Family Pictures

We finally took family pictures for the first time in 16 years. Here are a few of my favorites --

I know - we really should do it more often!!! We are hawt!!!

I can grow things

Okay, here is the thing... I love lemons. I mean I really love them. I love to eat them, cook with them, decorate with them (fake ones!), etc. So, when we moved to California, I decided that I wanted to grow them! Trent got me a lemon tree for Mother's day one year...ummmmmm, I killed it. I asked for another tree, this time I would do something different, like water it and take really good care of it. Okay, so I got another one...ummmmmmm, I killed that one too. So, again, I asked for yet another one. Trent told me that I would only kill it. So, I asked for an orange tree this time. I don't really like oranges, I never cook with them and I certainly do not have any in my house, but I decided that I was going to grow oranges because I could not grow lemons. Okay, so Trent gets me a new lemon tree and an orange tree. I was so excited. I watered the lemon tree with love (the orange tree got whatever water it got from the sprinklers), I talked with the lemon tree (I hardly even noticed the orange tree much less never said anything to it), I loved that lemon tree (not so much the orange tree). Guess what happened? The lemon tree died ----- but ....
I HAVE FOUR ORANGES ON MY ORANGE TREE!!!!! Who knew.

Babies growing up

Okay, I know that everyone with children has either gone through this or will go through this, but I am telling you, it is harder for me! The reason I say this is because, really, in reality, everyone that I know who reads this blog (not many, just a few friends and family) have more kids than I do. Most of these people have double the kids. I only have two, count them, two itty bitty babies. First, my son goes and grows all up..graduates high school, goes to college, and then has the audacity to turn 19. Secondly, my little baby girl has to go to high school and then she has to turn 16. Really?!? What the heck is this all about? Do my children not realize that I cannot have children as old as them when I too am just in my 20s? What the heck? My BABY, the one who I birthed in a snow storm in the middle of the winter on a cold, cold night (okay, I was in a hospital, it was really only noon, I had a scheduled Cesarean section, but indeed there was snow on the ground the night she was born - 6"). The one who I really can remember 12/04/1992 like it was literaly last week. The one who screamed like an animal and the doctor looked and Trent and said, and I quote, "Good luck with that one!" The one who used to let me braid her hair everyday for school and hold my hand in the parking lot because I was so scared. The one that would write me beautiful little cards when I was sick or even just because. Yes, this is the one who goes and turns 16.

Here are a couple of photos from her party.

This is where is blowing all of those candles

Playing Rock Band


All dressed up for the Hockey Game

Their "nice" sign for the home team

Their "not-so-nice" sign for the opposing team

What a great kid! I love her - more than she even knows.

Thanksgiving Update

Well, just thought I would let everyone know about our Thanksgiving. One word...WONDERFUL! I cooked my 7th turkey of my life and frankly it was one of the best. I shoulda snapped a picture, but I did not, so you all will just have to take my word that it was a great looking as well as great tasting turkey! The fixings all turned out wonderful too.

The best part was that my family was all together again. It will be three years (my son will be on a church mission the next two) before my family is together again for Thanksgiving, so it made this one that much more special. I cannot really talk about the mission just yet, it kinda hurts my heart.

After dinner and games, we decided to go to a movie. We all saw "Australia." One word... WONDERFUL!! I did not really want to see it...long, epic type films are usually not my forte, but this was a really good movie. I am glad we saw it.

My son, daughter, and husband all went shopping on Black Friday! This is one of my favorite things to do. My husband and I have done this for years and years, but this year the kids wanted to come along. Needless to say, we did not get out early, so our Denny's breakfast was a bust, but we did end up having a very nice lunch. I did end up doing a lot of shopping on Friday and Saturday, so that is really good news.

I had it all planned out that we were going to finally get another family photo (the last one Garrick is sitting on my lap and Natalie is about 6 months old - Yikes that is way old!!) but alas, this too did not work out.  We will go the day Garrick gets back for Christmas. They wont be Christmas photos, but I think I am okay with that.

Okay, just a couple of more facts before I leave. My mother's birthday was yesterday, she turned 66!!! Happy birthday Mom. My grandfather's 86th birthday would have been tomorrow, but instead the 1-year anniversary of his death is on the 6th. Sad. (I still miss you and think about you Grandpa, you are alive and well in my dreams). Lastly, my sweet, sweet baby girl turns 16 on the 4th. Wow, that makes me old. Happy Sweet 16th dear, sweet, baby girl Natalie.

That's all Folks