Christmas Parade 2009

It was Genna's turn to hang the star. Does it look familiar? I found some new Christmas decorations on clearance last year but had never decided on a star so I painted last year's.


We had our traditional eggnog toast when we were finished decorating.


The magic happens when you turn off the lights for the first time.


This year since our house is on the market and we haven't had much interest we agreed to be part of the library Christmas parade of homes. We had 76 take the tour. We tried to have a little something in every room.

Master bed & bath


Genna's room


Connor's room


the hall bath- wrapping paper covering up Monet's Summer Day


the kitchen


the living room


my nativity collection- my favorite part of the Christmas decorations


Jameson's room- if you can't tell he has a nautical themed room


the office


the family room- you might notice Troy's contribution in the middle of the room- the old entertainment center and tv looked silly with the new stockings hung in the windowsills- we also got a real tree for the first time in Genna's life


and lastly the laundry & downstairs bath


Even though it was a lot of work to decorate it is so nice to have it all done and ready for Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was a bit of a challenge this year for me as I was sick and doing a lot of subbing...

We managed to get the house cleaned and turkey and the fixings ready for all 33 of us. Sorry about the lack of pictures from the actual celebration- I'll blame it on my stuffed up head. The sad thing was I couldn't even taste my food. I think this was the first year I lost weight on Thanksgiving Day.

We got up the next morning bright and early and went down to visit my sister in KS. My kids were so thrilled to spend time with their cousins. Lorilee and I shopped, the guys watched football and the kids had a ball.




They just moved and so we were so excited to go and see them and their new home.





We exchanged gifts since we might not be able to get together at Christmas.



Despite the stress and business that went along with it- we truly were blessed to be with our families this year and feel so grateful for all the blessings in our lives.

November Wrap Up

A few random pictures from the rest of November~ it was a busy but fun month:

Going to see New Moon with my sweetie



The start of Jr. High Basketball- Jameson is excited to start for the B team

Genna's actual birthday on the 22nd- 7 years old!



Hoarfrost



Another puzzle done


Jameson's edible cell project

Pink Poodle Party

I am a lot behind in blogging but I wanted to get the pictures up from Genna's Pink Poodle Party. It was a lot of fun to plan and I think she had a great time.



Her party was after school on Friday November 20th. It was a giggly ride home. As soon as we got home I had a snack waiting for the girls. Genna's request was poptarts and pink milk.

After their snack they went and played for a bit in Genna's room and most of them changed into Genna's dresses she had hanging in her closet(her dress up clothes are still in storage).

We got the party started with an adoption ceremony. Each girl got to pick out a Lilkinz poodle and give it name. Genna named hers Coco.




There were games after that~

a version of hot potato with a dog bone(that we later gave to Mo) Connor helped us out by starting and stopping Who Let the Dogs Out


a bubblegum blowing contest-

pin the tail on the poodle

be the first to pop your balloon

We then went upstairs and decorated collars for their poodles.

After that we opened presents. Genna got a lot of nice things from her sweet friends.


Prizes for the games: pink whoppers, pink shimmer powder, a pink boa, fingernail polish, pink headbands and poodle stickers all found at the dollar store.

We then had dinner and poodle cupcakes.



It was a lot of work, but the giggles, smiles and squeals made it all worthwhile. It's hard to believe my little girl is 7. Genna we love you so much!

Halloween Hoopla

Our Halloween fun started on Thursday night when Genna & I went to a Disney party at the Kunz house.

Little Sharpay


Heather & Genna(who felt much more comfortable without the wig)


Latrice, the evil queen, Cruella(Sue) and Tinkerbell


Ammon, Hannah, & Tyler in the unbirthday room


Ward Trunk or Treat on Friday night- my camera battery was dying and so I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted. Plus we got there late, Jameson's costume wouldn't inflate and it was really cold. Some of the primary kids couldn't believe that pirate was the Bishop.



Saturday morning and afternoon were the last Soccer games of the year


We were so happy it warmed up for Saturday evening.


The kids were ready to go.


Trick or Treating in Shane & JJ's neighborhood- isn't Jameson's costume hilarious? He must be getting too old, he went to about 5 houses and was done. Connor lasted about 10.


Pirate Shane & his treasure JJ- this was the first time we saw their cute house


Mr. & Mrs. Scary


We had the best time at the party eating yummy food, celebrating Betty's birthday and hanging out with our family


Not Halloween related but yesterday was sweet little Seth's blessing


Hope you all had a safe & fun Halloween