Happy Birthday Zak!!

To celebrate Zak turning 18, I decided to give-it-a-go at making my first movie!

Here's to you, Zak! We've enjoyed all 18 years.

Happy Anniversary to our Newly Weds!

It's been just about one year since they got married! Their anniversary is Dec 30.

I decided to do an interview to celebrate their union.

It turned out GREAT, but not all of it recorded.....

Enjoy what there is; which I think is about 4 minutes.

The interview will start with me asking Steven about his new (to them) car that they just bought:

Merry Christmas!

Wrestling with a Cake?

Last night Christopher, Chase, Zak and Quinn were just about ready to leave to go to a LAN party….that is computer speak; you only need to know that it is a nighttime thing; usually all night. A group of boys get together and play and play. They really enjoy it. They really enjoy playing “Cole vs.” and winning.

When I say just about ready, I mean they had their coats on ready. Chase turned around and Kerry saw this:



Ok, stop laughing. Prior to being "just about ready", Chase and Griffin were wrestling; on the couch and apparently on a CAKE!! No one really knows how it happened; but it is funny.

A neighbor came over a bit before and brought us this very fancy cake! So nice! We immediately brought the fancy box over to the ottoman, opened it up, cute it open and enjoyed some of the coffee flavored cake....well, Kerry really enjoyed ! It was very nice of our neighbor. They are good people. I guess the caffeine got Griffin and Chase going and they wrestled. The cake did not look bad at all. I forgot to take a picture of it.

Don't worry, I washed and dried Chase's pants and jacket. They had a good time at the party. They are home now and sleeping.

Hmm, Christmas memories!

Quiz!

While shopping yesterday, I saw these cute pants....what section (Boys or Girls) of the store did I see them in??

Frugal Chocolate & Rain

I went to see Candice just before she left to go to Utah. She was having a cookie/cooking party! One of her friends was doing chocolate candy canes. They looked good. She was using 2 different squeeze bottles to squeeze the chocolate out of. When she was done she went to throw the bottles and leftover chocolate away! Shocking! I asked her if I could have it; she was happy to have me have it as opposed to throwing them away. She doesn't like the duty of cleaning the bottles. Today I made these Santas with that left over chocolate! Happy for me! On to RAIN! If you are not living in Southern California you may not know that it has been raining steady for the last week. Guess how much rain we have had! Here is a large bucket. You can see it goes up to my knee.

This much rain!

Since I took the picture, we have had a lot more rain....

Do we need to build an ark??

It Takes Two Babayah!

We had to get 2 Christmas trees this year...

Here is the story: We went to get our first and we thought, our only Christmas tree.

We are little unconventional in our picking. We like to pick our trees while STILL in the binding. We just pick the tallest tree in our price range, then easily bring it home! It works great. This is our choice this year. It looks beautiful!

Griffin loves the tree

Here are Zak and Kerry tying the tree on the car.

Griffin is just having a good time on the car.

A FEW days go by and we notice more and more needles falling off the tree and we STILL have 2 weeks until Christmas! The tree must have been old. It didn't even suck up any of the water we so lovingly put in the tree holder.

So, we picked it up, took it outside, tied it back on the car and drove it back to Home Depot!

Yes we did!

They happily took their dead tree back and we picked another nice, tall tree. This is the only shot we took of our pick:

Yes, I feel a little off looking at it too.

Tying the tree back on the car










This one seems just fine.

It is decorated, but I guess no one has taken a picture of it.

I'll get right on that.

Time Out for a QUICK Game!

Can you spot the kitty?

Deck the Halls

Have you HEARD this? It made me laugh.

Fall Colors

The trees have been beautiful this season! This is what I see as I drive up this street many times a day.

Just beautiful!

Our own oak tree out in front:

And the other tree in the front yard:

Not on our property, but I love these colors!

Phone Etiquette

Part of an overheard phone conversation:

Jared: What are we doing tonight?

Zak: I thought we were going over to Ashleigh's and watching a movie. Why don't you call over there and find out?

Jared: Ok, I love you

Zak: I love me too.

Background: APPARENTLY when Jared was out on his Missionary for a Day the missionaries that he was with always said "I love you" on the phone when they hung up!! Jared thought it was a rule or something. So, I guess he tried it out on Zak. It was good for a good laugh, if not a bit creepy.

**I know, I know, I haven't blogged much. I've been SO busy, can't hardly think. Things seem to be getting a little better. I'll try to get back on the blogging machine. I know you miss me.

It's a DEAL!

For those of you that live near Duarte, CA - Here's a great pizza deal:

Papa John's pizza, Large size, one topping only $4.99 Mon - Thurs
It is ONLY at the Papa John's right by Target.
Unbelievable deal. The best pizza.

For those of you that do NOT live near here, sorry for making your mouth water.

Identify the Remains

I found this on the lawn this afternoon!

It is obviously very old. Dad MUST have mowed over it a couple of times!

What is it?

**I know it is gross, but isn't it kind of interesting...just to find on the lawn??

Nov 30!

How could it be November 30th ALREADY!

It's time to get the Advent calendar out! Fill it with fortunes and treats. Time to dust off our Christmas reading!

I am still really reveling in a lovely Thanksgiving. Loved all the family and food, laughs and sports. I did not take enough family pictures! Not enough faces! I just forget. I enjoy the time and the people, I forget to get out the camera! I did take plenty of SPORTS pictures. I am getting good at that. (You can see the Turkey bowl pics....a few posts ago.)

Now, I must make up some math papers for Griffin; send e-mails off to friends, take a shower, clean and laundry, etc, etc.

Friday Hike

The day after Thanksgiving, Griffin got bored and suggested that we go on a hike! I googled hike in Sierra Madre and came up with the place! It turned out great. All that wanted to participate were me, Griffin and Dad. We had a better time that we anticipated. I'm so artsy

on the path!

Griffin liked the SPILT rock

We came upon this huge opening with a FABULOUS swing.
Griffin got to enjoy it to his heart's content.

There was glee and delight.

A VIDEO!

Griffin took this picture of dad on the swing

Griffin took this picture of me. I had no idea!

This would be a GREAT place for a family picture!

choice 2 for a family pic

An odd bug...can you spot it?

Griffin took this picture of us. He said he got close!

On the path

Which way to go??

We chose long and steep

but beautiful views!

that's LA!

Do you see the 210 freeway?

More of LA

Here is that beautiful clearing with the swing

I saw this tree; thought it would be funny/fun if Griffin would get up there on the limb and we could take his picture! He disagreed! I tried to force him; Kerry quickly grabbed the camera and took the picture. It was funny.

It was a great way to spend an hour and a half. I will definitely do it again!