Jon Stewart- He Completes Us

I laughed so hard the other night while watching Jon Stewart. During his usually hysterical take on politics he released a 'video' about Barack. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to pee my pants. I love that Mr. Stewart has always made fun of the media's obsession with my favorite politician. Too Funny.

Rendezvoux

 We headed down to the annual Ft. Bridger Rendezvous today. The kids were great, the weather was good and the crazies we out and about. The rendezvous is usually filled with a crap load of people some in traditional Indian or Pioneer dress and some in regular street clothes. There are several booths that fill up the whole Fort. Most booths sell items dealing with that time frame, others have music or food. It was fun to go down and see everything. Adam got a bow and arrow set. The gentleman that sold the bow and arrow showed Adam how to properly use it and spoke Indian to him as well. Adam just kind of looked at him and smiled. It was so cute. Lily got a beautiful purple parasol and Spencer got a huge wooden rifle. It was so fun to hang out with the kids and enjoy the day together.

Saturday Ramblings

  For the last several weeks, we have been dealing with family drama. When Todd's Dad passed away, he didn't leave a will, so now, family drama that we hoped to avoid has ensued. And, everything that is said or done is subject to scrutiny by surrounding family members. Todd has been left to deal with a lot of stuff. I know it stresses him out, because he never wants to step on anyone's toes, but there is always some one who is hurt and feels like they got the shaft. And unfortunately, he is the person that is going to be under a microscope because he is the one that has been left to deal with everything.
Thankfully, our nephew Jim has been here to help with everything. Everything from finishing our basement, to cleaning up a massive water leak, to chauffeuring Todd's mother around, to making sure Lily is totally dressed when she goes outside, to any kind of help with the Sawmill drama. He has been a constant help and we realize how lucky we are to have him here right now at this crazy time in our lives. We love him and are so appreciative of everything. We can't even imagine what we would be doing right now with out his help. Plus he finds great movies for us to watch and knows how to help Uncle Todd polish of a 5th of Jack. And best of all he can grill like a maniac.
 Anyway, the last few weeks, let alone months, we feel like we are running around like 'chickens with our heads cut off'. This weekend is finally a little bit of a low key weekend.
 And we are enjoying our family time and the calmness that is upon us, a least for a weekend.
O' Yeah! Here are some REALLY cute pictures of Sara. This last one is a picture of the first and only time Sara has ever fallen asleep in her highchair and I thought it was adorable. She is also loving her little blue Hippo that she can push around everywhere. And of course the rest of the pictures of her, is just her sweet little self being absolutely adorable. She's so stinkin' cute.

Obama '08

Ok Guys. If you don't like politics, don't read this. As most of you know, I will be voting for Barack Obama in just a few months ( I can't wait.) I have had lively debates with many friends and family about Senator Obama. And I have seen MANY anti-Obama email, all of which I am happy to say have ALL BEEN FALSE. (Check out your emails at www.snopes.com) Not one of them have turned out to be true. Anyway, this is the person who, from day one, I have felt is the best choice for our next President. Some people around me don't believe in him and aren't sure as to why I would possibly vote for him, but if you sit through this video, maybe you'll understand why I think he is wonderful. He finally attacks freakin' McCain on his Bush like policies and addresses a lot of the ridiculous rumors and rhetoric that goes around. This man is the right person for the job. He is going to be a phenomenal president.

Rejoice!!!!! School has begun

 My boys started school today. I know I shouldn't say this, but "YAY!!!!" They have been fighting so bad. I felt like I was going to pull my hair out. But the day finally came, order is restored. Spencer's teacher, Mr. Argyle, is the same man that was my 5th grade teacher, that's funny. Adam has Mrs. Hickey, she was Spencer's 1st grade teacher also. They were so excited. Lily starts one preschool on Wednesday and the other one the following week. So she will be going to school 4 days a week for 2 1/2 hours a day. She is so very excited. She has been dieing to wear all of her new school clothes. I'm looking forward to a few hours a day alone with Sara Bear. YAY! School has begun.

Basement Update

 So, I need to update ya'll on the basement. Jim (our fabulous nephew) has the basement all framed, the wiring done, and the dry wall on the ceiling. He is hoping to have the drywall finished by Friday. Then do paint, flooring, doors and trim. And, wah-la. It's done. YAY!!!!

Thankful Sunday

Today I have to blog a little bit about being thankful for some of the things or rather people in my life. When I got home from Joey's wedding on Friday, Pat (my older brother) had called and left a message. He sounded distraught. When I talked to him, he told me he had been the victim of an ARMED robbery/home invasion. He said he was ok, but was very shaken and a little broken and bruised. As I listened to him, I was thinking about how he has only been part of my life for 20 years and how that so wasn't enough time. I love and adore him and thinking of how I could've lost him in the blink of an eye, well, sucked and made me realize how much I wanted another 20 years, if not, 50 more years with him, being is sister. I know time will replace 'things' and hopefully heal emotional wounds, but I hope that since we all have loved ones, we tell them that we love them and we make sure we never part ways without always knowing and telling someone we love them, because in the blink of an eye they could be gone. So in lu of pictures, I just want to say;

I am so thankful for my little family, both immediate and extended. I absolutely adore them.
I am thankful for Pat and the amazing inspiration he is to me and the fact that he is alive after a tragic event.
I am thankful for my best friend Arlene and the person she is to me.
I am thankful for the rest of my friends and the amazing support system that they are for me.
Even though it's 'things' I am thankful for my home and the security it provides, my vehicles and the transportation it provides, and for all the utilities that make my life easy.
I am thankful that I get to be a Mom & Wife, Sister & Aunt, Best Friend & friend, Sister-in-Law and nurturer. I love all these positions in my life.

I know Iam blessed everyday.

Joey and Denise get Hitched

 My little brother Joey got married to his sweetie of 3 years today. They look so happy.
 The wedding party consisted of mostly family and friends. The flower girls were Denise's daughters Kimber and Krysta. They are pictured here with Savanna, Lily & Sara.
 We got a cute picture of Me, Joey and John. Joey looked so handsome in his tux. I have very few pictures of my brother's NOT flipping me off or pulling some silly face. So this was cute. My brother's are so much taller and skinnier than me, I feel like a pumpkin, but that's ok. It's great to get a picture with them. I just adore them.
 Adam was the ring barrier. When he walked down the aisle, Todd and I had big tears in our eyes. He looked so big and handsome. Such a doll. He was the perfect little ring barrier.(He kept calling it Pall Barrier, to which my husband relied "Yes son, that's what it really is!") The wedding was beautiful and simple. Joey and Denise look so in love, it's actually kind of gross. There was a BBQ afterward with lots of food. There were games for the kids, big and small alike, music and visiting. It was so much fun to be with them on their special day, and celebrate their new lives together. Congrats Guys. We love you!

Isn't She Lovely

 Little Miss Sara Rose is 11 months old. Can you believe that? She is taking steps, jabbering and trying so hard to be big. She is getting more red hair everyday. Arlene thinks she was switched at birth because she is a mellow redhead and she's my daughter. She has been giggling a lot lately at her brothers and sister, she thinks they are pretty funny. I adore this sweet little angel. She will be a year old in one month:( Sad I know, but she is an absolute joy. I can't (well I can) wait to see the little lady she turns into.

6 Unspectacular Things

1. I HATE diet products, you know, ie..diet pop, splenda, ect.. Explains a lot huh!
2. I cannot sleep well at night if my kitchen isn't clean.
3. I used to be an animal lover now I prefer them stuffed. Not actual animals stuffed, but the plushy soft ones.
4. I don't like to wear very much jewelry, make up, or perfume. My Nana totally burned me on those.
5. I don't like big crowds or tight places. I feel like I'm suffocating.
6. I run late a lot, even though I try to be on time, I really suck at it.

Sara's First Steps

 My sweet little Sara Rose has taken her first steps today. That little stinker. We were at my niece Janice's house and she took a few steps from Valerie to Janice. It's always bitter sweet. I want her to accomplish all the new things she does and at the same time I want her to stay little, but as I have come to learn, no matter how many times I set her back on her booty she is still going to learn to be mobile and walk. Dang her being a big girl.

Idaho Vacation/ Tyler & Jann's House

 The last leg of our vacation ended up at our friend's Tyler and Jann's house. Todd and Tyler have been video game buddies for years and Todd was really looking forward to having a late night video game-a-thon. And after a really yummy dinner, cheesecake, visiting and getting the kids in bed, Todd, Tyler and Spencer let the game-a-thon begin. It was such a great weekend. Thanks to everyone.

Idaho Vacation/Cave Falls

 We also went and saw another beautiful falls called Cave Falls. It is a little piece of Yellowstone that I never heard of. It was so cool because there is a cave at the edge of the falls so you can actually
 (a word taken from Spencer's vocabulary) reach out and touch the water fall. So very cool. The kids thought it was awesome. I have come to realize that I am a little claustrophobic and the thought of going in the cave scared the crap out of me, but I was really impressed with it's beauty.
 We had Val with us during our little vacation. Of course she and Sara were hanging the whole day. They are great buds and it frees up my hands to chase the other 3 babies. Anyway, we had lunch and let the kids run and play for a minute.

 As you can see from this picture and the rest of the ones below, the kids loved the water and the 'beach' and played, kicked, soaked and splashed. It was so fun to be with Mark and Becky. The kids were great the entire car ride, we ate way to much junk food and soda, and watched a ton of movies both there and back, but we love being with Mark and Becky and seeing what new and exciting adventures we get to go on. We can't wait to see what is in store for next summer.

 

 

 

 

Idaho Vacation/Mesa Falls

 On August 9 we ventured over to Idaho to hang out with Todd's sister Becky and her husband Mark. On Saturday we went to a crash up dirby and had a blast, but the next day was the highlight of the trip.
 We went to see a beautiful falls right near where Mark and Becky live. It's called Mesa Falls and was absolutely beautiful. It also has another special meaning. When Norm (Todd and Becky's Dad) was 19, he along with a few other guys, strung a camera out at the top of the falls so a Hollywood film crew could get a certain shot. After seeing the Falls, I think he might have been a little crazy at the time but he remembered it fondly and talked about it frequently. He had also told me a time or two that looking back on it, he didn't quite realize at the time how insane that was, but I think he was excited to be a part of a movie in some way. It was really cool to see the actual Falls that we had heard so much about and visualize the whole story.
 The picture above is Becky and Lily. Lily LOVES Aunt Becky and Uncle Mark. In this picture there are Becky, Spencer and Lily, Todd and Adam, Mark, Liam and Biscut, Valerie and Sara.
 And of course Miss Lil' was posing at another look out point of Mesa Falls, she always is the life of the photograph. Sweet little sugar. Anyway, we had a great time here, it was a beautiful piece of our earth. We hope to see it again soon.

Day at the Dentist

 All the kids had dentist appointments this week. Spencer was the only one who got this kind of fluoride treatment, Lily and Adam both had a 'painted' on version that is supposed to be better for little ones. Anyway, there are no cavities, although Spencer has a little chip in a tooth that needs repaired. Other than that everyone rocks!