Christmas!

 
 
 
 

A very Merry Christmas!

I am still all aglow from our wonderful Christmas celebration. Keenan, Sara, Ari, and Keira came in on Dec. 23 after a long trip on icy roads. On Christmas Eve, Chuck and I drove to Hutchinson to pick up my two aunts, Iris and Thekla so they could celebrate with us. It was iffy at first because we awoke to icy roads, but the sun soon melted the ice and we made the trip without problem. It was a blessing having them here with us and I think they also enjoyed being around family, especially the little ones. Kelsey, Brent, and Charis joined us for beef stroganoff and then we went to a Christmas Eve service. After church, Ari and Charis opened their stockings and then went to bed. Christmas morning, Keenan brought an excited Ari upstairs. He chattered non-stop. Even at his young age, he could sense it was a special day. He greeted his great aunties and we all had a yummy breakfast of scones that Kelsey had made. It was great fun watching the toddlers open presents. They like presents! They are still asking for more presents. After our turkey dinner, Chuck and I drove the aunties back home. On Friday, the greater Roach clan came over for pot luck and conversation and fun. Usually potlucks work themselves out but this time we basically had meats and sweets. Oh well. It was good seeing everyone. The weather was so nice that evening that most of us sat out on the deck. Ari and Charis had a tea party, the tea being water that ended up everywhere. I wish we had a movie of the two of them dining and chatting and laughing at their own little table. What a riot!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year!


 
 
 
 

Yes Virgina, Santa poops.

 

If you are following Kelsey's blog, you have already seen this picture. But she didn't tell the whole story. Santa came to our house that morning and left something, but it wasn't presents or candy canes. Kelsey and Charis came over that Saturday morning so we could all go over to the YMCA together, but before we left, a call came in from Santa, otherwise known as Chuck's brother. Yes, it's true. My husband is Chuck Claus. Santa was on his way to make a grand appearance at the Y when the urge to purge hit. You know what I'm talking about. Well, he couldn't very well waltz into the YMCA under the watchful gaze of hundreds of expectant children and head to the, ahem, head to take care of business. What would they think if they knew Santa poops! But he couldn't come to our house with Charis there either, so Kelsey, Charis, and I left early and met up with the Claus brothers later. Santa made his triumphal entry with his dignity intact. Chuck and I were happy to do our small part to save this most honorable reputation. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.

The least expensive toys are sometimes the best

 
 
 

Does this box make my butt look big?

Maria's birthday party

Maria's birthday was November 8 and her party was the day before, but it has taken this long to get the pictures on the blog. I won't bore you with those details. I also won't reveal how old my friend is. She will always be younger than I. I met Maria at the YMCA many years ago. She is from Brazil but has lived here a long time. All the ladies in the picture are YMCA gals. One is our instructor. We all treasure Maria. She keeps us in good humor.

Our guest of honor, Maria, and her friends

 

The Republicans!

 

Charis and Maria

 

Sally and Maria

 

Chuck's latest opus

This painting of Taylor Canyon won the People's Choice award at this month's art guild meeting. I am so proud and Chuck is thrilled. He is planning on painting a larger version and submitting it to the Art in the Park competition. This competition features art depicting scenes from our national parks.

What's new?

It's that time of year again, when things get so busy. I love the holidays, but sometimes I feel rushed and out of breath. Perhaps once I finish up the Christmas shopping and decorating, I can relax with a cup of hot cocoa and contemplate my many blessings.

Along with the holidays, there is the big dance show in January to keep me on my toes, so to speak. I will be dancing in five dances this year and fortunately, most of the costumes are already made, or are being purchased, or ones I have used before. But there are dances to learn and perfect (to the extent of my abilities) and rehearsals to fit into my schedule.

To help me keep sane and have more energy, I have taken up swimming. I have always loved playing in the water but have never been much of an actual swimmer. It kind of surprised me that I love it. This week I swam three miles. It takes me about 45 mintues to go one. It's such a great workout and I love the feeling of slicing through the crystal clear water.

I'm wondering if anyone reads this blog. It would please me silly if you would post a comment. It gets lonely in here.

Halloween!

The trick-or-treaters were scarce this year even though the weather was perfect. We had our own fun though. Kelsey, Brent, Charis, and their friend, Melissa came over to escort Charis on her first trick or treat adventure. They visited some of our neighbors. When they got back, we dined on fajitas, charro beans, and guacamole, and for dessert, Kelsey's pecan pie. We had six jack-o-lanterns decorating the front porch. Charis dressed up as a pink princess/ballerina, Melissa was Queen Amidala, and Kelsey was the Midnight Fairy.

Chuck makes the Wichita art scene

Chuck has been very busy, and happily so, painting in oils and getting better with every picture. A few months ago he joined the Kansas Art Guild and currently has three painting on display at Century II in downtown Wichita. Next month, the two paintings below will be hanging on the walls at City Arts in Old Town. He is submitting ten paintings to the Kansas Association of Oil Painters and hopes to join their ranks as well. I am his biggest fan. We enjoy going to the Final Friday gallery crawls and we hope that one day soon, Chuck will be having a show of his own.

Morning Light

Chuck's latest oil painting, from Zion National Park. Kolab Canyon.

Into the Light

One of Chuck's recent oil paintings. This is a scene from Taylor's Canyon in Zion National Park, Utah.

Fun weekend!

I wish I had a picture for this post but I am not in the habit of taking my camera everywhere I go and if I do, I forget to use it. So, you will have to be content with word pictures. Kelsey, Charis, and I were on our way to the mall on Saturday, when out of the recesses of my brain, I remembered hearing about an open house hullabaloo going on at the new Riverwalk condos, downtown on the river (where else?). So we headed there instead. it didn't start until 1 o'clock so having some time to kill, we went to Cero's chocolate shop and the Spice Merchant, both fun places. At the condos, we saw three units ranging in size from about 1300 sq. ft. to over 5000 sq.ft. and prices starting at $216,500 to over $777,500. Wow! They were fabulous and, of course, we could see ourselves living there. They all had at least one balcony overlooking the riverwalk area (what there is of it and you can actually see the river) and lots of storage and big open spaces. The middle range unit would be ideal for Chuck's painting and for dance parties. On the seventh floor is an owner's lounge and a local disc jockey was broadcasting there about the open house. We talked with him for a while about toddler's (he is the father of one). A while later we discovered that Charis' beloved Pooh Bear was missing so we had to back track to find him waiting for us in the lounge, obviously having a great time. Naughty bear! We left before the mayor showed up for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Sunday was a good day too. Chuck took photos of the Gray family at Botanica for their Christmas cards. The rest of the day was lazy and relaxed at home. Ah! This morning I realized we had completely forgotten to go to the symphony Sunday afternoon. Oops!

I be tagged

I am - getting older on the outside but still as young as ever on the inside;
I want - all my loved ones wrapped in God's loving hands
I have - everything I need and a lot of what I want
I wish - I could speak and understand every language
I hate - sand burs
I fear - getting old and sick
I hear - the radio and the fire crackling
I search - for ways to have fun
I wonder - why we have to share the planet with hateful people
I always - floss my teeth at night
I usually - exercise every day
I am not - as pretty as I would like to be
I dance - as often as possible
I sing - in the car
I never - buy lottery tickets
I cry - at sappy movies
I am not always - as loving as I would like to be
I lose - my sense of direction too easily
I am confused - much too easily
I need - to laugh every day and to be loved every day
I should - be cleaning instead of doing this
I dream - of a world without sin

I tag David and Doug

Yia Yia playing

Ari and Papa

Ari, Charis, and Brent, in the sand

Ari and Daddy man the shovel

Charis on the slide

Aunt Kelsey telling jokes to Keira

Texas Roaches visit

What a fun weekend with our son, Keenan, his wife, Sara, and their two children, Ari and Keira. Ari is two years old now and his little sister Keira is three months. They arrived late Thursday night and nobody slept very well, except Keira. She seemed to really like her crib in the kids room. Ari did better after the first night.

Friday morning, Keenan and Kelsey went to the dance studio to practice their number to be performed Saturday night. Sara, Ari, Keira, and I, went to see Brent and Charis. The five of us walked to the library for story time and then back home to play. That evening we celebrated three birthdays, Ari's, who turned two on September 20th, Sara's birthday on October 14th, and Keenan's, which is October 22nd. Kelsey made a beautiful carrot cake for the occasion.

Saturday we all went to Sedgwick County Park so the toddlers could enjoy the new play area. They climbed and went wheee down the slides, but seemed to like the sand the best. It was a perfect weather day, warm in the sun but not hot and not windy. Saturday evening got a little hectic around dinner time as Kelsey prepared herself for two dance performance at Safir's Center for World Dance. This is the studio where she teaches ballet and modern and where I take three dance classes. The third Saturday of every month is a dance show, or Baila. We transform the studio into a casbah with saris and silk, low tables and pillows, candles and snacks. I was the Snack Queen this month and Kelsey made and decorated another cake with pumpkins. Look for pictures on her blog. Anyhow, we made it out the door with all our stuff, Chuck coming later with ice and his sister. Sara had to stay home with her babies and I so appreciated her washing up the mess we left in the kitchen. Thank you Sara!

Kelsey and her friend Leanne did a duet with canes, dressed in tribal costumes with long yarn falls in their hair and yarn tassles on their belts. Chuck did get this on video but no stills, and unfortunately, the video is old technology. Opening the second act was, in my never so humble opinion, the best of show. Kelsey choreographed a modern dance ala Isadora Duncan and danced solo while Keenan accompanied her on his guitar. He played Mason William's, Classical Gas. It was such a treat to have live music. Of course, I was beaming with pride. What a fun evening!

Sunday, we were up and at it again for another full day. We piled into two cars and drove to Hutchinson to have lunch with my two aunties, Iris and Thekla. Iris is 88 and Thekla is 94. They are always so delighted to see the children. Ari was shy around them at first but before we left, he gave both of them hugs and could say their names. Keira was all smiles and sweetness.

Sunday afternoon and evening were visitation hours. My friend, Maria Nunes, came over to meet Keenan and his family. She has heard so much about them and seen pictures so she wanted to meet them. She played with Ari and took his picture. Later, Chuck's sister and her husband and son came over. It was a wild, noisy time. When the company left, Ari and Charis took a bath in the big tub while Keira washed up in the sink. The big kids had a great time in the water but had even more fun when we got them out and they jumped around on the guestroom bed in their birthday suits. They had us all howling with laughter.

So this morning it was back to Texas for the Roaches. But first we had breakfast at the Gray's. Kelsey and Brent made us bisquits and gravy and scrambled eggs. Yum!

It is a wonderful thing being a grandparent, watching these little ones grow and learn new things. Ari and Charis have changed so much in two years. They are so smart and good looking too. It is great fun to see them play together, one minute grabbing toys away and the next minute giving hugs and kisses and sharing. Keira is a little beauty with bright eyes and rosy lips. She delighted us with her smiles and coos.

Our house sure is quiet now.

Daddies, Keenan and Brent, play in the sand with Charis and Ari.

Texas Roaches visit

Our sweet little princess, Keira.

Hike to Angel's Landing

This is on the way to Angel's Landing. This part of the trail is called, Walter's Wiggles.

Virgin River Narrows

A challenging hike, but, oh, the scenery!

second ever blogpost

The hardest part of this blogging is finding the time to sit down and do it! Last time I attmepted to post some pictures of our camping trip but perhaps I got too ambitious because the system seemed to bog down. I'll try just a couple this time.

Next weekend, my son, Keenan, his wife, Sara, and their two children, (my grandchildren!) Ari and Keira, are coming for a visit. Sara is an expert blogger, as is my daughter, so hopefully I can get some helpful suggestions.

The guestrooms are ready and now I am tidying up the rest of the house and planning on what foods to cook up. Friday we will be celebrating three birthdays. Ari's was on September 20th but we were not able to be there for his party so he will be feted belatedly. Sara's birthday is (oh my gosh) tomorrow, the 14th. Happy Birthday, Sara! Keenan's is the 22nd. His sister, Kelsey, is making a scrumptious carrot cake and Chuck and I are making one of our favorite dishes. We call it Senor Frog. Don't worry, there is no frog. We ate at such a place in Mexico and came up with our own version of this chicken dish.

Saturday, my very talented children will be performing in a dance show at a studio where I take classes and Kelsey teaches. Kelsey choreographed a dance ala Isadora Duncan and Keenan will accompany her on his guitar to a Mason Williams song, Classical Gas. We are looking forward to having a fun weekend with our much loved family.

My first ever blog

Okay, I have put this off long enough. Long enough to come under suspicion from the blogspot folks. I decided to open a blog one night but then didn't want to mess with it. Then things got busy so some time went by. Guess I should have acted sooner. I want to be able to get pics up let whomever wishes, know what is going on at Yia Yia's house. I am Yia Yia, a.k.a. Sally Roach, or Mom. I am married to Chuck, a most awesome man. I have two grown children, Keenan and Kelsey, and three amazing grandchildren. My main hobby these days is dancing. It's never too late to start! I mostly do Middle Eastern type dances but also gypsy fusion and ballet, taught by my daughter. Chuck and I used to ballroom dance but that has fallen by the wayside. Hopefully we can do that again. Together, we amuse ourselves with many home improvement projects, having recently finished two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a guest suite downstairs. The next thing to do is the living room in the lower level (sounds better than basement) We will maintain the cosy corner with the fireplace, sofa, and telly, but the rest will become an arts and craft corner. Chuck is seriously into oil painting and I sew (mostly costumes for dance) and do other crafty things.

Enough of this for now. Time for some house-wifely type duties.