Christmas is underway

Christmas decorating got underway around here last night. I love the house at Christmas! It's so pretty! We always have two trees--the silver bell tree and the fun tree. Josh put up the big tree & I got the little tree. The little tree is pre-lit and was super, super easy to put up! The big tree, on the other hand, is not so easy. Josh and that tree have a love hate relationship. Josh hates that tree--actually, maybe there's no love involved after all!



The tree is up, but it's not yet fluffed and doesn't have lights. This tree always gets blue lights & I completely forgot that we didn't have enough blue lights for it, so I have to pick some up when I'm shopping this week.

I did get a few decorations up, but not a whole lot. This week though, the goal is to be done with it this week!

I think these little guys are so cute! I love finding a fun place for them to peek from!

This Santa is one of my favorites! I love fun decorations.

I started the mantel the other night. I'm not really happy with it, so I know it's not finished. I just haven't decided what else to do to it.

Oh yeah, and I found a picture from Thanksgiving. This is Josh, Spencer,and James.

Happy birthday Mom!

Oh, I am a terrible daughter! My mom's birthday was actually last Friday, the 27th. I meant to write her a birthday post, but then got caught up in whatever I was doing that day & didn't get it done. Sorry mom! It wasn't because I don't love ya!

I have the best mom. She's super strong & I hope that I can have that kind of strength one day. Mom raised my older brothers on her own a lot because my dad's Navy career took him away from the family for long periods of time. I was little when my dad retired, but I remember my mom saying--we're a Navy family--it's what we do. Mom has deep, deep New England roots, but when Dad got a job in Idaho, mom was so strong about it. She knew it was what was best for our family, so it was what we did. When she was far too young, mom lost her soul mate and Eternal companion, my dad. I know how much it hurt her and how much she misses him still, but she always, always stayed strong for me, who was a fairly young teenager at the time. She knew I needed her and she was always there for me when I needed her and when I needed to grieve. Mom's taken every punch that was thrown at her and has rolled with it. I so admire her for that. She never wavers in her strength, her courage, or her faith. I look up to my mom a lot!

I love you mom! I hope it was a good day for you & that you enjoyed your New England Clam Chowder for your birthday dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy your time with your family, friends, or whoever you are spending your day with. I hope your meal is delicious and your pies are scrumptious. But more importantly, I hope you take the time to remember the good things in your life and express gratitude for your blessings.

I have so much to be thankful for and I know that I don't take the time to really appreciate the many, many good things in my life very often. I am thankful for my family. I have an awesome, amazing family. I was blessed with an amazing father who I know still loves me and watches over me. My mom is so strong and is always there for me. James and Josh are amazing kids who I am so lucky and blessed to have in my life! They make me happy and they make me proud every day. I have terrific extended family, with four brothers and sisters in law & 18 nieces and nephews. I love every single one of them very much. My nieces and nephews make me proud--they are such strong people! I'm thankful for my home. I'm thankful for a job that I love that I am able to provide for my family with.

I am thankful for a wonderful guy that has come into my life. Tim has brought so much into my life. He's reminded me of who I am and that I am important. He has reminded me of how important it is to be loved and to be able to give love. He has been this huge blessing in my life. I am thankful for my amazing friends. They mean so much to me. I am fortunate enough to count as close friends today some of the girls who were my best friends in high school. They are amazing women & I'm so thankful that we've found each other again and I have my best friends again!

Bring on Turkey Day!

I am ready for Turkey Day tomorrow! This morning was spent making pies. I have two pumpkin, one apple, one cherry, and 6 turnovers. Josh was awesome, making the pumpkin pie filling for me and keeping the kitchen clean and the dishes done.

Cute Kids

How cute is this picture from the Buddy Dance that Josh went to with Hayley? Josh had told me about it, but I couldn't quite picture it in my head--he brought the picture home from school today & I thought it was way cute! Hayley has become quite a fixture around here since the dance--Josh has become quite a fan of hers! She's a really terrific girl & I like her a lot.

I sure love these boys!!

After a date last night, Josh brought Emmett home with him to spend the night. Emmett said he couldn't let the week go by without coming home to his other house at least one night. So, after fixing them a delicious breakfast of French Toast and bacon, Emmett went off to church with us today. When we went into church, everything was brown & fall-ish. When we came out of the church, we were greeted with this:


Hello! Not that anyone asked me or really even cares, but I am so not ready for this! I know it's November & I should be ready, but I'm not. And I have to admit that it felt like winter today. I think I knew it when I got dressed this morning & wore my thick hoodie sweater. That's a winter sweater, not fall. My mind & psyche better hurry up and catch up with Mother Nature, I think!

Josh & Emmett found these trench coats in the front hall closet. I had totally forgotten that they were in there! They thought they were just the coolest & wore them all day long! I think they look so cute in them!

Josh Rocking the trench

Emm thinks he's cool enough to pull off the Red Sox gear. Hmmm, not sure about this one! But he is cute!

Josh's Second Dance Date--The Buddy Dance

So I didn't think I'd have photos from Josh's date last night, because they are sitting in my camera, which I have yet to get back from Josh! But, one of the girls on the date uploaded her pics to Facebook, so I lifted them. How cute are they?

Brandon, Laura, Hayley, and Josh

CJ, Eden, Brandon, Laura, Josh, Alexa, and Chad

Snowy Saturday Morning

This is what I woke up to this morning! I am not all happy about this! I'm not ready for winter!


How cute are these two guys? Emmett decided the best way to get his blankets and pillow to the car would be to bundle up in them because it was so dang cold out! I love having Emm here every weekend & think he & Josh are just the best kids in the whole world!


Josh has his second date tonight. He was asked to girl ask guy dance at the school. Apparently, this dance has a western theme & if you know Josh at all, you know that he really doesn't do cowboy! So called a friend who's family is really cowboy & the Carter's got him set up! He makes a pretty cute cowboy, I think!

The importance of friends!

Emmett gets a lot of space on the blog as Josh's best friend and one of my favorite kids ever! He spends a lot of time here & is part of the family. Emmett is exactly two weeks younger than Josh is. Today was the first time Emmett blessed the sacrament in his ward, and I was touched that he asked Josh to be the one to bless with him. So Josh & I went off to Emmett's ward today. As much fun as I have with the boys over here, watching them play & have a great time, I was so, so proud of them today! It was neat to see them sitting up there together, blessing. They are such good, good kids. They are so strong and they help each other make good decisions. I never worry about what the two of them are doing when they're together. I love that I have total faith in Josh & his friends. They've earned it. Now I get what my parents were always talking about when they talked to me about the importance of good friends!!

Ever heard of Murtaugh, ID? I didn't think so!

Friday I took a little trip for work. I did my Twin Falls/Sun Valley circle. Mom wanted to come with, so I had some company on the drive. Iwent to this little town I'd never been to before, called Murtaugh. I guess I should say I'd never even heard of it! It's between Burley & Twin Falls. To get there, we had to go on this back country road that town us across the canyon by going down into the canyon on this little switchback road. It was gorgeous!!



If you are ever in the Sun Valley area, Hailey in particular, and need someplace to eat, I highly, highly recommend The Wicked Spud!! This is a great little place that has a huge patio with outdoor seating in the summer and even brings in live bands during the summer months. Mom had the blackened chicken sandwich and I had the yummy fish tacos with grilled mahi mahi. We shared an order of these delicious seasoned fries. My fish was grilled perfectly & mom's chicken was so good! The best part--it is so well priced! I have a new favorite restaurant & will be going there whenever I'm in Hailey

Thank you to a special person!

I am one who totally believes that people are brought into our lives for a reason. Sometimes, we never know what that reason is, or why were were fortunate enough to have someone come into our lives. Hopefully, we can remember to be grateful for the people in our lives though.

Sometimes, we do know why people are brought into our lives. Sometimes, we're fortunate enough, or smart enough, or lucky enough, to realize why we have someone in our life. I think I very rarely take the time to thank the people in my life or to let them know how grateful I am for what they bring to me.



So, I want to take a minute and thank someone very special to me who is in my heart. Dwight, you have brought into my life things that I had forgotten I needed! You have made me remember what it's like to love and be loved. You remind me that sometimes, it's ok to think about myself first & make sure that I take care of myself. You make me laugh, you make me smile. You make me happy even on a bad day. You make me feel smart and important and make me remember my self worth. You make me want to be a better person! I am so happy that you have come into my life & hope that I am able to give back to you a little bit of what you give me!

Halloween Fun!

Halloween means the annual Halloween Carnival put on by the Boy Scouts & held in the gym at the church. For the first time in a few years, I found myself at the Carnival this year. One of my best friends was going with her family, which includes their adorable, wonderful 5 children, all under the age of 8. I offered to go & help them out with the kids. It was great fun! I got to spend several hours watching very cute children, dressed up & adorable, spend time with one of my best friends, and cuddle with Jen's two precious little girls! Jen's kids are terrific--they are sweet and so well behaved, not to mention adorable! It was a great Halloween & I loved getting to spend part of it with good friends!


Gabe the golfer

Cam biking

Austin popping balloons

Cam

Austin

Jen's precious baby girls. Thing 2 is Koryn and Thing 1 is Lilian.