A-Z

A- Attached or single?: Attached for almost 10 years B- Best Friend: Mike, he's always there for me, even if it's not always a willing ear. C- Cake or Pie: Pie - Pie, if your talking my mother-in law's cherry pie D- Day of choice: Friday, it's the start of the weekend E- Essential Item: blow dryer F- Favorite Color: I don't have one G- Gummy Bears or Worms: worms H- Hometown: Shelley, Idaho (it's where I have lived the longest) I- Indulgence(s): Food and scrapbooking J- January or July: July, I enjoy spending time camping. K- Kid(s): Madi (2), Gabe (1) L- Life is Incomplete Without: Family. M- Marriage Date: July 22, 1998 N- Number of Siblings: 4 - 1 sister, 3 brothers O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges P- Phobias or Fears: getting in a serious car accident Q- Quote(s): .... R- Reason To Smile: House is clean, project complete, kids and husband are happy. S- Season: Fall - I love sweat shirt weather. T- Tag others +: I'm not sure I know of anybody who hasn't already been tagged. U - Unknown Fact About Me: ????? V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: Meat - beef, chicking, pork, fish, you name it I like it. W- Worst Habit: procrastinating. X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds . Y- Your Favorite Food: It changes, but comfort foods top my list. Z- Zodiac: Virgo

Gratitute (originally posted 12/5/07)

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. In fact, I have worked on a couple of different posts, but have failed to finish them. I hate posting without including a picture or two, but I'm going to have to make an exception. We have been so busy at our house, but I'm not quite sure with what. Thanksgiving has come and gone and I feel that I should take just a moment and write down some of the things I am thankful for. Family: I have a wonderful family, including a husband who puts up with my craziness and two beautiful children who are incredible.

Health: Luckily my family has not struggled with medical problems. We have been blessed with relatively good health. Beautiful Earth: We live in a great area where we can enjoy the mountains and outdoors in minutes. We spend a lot of time in the summer in the mountains hiking, camping and four-wheeling. Home: I am grateful to have a home to raise my children in. It isn't big or fancy, but it is a HOME. We had a great Thanksgiving with family (despite having our cabin broken into). We are so blessed to have my parents and in-laws living so close. The best part is we don't have to travel for the holidays and we get to be with ALL of our family. The day after Thanksgiving, my mom and I do the early morning craze and go shopping. We usually don't buy much, but it just seems like the thing to do. We are normally home early so we can head out Christmas tree hunting. We always head to the high country to find the perfect tree and it is always a lot of fun. We pack Thanksgiving leftovers and have a picnic once we find our tree. We decorated the tree as soon as we got it home. It turned out great. Madi helped hang the ornaments on the bottom of the tree and Gabe help tangle the lights. Madi and dad watched Polar Express (for the first time this season) and then cuddled on the couch and watched the Christmas tree lights. Madi is getting excited about Christmas.

Mike started the tradition of cutting down our own tree. He and his family always had cut their own tree and our family has continued that tradition. When we were first married I was reluctant, I wanted a perfectly shaped tree with the perfect decorations, but Mike insisted on cutting a tree. The first year I was a little disappointed, but each year the "fresh cut" Christmas tree grows. This year's tree is my favorite thus far. Last night Gabe had his first hair cut. For some reason Mike has not wanted me to cut it. I'm not sure if he just liked the curls or didn't think I would do an adequate job. It's short (probably a little too short) but at least now he looks respectable.

Recipes

It has been a lot of fun collecting all of the digital recipes from Sherelle's recipe exchange. I can't wait to try them all. Here are the ones I submitted. I really want a new computer (too bad it will be awhile). Since the computer I have doesn't have enough memory, it takes forever to do anthing in PSE. I can't believe Thanksgiving is two weeks away and Christmas is not far off either. Time flies and it's time to start gearing up.

Gabe Turns 1

I can't believe so much time has gone by and Gabe is turning one today. Time flies. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!!

Pumpkin Walk

Madi and I went to the pumpkin walk last night. There were different scenery sets around the path and all of the characters were made with pumpkins. The pumpkins were painted or carved by different people and/or artists that donated them to the walk. The weather was nice. Madi didn't want to leave, she really enjoyed looking and talking to the pumpkins. I finished my recipe layouts for the recipe exchange. It took me all day to finish two pages, but I think they turned out OK. My recipes were for Almond (cherry) Bars and Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip.

Good News

Good news.... Madi is not an elephant. Yesterday grandpa and Madi were discussing a coaster box with an elephant on the front. Grandpa: The elephant has a big nose. Madi: I have a nose. Grandpa: It has big teeth (tusks). Madi: I have big teeth. Grandpa: The elephant has big ears. Madi: I have big ears. Grandpa: Madi, you must be an elephant. Madi: No grandpa, I have a little nose. Gabe is going to be one next week and to our surprise he's going to have teeth. I thought he would never have teeth, but this weekend one came through and two are coming in on top. Having no teeth has not inhibited him in anyway from eating. He eats anything as long as it isn't baby food. Evenings have been fun at our house. It is so fun to watch Gabe and Madi role around wrestling and laughing. Gabe loves his sister and Madi loves her brother. Madi is the sister a baby would dream of having. She is so good with her brother...she lets him pull her hair. I'm talking about chunks of it...and she doesn't hit, scream or run away. She's AWESOME. Since the day he was born Madi has helped take care of Gabe. She talks to him when he's crying in the car; holds his hand when he's upset at home; gets the wipes and diapers; and freely gives her brother loves and kisses.

Last night we carved pumpkins. Madi chose the pattern but didn't help much. She wasn't that excited about cleaning out the guts of the pumpkin, but she did like the slug that came inside with them. Tonight is the first state football game in the Dome and it's going to be a fun late night.

We'll Miss You

Curtis is off to flight school in Alabama where he will be learning to pilot helicopters for the Idaho National Guard. GOOD LUCK CURTIS, We will miss you(especially Gabe). He is definitely a great uncle, brother and son. Love you. Last night we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner to say goodbye to Curtis. It was nice to be with my family. I just wish my sister and other brothers could have been home. It has just been so long since we have all been together. I just thought I would make note of something Madi has been saying this summer and something she said the other morning in the car. - The sun is in my eyes....turn on the air conditioner. I can't believe how well she talks. She is one smart cookie. Just ask her, she will tell you. If you ask her what her daddy teaches, she will tell you 'Psychology'. Here are a couple of pictures of Gabe and Madi playing in the leaves yesterday just before we left for dinner.