Last of the Mandarins

We had a great crop of mandarin oranges this year and January brought the end of the season. David stripped the remaining fruit off the trees on the 16th and we took the last boxes with us to Escondido to share with the relatives who came to celebrate Buffy's wedding. David enlisted the Delgado boys help to make a great big picture full of juice. We shared it with Barbara, Carolynn, Diane, Earl and Jared (their son) who stayed overnight with us on the way to and from Escondido to attend the wedding. They all live in northern California. It was really yummy!

January Catch Up

I had to put blogging on the back burnner in January in order to accomplish some of life's other priorities. Now that it's already February, I need to catch up, so here's the first of several posts that highlight somew of our activities last month. After the tree trimming, we worked much of the month at David's mothers house moving stuff out, cleaning, painting and installing to get it ready for the renters. David also began construction on the deck in front of her "casita". If the weather cooperates, we may be able to finish it this month. I hung some of her favorite pictures and handwork on the walls, so it looks a little more homey. We still need to to some painting, install window coverings, purchace a new loveseat and move things around. By spring, she should be very comfortable and cozy.

Tree Trimming Season

David's old John Deere was coaxed into running once again. It's tree trimming season and we have piles of branches from the peach orchard that either need to be hauled off in the dump trailer or put through the "chipper/shredder." David decided it would be easier (ie..more fun) to make chips than haul several loads. It takes a lot of work to get a good peach harvest, but I guess it's worth it since everybody in our family likes peach cobbler, jam, syrup, and salsa. David likes having a lot to give away too.

Jared joined in the fun by stacking piles of branches for a pretend bonfire with Spencer and Nathan.

Spencer was very interested in Papa's chipping machine until he found out it makes lots of noise!

New Puppy

Kacy, Will and Ed got a new eight week old puppy on Saturday. Ryan, Karrie and David picked him out from two litters of puppies born a few days apart. He is a Great Pyrenees and his parents guard sheep for our friends and neighbors, Antonio and Suzanne. His mom's name is Lola and his dad is Mossimo. Keeping the country singer tradition, they named him George. Ryan and Karrie are hoping he will prove to be a good companion and watch dog for the kids. He has a wonderful personality and we all fell in love with him.

Clean Slate

As I was reconstructing my blog for the new year, I did a little too much blog cleaning and lost my widgets. I also lost a roll of TP thanks to Jared who noticed the three adults in the house were not paying too much attention to where he was located.

Happy New Year!

I thought I was going to miss out on all the fun this year on New Year's Eve because I was sick, but The Delgado boys called up and invited me to drop in at their cool party. I fished with Jared and played Chutes and Ladders with Nathan. We even had confetti poppers, which Jared LOVED! I think Papa David looks great in his party hat. What do you think?

Christmas 2007

We are so blessed to have our kids living nearby so they can celebrate with us at Christmas. Some of our extended family also joined us this year. On the Sunday evening before Christmas, David and I visited many of our good friends and dropped off gifts and bags of mandarins from our orchard. Then we came home and lit a beautiful fire. Jocelyn, Oscar and their kids came over to enjoy the fire and some popcorn. We read Christmas stories to the kids and kept warm and cozy.

On Christmas Eve we hosted an open house for anyone in our extended families who wanted to join us. We had a full house and everyone brought lots of good food. Some of Anita's kids were in town and my sister, Pat, brought her boyfriend Terry from Utah to join us.

Christmas morning Karrie, Ryan and the kids came down the mountain in time for breakfast with granny Ellen, Oscar, Jocelyn and the Delgado boys. It was great watching their faces as they opened presents. Later, we opened more presents with Karl, Gaye and their family. Even Lindsey's dad and Maureen joined us.

Prime rib dinner was at two and we really had a nice time enjoying everyone and eating MORE. Pat and Terry brought my mom over and Angela, Lee and Lucy drove up from Glendale to join us. Altogether, I think we had 28. Leo and Vickie came over a couple of days after Christmas.
Here are some pictures, I know there's a lot, but, hey....it's practically my only post for December:

December Festivities

December has come and gone and nary a word from me was blogged. Maybe that says something about the goings on at the Bunting house the last few weeks. Our month was full, but fun. We worked hard to finish up the Casita enough to get Ellen moved in for Christmas. There are still things to be done, but she is now settled in her cozy chair and enjoys impromptu visits from all the great grandkids. She has been battling a cold but we started her on antibiotics and hopefully that will kick it. Today David and Karl got her satellite TV hooked up and adjusted. She can now begin many happy hours of channel surfing.

Maryellen's wedding was exciting and we are happy to have Brandon as part of the family. Last weekend another celebration was held for them in Fremont and they should have a trailer bursting with wedding gifts to haul to Provo next week. We wish them much happiness, but will miss them while they are away at school. This is the guest book/ favor table at the reception.

This was called the "Kissing Table"

This is the grooms cake. They also had a nice chocolate wedding cake with chocolate flowers and raspberry filling. All the food was yummy. David (my husband) , barbequed the pork loins which were served with the famous secret recipe "Bobby Q Sauce."

Thanks Jocelyn !

I finally got a chance to check my blog tonight after all the family left and discovered Jocelyn has created a festive new holiday look for me. Thank you so much! I love it. Thanks also for the birthday wish, although many of those pictures should have been left DEEPLY burried in the lost archives! Thanks also to the commenters.

Happy Birthday Cherie!

December 2nd is the birthday of the very best wife, mother, and grandma!!!

WE LOVE YOU TONS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!