Friday, January 7, 2011

Check Out My Book Blog!

I started a book blog, & it's been up & running for about three weeks now! I'm loving it & am learning a lot in the process. Check it out!


I'm currently hosting a book giveaway on it, & also feature book reviews, "Through the Pages" Thursday, "Time Out" from Reading, author interviews, reading challenges, & more!

If you feel so inclined, become a follower! I really appreciate the support! :)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

The Start of a New Year - Planting Flowers in the Rain?

I was so excited last night because today was going to be the day I finally planted my Christmas Cyclamens (who doesn't have aspirations for the New Year)!!! Well, when I woke up this morning, I wasn't counting on the rain (that's what I get for staying cooped up in the house all day yesterday & not paying attention to the weather - but hey, the kid's sick, & I didn't want to get dressed - go ahead, judge me ;).  I looked out the sliding glass door & grudgingly thought I could put off planting the flowers a little longer, but I kept looking at my to-do list, & it really bothered me not to check something off of it! So I put Will (still in his jammies with a snotty nose) into his new rain boots & rain coat, grabbed our shovels, & we headed outside (the rain had stopped, but it was still soggy & wet . . . & cold). 

I couldn't find my gardening gloves (I bet you wouldn't have ever guessed I had gardening gloves to begin with since our front yard looks like crap, & I haven't touched it in who knows how long!), so I just dug in with my shovel & hands & determined to get those beautiful flowers into my dirt/clay as fast as possible (did I mention it was super cold out, & my hands were shaking? I guess that's just the price you pay for attempting to be the World's Best Homemaker/Domestic/Wife/Mother
 . . . uh huh, right)!

But I have to admit, even with the cold, the splinters left over from digging in the bark without my gloves, & constantly telling Will to stay out of the street, the flowers look beautimous, & I have one more thing checked off my list! This is going to be a good year - I can tell :)




Thursday, December 30, 2010

Allyssa-Rae & Josh Get Hitched

Scott, Will & I flew up to Portland just before Christmas to attend our niece, Allyssa-Rae's wedding. It was so fun to see all the family. We love Allyssa-Rae & are so happy for her & Josh!

Josh & Allyssa-Rae ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Emily & Catrina

Scott & Will

Catrina & Yannick

the cousins: Barbie, Noelle, Ben, Kyle, Abbygail, Kayla, Jessie, Nickie


Dennis & Gail & the bride & groom

Mark & Joy - happy parents of the bride



busting out the running man!

Mark & Joy

the photographer ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mark w/ his father




Congratulations you two!!!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Eclipse DVD-Release Party

At the beginning of this month, Shana (who just started her own party planning blog: Party Profiles!) & I hosted an Eclipse DVD-release party. We planned everything in red, black & white, had tons of food to eat, & had a blast with our friends . . . minus the fact that Will kept coming downstairs when he was supposed to be in bed, so I ended up staying with him upstairs until Scott got home to take over. And Shana was so tired, she fell asleep part way through, so decided to just head home early.
Some favorites: chocolate cookies w/ chocolate frosting & jam thumbprints.
Shana also took these glass bottles & made a sparkling lemonade/cranberry juice/Sprite concoction for us to drink.



Sandi, Tammy, me, Jen, Crystal, Shana (the other guests hadn't arrived yet)

And wait - we had a surprise! Not just Jacob this time - Edward was able to come along too!
(thanks to Lynette)

Thanksgiving 2011

This year, I spent Thanksgiving with my family while Scott worked at the station (he's had to work every holiday this year!). I loved being with my family! Spending the day with them just reminded me of how blessed I truly am.

Steven & Amy with Timmy, Lily & Zach

Mom - - - Amy

Rachel's mom, Denise, spent the day with us.

Rachel

Sammie - - - Leah & Wes: Wes kept bumping into her with his belly - she was not happy about it.

Will

Dad

Cole - - - Zach

Sarah - - - Drew

Matt


Lily - - - Sam

Anna


Rachel & her sister, Nicole

Steve & Susan

Wes & Brad: Wes has abs of steel!

Drew - look at that pretty face

Wes just waking up from his nap. I love those droopy lips.