Cute Picture Taken by Granddad

The Birthday Party

L had a fabulous 4th birthday party.  All, but one of her friends were able to attend.  The party was jam packed with four and five year olds who were very well behaved!

Her Aunt Brenda came out to the house to twist up some fun balloons for all the kiddos.

And For Her Birthday Cake...

L has chosen this cake, from Glorious Treats, she spotted while we did a little Pinterest perusing. It doesn't seem as complicated as it looks, but we'll see once it gets started.  This cake was originally suppose to be part of a Strawberry Shortcake theme party, but she has informed me the swirls look like flowers and go just fine with her bug party.

He Was Someone's Baby

Tonight I stopped to fuel up the truck at a Circle K near my office.  If open I pull up to the same pump every time.  Not wanting to turn off the heater before finding my card I left the truck running which kept the headlights on.  I felt awful because sitting there bundled up, leaning against the garbage can was a homeless man.  Thanks to the lights I had a clear image of his face.  I quickly killed the ignition, jumped out, got the pump started and sat back in the truck.

I couldn't stop staring.  He wasn't dirty.  There were newspapers around him with clear proof he'd crumbled several sheets and shoved them in his sweats and coat.  He wore all black with a scarf and snow cap.  I was unsure if he was asleep or passed out.  I wanted to offer something but didn't dare.  My heart reached out to him, but my common sense prevailed and I stayed put.  I finished pumping the gas and proceeded to pull out of the parking lot.  As I took one last glimpse tears built and fell.  My heart hurt because this was someone's baby.  I didn't know his story.  He couldn't have been older than 30.

I immediately thought of some old family friends whose son strayed and was later found by the docks, deceased in New York.  They worried for him.  They reached out to him.  They prayed for him never knowing where he was or if he was okay.  I thought of that family and wondered if this guy's parents have done the same.  In that moment it didn't matter his past, my heart ached for his present and future.

I usually come straight home and get in bed but tonight I had to check on each one of our babies and thank our Heavenly Father that I know where they are and that they are safe, warm and happy.

I Made Some Subway Art

Aside from taking down our Christmas tree and cleaning, I made this piece of subway art for our kitchen.

The Help

I've been wanting to see this for a very long time.  Well, last night I saw it and loved it. I laughed on a few parts 'til my sides hurt!  I have a lot of favorites, but the mom of Hillie and Ms. Minnie the maid make the top of the list.  Bottom-line is this has to be one of the best movies seen in a long time.  


Thank you to Cory for staying up into the early morning hours to watch this with me.  Glad you didn't have to suffer too much and was able to enjoy yourself!

New Year's Eve

This year we stayed home and enjoyed time as a family, much like we did last year.  Yes there was a lot of food, entertainment and Monopoly.  Below is a list of 12 ways New Year's Eve 2011 was different!

1. Because of last year M wouldn't negotiate on anything 
2. We had a fire pit outside we enjoyed
3. We set off fireworks
4. My throat and chest were on fire providing a quite manly voice
5. L was sound asleep by 8:45pm
6. Cory provided some amazing magic tricks
7. We didn't have pizza
8. E was the first one out and cried a lot (see the pictures)
9. We dog-piled L a minute before midnight so she could be a part of the excitement
10. We had reason for the Tooth Fairy to visit
11. Maggie joined in on the fireworks (from a distance)
12. We watched our neighborhood streets light up with all the fireworks going off at midnight (this was really cool)

Happy New Year everyone!  We hope 2012 brings much hope, happiness & love.

Her New Grin

Today M lost her silver tooth. This tooth was capped when she was three years old, due to the deterioration the many antibiotics caused during her first two years of life.  M has always been proud of her silver tooth and was willing to show it off to anyone who cared to see it.  This is first molar lost, which means the days of being a little girl are rapidly coming to an end.

Christmas 2011

The time flew from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day.  Christmas Eve started with lunch at Red Robin with Kimberly, Colton and the Nielsens.  We weren't expecting to see the Nielsens, but so glad we did.

That night we hosted a small get together on Christmas Eve with Bob and his kids, along with Cory's parents.  There were tons of fireworks.  No E is not on fire!  On Christmas morning after opening presents we headed to Cory's parents' for more opening of presents and time with cousins.  On the way home we stopped by my Dad & Melany's house for a bit.  E made out like a bandit with boxes of Geo Tracks from Grandpa Bruce.  He loves them.

 All in all it was a great Christmas with lots of spoiling. The kids had a great couple days and can't believe we actually caught Santa in the act!  Thank you I Caught Santa!

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

As part of his Christmas gift, E was registered for a 3-day Diamondbacks camp.  He has loved every minute of it.  Today during Diamondback Derby, E hit a homerun (picture of ball on top of the awning).  He is lucky to have some buddies there with him as well.  Pictured below are Griffin and Strider.