Happy Birthday Elena

Yesterday Elena celebrated her 16th birthday.  It was kinda hard to know what to do for her because she kept saying she didn't want anyone knowing it was her birthday, but then in the same breath said she would be kinda sad if no one said happy birthday to her.  So, we celebrated her day the way we celebrate the kids birthdays here in our house.  I waited until she went to bed, and then left several Happy Birthday signs about the house.  We let her open up her gifts before she left for school, and then had a nice dinner for her at the house and then had birthday cake for dessert.

It was fun having another person in the house to celebrate, and we enjoyed spending her special day with her.  I hope she enjoyed her day as well.   Happy Birthday Elena-  We Love You!!!

Fun with Grandparents

Grandma loving on some awfully cute kids!



If your wondering where Ellie is, she chose to stay home and watch TV instead of come have fun with us.

They sure are cute together.

My dad and step mom Anna May came for a visit this last weekend.  They came on Friday evening, and left Sunday afternoon.  We had lots of fun hanging out with them, creating memories.   Anna May taught me how to make a yummy white bean soup, and we enjoyed some shopping.  It was nice having them come up to our house, and the kids enjoyed getting to know a new grandma a little bit better.  Before they left Sunday afternoon I took them out to one of my favorite picture spots and took some pictures of them.  They turned out great, and I can't wait to enlarge one and hang it on our family wall.  The kids are looking forward to going to Southern Utah at the end of this month to see Grandpa and Grandma again.  I am glad my kids have a new grandma that they can make memories with.  They have both been pretty sad lately missing Grandma Oliphant and Grandma Westfall.  Thanks For the visit dad and Anna May, we sure love you guys!

Christmas Lights on the House

A few weeks ago Ray hung the lights on the house but ended up getting really sick, and was not able to climb back up on the house to plug them all in.  Sunday after my dad left Ray decided he was feeling good enough to get up on the house and get the lights all working.  Elena, Ellie, and Jake were as happy as could be when daddy told them they could get on the house with him and check out the view.  Jake acted like he won the lottery, it was so cute watching him strut his stuff up on the roof top. 

Ellie was too scared to move so she crawled to where she is in the pictures and stayed in the same spot the whole time the kids were on the roof.

Elena thought she was pretty cool climbing the latter.

Jake was so excited to climb the latter that he was giggling and squealing the whole time he was climbing up the latter!  :)

Withouth the flash in my camera

With flash

Thanks babe for puting up the lights, and for fixing them so they can be turned on this Christmas, even though you were not feeling well.  We sure love you and all you do for us!!! 

Sometimes

I sometimes find myself wishing that I were braver.  I sometimes wish I weren't so shy.  I sometimes wish I were more outgoing.  I sometimes wish I didn't feel the need to hide while in crowds.  I sometimes wish I had more confidence.  I sometimes wish I could talk to strangers.
I sometimes wish.......

Black Friday

So today was Black Friday, and I contemplated going and doing some of my Christmas shopping.  Then I remembered last year, and what a crazy ridiculous experience it was, and I decided that saving a couple bucks on gifts was not worth me loosing the Christmas spirit.

Last year I went with my nephew in law Craig to WalMart in Twin Falls in hopes of getting a laptop for Ray for Christmas.  Well after witnessing fist fights (over $2 movies) and people just taking things out of  other peoples carts (ridiculous), I missed out on the laptop and was a bit annoyed.  Craig was able to get the gaming system he went shopping for but me, I was still annoyed.  Well as we were leaving a guy asked me if I was interested in purchasing a 52 inch flat screen TV,  it was half the cost and I decided that Ray would love it for Christmas and I jumped at the chance. 
I hated every minute of the Black Friday experience, and in a way it ruined the whole Christmas fuzzies for me.  So this year I decided that enjoying the warm fuzzies the whole Holiday Season was far better than a few bucks I may be able to save.

I ordered Ellie a gift online and it arrived today.  I got a Black Friday price on it, and it arrived on Black Friday!  I didn't have to fight the crowds.  I didn't have to loose my fuzzies, and I still got a good deal.  For all the crazies who chose to face the horrid crowds I hope that you fared well, and that your fuzzies are in tact.  May you enjoy this Holiday Season as much as I plan too.  <3

Day 24 of Thanks! MEMORIES

I am so thankful for Memories.  Everything we do in life, everywhere we go, who we are day to day creates a memory that stays with us our entire lifetime.  I love the memories I have of my childhood, the memories I have of loved ones who have long since passed.  I love the memories I have of a different time, of the people we used to be.  I came across a quote that read, "don't judge me by my past, I don't live there anymore!"  I love that we can change from the people we used to be.  We can become better, but will always have those memories to remind us of who we used to be. 

I love the memories I was able to make with my mom, with Rays mom, with my grandpa,  with siblings.  The memories I am able to make with my own children, with Ray.  I love that one day I can sit down with my children, with their children and tell the memories that I have, and maybe they will be able to cherish them as much as I cherish them.  

I Love The Memories I Have Been Able To Make!!!

Day 23 of Thanks! Almost done!

Today I am thankful that I ordered my Christmas cards early this year, and that they are almost all addressed and ready to send out.  It seems that every year I fall way behind when it comes to sending out cards, and they usually end up being sent the day after Christmas.  It is such a nice feeling to know that our Christmas Cards will be addressed, stamped, and ready to send out in the mail when we are ready to send them.  I love this time of year when we can send out cards and letters, but I love it more when we receive letters, photos and cards from those we love most.  It helps us to be able to get a glimpse of our loved ones lives, and makes us feel a little closer to them.  :)