Finally: SNOW!

We finally got our first snow of the season today! I am one of the few people that love the snow! It doesn't feel like Christmastime without it! My kids and I have been patiently waiting for weeks now and it finally came! They couldn't wait to get all their snow gear on and go sledding! We have the perfect sledding hill right in front of our house. Then Matt got the brilliant idea to get some rope and tie the sled on to the back of the car and tow the kids around the neighborhood. They thought they were in heaven! My batteries died in my camera, so I took some with my phone. It was hilarious to watch them! I also got all of my Christmas decorations up! Hooray for me! I'm ahead of the game this year! I have been trying to get all of my shopping done early, so I can actually enjoy the holidays, without all of the stress. And I actually am doing pretty good this year. I am usually one of those people who are in a shopping frenzy the week before Christmas trying to get everything on my list! But this year, I think I will be done by this next week! Yay! I also found some really good, new christmas cookie and candy recipes that I can't wait to try so check out my recipe blog for some new fun recipes in the next few weeks!!

I'm Thankful For.....

I love Thanksgiving! It's the best time of year, right after the fun of Halloween, and right before the thrill and hustle and bustle of Christmas. The weather is perfect, cool and crisp. The leaves are still beautiful and hanging on to the trees for just a few days more. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We spent it with our good friends, the Housers. Dinner was amazing, I ate so much that i wasn't able to eat another thing until breakfast the next morning..... The company was even better. I wanted to list some things that i feel thankful for:

1. Gagey has learned to pucker up and give kisses. He gives them out freely, and they are sloppy and wonderful.

2. Carter's little notes that he frequently leaves around for me to find. He is such a tender-hearted kid.

3. Ellie's daily antics. She cracks me up all day long.

4. Matt's blue eyes, they still make me melt

5. Matt's soft spot for the kids and wanting them always to be happy. He sacrifices a lot for them.

6. My job. In this economy, I feel lucky to have a stable job that will always be there for me.

7. My fireplace. Nothing like a good book in front of the fire with a cozy blanket.

8. Its soup season! I could make soup and breadsticks everynight of the fall and winter. Its comfort food to the max for me.

9. my double oven. Its heaven. I don't know what I ever did with just one.

10. The beautiful view from my front door.

11. Friends and family (obvious, i know, but i have to add it

12. My testimony. It keeps me going.

13. Homemade english toffee and apple pie caramel apples

14. Chewy caramels

15. A good book

16. Humor. I couldn't survive this life and its trials without it.

17. Me time. I don't get it very often, but when I do I take full advantage.

18. My health.

19. My cell phone - couldn't survive a day without it!

20. facebook, email, blogs - which gives me the ability to connect with those I love.

21. Colorado and the blessings that it has brought to my family.

22. Mac lipstick - it can do wonders for anyone.

23. My buckle jeans - the only thing that makes my butt look smaller than it really is.

24. Warm tubs.

25. Girl's nights.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! smooches!

Air Carter

Look at that tough D. Carter has finally found his sport. He has taken to basketball like a fish to water. The kid is amazing. He finally gets how everything in the game works and he has really taken off. He is the rebounding, shooting, defending king. Last week, he scored 20 points.

I'm totally bragging, but that's a mother's right, right? He has been working really hard to improve and it is so fun to watch him. Look at that form.

Gentle push, mild arc, and the cowhide globe hits home!

My Girls

I just had to post about these two friends of mine. They have been my strength for these last 2 years. I don't know what I would do without them. They are my sisters and best friends. They know when I need a shoulder to cry on, and when a shopping trip is desperately needed. They bring me treats "just because", and always know how to make me smile. They would do anything for me and I for them. It has been said that women need other women in there lives to survive. These 2 are my "rocks", and keep me going day to day. love you both forever.

FiNaLLy!!

After many months of anticipation, the girls night I have been waiting for finally happened. Twilight opening night was finally here. Surrounded by screaming girls of all ages and opinions, ("team Edward" and "team Jacob" tshirts at every turn) my bff's and I entered the world of vampires. It did not dissapoint. Despite the fact that we arrived an hour early, we were at the back of a line of about 200 teenagers. Not to be thwarted, I used my amazing charm and skill and was able to sneak into the theatre before they allowed the throngs of girls to attack. So armed with a bag of popcorn and great seats, we enjoyed the show. LOVED IT! go see it. Get the girls together and enjoy. GO TEAM EDWARD!

The 80's were so RAD. noT.

We got together with a bunch of our PEEPS and had the most AWESOME, RADICAL 80's bash! Matt tied for best costume with his rendition of and 80's rocker. I told him that I kind of liked the luscious locks..... The costumes people came up with were HILARIOUS! I went for the 80's prom queen, with my mermaid style, black sequinned dress. (Matt did forget to get me a corsage, which i thought was pretty rude... :) We broke out the bolo ties, pegged pants, neon colors, big hair, and even a pencil tie! awwww what a decade it was! And what a party we had. What was your 80's style?

Happy Halloween!!!

"May the force be with you," says our little Yoda. Gagey thought Halloween was the greatest thing since blankies. He couldn't believe people kept giving him candy for no reason. Most of the time he would start eating right through the wrappers. He was bouncing off the walls with all of that sugar.

The scary brain alien and skeleton enjoyed all the candy, too. (Carter and Ethan getting ready to go trick or treating.) We had some issues getting the "brain" to inflate on Carter's costume.

The snow princess and the butterfly. (Cami and Ellie-bells).

Here's gage enjoying even MORE candy! He was soooo funny in his costume. He waddles around just like Yoda, and the ears would wiggle as he walked.

What more could you ask for but good friends, good food, gorgeous weather, and homemade chili and hot chocolate? It usually snows here for Halloween, but we had lovely 70 degree temps and the kids had a blast trick or treating in the awesome weather. Happy Halloween!