Black Friday

After 12 hours of shopping, from sun up to sun down (literally)... Being hit with carts, glared at for taking to long in line, and price matching --Shaela put on this festive headband, mom brought for all of us to wear, and said," lets go shopping!" I think not!!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

Okay lets just get this out of the way right off the bat. The food I am most thankful for is Pepsi! Now that that is said....

Thanksgiving was spent with my mom and dad up in Mantua, it was GREAT. We all pitched in to prepare the food and then all helped eat it. It was really neat to have my folks to share this holiday with. P.S the turkey was fantastic!!!!

John carved the turkey and mashed the potatoes.

K'Lee made the Yams with Grandmas help.

Happy 16th Birthday Johnny!

Johnny got to share his birthday this year with Thanksgiving...It actually turned out fun.
Of course, he didn't eat his cake ( it's in the freezer) Pie and ice cream was the treat of the day.

He got Gears of War and a really cool hat from Walmart.

Ya Hooooooooo!

Yes, we have a new driver on the block. He took his first lesson in the church parking lot.... with his drivers permit in hand!!! So beware all of you who drive nice fancy cars that do almost everything but wipe your nose(Grandma and Grandpa) Here comes JOHNNY!!!!

Graditute

Gratitude, A very brilliant friend of mine recently added an addition to her blog specifically addressing the gratitude she has for the simple things in life. Ever since I have read it I can't stop thinking about all of the things I am grateful for. So indulge me a moment, by letting me express to you these things for which I am ever indebted.

I am most thankful for the relationship I have with my family and friends- these are the people who keep loving me when I forget to love myself, for my health- that is continually reminding me it is a gift, for the freedoms I enjoy living in this country- due to those who paid the price, and for my knowledge-which as it grows lets me know I know little.

To everyone who frequents this blog I am also thankful to you for listening to my heart and giving me this voice. I am forever obliged to God for all I have. So this time of year be like my dear friend and look to the small things...write them down if needs be. You'll be surprised at the treasures you will find when you look.

Falling into Fun ! ! !

What do you do when you are tired of raking leaves? You curl up with a good dog!
We found a patch of dry leaves in our adventure at Blacksmith and had a blast playing in them.
We threw them up....
We threw them at each other....
And we buried ourselves in them.

Isn't it amazing how much fun you can have with the simplest of things?

We even renewed our love for one another in the most unique way.

We triumphed even though we normally seem to small...

We triumphed when we sometimes we feel to tired to do so.

We worked and played and made a memories that will never be forgotten.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. Thornton Wilder

LEAVIN it up to Blacksmith Canyon

We went up to Blacksmith to rake leaves. This was our second trip this year. The first trip was three weeks ago. The leaves were light and fluffy and raked up easily.... this time however, the weather had done a number on them and it amazed me how much just a few drops of water weighed.

Johnny and Miranda having a hot dog break. Johnny built the fire which wasn't easy since all the wood was wet. Miranda just made everyone smile.

Cierra, K'Lee, and Natalie hangin out lovin Blacksmith in the fall.

This is my gorgeous niece Miranda. Dans and Shaelas oldest daughter. She sang songs and lighten the mood for the trip. Thanks "Roo". I love you!!!

Mom and K'Lee enjoying our meal after the chore was done.

Dad, Mom, and Dan trying to find more work for us to do. Stop it!!!!

Grandma and Kaysen raking under the tree next to "the owl". Kaysen is Dan and Shaes youngest. He Rocks!!! What an enthusiastic worker.

Some things never change

Yesterday as I was making dinner Cierra and K'Lee were playing "Bratz" in the living room. They had built a fire and they were camping... as I listened to them I reminisced on my own experiences playing "Barbies". What a great moment these to gave me in just letting me be a fly on the wall and listening to their game. It reminded me that in this world of uncertainty some things never change.

A Girls Day

The other day Natalie and Cierra decided to have a girls day so they painted their toe nails...
Wore face masks. No cucumbers for their eyes so they settled for apple slices. I think Cierra is peeking.

Of course they took several pictures of themselves looking spectacular!

It is awesome to live this close to family. That way the cousins have each other.

Trick or Treat

A'leese as shadow master the puppet
What a scary bunch!!!!

Kaysen as a skeleton

Johnny as static cling

Cierra as a bookworm

Karrie and John as treat givers

Kate and Miranda as thing 1 and thing 2

Natalie as Bling Bling Boy

Whitney as a dead prostitute, Misti as a devil, Joe as Joe with hair, and Zach as a ninja

And K'Lee as a Cereal Killer