoy getting together as an extended family and eating and then having our Christmas program.

There is the annual pinata that we provide but this time Tony had to hold the stick because I could not.  

That is followed with the Christmas story. This time Payton was an angel. 

The next day was Christmas! Yea! Skyler came over in the morning as we opened presents. It was a wonderful morning with our annual fire in the fireplace and all the wonderful gifts. 

The rest of the family came over around noon and then Connor and Payton received their gift from Maddie; matching jeeps. There was not a lot of room in the house to drive them but they were excited about them. 

After that we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Montgomery's or dinner and time together.

And even some time to rest. 

Christmas Traditions

Over the month of December we have been having extend family home evenings to talk about the various people involved in the Nativity so that we could add focus on the Savior. We have taken turns going to different houses. This night we were at Nancy's and we had a special musical number from Tawna and Cecelia.

Because of the cold weather Marley has joined Ember inside the house and are partners in crime.

The other traditions are concerts. Luckily they were not over the weekend of the accident because I could not move, but a week later I could at least move a bit and sit by myself. It still was painful to get up and down but at least I could do it. Cindy was the designated driver and at least the roads were clear because it had been snowing the last two days. Friday night we went to VoiceMail in Logan. We had to go to Logan this time because the night they were in Ogden was also the Kurt Bestor concert. I am still really slow with stairs and walking is still step, drag but at least I can move.  We enjoyed VoiceMail and they added new songs along with the favorites.

Of course there was rubber ducky with all the ducks being thrown out of the audience.

The next night was Kurt Bestor and the weather was a little snowy so we took the train to Salt Lake. This year Nancy and Jeanne joined us. We first had dinner at the Lion House.

From there it was off to see the lights of Temple Square.

 Finally it was the concert which is always good. The guest artist of Nathan Pacheco and Ryan Innes were great this year. Just like Alex Sharp and Jenny Baker last year. We enjoy these times together as family and that we can all be together.

PT Cruiser #2

We had a terrible wind storm a few weeks ago when Maddie was coming home from work. The traffic was backed up and as she slowed the lady behind her did not stop and ran into the back of her. A week later the car was fixed to the tune of $1200 and she was back on the road again. On December 12th I had her car that day because it would not start the day before and she did not want to get stranded in SLC. It had been cold all week long. It worked fine for me that day. I was on my way home that night for our Thursday family pizza night. I was just passing 4th Street ballpark on Wall. All of a sudden headlights appeared at an instance and I was hit head-on by a car that was traveling southbound. I never even had a chance to break or swerve; it was just there. Kind of like Mr. Toads Adventure ride when you come around the corner and there are headlights looking at you. I don't remember hitting anything but I must of because blood was running down the left side of my face and the driver side window was shattered.  I know people came as soon as it happened and asked how I was and I said fine ; until I tried to move and boy did my back and leg hurt.

I felt so bad because Maddie's car was ruined just after getting it fixed. It was back on October 1, 2009 that her first PT Cruiser was totaled in a wreck on Wall at North Street. Some one pulled out in front of her and hit her. We were so worried about her then as we were at Wasatch State Park camping when it happened.

Now here it was 4 years and two months later and her 2nd PT Cruiser gets totaled  in a wreck that was not our fault either. I felt so bad for her.

The people who stopped at the scene called 911 and then I got on my cell phone and called Cindy to tell her I was in a wreck and to come. No sooner had a hung up and Cameron called not knowing what had happened so he got informed also. Soon all the family was around me as I lay back in the car. The EMT asked if I wanted an ambulance and I first said no because I thought my family could take me but after some persuasion from the family I realized I better go by ambulance. It took a while for one to get there and of course it was in the teens temperature wise. For some reason there were a lot of wrecks that night even though the weather was not bad and the roads were dry. They put me on a back board and neck brace and then off I went with Cindy in the front of the ambulance.  They did x rays at the hospital on both arms because my right bicep was killing me but my left forearm was swollen, all my back hurt to move and my right leg hurt, plus I had a deep puncture wound in my knee.

At the hospital we learned that the car that hit me the people were having an argument and the husband grabbed the steering wheel and then the wife grabbed it back and over corrected into me. I finally got home around 11:30 that night grateful for caring family and friends and blessings of protection because it could have been much worse. 

The next day I hurt a lot worse and could not get up or sit down without someone lifting me. I can stay in any position just fine its just getting to those positions. We did go to see the car and how bad things looked. 

   

I think mine is worse than Maddie's was even though she will not admit it. I really am amazed I was not hurt worse. I do have a guardian angel son and a loving family that is so great to me and I am thankful for them and friends and their prayers and visits that mean a lot.

Just a side note we started to put a few things together for cuts. We looked on the visor and saw pieces of my forehead and then how a mirror poked through which cut me. Another thing when the EMT's arrived and got on the passenger side they asked if I threw up. No it was just a gift of apple sauce from work that splashed all over the car when it wrecked. 

Winter storms

A week after getting the Christmas tree, which as you will see is a two story tree, winter came with a vengeance.



















Question for the year. Which was colder on December 8 for both the high and low, Anchorage, Moscow, Stockholm or Ogden? Ogden with 18 and -4! So this is what cold mountains look like.

Like the wind blowing the snow off Mt. Ogden?

Of course the cold put a hold on trying to get the floor poured for the addition.