Have You Ever Seen a Sundog?

The snowstorm on Christmas Day and another on Jan 5th and 6th left snowdrifts that are still evident in South Dakota. With the ground covered with snow and temperatures below freezing, we were wishing for "global warming." Finally, today the temperature rose to a welcomed 42 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Have you ever seen a sundog? Our high on January 7 was -4 degrees. Sam came in to get the camera and took this picture:

"A sundog is a rainbow-like spot in a cirrus cloud.
Light shining through ice crystals in the cloud makes
a sundog, much like light shining through raindrops
makes a rainbow. These ice crystals bend light like a
prism, disperse its colors, and cause sundogs."
(wonderquest.com)


The sun shining through the trees.


This pile of snow was left
after clearing the road to our house.


The snowdrift behind the home where Sam's
parents lived (near us)
and the pile of snow moved to clear the road.


Another view showing the hired man's car.


There is a tractor hidden in this snowdrift.


Because of the wind accompanying the storm,
there are places where the snow barely covers
the ground; and other places the snow drifts are
several feet high, as on our front porch.

Here are a couple of cartoons that currently reflect our feelings and most South Dakotans.

Christmas at the Farm

We have happy memories of our last two Christmases which we spent in Russia experiencing a new culture and being with new friends, but it was nice to be home with family this year. Children make Christmas especially fun, and we enjoyed having Doug & Shannon's family, Jeff & Rochelle's family, and Curtis & Marla's family come to the farm for Christmas and join with us and Brent & Tauna's family. We had a very white Christmas.

Looking out my kitchen window
(before the Christmas storm)

The day after Sarah & Derek's wedding, we left Utah for home; and Doug & Shannon and children caravaned with us. Because there were storm warnings predicted, Jeff & Rochelle changed their travel plans and arrived about 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning (December 23rd); and Curtis & Marla got here before noon on the same day. It was good they had arrived safely before the wind kicked up and blizzard conditions began in earnest on Christmas Day.

We lost our electricity Wednesday evening (December 23rd); and the grandkids thought it was fun when we brought out the lantern, candles, and flashlights for lights. Since our source of water needs an electric pump to bring water into the house, we also had to rely on jugs of water that we store in the basement for this type of emergency. We also have our own generator for occasions such as this, so Brent and Sam got the tractor hooked up to it; and it provided our power until the electricity came back on before we went to bed. We made sure there were extra blankets available, though, in case we lost power again; since our main source for heat depends on electricity. The lights did go off once during the night, but they were back on when we got up the next morning.

Thursday was Christmas Eve; the weather had improved and we had electricity all day. However, Christmas morning the lights kept blinking on and off until we lost power again, which caused a problem for the surprise Sam was planning for my Christmas (more about that later). We hooked back on to our generator so food preparation could continue as needed, and then in about an hour the electricity came back and stayed on for the rest of the time. I was glad I had made my pies before the storm hit; but we were able to prepare food for our Christmas Eve get-together and Christmas dinner the next day, both of which were in our home.

A snowdrift on our front porch
(photo taken December 26th)

Sam was glad they had been able to finally finish the corn harvest a couple of days before the storm.

Jacob got to ride in the combine while
Grandpa Sam finished the corn harvest.
(Sam & Jacob - December 22nd)

Celebrating Rachel's 10th birthday on December 22nd started our festivities of the season. Doug & Shannon's family were here for the pizza party and to share the cake Rachel and Weston had decorated.

Rachel likes the nativity water globe from her
Grandma & Grandpa Hatch.
(Jacob, Brynlee, and Rachel)


I hope Rachel enjoys this book,
"The Daring Book for Girls"
with information for all kinds of

fun things to know and do.

One of our family's Christmas traditions has been decorating Christmas cookies, and Shannon made the cookies and got this project started.

Grandkids busy decorating Christmas cookies.
Weston finds out they taste good, too.
(Zack, Austin, Brynlee, Weston, Jacob, Maren,
Rachel, Sam, and Haley)

Weston, Brynlee, Zack, and Jacob
check out their handiwork to
see how the cookies look.

Isaac and Kate were too young to decorate
cookies, but they received a lot of attention
and love from everyone.


Kate seems to enjoy trying on Grandpa's cap.


Isaac has a ready smile

and Grandma enjoys the cuddling.

Christmas Eve:

Jeff & Rochelle are getting ready to have some
chili and cornbread. There was also clam chowder,
turkey and ham, salami and cheese, crackers, and
a variety of snacks, candy, cookies, and brownies.


Some are seated at the table, others are at
the counter in the kitchen, and the rest are
at tables set up in the utility room.
[right to left: Barbie & Roy (Sam's brother),
Chad & Steve (their sons), and Sam.]


Maggie, Haley, Sam, and Seth
at one of the tables in the utility room.

After eating, the children went downstairs to find the things they wanted to wear for their part in the nativity pageant, another family tradition.

Mary & Joseph (Brynlee and Jacob)
appear on scene first as the narrator (Maggie)
begins reading from Luke 2:1-19.
Baby Jesus (Isaac) joins them in vs. 7, but
he wants down and is later replaced with our
backup (a doll from Marla's childhood).
The shepherds (Zack and Sam) are
accompanied by one sheep (Weston) and
our smaller version of
the "multitude of the heavenly host"
(Maren, Rachel, and Matt).


This is the complete cast of the 2009 Nativity Pageant
minus our original Baby Jesus (Isaac) and
narrator Maggie (not in the photo).
Wise men carrying their gifts made their entrance as
Matthew 2:2 was read:
Haley, Seth, and Jacob.
Our special Christmas Elf in red is Kate.

The pageant always concludes with everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to Baby Jesus as a cake with one lighted candle is placed along with the gifts from the Magi, and then "Silent Night" is sung reverently.

While the children removed their costumes, there probably were thoughts about the expected appearance of Santa. However, this year Santa was not yet available in Martin, so Mrs. Santa volunteered to come instead. We really appreciate Barbie's role and Tauna's helping to get the special visitor ready, and we want Mrs. Santa to know we think she did a great job and invite her back for a repeat performance next year to help Santa.

Every grandchild from the youngest
(Isaac)
to the oldest received a gift from
Mrs. Santa, who was filling in for Santa.
Austin is wondering when his gift
will be pulled out of Mrs. Santa's bag.


Kate is the youngest girl there
receiving her gift from Mrs. Santa.


Brynlee gets her turn on Mrs. Santa's knee,
and Austin is still waiting for his gift.


Mrs. Santa reaches in and pulls out
the next gift. It is Austin's!


Fourteen grandchildren plus Brent & Tauna's
exchange student (Matt) take their turn.
Seth is the oldest grandchild present, and he is a
good sport to smile and sit on Mrs. Santa's knee.


Grandchildren with Mrs. Santa
(standing, l to r): Seth, exchange student Matt,
Sam, Haley, Maggie, Rachel, Maren;
Kate on Mrs. Santa's knee;
(kneeling or sitting): Austin, Jamon, Brynlee,
Weston, Zack, and Jacob holding Isaac.

Christmas Morning:

Yes, it looks like Santa came during the night!


As I was growing up, we always saved our
Christmas stocking to explore after our gifts were
opened. However, Sam typically starts with his
stocking and gets out the Christmas orange that
is always there.
On the Christmas plate at the right are the
crumbs of Christmas cookies left by Santa
and the empty cup of milk as well as part of
the carrot left for the reindeer. I guess
they got all they wanted.


Austin knows there are usually
some good surprises to discover in your stocking.

Those watching for a reaction from me, wondered when I would see my biggest Christmas surprise. I had no idea that while we were in Utah Sam had arranged with Ryan to get me an iMac with a 27-inch monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse. Sam and Doug got up early Christmas morning to have it all installed on my desk in the office, and Doug began a download so the screen would show what you see in the photo below:

My surprise gift! How exciting and fun to have.

As I have mentioned, the electricity did not cooperate Christmas morning and kept going off and on interrupting the download. Not aware of what was going on, I went into the office to get a Christmas CD to exchange for one of the ones I had playing as background music while we opened our gifts. I got the CD I wanted, went back into the family room and made the exchange, and returned to the office to put away the CD I didn't want. On my first trip into the office, I noticed Doug sitting at the desk but didn't notice the 27-inch monitor. You are wondering, as others here did, how could I miss it! The question did enter my mind to as to why Doug was at the computer instead of watching his cute children excited with their new toys, but I had a quick thought that maybe he was checking on a gift that hadn't come yet.

When I entered the office the second time, I finally glanced at the monitor. This time I thought it must be Doug's Christmas gift, and I quietly offered a mild, "Oh my." Then I read what was on the screen, and I exclaimed an enthusiastic, "Oh my!" With tears, I returned to the family room to share my excitement with those waiting. Wow!

Sam's gift from Santa is not so exciting,
but hopefully he will enjoy reading
"The Great and the Terrible" series of
six volumes by Chris Stewart.
Sam usually gets books for Christmas,
because we don't know what else
to give someone who doesn't
have any "wants."


Kate's new doll from Grandma is
as big as she is.


Austin kept busy going from one new
toy to the next and had a fun morning.

Jamon is concentrating on a new toy.


Zack is sharing his new toy with Weston
for a fun time.

Jacob is showing his new toy to Jamon.


Jacob shows me his new book.
I am a grandma who likes books
and so likes to give good books as gifts.


Brynlee is a pretty princess.


Jacob is spider man.


Isaac is always happy with or without toys.


One of the best things Rachel
enjoyed this Christmas was
spending time with her little
cousins, Isaac and Kate.


Maren in her new Christmas pajamas
with some of her gifts.


Haley on Christmas morning.
Before coming to the farm, the
Smith family open their gifts under their
tree in Mitchell; but there are still fun
things to open from Santa.


Maggie with gifts from Santa.


And when toys are set aside, wrestling is
something boys can always find fun
doing, especially brothers.
(Austin and Jamon)


Brent & Tauna's Family
They opened their presents at home and then came
over to join us. The children are wearing
their new sweatshirts.
(Max, Brent, Tauna, Rachel, Weston, Sam, Seth)

Curtis & Marla's Family
(Curtis, Maggie, Marla, Maren, and Haley)


Jeff & Rochelle's Family
(Jeff, Zack, Rochelle with Kate, Austin, Jamon)

Doug & Shannon's Family
(Shannon holding Isaac, Doug,
Brynlee and Jacob)


Shannon with Kate and Isaac


Narene & Sam - Christmas Day
We appreciate the nice gifts we
received and the love that came with them.


Roy, Barbie and Steve and Chad

Roy & Barbie and Steve and Chad live 3/4 of a mile from us. We traditionally have Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner together. We were the lucky ones this year in that the events were at our home, so we didn't have to go out in the weather with the little ones. Because of the wind and snow Christmas Day, Roy & Barbie's family left after we ate to return home and didn't stay for more visiting. They called when they got home to say they arrived safely, but that there were a couple of places where they could hardly see. Curtis & Marla had to cancel their plans to go to the wedding reception for Sarah & Derek in Denver on December 26th, because we were snowed in and roads were closed.

After Christmas:

Making gingerbread houses on the day after
Christmas. They had fun even though the houses
didn't stay together very well, and the houses ended up
getting partially eaten or thrown away.
(In the photo are Brynlee, Sam, Maggie, Rachel,
Maren, and Weston)

Dressed up warmly, there is fun to be had playing in the snow; and those still here after Christmas found some good hills for sledding. Since I didn't go with them, I don't have any sledding pictures to post; but I know Jeff took his camera and will probably be posting some video on their blog showing some of their snow fun.

Jamon enjoying breakfast with Jacob and
Brynlee before his cousins leave for home.

In order to be be with Shannon's family at the Salt Lake airport to welcome home Shannon's brother from his mission, Doug & Shannon and children left early on the 27th after checking on road conditions. We were relieved to have them call to let us know they made it home and that roads were better once they got out of South Dakota.

Due to the road conditions, our branch was unable to hold church in Rosebud on Sunday; but we had permission from the branch president to hold church in our home with our family. We appreciated hearing inspiring talks given by Jeff and Curtis, enjoying Curtis & Marla's family singing "Away in a Manger," partaking of the sacrament, and thinking about the Savior, whose birth we have just celebrated.

It took Brent most of Sunday morning to take care of
the cattle, and we were glad when he could join us.
(Brent & Tauna)


Sam, Matt (from Germany), Seth, Rachel, and Weston

Curtis & Marla's family left Sunday afternoon for home,
because they had commitments Monday. Instead
of the usual 3.5 hours to travel to Mitchell, it took
them 5.5 hours on icy roads. They estimated they
saw about 15 cars in the ditch on the Interstate.
We are grateful they made it home safely.


We were pleased to have Jeff & Rochelle's family
stay for a few more days after Christmas. They
went with us to Sarah & Derek's reception in
Mitchell on December 30th and then continued
on their way toward home in Arkansas.
(Jeff, Zack, Rochelle, Jamon, and Austin;
Kate was taking a nap.)


We have happy memories of this
Christmas shared with family.
(Grandma Narene & Grandpa Sam)

After Isaac went home, Grandma still
had a baby to hold.
But the day came when we had to say
"goodbye" to Kate and her family.
(Grandma Narene & Kate)


One more picture by the tree:
Zack and Kate


Finally, the last picture: Jamon, Zack, and Austin.
The last of the family left for home on Dec. 30.
Our house is very quiet now, and the decorations are
put away for another year.

We appreciate our family and friends and wish each one a
"Happy New Year!"