We were almost in and the closer we got, the colder the air felt. Well, DUH! It's an ice show...

They warned us it would be cold - they said wear a jacket and some mittens. HA! Do they KNOW who we are? Do they know we're from the north?

Those jokes were met with giggles from all around. But we didn't joke for long - once we got past the plastic curtain they kept down to maintain the temperature in the outer room as well as in, it got COLD. I mean - FREEZING! Like - cold enough to keep thousands of pounds of ice cold for hours, days and months at a time.

We got closer to going inside to see the ice and the man made the announcement - bundle up folks, it's a balmy 9 degrees throughout the display. HOLY MOLY! I took tons of pictures because it was so cool to see (no pun intended) I joked with Mike halfway through that my "trigger finger" was freezing up and that I'd soon not be able to take pics. What a phenomenal display. The facts about the show are around here somewhere...well, I won't re write them here. You can mosey on over to our friend Lainey's blog to see for yourself. She's got a few more pics and the facts about the ice itself. Enjoy! :)

Okay, so, not the most flattering picture of me but at least I got the whole group in the shot! :)

We went to see the Ice show at the Gaylord Texan resort in Grapevine, Tx. We stood in line for some time to get through to see the ice and I look back at the group of pictures I took that evening and wonder if we had more fun standing in line than we did seeing the actual ice.

It's nice to know that even in my mid 30's I can still go out with friends and have a good time. We don't get to see each other that often but when we do, it's bound to be laughs and fun all the way through.

"Oh Grammy - I've been so good this year! Won't you please share some of your bagel with me? huh?huh?huh???" - Cocoa

"Oh wait...do YOU have a bagel?"

HEELIES!!!OHMYGOSH!!!!

I managed to catch one of the best moments of our early Christmas celebration on camera. There is no better scene during the holidays than that of an excited child opening presents.

Grammy had worked her Christmas magic once again this year. Not only did she log into a website and FIND the Heelies that Beth wanted but she also ORDERED them and had them shipped before Christmas arrived!! Anybody who knows my mother knows that this is no easy feat - mostly because she's not a fan of putting her cc information out there for the world to see. But she managed and this picture (and blood curdling scream) was the result of her work.

We were never a very religious family but the sentiment of the season isn't totally lost on us. For the Heim family it's not about what day it is or how much we spend on gifts. It's not about what WE get ourselves but what we give OF ourselves in this time of year. To me, the holiday spirit lies in the picture above. I'm so very grateful that I was the one taking the picture - the excitement and happiness felt first hand of a child that I love so deeply is better than any gift I can give or receive.

Ah..the holidays.

They sneak up on you sometimes. Just like a fake monster in a haunted house or mom's quirky sense of humor.

I had very little time with my family this year for the holidays. I am thankful for what I had since most people I know didn't even go home at all for Christmas (and for many years prior to this as well!) The trip over to Virginia was eventful in that my plane was delayed for two hours in Dallas and I arrived in Richmond close to 8 pm. on Friday night. I know I was happy to be home with my peeps and it seems as though the attitude was contagious. I had requested the family go out and get Santa hats so that we could take some neat and different Christmas pics this year. Unfortunately, the only one I got with any family member was of me that first night I arrived. Mom was playing out some goofiness and put the hat on all cockeyed and waved at the camera. Dear old mom...always good for a chuckle.

The visit was fun, fast and exhausting. I know that I'm getting old now. Used to be weekends like that were a dime a dozen and I came away from them feeling fine. I got home and crashed hard that Monday and don't think I caught up on sleep for several days.

It was a good trip - I even managed to get mom to drop me at the local scrap store to pick up a few things. We shopped, ate, laughed and had a really good time. Like only the Heim clan knows how to do. :)

Okay, okay, so I don't have HUMAN kids. But that doesn't stop me from taking super cute pictures of my fur babies anyway. I bought the latest and greatest of the singing snowmen from Hallmark and brought it home for us to enjoy.

Joey has been fascinated by these things for the last couple of years. The first one with the dog that barked "Jingle Bells" had him nearly in a frenzy every time we hit that button. He would sit below it on the floor and watched with his ears perked and his head tilted to the side (kind of like the RCA dog) or he would be up on his hind legs with his front feet balancing him so he could watch and listen. When it was finished he'd jump up and down and run around the room then stop near it hoping it would play again. If someone was on the couch next to the table where it sat and they hit the button he'd jump up in their lap and stand there watching every single move that tiny little dog with antlers made. It was awesome!

This year was no different. I put it on the floor and hit the button. The snowman moves and so do the penguins- one of them even has a bell on his tail! Gracie was immediately engrossed and had to check it ALL out. Joey sat in front of it in wonder as they moved and sang. The bells rang and they both flipped out. It was fun! I think Gracie was thinking like a cat for sure! There was a threat there somewhere - something that moves and that's small has GOT to be trouble! Imagine my surprise when she went for the tree and not the penguins!!! :)

I get so mad at her but she really is a loveable little thing. She has found her spot on the bed with Joey and I each night. Thank God my allergies haven't started back up! She sleeps behind my head on the body pillow. She snuggles in and stretches her entire body out up there. If I move she knows it and she is the first one to peek her head around and sniff at my face. Ah animals...ya gotta love them!

Imagine my surprise to arrive home to a box marked 'Pro Flowers' sitting on my kitchen table. I had been home almost 15 minutes or so before I came into the kitchen and noticed the box. And when I DID notice the box, I suddenly became suspicious.

Who could be sending ME flowers?

I looked to Joey immediately.

"Have you been playing on mommy's internet again?" I asked. His head cocked to the side. "Even worse - did you use mommy's CREDIT CARDS AGAIN!?" I asked him, feeling a little goofy. I approached the flowers as if a snake might jump out at me. Maybe they were for the neighbor and they weren't home, I thought. I picked up the card and instantly got teary eyed.

My friends Jamie and Bob from Pa. had sent me this beautiful arrangement of flowers. For no particular reason - just to say that they were thinking of me and they hoped the flowers would make me smile. And so there I stood holding onto the card and staring at the pretty flowers before me, crying and smiling all at the same time. What wonderful people I have in my life - I feel so rich, so loved and so happy to have great friends.

The flowers are STILL standing :) and are in my kitchen where I can see them coming and going. The cat, bless her heart, has not tried to eat them. They've opened up and bloomed quite nicely now.

I know that they won't last forever but...the sentiment and the thoughts will.

Thanks James - Thanks Bob. I love you guys!