I was organizing the office today and found some boxes from my youth. The girls were right there when I opened one and asked what these were......
So we got down on the floor and I taught them how to play Jacks. They had so much fun and was amazed that I could pick up four at a time without dropping the ball. I remember playing that game on the kitchen floor when I was little.
I also found these.....
These dolls are homemade out of wood with felt.....loved these.
Found these too......
Remember paper dolls? Just dated myself, I know.....but I loved to buy these at the store. Had several and played with them for hours in my room....made them houses and pets and everything.
K wanted to know if this was real.......
And these.......
I never had Barbies of my own when I was growing up but I had the "Dawn" doll. She was little but she was my favorite (ok, she was my only doll like that I had) I did get a Barbie Camper...not sure why since I had no Barbies (my sisters did), but it was totally cool. My parents decided to have a garage sale one day and put these dolls and my camper in it. I didn't want to sell them, but I guess I didn't have a say???? Not sure, but when my mom was not looking, I snuck out and got these dolls and hid them in my room. The camper was too big, so it went away....so sad. I didn't take these dolls out forever for fear that my mother would find me playing with them. I am not sure whose baby that is, but I like it and it was small enough to conceal, so.....
It was fun to open that box again. Wish I would have remembered them when the girls were little so they could have played with them too. Good memories! I love boxes like that...have several more.
So this Thanksgiving was the first time in years that it was just us for dinner....yep, no visitors. It was different and I was longing for family, but it was nice for a change.
*got to sleep in...always a plus these days
*not having to dress nice (or get dressed at all)
*there was plenty of elbow room at the table...not to mention that we all fit at the same table
*naps were taken after stuffing ourselves without guilt of leaving company alone
*more leftovers than normal....still made the same amount (I love turkey sandwiches)
So because it was so low-key, this is the only picture that was taken...
Of course, it is always important to use the nice dishes complete with matching tablecloth and the ever fancy Martinelli's. I made THREE different kinds of pies this year....cherry, apple, and pumpkin (you can never have too much pie) I should have taken a pix of them cuz they were "beautiful"....nothing like homemade pies...no store bought pies in this house!
So grateful for all I have...especially the great family I have. I can always count on them no matter what. Life is hard and it is nice to know that they will always love you and be there for you. I am so happy that we are a forever family! I am also lucky to have some really close friends that will be there for me, whether they live nearby or they are a phone call away... someone that will not judge me --- someone that I can confide in and they won't tell anyone else, no matter what! --- someone who will always forgive me if I do something stupid and still want to hang around me when I am being super silly and maybe even obnoxious --- somone who genuinely cares for me and doesn't put up a false front --- someone who is happy for me when I do something good and supports me in the things that I do.....those are true friends and I am grateful for those that I have in my life at this time. They keep me going!
So now that Thanksgiving is over, I am excited for the next holiday.....CHRISTMAS! I am the kind of person that thinks Christmas needs to wait until the turkey has been served and eaten...won't play Christmas music before NOW, thinks Christmas lights need to wait to be turned on til NOW....you get my drift. I don't consider myself a "ba humbug", just like to keep it all in order. So now turkey day is over....let the lights shine and the music sing! (as you can tell by the change in my background and blog music)
And to kick off the season.....today was Black Friday and I had so much fun shopping with different members of my family and all by myself....hit several stores and got a lot accomplished..... yes, my hubby and I were some of those crazies that hit stores at midnight. Then I was up to go to more throughout the day. I get so excited when I find good deals and find fun things for my family and friends. I love Christmas and giving to those I love. The Christmas spirit is alive and growing in our house today. I love it! So honey......when are we putting the lights up on the house????/
So I was lucky enough to get to go to Time Out for Women this year in Denver. I have heard about it and have wanted to go for years. I finally decided the day I got the info in the mail that I was going to make it happen this year for sure. I called 3 girlfriends and they all agreed right away. We went up on a Friday afternoon, had some dinner and headed over to the building for the evening speakers.....Mary Ellen Edmunds and Heidi Swinton...and Dallyn Vail Bayles sang for us. It was wonderful.
Then we headed over to our hotel and stayed up and talked til after midnight. There was much laughter and even some jumping on the beds. Where was the camera when I needed it then??? After a nice breakfast the next morning, we headed back to the venue for a full day of speakers, music and shopping in the TOFW store. So many fun things to see AND buy.
Our speakers for this day were....Emily Watts, Mariama Kallon, and D. Kelly Ogden. Hilary Weeks sang and chatted with us as well. We took a break for lunch and headed out for food. We had some extra time and it just so happens that Hammonds Candies factory was right across the street from lunch, so we stopped in for a treat....caramel covered marshmallows (yum) and for me, cinnamon bears (one weakness of mine). Then it was back for more speakers and song.
**Those are the marshmallows behind us that I mentioned above...pretty darn tasty!**
We were right in the middle of Merrilee Boyack speaking to us and the lights went out. Now remember that we are in this big warehouse type room, so the only light was from the doors in the back of the room. It also meant that there was no microphone so we couldn't hear her. She ended up coming off the stage and into the middle of the room and yelled her talk until they could come up with a makeshift mic. Someone shined a light on her and she was able to finish her talk. We sat and visited until they decided that the final speaker would just bear her testimony and we would leave early. So, Emily Freeman stood up and told us that she had prayed that she wouldn't have to give her talk today and that she was happy to just bear her testimony. Half way through, the power came back on and she was able to give us her entire message she had prepared and it was wonderful. Hilary Weeks sang more and you could really feel the spirit in that giant hall.
It was a fabulous weekend filled with uplifting messages of hope and spirit. I was happy to have good friends around me to share this with me. I will always remember the "butt walk" from the lady in front of us, the back scratcher lady and the "clicker". We laughed a lot and it was nice to get away from the rat race for a couple of days. It is well worth the money and effort to go...so you all should go if you can. HEY LADIES.......next year again....right?!!!!!! And I might even bring my camera next time! :)
After leaving, we headed straight for IKEA to shop and eat. One of my friends had not been there before so we spent the extra time showing her everything (so we were there for a long time) but the rest of us didn't mind, cuz we love this store! We each bought a few things and then headed to the cafe for some yummy meatballs and a fabulous slice of chocolate cake! And then we laughed all the way home......8:00pm was even too early for us to have it end.
Thanks ladies for a wonderful time at our sleepover! *CLICK*
***Note: As I was putting my bag in the trunk of my friend's car, K was outside and came to say goodbye. She saw the bag and said, "What? You are going on a sleepover?" I laughed and told her that even adults like to have sleepovers too. She was so sweet as she gave me a hug. I noticed that she had tears in her eyes as she said goodbye. She really is a momma's girl...the other kids could care less that I was leaving.
(key music) "Hakuna Matata.......what a wonderful phrase! It means no worries for the rest of your days. It's our problem free, philosophy....Hakuna Matata"
Can you hear it now???? I love the Lion King movie. It was T's favorite when he was little and he watched it over and over again. He could easily watch it 5 times a day. I soon had to put a limit on it.... only get to watch it once a day. Seems ok, right? But he would have a hard time with that....he loved it that much. He even had a stuffed Simba that he wore the fur down to almost nothing as he would sleep with it every night.
Now, we move up from there......the Broadway musical of The Lion King. Have wanted to see if for so long that I can't remember. But of course, it seemed lost as I have not been to NYC and not sure that I will ever get there. So it went on my bucket list.
However, last year at this time I found out that it was coming to Denver for the next theater season and of course, jumped on it. Decided that ALL the family needed to see it as it was a classic in our family. Gave them all the tickets for Christmas last year and they were like....oh....wow....ok. Yea, not thrilled at all. It was a disappointment that they didn't seem to care. Oh well, I was excited enough for the whole family. The kids have never been to a production like that so I knew they didn't truly understand.
Finally, after waiting one whole year with the tickets in my possession.......we went to the Lion King yesterday in Denver......it was AWWWWWWWWWESOMMMMMMMME! (just saying)
We had pretty good seats....good enough that when the show started a huge elephant and some antelope came trotting on by us....through the side doors and right down the aisle to the stage singing the opening song. It was amazing how they depicted each animal. I think my favorite were the giraffes.....hard to believe that each animal was a person. The grass and leaves were even people.
*yes the giraffes are people...believe it or not*
*Scar and Mufasa...when they moved down like that, their masks would go over their faces....otherwise they were on the top of their heads....it was very cool*
*the hyenas were funny looking*
*Pumba and Timon*
*Rafiki was totally funny*
*Zazu sounded just like the voice in the movie*
It was a fabulous production......highly recommend it to everyone, young and old. They followed the movie pretty good, although they did add a few extra songs in there, but it was fun to see how they depicted the movie scenes.
To make the day complete.....dinner at Cafe Rio! Delish!
It was a great "first" musical to take the kids to. I wish we would have taken them sooner but it really isn't cheap to take 6 people. It was a good experience for them, even though they all grumbled that I told them NO JEANS for this family outing. But they all had a great time and we are looking forward to the next one we get to all go to. Want a hint??????
So my hubby celebrated another birthday this week. They seem to keep coming year after year no matter what......I never thought we would be THIS old. (Actually I am not this old, so I guess I have nothing to worry about, right?!)
I think he had a good birthday. I was surprised when he came home early from work....like 1:00. He never does that, but hey.....it was his birthday. He had gotten a new game the week before, so he wanted to play that.....so he did. That evening was a crazy one with M having BB practice and J going to YW, but since he came home early we were able to go to dinner way earlier than we normally do. It worked out perfectly. We hit Red Robin and he even got a free sundae (without the singing). Thank goodness cuz I had no time that day to make his dessert......Apple Pie! (still not done mind you)
We waited for the girls to get home from their activities and then he opened his presents. J and K had spent all week at my scrapbook table making something for daddy and they both turned out great.....so creative they are. I assume he liked his gifts and a good time was had by all. He did mention a few weeks ago that he wanted to do dinner and a movie for his birthday....I have yet to hear about when that will happen and I assume that I would be invited but......
Happy Birthday Honey....I am glad you will hit all those milestone birthdays before me! :)
K had her 4th grade musical last night and she did great. All of my kids tend to only get the "choir" parts....it has been that way for the other 3 kids. However, K seems to get parts on stage. This of course, upsets the other kids....jealous.....but K loves it!
She was picked to be Jester #5 which had no speaking parts. She was quite bummed about that but it turned out okay in the end. During the performance for the school day, she did her part as normal and I was able to see it and take some pictures. She looked like she was having a good time. That evening when they did it for the parents, one of the jesters was not there, so she got to say a part after all. She nailed it saying it for the first time....she is amazing!
This year M made the Varsity softball team at Sand Creek. It was so exciting for her to be chosen to play at the top. She has grown to love this sport over the last 4 years and it has become her favorite. Last night was her banquet, finally, and she was so thrilled to get her first LETTER! Guess we better get a jacket to put that letter on, huh?!
The team didn't do very well at all in winning games this season, but M did awesome playing 1st base. She liked being the catcher last year, but really did wonders on first...decided she loves playing the position best. She was told she would swing down to JV to play catcher on all their home games, but ended up not doing that. I was grateful for that as she would have missed all her team practices cuz JV played on Varsity practice days....and she would have been playing in a game every day of the week. Not something I was thrilled about, so was very happy when it didn't happen. Anyway, there were 7 seniors on the team this year which only leaves 5 girls for next year...sure hope some of those JV players are ready to play in the big leagues. (not sure there are any tho)
So now it is goodbye to an outdoor sport and hello to indoor~~~~~~~~~BASKETBALL. Tryouts are this weekend! You Go Girl!
Today was the Veteran's Parade downtown and this is the first time we have ever gone. And this is the reason......
We were able to see T in his first "official" duty as Group Commander......leading his corp in the parade. It was wonderful....he looked so sharp in his beret and ascot (even though he hates the ascot). Do you see him? smack dab in the middle....I could pick him out a mile away!
As soon as I saw him, my heart started to beat faster (just as it is as I write this post) and I was filled with pride. I can not describe the feeling I had at that moment. To see my son with such a big responsibility, carrying out his duties so effortlessly and with such poise and dignity, not to mention looking so dang handsome to boot. It was just so overwhelming to me that by the time he got right up to us, I had a tear in my eye.....ok more than one. I wanted to walk right beside him the whole way....just wanted to be right there with him as a proud mom! What I really wanted to do was run right out in the middle of the street and start taking pictures but somehow I knew that was not the most appropriate thing to do....darn it!
*Here he is turning to say a command as they had stopped for a minute
The morning weather turned out to be not so bad. It was suppose to be cold and very windy. I told the girls to dress warmly and they thought I was nuts. But they were happy they did after getting there and feeling the wind coming up their pant legs. In fact, when we got out of the car, I asked them if they wanted a blanket and they all just looked at me as if I was crazy. So I grabbed one and told them they ought to take one. K ended up grabbing a light weight one but that was it. After we had sat there for about 10 minutes, they decided that they wanted something more.....can I say I told you so!!!! So it started out chilly, but then the sun came out and so did the gloves and jackets about three quarters of the way through. So it turned out to be a nice day for a parade. (It did start to rain about 30 minutes after we got home, so phew!)
*At the start of the parade without the extra blankets
Good job T.....you looked fantastic and we loved hearing you command your corp. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!
I did take pictures of the rest of the parade, so here you go!
*I love the "pooper scoopers" following behind the horses
These next 3 pictures I posted for my dad! He was in the Korean War, so this first pix is honoring him for his service! The other 2 are just a bit of nostalgia for him!
*Sand Creek Band---awesome!
*Don't you love this float? The end of the parade...any guesses? Yep, street sweepers followed immediately behind the last float.
So Halloween came and went and I am always happy when it is over.....even though we always have great fun! It is usually such a crazy time around the holiday from decorating, sewing costumes, buying candy, making goodies....but it does seem to get easier as the years go by.
This year J decided that the "other" witch costumes in the box were not good enough for her and wanted me to make her a new one. Actually they were all too small for her, so we set out to the fabric store a week before Halloween. I tend to wait til the last minute when it comes to making costumes....did that last year with K's bear costume (which she is wearing again this year).....and I think it turned out really good. I love the jacket with the colored lining and the bright green ribbon. She loved it and she looked so cute in it with her new haircut. We found some great spider earrings and a big ring to complete the outfit.
So thinking that J was last minute, M comes to me 2 days before our ward fall festival and says she wants a costume. Too late to make one, we headed to the store to see what they had. In the meantime, we found this great costume for Duke......
There were so many to choose from, but this one cracked us up. We took it home and immediately put it on him and laughed so hard we cried. It was hilarious to watch him run in it.....so we had to make a movie of it. It is like the cowboy is actually riding a bull.....WHOA!!!
He was so good to wear it and not try to get it off. He was a good sport and we laughed every time we put it on him....what a hoot!
Anyway, M found a costume that she wanted and I must say that I was impressed with how cute it looked on her. She did her makeup really good and she was happy.
Now that the costumes are ready....let the festivities begin.
The Friday before Halloween we went to the annual Fall Festival in our ward. We had chili, games, a costume parade and Trunk or Treat. The girls had a great time....M and J working the games and K running around with her best friend. I really didn't have to do anything, so I was able to visit with friends....a nice change. The kids had a great time and ended up having sleepovers to swap candy.
The next day was the only day we could carve pumpkins, so off to Wal-mart to pick out the perfect pumpkin. I miss going to the fields to pick our own, but then again, it was so easy to get one out of the bin and head home. K did her pumpkin all by herself...even the carving and did a great job. J and M designed their own pattern and they did awesome too.
After we were done with that, K wanted to go over to the high school to their Boo Bash. We went last year with friends, but had decided not to go this year.....until K changed her mind. So I took her and a neighbor kid over for an hour or so. There were not as many games this year but more spook alley, which K loved.
As you can see, there is no mention of T or even pictures of T in this post.....he was pretty much non-existent this weekend. He was in Denver for XC State and missed out on the festival and the pumpkins....not that he would have participated anyway. He came home Saturday afternoon and went directly over to the school to help set up for the Boo Bash. I had to go into the spook alley to see him and say hi.
Sunday we went over to my mother-in-law's for dinner....the first one since my father-in-law has been gone. It was nice to have the kids get with their cousins and us adults talk. We stayed forever, but had a really nice time.
The next day was finally Halloween and K had her party and parade at school. I am always happy to go and see her with all her classmates having a fun time.
That night, T had to work and M went to a party at her friend's house, so I took the 2 girls and met up with some friends in another neighborhood. It was fun to go around to different houses and see so many people we knew. I even took Duke and he got so many comments about how cute he was and what a great costume. I was just glad that it was perfect weather for Trick or Treating. My hubby made it home just as we were walking out the door, so he stayed home to hand out candy. He said the doorbell didn't stop ringing for 45 minutes straight. He never had a chance to sit down or change out of his work clothes. We met up later as the kids went around a second time, just the two of us for a DQ! YUM! The kids hauled in a lot of candy, but we gave away more candy than we ever have, so I think we ended up with less candy actually. But still enough to get sick on....just sayin.
We had a great Halloween, but was happy the next day when I could take it all down and put it away until next year. I am happy to look forward to the low key Thanksgiving holiday this month.
