Pizza, Cleaning, and Conan (but not in that order)

Last night Bob and I cleaned, organized, and decorated. We stayed up late and we're still not quite finished. But to reward our hard work we might have ordered pizza and watched Conan. As hectic as December always tends to be, I love nights like these.

On a side note, let's play I SPY. Can you find the broken mistletoe that didn't make it from last years craziness? How about the plentiful shreds of paper? We finally went through and shredded, do you know how long that takes when you haven't done it for 4 years?? Can you spot the gnome hiding? And for those of us that came to last year's party, you might spot a certain little yellow creature.. it's making a comeback this year.

Happy December 3rd! I'm listening to Elvis sing me Silver Bells.

Happy Birthday Shae!

While up in Idaho Falls, we celebrated Bob's cousin's daughter's fifth birthday. We went to one of those playland places. It was fun to be there with her to celebrate, and I was cracking up in the glow in the dark rooms. My teeth have never looked so white! Maybe I should have a room like this in my house. (Reminds me of a certain Friends episode.) Happy December 2nd!

Thanksgiving this year..

Tom and Celeste were kind enough to host Thanksgiving this year. Not to mention let us stay with them. We had such a great time relaxing, shopping, chatting, and well eating everything in sight. (Okay, that might have just been me.)

Wednesday night after work there was talk of some bad roads, so we almost didn't go. But in the end decided we would probably be okay if we took it slow. The roads were actually really clear until a stretch of road near Pocatello that was pretty icy. In the end we only tacked on an extra half hour to our trip with the weather.

Thursday morning we got up and started prepping all the yummy food. Tom and Bob made two of the best turkeys I think I've ever eaten, and Nita made mashed potatoes I loved so much I could have bathed in them. And Celeste pretty much did everything else. Sometimes I wonder if she's Wonder Woman in disguise.

Dinner was fabulous and filling, just as a Thanksgiving should be.

After dinner we cleaned up, did a little relaxing, and a little chatting while the food digested.

We felt so lucky this holiday to be surrounded with family and loved ones. Bob's grandparents even took the drive out to come to dinner. It's always fun to see them. We also got to visit with Bob's sister Donna, her husband Lance and their darling little Madelaine.

We were sad not everyone could come because of weather, especially Bob's parents and brother, but we felt incredibly blessed and thankful for all we have. Even though the holiday seems to be all about the food, I tried to keep thanks in my heart for all I have. For an amazing husband, family on both sides, for friends, for shelter, for the big things, for the little things, and for all the things in between. I think these pictures sum up just what we should all be grateful for. Our blessings.

Well happy December 1st! Glad it's here, and am a little skerrred about all I have to do, hoping I can do it all in time. But I suppose it wouldn't be the holidays without being busy.

November 2010

Remember November? I don't. It went by too fast. All I remember is a bunch of snow, and a lot of food. November was a busy one for me. I photographed, had two Thanksgivings, and probably gained 12 pounds. (I just read a statistic that said the average American gains between 7-12 pounds from Thanksgiving to Christmas. 7-12!)

I always love November because it's the month to stop and reflect on all you have. To celebrate with loved ones, and to remember we aren't only lucky to have so much, we're truly blessed. So I say farewell to November a little begrudgingly. I'm very excited for December and all the fun that comes with it, but know there will also be a lot of stress and chaos. So for just today I am going to try to slow down and be thankful for all I have. Goodbye November, until next year.

Thanksgiving in Idaho Falls

Hello, hello. We just got back late last night from our trip to Idaho Falls for the holiday. We ate, (understatement of the century) we spent time with family, (missed everyone who couldn't come) celebrated a birthday, did some festive decorating, and relaxed.

We're sad we had to come back to reality, since it was so nice just chillaxing. But we're happy to be home and playing in the snow. I am currently listening to Christmas music and getting ready for December, which is bound to be busy, busy.

Back tomorrow with pictures from our trip.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a safe, yummy holiday. See you back here Monday with pictures from our adventures. Happy Turkey Day! {That's one of Bob's famous smoked turkeys pictured above. You haven't had turkey til you've had the smoked variety. I love this holiday!}

Our Family Pictures

As someone who likes to be on the other side of a camera, it was kind of weird to get professional pictures taken. But the photographer was really nice, and it was fun to be with my family. I think the last time my whole fam got family pictures was like ten years ago at Kiddie Kandids. So I love having these to document our lives and how we've changed and grown. I won't show the whole family, but here are a couple of Bob and me, and my parents..