2022 Recap

 I know it is almost the end of January. However, I have to make one last post for the year 2022 to record some of the highlights. I will most likely leave out many precious moments; mostly, because my old brain doesn’t remember as clearly as it used to. But, I hope this blog will be a way to preserve memories for my entire family. So here goes: 

January and February were brutally cold months for Texas. We had low temperatures and bouts of freezing rain and sleet. That meant soup, sewing, and snuggles with fur babies.

I learned how to use a cool gadget I won on a quilt cruise.

We were stuck at home because of ice covered roads.

I made items like chew toys and beds for the animal shelter.

I found a quick and easy tote bag pattern.

Spent a lot of time snuggled with a boomer while attaching binding.

March and April were much more pleasant! The weather improved and Texas started entering her most beautiful month. Ron and I were able to venture out more to see family and friends.

Sophie continued to whip out cute crocheted mug caps.

March brought the typical round of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Thunderstorms were quickly followed by huge grass fires. Crazy Texas!

Tico and Boomer started wearing handsome bandanas once the farmer’s market opened.

Maggie was named All Region Choir and scored 1’s at UIL 

We went to Surprise, Arizona to watch spring training.

Boomer chased the fresh batch of bunnies in the field near the townhouse.

May through June were cruise prep, cruise trip, and move prep months. Luckily, we broke up the preparations into small chunks by attending end of the school year events

With Seth’s help, we got our heavy items placed in storage.

We attended graduation celebrations for the twins.

Jamie always remembers! 

Razzleberry pie and Round Rick donuts for Mother’s Day.

End of the year Choir performances for Maggie.

Easter with the fun-loving Leander bunch.

The twins after an egg hunt.

Easter egg mystery game.

Preparing our stateroom door sign.

End of the season soccer games for Sophie.

Father’s Day dinner with the Leander bunch.

Purging and packing lots of fabric!

Alaska theme night totem build.

Alaska theme night crafting the flag.

Alaska theme night with the Leander bunch.

July and August were exhausting! We went on the cruise in June (see the separate post for details) and came home with COVID-19. I SWEAR; I have NEVER felt so sick! Nor, has it ever taken me so long to recover from something! Thank goodness we had received all of our immunizations. I can’t imagine how bad it would have been without them!  And, thank goodness we had packed up the house beforehand. We would have never been able to complete that as sick as we were. After we completely moved out of the townhouse, ended up staying with Leslie’s family until we recovered our strength. We had planned to do a bit of traveling; but, we just weren’t up to it. Instead, we did a lot of Netflix, Disney+ and Prime video watching while we waited for the cottage to be ready.

The end of July through September were spent worrying about the record breaking drought, setting up house, getting to know our new community, and random visits with family.

The drought spawned disastrous wildfires which destroyed 

thousands of acres and homes.

The Cottage yard art collection started.

Maggie’s first homecoming mum construction.

Maggie checking out her Charmers gear.

Beating boredom with a few rounds of Where’s the Soldier?

Exchanging some getting to know you goodies with our new neighbors.

Sophie getting an award at summer cheer camp.

Remembering Mom with her favorite cake

On her birthday.

The horrible effect of the drought on our trees.

First day of school pics for the Gutierrez girls.

The twins (and a friend) said goodbye to elementary school

and hello to middle school!

Sophia started choir and band.

Samantha plays the tuba in band.

Getting to know my favorite neighbors.

Fall through Winter was a period of time filled with random trips to Central Texas, attending school events for grandchildren, our first grandchild hospitalization, a new driver in the family, creating social connections in our lovely neighborhood and church, enjoying the changes that occur in nature, and feeling more and more at home here in Weatherford. We have found a new doctor, explored the Naval Air Force Reserve base and established records there. We have been busy and productive. But, I have become very haphazard about taking pictures! There aren’t very many in my iPad or saved on Facebook. But, I will post a few to round out the year.

Stranger Things exhibit with the girls

Precious old Boomer

Sophie playing volleyball 

Another year older

Jamie and the girls before a choir concert

Annual breast cancer awareness shirt from Scott

Jamie and the girls after a concert.

Sophia during a choir concert

Maggie’s choir performance

Sophie in the hospital

Sophie after being released from the hospital

Games at our Thanksgiving gathering

In the union hall

Molly and Scott at The Ohio State stadium

Molly came to see Sophie in the hospital and watch Maggie dance

Watching Aaron Judge play… highlight of my year!

Maggie and the Charmers

One of many pots of soup!

Exploring city parks with Ron.

Attending a band concert with Scott, Molly, Ron, Marian and the Leander bunch

Dinner with the grand girls

The grands feeding the neighbors

Charmers Winter performance with Maggie

Maggie and her Sweet 16 stun gun

Holland Lake Park - Weatherford

Ron at the Heritage Park display

We ended the year with our one and only family activity with THE ENTIRE FAMILY! And, wouldn’t you know it… I didn’t take a single picture. I really need to do better next year. Leslie did take a cute picture of the two of us in our Christmas Jammie’s. So, I guess I will end this post with that. I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for us.