"I Have a Dream ... "

Friends & Apples

Remember when we played "Apples to Apples" for the first time? Of course you do, it was only a few days ago ... ha ... anyway, remember when I mentioned how much fun it would be to play with another family? Of course you do ... ha ... so I emailed Sharon & Gord and suggested we have a game night. They accepted the 'challenge' and we played on New Year's Eve. Oh my goodness we had a lot of fun. There were 8 of playing for the first few rounds & then just 6 of us (Callie & Emily went upstairs) playing for the final couple of rounds. To say it was interesting is putting it mildly. We definitely had some disagreements about the choices made but it was all in good fun. I know it's something we need to do again ... soon!

*_._*_._*_._*_._*_._*_._*_._*

Here's my attempt at a group shot of us playing. You can barely see Callie to my left & somehow Emily didn't even make it in the picture (sorry Emily). I absolutely LOVE the look on T's face though ... hahahaha

Happy 2010!

Happy New Year ... 2010 ... to you & yours!

Here's a picture me ... because I'm just SO cute! :)

Where were you ... 15 years ago?!?

It seems weird to me that 15 years ago today I was in labor. OK, maybe not official labor but I was having contractions. Donna had come from San Diego in the hopes that I'd have Calob during her visit, since I was already overdue (due date was Christmas). We all went out (Me, Terence, Donna & Mums) ... ate, saw a movie ("Speechless" anyone?) & I was having contractions the whole time. Clearly the contractions didn't lead to anything but it was a fun time. This picture was taken back at our apartment.

↔ ↔ ↔ ↔ ↔ ↔ ↔ ↔ ↔

I've always loved it (the picture, not the apartment). Donna saying "HI" to Calob & probably willing him to make an appearance.

Sheesh, don't I look like a baby myself? I also remember Terence SO hoping I'd give birth that night, so we'd have a tax break for 1994 ... hahaha ... obviously Calob had other plans.

Christmas Eve Dinner

We went to Sharon & Gord's last night for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner. Normally we have dinner on Christmas day but Gord had to work so we celebrated early. It was great as always. It's amazing to have such good friends who are always willing to invite us to share their holidays with them!!!

.........................

Calob & Gord playing Mario Kart.

The 2 families.

Sparklers Rock!!!

I don't think there are many things in the world that are as simple & fun as sparklers! Yeah, you read that right ... SPARKLERS ROCK!!!

----------

Callie

Calob

Calob behind Callie
Me

Terence

Purple Rain

Valentine's Day ~ Full of Love

Happy Valentine's Day - or Happy Love Day!

Hopefully your day is full of lots of love!

__________

Yesterday was the Valentine's party for Callie's class.

They had sweets & played games ... fun.

Callie's treat bag
Playing "CUPID" (aka Bingo)
__________
Today's Callie's valentine's dream came true ... she got a special valentine. From Oskar. I can't even tell you how giggly & excited she is about it. The bear from Oskar is SO cute & much-loved already.

Christmas Happenings 2008

We woke up Christmas morning to a very white Christmas. We don't have snow on Christmas day typically so it definitely fit the holiday. The kids were especially happy to see the falling snow (Terence & I, not so much).

* * * * * * * * * *

Calob & Callie w/their stockings

new pajama pants & slippers from SantaCallie opening her presents from Grandma Judy

Matching nightgowns for Callie & Kit

Assorted pictures of presents being opened

* * * * * * * * * *

We were invited to eat Christmas dinner with Sharon, Gord & family again this year. My kids love having the traditional feast there because when we celebrate at home we have tri-tip ... not turkey. At some point in the evening I left my camera unattended on Sharon's dining room table. She picked it up & told her parents to act goofy. They definitely did so. To keep my blog PG I added a little something to Sharon's mom's backside ... and NO, she wasn't drunk! lol

Emily took this picture of Callie & me

Close-up of the necklace Callie got for me. Green IS keen!

A group shot of our 2 families at the end of the evening. Remind me next year to take it w/a flash.

* Merry Christmas Eve *

My kids have unofficially been on Christmas break since Thursday of last week. They have taken every opportunity since then to fight. About anything ... about everything ... about nothing. It's the thing that drives me most crazy during Christmas break ... and summer break ... and any other time when they are home for an extended period of time. So, when I hear nothing and go in search of the kids & find them like THIS ... it brings me a joy I can't explain!!!

Samson cozying up to Gillian
Today we had a bit of a surprise. Snow ... LOTS of it. We woke up to it snowing & it's now 8 hours later & it's still snowing. It did stop for a brief period but I think that was to give us a false sense of relief ... it didn't last long. When Terence got home from work (early) he took the kids outside to finally play in the snow. They had SO much fun!!!

"Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey"

Have you seen the movie "Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey" before? If you haven't, you definitely should. It is my absolute favorite Christmas movie!!! Yes, it's corny & there are movies much better made now-a-days but it's also moving, funny & just plain wonderful. Most people I know haven't even heard of it but when I was talking to Andrea last night I found it was her favorite as well. That makes me happy because I've never found anyone else who loves "Nestor" like I do. I don't own the movie but I plan to get it someday. For now it will be on the ABC Family channel on December 13th @ 11:30 am (but the time might depend if you have Dish or DirecTV) ... so watch it & see how wonderful "Nestor" truly is!!!

Trimming the Tree

Today was the day to "trim" the tree ... and Callie could NOT have been happier. I think the minute she sees Christmas items in the stores she thinks we should do it then but we hold her off to a more appropriate time. The kids still enjoy placing the ornaments, especially the special ones they have made throughout the years. I really enjoy watching & taking pictures. You will have to wait to see the finished tree as I totally forgot to take any pictures once they were all done. Oops! lol

<><><><><><><><><><>

Ornaments ready to go

Callie, Calob & Terence
Callie receiving a new, special ornament (thanks Andrea) It's Clara in honor of her role in the recital this year.

On another note, today is Terence's birthday ... he's old (well, at least older than me)! 42 years young. We didn't take any birthday pictures though ... so here's a picture from September ... isn't he all manly here?!? lol Hopefully Terence had a relaxing day (besides the tree) and was able to enjoy becoming a whole year older ... Happy Birthday Terence!!!

Thanksgiving with Friends

We are SO lucky to have friends that graciously include us in their holiday (for the past 3 years now I think) meals. I know Terence especially appreciates not having to cook the big meal for the holidays. Sharon does a great job of hosting a houseful of people (family & friends)

and making us all feel so welcome.

We have much to be thankful for this year!!! There are many people out there struggling day to day and while there are definitely times we aren't feeling great with job stresses, kids stresses, etc. ... we are lucky.

- - - - - - - - - -

Here's Sharon casting a spell on the turkey

(just kidding ... I think)

Carving the turkeyTurkey & then some Some of the fixingsThis is what happens after you eat a big meal at their house ...

Gord strips down to a more comfortable outfit! ☺

Happy November!!!

October is over & November is definitely here. There's a chill in the air & the leaves are turning colors & falling from the trees. I LOVE IT! There isn't a prettier time on earth in my opinion. The final pictures from October 2008 are included below. Of course, the usual trick-or-treating pictures. You won't find any of Calob because he decided he's too old this year. I'm hoping he'll change his mind in future years because you're only a kid once. Anyway, Callie went trick-or-treating with Kelsey, Jenna & Alex. Terence, Jason & Andrea's dad were their escorts. It was all men so I stayed home with Calob.

≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈

Callie preparing to frost her cookie at her class party. Callie & I in our Howl-o-ween clothes.

My shirt lit up ... so cool!

Callie dressed up as a dancer from Mexico.

I told her to pose ... she's such a dork!

Callie

This picture turned out a little wonky ...
it's not exactly in focus.
I LOVE how it looks a bit spooky though, with the moon
and the lighting & all that.
This is Callie walking down our alley getting ready
to start her night of trick-or-treating.

Kelsey, Callie, Jenna & Alex

Jenna, Kelsey & Callie ...

trick-or-treating at the school librarian's house

Spider Web for Halloween

This is what Callie & I saw this morning.

A spider is making a web in between the

panels of our storm door.

Hope everyone has a fun-filled

but safe Howl-o-ween!!!