Not such a nice waterfall!

If you can't tell this is a pipe that runs from the houses above us down over the rock retaining wall to keep the water from creating a revenge in the wall....
Because of the movement this summer on the dirt and rocks above us it isn't working correctly anymore. This gulley had the drain saging in it and the water pooled inside the drain and created a frozen block of ice so the water found a new path and created another gulley. These are our neighbors out saving us in a pouring rain. What a fantastic bunch of men!!!!

My Siblings

I have recently been thinking about my brother and sisters. How much they mean to me. The way they can make me laugh.... Dawnell who always instigates mischief, Daniel who is there in a second if I need him, and Stephanie who lifts me when I don't even know I needed to be lifted.
I get so much comfort just knowing they are a phone call away. I am truly grateful for the happiness and laughter they bring into my life.
I couldn't ask for a better bunch of people to have as a family. I love you guys!!!!!

The first day of the rest of my........year!

John took me to the Anniversary Inn on new years day. We stayed in a room called Nefertiti's Court.

We had selected the Pirates room but it had an entire flight of stairs to get to it so we got upgraded to this room:)

This bathtub was the neatest. It had colored lights in it that kept changing. The shower was the strangest shower I have ever been in. It had four shower heads, one from the ceiling, two from the wall, and one that was hand held .

This was on the left side of the room when you first walked in. On the right side was another couch and a pool of water with a small fridge full of cheesecake and sparkling cider. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the first day of the new year.

Our yearly double scoop of Christmas

This is my favorite picture of the Christmas holidays. I really love Santa Clause! I was glad he stopped long enough to let me have a picture with him. He always makes the trip to Grandma and Grandpas house on the 26th of December very memorable for everyone.
I went around the room and took pictures of the 32 people crammed in the livingroom "Stokes Christmas Day". . . I really don't know were we will all fit when great grandkids start to appear. This is Randy, Crystal, Sunshine Rainbow Sparkle AKA Sara, April and in the backbehind the chair James.
Grandma and Grandpa and that one dorky guy we call Daniel.Rebecca, Dawnell, Crystal, and Stephanie.

James, Caleb, and Stephen who are still behind the chair. It was a blast. We ate, played games like BINGO and catch phrase, and had a visit from Santa himself. It was Great....

Merry Christmas 2008

K'Lee ordered a white Christmas from Santa and boy did we ever get one. It snowed pretty much all day long. The power went out for a little while which made Christmas breakfast unique. Crackers and Cheese.
John got Checkerboard Vans (Again). He has been wearing this style shoe since our wedding day.
K'Lee got an Ipod Shuffle. She hated it can you tell?
A'leese got electric socks. Now she can be on the computer downstairs without losing feeling in her toes....YEAH! Very thoughtful gift Natalie.

Natalie got lots of stuff for her new Ipod Nano (she bought with her own money). Here she is showing off her new watch.

Santa gave me a new ball for playing four square. Look out you guys I plan on being the "King".

and last but not least Johnny got a rip-stick. Hope he learns how to do it before he tries the hill in front of our house. It was a good Christmas.

T'was the night before Christmas

Where is K'Lee you ask . . . . .look closely between A'leese and Johnny. Okay, you can at least see her pants.
Here they are a little excited about tomorrow being Christmas. . . .who has the Ambien? Note: they are all in their new Christmas jammies.

Ropin' in the Christmas Spirit

We had the Ropers over for our annual Christmas party. We had crackers, cheese, and playful pretzels. Then we had dinner and after, to top it all off, we had a Chocolate fountain. We share the holidays with the Ropers in a way that we only can with them. They are some of our favorite people in the whole entire world. Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Ropers! We LOVE you tons!!!!

Yum. . . . . A chocolate fountain.

Introducing the Ropers to a chocolate fountain was one of the highlights of the evening. Only rule NO FLIPPING CHOCOLATE!!! Established mostly for me...grin.

K'Lee and Misti enjoyed it so much they ended up wearing as much chocolate as they ate.

Zach was so excited with the chocolate fountain his eyes stayed big the entire time he used it.

The Ropers gave me stuff for my bath. I love my bath.

We swapped gifts. Misti got make up and exchanged it for a barbie type doll.

Brandon got a 20 question game and is obviously thinking hard about what to ask it.

Johnny got a belt and put it on right away.

Whitney got a hat and did the same thing as Johnny...put it on.

"Zach attach" got a huge bag of candy cuz Aunt Karrie felt bad about him losing all of his Halloween Candy out of his sack when trick or treating.

John getting to relax a minute at the Christmas party.

Brandon giving us a special treat by playing A'leese's guitar and singing. Brandon has such a deep rich voice. It was a gift having him preform. Thanks I3eeje.

Oh A'leese you've never looked so good. NOT!

Good thing we are all family.... this even scares me.

Joe and me. Joe has grown to be such a special person in my life. My brother. My friend. I love you Joe. Thanks for the unconditional love you give me. You are the best!