Life!

Howdy!

Whoops, it's been awhile! I have a lot of updating to do!

Let's start with...

 

Thanksgiving!

And begin with those Texas sunsets!

 My sister's dog found the turkey... and kept an eye on it for us...

Our annual photoshoot!

 Mike planted this tree when he was in kindergarten...

 So handsome!

 My wonderful grandmother!

 and we can never forget Aunt Julie!

He popped the champagne open... and I caught it!
I love my father's face!

And of course, we picked out out Christmas tree! Which looked amazing until it very ungracefully fell over as we were walking out the door to head back to Dallas...

I made it back to Montana, and attended a few parties.

 I love this pic of my co-graduate student and her fiance... and of course, our boss's newest member of his family! At our lab Christmas party.

 Of course, all the kids I babysit were there. And they all know how to use the phone on my camera...

 Before I left again, I talked my lab into going to lunch with me. Yum!

Christmas!

 Our budding bartender!

 I got her a fun literary themed drink book. We had some fun drinks over the break!

 My old babysitter came over to say hi, and brought her daughter! She was such a cutie!!!

 I was quite surprised my grandmother knew how to take a selfie... Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself!

 My mother got these really awesome champagne flutes, each a different color. So much fun!

 Pretty normal for us...

 After an amazing Christmas, my cousin set us up at Painting with a Twist for my sis's birthday. 

We definitely aren't artists, but it was a lot of fun!

 My grandmother had us all over at her house, and I found this great picture of my grandparents.

 

The first baby I ever babysat... He's now 13, and won't stop growing taller

Another baby I babysit. Look how old he is!

 We spent a day at my aunt's lakehouse. My cousin, her husband, and her adorable little girl came with us!

 See how adorable!

 We rode in (and drove) 'the mule' which was... interesting...

And then... after an amazing and wonderful week.... the worst happened...

 A not-so-awesome night at the ER because of intense pain in my right side led to...

(the nurse had a hard time getting the IV in... it was messy)

 ...me cancelling my flight and New Year's plans and getting my gallbladder removed. 

(yeah...the picture is pretty terrible, but this was after a night in the ER, multiple painkillers, and a long day in the waiting room)

 But my dad got me some beautiful flowers!

 And I talked my mother into painting again the next day. Trust me, while it was fun, it's not recommended the day after surgery...

 And my friend A from Denver sent me a new gallbladder! 

It wasn't much fun having surgery, but we can all say that it's good that it was taken out. Gallstones hurt! I also don't recommend flying 5 days after a surgery, it was painful! I was down and out for about two weeks, but then felt immensely better.  And I haven't had that terrible pain that sent me to the ER, thank goodness!

Keystone!

I went to the scariest convention yet this year... A virology meeting where there were so many famous virologists there. AND I somehow was chosen to give a talk to all of these people. SO NERVOUS!!!

 My boss and a professor, who is also on my committee. I think they were trying to figure out how to use a smart phone to check the scores of a game....

 Before my talk... so nervous!!!!

 On the last day, I was somehow talked into going snow shoeing up a mountain with some others. Word of advice? Don't try a new activity with people who do it every day.... It was so cold and I about died, but honestly I did have a great time!

 But there were some beautiful views...

 But I made it!

 And now...

We're just hanging out, enjoying being settled back in for awhile!

 

The cat, making himself comfy on my robe...

 We're just trying to stay warm..

 Because it's been really, really cold...

And when I say cold, I mean COLD!

 But we've been surviving!

And it looks like it's going to be really cold next week again. Gotta love those negative numbers... Ha!

Anyway, here's my picture catch up with what's been going on. Hope you enjoy! Wish me luck in surviving the cold!

-amyg