Tree

After Thanksgiving this weekend Jason wanted to go get a tree. This is the first time we have ever cut down our own Christmas tree. Usually we just go buy one, and I think in a couple of years we will just get a fake one. None the less we went on an adventure to get a tree up the Mine Hill. I told Jason that these trees are very ugly, but that did not deter him one bit. He hunted and hunted, I say he, because I didn't even get out of the truck except to take the picture, and finally found one. By that time Truman and our dog Chewy had come back to the truck, because they were cold. The tree is not too bad, okay it is super ugly. But it only cost $10, for the tag, and the kids enjoyed it (Elleree was asleep in the truck with me).

It brought back memories of when I was a kid and my parents cut a tree every year. Some were worse than others. I remember if they had a bare spot my dad would just drill a hole in the trunk and stick a branch in it. I also remember when we would look for them we would always spot one and my dad would say it was too big. We had no concept that the 20 foot tree would not fit a 9ft ceiling. We also didn't see why my dad couldn't just climb the tree and only cut off what he needed. So no matter how ugly the tree is, it was a good experience for our kids they love the tree! Who knows they may end up with memories of their own, probably of how their mom kept saying how ugly the tree was.

Turkey day

This year was such a great thanksgiving! All my siblings were able to make it with all of their kids, except Pierce. Heath and Emilee brought Emilee's parents and Grandma and Grandpa Vaden were able to make it too, so we even had a few extras. I was nice to be all together, no fighting (not even our kids). My mom did a wonderful job on the meal, including extras for my dad and grandma that were Glutin free. Arron and Jason took the older kids out shooting pumkins later, so they were out of our hair.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I am truely greatful for my family. I love each of my siblings so much, and although it may not seem like it some times, all I want for them is to be happy! I love my parents and am very grateful for all the sacrifices they have made for me, and how much they still do for me and my family! I am grateful for my grandparents. I am so blessed to have grown up so close to them. I am thankful for the realationship I have with them, and the wonderful advice and insight they give to me!

Busy Weekend

This last weekend was very busy. We had Allison, Arron and their four kid come and visit us. Eli my new baby nephew was blessed on Sunday, so we had everyone from their two families over to the house on Sunday. It was nice to see everyone!


Truman and Elleree both got sick on Saturday at the wrestling tournament I took the kids to. So after the tournament I had to take Elleree to the doctor. On Monday we went and had the 9 grandkids pictures taken. They were all there, which doesn't happen very often. They turned out very cute. These are pictures of Eli and my mom holding Elleree and Paisley.

Forever

It feels like I have not posted forever, but it doesn't feel like I have been busy. So I decided to catalog all the things I've been doing other than the usual housework....

I have been working on cross-stitching Jason's Christmas stocking, while listening to PBS a ton (I will post pictures when it is done),
read two books (Lance Armstrong and The Thirteenth Tale),
cleaned all my M&M dispensers (I know right),
went to two movies (Time Travelers Wife and Bright Star, both of which are not very uplifting), babysitting other people's kids a lot( of coarse they are other peoples kids, if they were mine it wouldn't be babysitting),
Putting up Christmas lights (Jason is afraid of heights, but loves to do them)
Taking Dillon to wrestling practice (I am so taking pictures and posting those too)
Going over spreadsheets, business plans, etc. (Jason is trying to open his own pharmacy, anyone have extra money they have lying around they could give us?)

Hope that gives you an update on what is going on around here. I will post more later!

Best sister

Do I have the best sister or what! She designs all my blog headers for me. This one I sent her pictures (courtesy of Jaclyn Davis Photography, she rocks) and she just puts it together for me. She does it all, in between painting her living room, taking care of her 4 kids and her crazy social life. My sister is the best! Thanks Alli!

It all fits

These picture are mainly to prove to my friend Lori's husband Fancois that all my kids toys do fit into the cabinets.

These before and after pictures really show you what I have to deal with on a regular basis with my kids. The trash everything!

My mom and dad built these cabinets for me. The work really well, and I am so luck to have parents who are willing and able to build things for me. Thanks mom and dad!

Halloween 2009

Every year I have a Halloween Party. This picture is of Truman trying to hit the pinyata (I can't spell). We had lots of food, a scavenger hunt, decorated cookies, made spooky picture frames, had a fishing pond, and had a pinata. This year we had a ton of people, it was a lot of fun. Mostly just family, but we have some friends come too. I missed a lot of my friends, and really missed some of my family that could not make it this year.
My friend Lori and her son Xander. She made that costume for him "gasp". She was such a trooper. These are all the pictures before the party, because once the festiviest start, I am too busy to take very many. My poor kids!
Heath and Pierce, he was cracking me up with that wig.
Emilee and Heath, how cute are they?
Truman, Bumblebee one of the "Transformers" he really got into it.
Dillon, as one of those "Star Wars" guys. What are they called? Anyway, I really liked playing with his gun. Jason had to take it away from me. I guess it is pretty annoying if your not the one pushing the button.
All the kids.
Elleree was a little lamb, and she was soo cute. I got the costume on cleance, and bought it because I did not think she would wear anything for very long. Boy was I wrong, she loved her costume. She kept it on the whole night. Plus it was super warm for trick or treating.
My mom made up goodie bags for the grandkids, the boys got wax mustaches. Way funny.

It's a Pumkin Thing

First we had to clean out the pumpkins, Dillon was the only one willing to touch "that stuff".
Dillon decided that he wanted to do his pumpkin all by himself this year. He did a pretty good job, I think.
Truman, on the other hand picked out a design and opted for me to work out the details. He did help a little, as you can see here.
Finished product, not too shabby if you ask me. I love to decorate pumpkins!