HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

"My Wish" for you as we go into 2009, "Cross My Heart," is that "If Tomorrow Never Comes" your life will have been "Time Well Wasted."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

It's been a fun week. We've had lots of visits with family and friends. There's been a lot of good food to consume. But, sadly, the festivities all seem to end when those who come to visit head home. And so it was today as Patrick and Heather headed back to their home and Kevin, Marcy and Bremen headed off to...DISNEYLAND. (OK, some of us get to extend our festivities a little longer than others!) To hit some of the highlights, here's a few pictures of the week...

Monday evening we took the Mom and the Dawn out looking at Christmas lights. Well, first of all it was raining. Second of all, lots of people didn't have their lights turned on. (Thank you to those who risked electrical shorts for our enjoyment! This is one of the best we saw that evening.) Third of all, we tried to go see this supposedly wonderous display in Gilbert. "Tried" is the operative word in that sentence - we called Sheri twice for directions and still couldn't find the house. I ended up calling Jared who got us to the correct place (thank you!) only to find that house wasn't among those who risked a house fire or power outage to please us! So, we left the darkened house and sadly cruised on home.

Early Tuesday morning (12:15'ish in the a.m. to be exact) we got our Utah kids in for holidays. That was a great Christmas present for us!

Christmas day was non-stop fun all day. We did, however, miss our Idaho kids. (Everyone start sending them your spare change and maybe we can get them home for Christmas next year!) Our morning started off with our traditional fare - your choice of breakfast burritos or eggs, hashbrowns, and glazed spiral ham. We always have something sweet to go with it - like this year's mini-cinnamon rolls - and juice. An added twist to this year's menu was appetizers! I've always had something extra made for snacking on after opening presents (like this year's macaroni salad to go with the ham), but Dave wanted to go all out with finger food. So, hot wings, bbq wings, chicken quesadilla trumpets, jalepeno poppers, little smokies, ham rollups, chips/dip, fudge and Oreo Cookie truffles were also on the menu! If anyone left here hungry, it wasn't our fault!










We sure enjoyed our day with all the kids and grandkids that could make it. (Of course, the Idaho bunch wasn't here - :( - sigh.) The rain did spoil our planned game of croquet, but that was the only downer of the day! Ryan and Bremen got Star Wars Storm Trooper helmets that change your voice. They had a great time playing with them - the only thing was they thought they were for head butting!

A good time was had by all - especially Shane, Wendy and Kailee. Those lucky ducks got to go the Suns game. They sure look happy about that, don't they?







So, just for fun. What's your take on this picture? Doesn't it look like Dave is either directing us in song, playing like he has lobster claws, or telling us how big the fish was that got away!





And, for those who are concerned (especially you, Tim), here's proof that Kevin does eat when he's at my house!





We also went to Grandma's house and played dominoes. Terry, Cathi and Kylie came and we had a great time. Then we came home and continued our fun by playing Apples to Apples with Kevin, Marcy, Patrick and Heather. Playing games with Patrick and Kevin make me laugh!



It's been a fun week and we've enjoyed most all of our family (including our Ray girls - Micaela and Tammy - newsflash - Tammy's engaged - we even got to meet Adam!). Yup, it's been a wonderul holiday. With one exception. No Idaho kids - did I mention that?

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! May your 2009 be better than 2008!!

Cookie Monsters

Ok, maybe we aren't that kind of Cookie Monster. But, we are the kind that like to get together every year, share our cookies and, this year, even candy!! The 4th Annual Cookie Party, hosted by Cathi and I, concluded today.

Don't these cookies just make you want to reach out and grab one? Oh, and look really close at the small plates by the tiered stand - those are some yummy candies made by Cathi (cough, Terry) that rival anything See's makes!

We have a fabulous guest list. Sorry some of you aren't pictured - you were probably in a blurry shot!! (Hey, I can't bake cookies AND be a great photographer!) There were those that were first time guests (hope they had a good time) and those that were seasoned veterans of the party (see, once you're on the list you can't get off!).

We gave out prizes, too. Can you tell which plate won for most unique? Go on, look closely.......ok, it's the one with the reindeer backed onto the plate of REINDEER PATTIES!! Great idea, Teresa!

These candies won for best overall presentation. Aren't they gorgeous? Good job, Tricia (cough, Jared)!!

Cid's pinwheel cookies and cherry chews won the prize for best decorated cookie. Hmmm.....didn't she win that LAST year? Somebody come up with something good to unseat her next year!!

Dave asked me why we do this every year. It's simply because we have a good time, we visit with some of our favorite people we don't get to see often and we go home with some yummy treats to share with our family and friends. Can you think of a better reason?

Like She Said...

...it's really hard to get Jack to be still to take a picture!

I totally get where Teresa is coming from. Here are a few attempts to get a great picture of Jack --

He WAS looking at me in this one and at the last minute chomped onto the toy! Dang delayed action on my camera!!

Playing the piano interested him for a while. (Want to give him lessons, Aunt Jamie?) There could be some hidden talent there!

He had some great outside time and some cousin time (kissin' cousin - not so sure Joshua was appreciative how much Jack showed the love - wish I had taken my camera for that one!) and eventually crashed. Finally, he was still for a picture!!

Fun Doesn't Even Begin To Describe It!

So I'll try showing you...



Here is the beginning of our week-long adventure in elk hunting! Yes, that is snow, beautiful snow. It came down in lovely, large flakes.







This, of course, necessitated an additional spray of waterproofing on the boots!







Fresh snow really is beautiful.






Thursday afternoon was the "Thanksgiving in the Woods Feast." Don't those sweet potatoes look yummy!

Terry lookin' mean - his dinner isn't on the table yet!!

Friday morning was THE day. Bright and early the fearless hunters geared up to slay the beast!

Then disaster struck - Dave slipped navigating the snowy hills and pulled a muscle in his leg - kinda where the leg meets the torso - kinda in a really bad place - it kinda hurt A LOT! So, he rested for a few hours after limping back much later than we expected him. Yes, I was very worried.

Later that evening the great white hunters watched a Primo's Elk Hunting DVD and stoked themselves up for the next day.

Early Saturday morning he bagged a big bad boy!


Not too shabby!!

Do we look cold?

So, here they are deciding how to hang the beast!

The job is done!

Meanwhile, Bunco mania, Bananagrams, Farkle and Scrabble were what Cathi and I were up to!!

Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed our week in our home away from home.

Fun doesn't even begin to describe it.

Here's the 411..

The turkey's been cooked, carved and consumed.

The lights have been put up. (No, that's not my house - but, dang, aren't those great lights!)

The camper's being prepared.

And this elk better run!!

What do these things have in common, you ask? Well, we had Thanksgiving dinner early (on Saturday). The camper is being aired out and tuned up for the trip to the north starting on Wednesday. And...the reason for all this is the hope that either Dave or Terry will have this big boy in their sights early Friday morning!! There will be much thanks given on Thanksgivin' in the woods for the opportunity to bag the big one! Wish them luck!!!

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Oh...the lights...I had Dave put the outside Christmas lights up before he went hunting. Who knew if he'd be too sore to put them up after his big hunt!! (Yes, Kim, it IS also a bonus to beat you this year!)

Happy, Happy Birthday!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOGAN DEAR!

HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR!

IF I HAD ONE WISH THEN IT WOULD BE -

A HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM ME!!

Today Logan is 6!! Can you believe it? He is a sweetheart! He has such a loving heart and is a great big brother. He's smart as can be (lucky boy has a smart mom and a smart dad!!) and has an active imagination. Hmmm...I wonder...is Spencer 6 today, too?

Everybody join me in wishing Logan a great big Happy Birthday!! LOVE YOU LOGAN!!!