Merry Birthday!

Mike is 37 years old today. I count my lucky stars that this dark and handsome man came into my life. My life is so blessed because of him. He is a wonderful husband and father and provides so well for our family. I love you, Mike! I am so glad that you were born. Several years ago Mike received a birthday card that said, "Merry Birthday, Happy Christmas!" So TRUE.

Charlie Brown Christmas

So I told Jared I would buy a him tree for his room (Sam and Audrey already had one) and this is what he picked! This little "FrankenPINE" beauty is truly an ode to "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The guys at the tree lot actually drilled a hole into the bottom trunk to morph two trees into one. Now that's classy!

Give Thanks

I am thankful for many things...foremost my loving husband and wonderful children as well as good parents and close siblings. I am also thankful for my health and for my faith that allows me to get through tough times. I am grateful for a warm home and clothes to wear and a reliable care to drive. And lastly, I am so grateful to know of my Heavenly Father's love and to recognize these blessings in my life.



And best of all, I am grateful for good friends (the Largeys)and good food to share with with them. Thanks for the YUMMMY pies Jeremy!



We love Spicy Farkle! Largeys taught us how to play this fun dice game on Thanksgiving. My family cannot get enough of this game!

A Kingsolver Affair

Friday night I went with some of the girls from my book club to hear Barbara Kingsolver speak in Bainbridge Island. She was promoting her new book, The Lacuna, and read a few excerpts from the book. I have only read two of her books (Animal Vegetable Miracle was AWESOME), but she has written 13 books, all of them very different. It was very interesting to hear her explain how she writes a book. She actually has the ending of the story in mind before she begins and fills in characters that are capable of reaching this conclusion. Also, she believes that we can gain empathy in reading books since we internalize what the characters are feeling as we read. Very cool. I even got an autographed copy of her new book. Hope it is a good read.

Say Cheese

Today I made cheese quesadillas for lunch; Grace only nibbled one little bite off the corner of hers before she scurried off to play. I smiled to myself and thought, yep, that's my mousie girl. Minnie Mouse was the perfect Halloween costume for little Grace.

Sam Strikes Back

Sam is all about Star Wars. He bought the blaster gun last spring after riding the Star Tours ride at Disney World. The obvious costume choice was none other than a storm trooper.

Ape Goes Bananas

Jared and Audrey have a strange affection for monkeys and bananas. They were quite amused with themselves on Halloween and really hammed it up for the camera. All but Grace enjoyed watching their shenanigans. Grace howled in fear if the ape was anywhere near her sight.

Here Banana hangs from the tree...



Much to Banana's horror, Ape now has her in his clutches.