Happy Anniversary!

Boy does time fly! What a journey.... 4 kids, 4 states, 3 degrees, 3 jobs, 5 homes, 1 dog, thousands of grey hair, and 14 years later.... Happy Anniversary!

Shawn is the most kind, honest and generous man...I am very blessed! Here's to 14 more years, and then more!

First look....

at my new logo!

Heed the warning ! I had a chance to visit Zion Canyon with Kagan a good freind from work while we were in Vegas for a work conference. The weather was great and we had a great time. I always enjoy sharing the beauty of Utah with my out of town friends. Thanks to Kagan for slowing down to wait for his older, less fit friend.

Dont look down

The top of Angels Landing

Buddy and Vegas

This week was a little rough for Buddy. First, he did not heed his mother's counsel to not run around, jumping, leaping and chasing his yellow balloon. Soon enough, he came back to me bleeding with a loose tooth and a big, FAT lip. Poor thing was drooling, slurping and mumbling for the next two days as if he was numb and didn't have any control over his mouth. I decided to keep him home from school on day 2, thinking his teacher would thank me for that. This is the second time he had fallen or crashed resulting in loose front teeth. I hope there is not a third time.....I think it will be the "charm". To add to the battering, Spencer hit is eye on some object in his room a few days later, resulting in a minor black eye. Poor thing! I hope an injured limb is not next in line!

I got this picture as he was sleeping in my bed tonight. Aahhhh....so loveable. When Shawn goes out of town, I let the kids take turns sleeping in my bed. I know many of you have maxxed out your patience because you can't get your children to sleep or want to sleep anywhere else but your bed. For us, Spencer has NEVER wanted to sleep anywhere but his bed until lately. It has been funny at times to almost beg or bribe him to take a minute snuggling with Mom or Dad. I don't want to pass up those times when he really wants to hang out with me, and tonight....well, it was one of them!

There are definately a handful of things that I look forward to when Shawn is away....eating my favorite dishes that I grew up with that he won't touch, or not cooking at all, snuggling in bed with our kiddos and popcorn (crumbs and everything), and singing in the car (I threw that in for our girls). Otherwise, we miss our Dad and hubby, and hope that he survives hiking in Zion National Park, and Vegas. Looks like a dangerous week...SO, keep your repeling gear on and don't bother with the slots, tables or shows ...yes, you can try that all you can eat buffet, oh yeah, you despise buffets...OK, have a nice dinner, yeah you can even have that Creme brulee (please, don't tell me how much it costs).... just remember we are trying to recover from stocks crashing and we have 4 kids that need college educations! Good luck Dear and hurry home!

Halloween...Mississippi style

AHHH....the weather was fabulous for trick or treating this year! There was no need to bundle up, there was no bone chilling cold and rain, kids were sporting their costumes without 6 layers over and under costumes...imagine that coming from Seattle. This year for Halloween, we participated in our church Trunk or Treat and chili dinner...yum! As far as the Trunk or Treating....I thought it would be a simple open the trunk (by the way, we are party poopers...I will pay any of you out there if you can get Shawn to wear a costume...a real costume), send the kids a runnin, empty the goodies into the cute kiddies bags, and after about 4 or so rounds, and 15 minutes later, slam the trunk and peel out of the parking lot headed to the nearest, closest spaced, spookiest looking homes to find the grandest candies, and ultimately the biggest bags....isn't Halloween about the goods? Don't we as parents support our kids in this endeavor only to wait impatiently for them to fall asleep with our goal of raiding their candy bags looking for our favorite cravings. Well, not so fast! This year's trunk or treating, took up more precious door to door time then ever imagined! And, in the end, the kids came home with bags only half full. Boo hoo! I guess on the bright side, I can selectively choose my favorite candy at the store with the savings from not having to fill so many cavities. Perhaps some new shoes as well!
Honestly, I have to say, we saw some spectular old Southern style mansions decorated to the hilt! That is really what I enjoy most about the Halloween festivities. I really do love the great, creative costumes, and the wonderful, or shall I say "spooktacular" decorations....perhaps, a few pieces of candy too! Until next Halloween, here are the spooksters from our home. Not too scary are they? Kenadee as evil Cleopatra, Lauren as a lovely Renaissance queen, Sidney as your typical witch with purple hair, and Spencer our clumbsy, but cute Batman.