IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

So, this Valentines day, Toby and I decided that we would do a family love day, every other year. This was our first FAMILY love day.
And, Mike and Rachel's last Valentines day without needing a sitter.

Yes, we still love er chuther.

We decided to do a chocolate fountain, with all the works.

As you can see, it was quite a hit!!

And not just with the kidos.

Needless to say, the evidence was on everyone and no one got out clean.

Guess who loved it the most!!

We had so much fun, and none more than these two best friends at a friendly, ....ehem game of golf.

For dinner, Toby made the FAMOUS ribs and we had five racks, yes I said FIVE, racks of ribs. I still cant believe there was not even one little rib left, when we were finished. Quite a compliment to the chef, I would say. Craig (the one on the right) and Mike (the guilty one on the left) ate an entire rack to themselves.

And this was my little dolly before anyone showed up and she was clean. That didnt last very long. Hope you all had a Happy Valenties Day and you celebrated the loves in your life.

I KNOW, I KNOW, I'M SUCH A SLACKER

Ok, so I dont have anything that's crazy amazing but I took some pictures of my kids awhile ago and hav'nt been able to share them yet. And some Christmas pictures. Just a melting pot this time, I guess.
Is she really only eight? Sometimes she looks so much older to me. Like here, so sophisticated, so NOT Karlie!!

Two peas in a pod.

I love catching them laugh like this. I hope one day she looks back on these pictures and thinks she had a great childhood.

So, here are some Christmas pictures. Sorry thier arent many I was busy, busy. Its a sorry excuse but it's all I have.

Thank you God for a love like this. A love that many would freely die for.

My little Christmas helper, er, actually she's a wrecking ball, but she's so cute and willing to help pick up her little, I mean GRAND messes.

CHRISTMAS BUFFS?.... I DARE SAY THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT

As most of you know, we LOVE Christmas!!!!!

I just had to give Toby his dues, for all of his hard work. I say hard, but he really does enjoy it!!
Brother Mark Houston painted this for us last year, and it has been the hit of the neighborhood. The picture really dose not do it justice. Toby had this idea last year from an ornament he'd seen of Santa kneeling at the baby Jesus. Anyway, he bought the wood and Mark came over with his projector, traced it out and Toby cut him out. It was so fun to watch Mark trace him. It was like he was bringing a piece of wood to life. When he was finished and Toby brought him home, I was speechless. I think I cried. But seriously how do you take a piece of wood and make him huggable? Well done my friend, well done!

Christmas is EVERYWHERE at our house and is a week event just to put it all up. Of course it's not fun at all to take down.

Our Christmas tree. We didn't think we would be able to afford a big tree this year and had come to terms with that. When we were on our way to pick a smaller tree out, we passed this lot and thought, "lets just see". Anyway, their trees were half the price and we were SO THRILLED. They even delivered it for us for free. You rock Grandmas Trees!!!

There are two photo's of the tree because Toby had the audacity to say that it looked tiny in the picture.

This is a twelve foot tree. TINY, are you kidding me?! Also, we have a competition going with my dad on who has the best tree. WE WIN, HA, HA!!!!!! Sorry dad.

Oh yeah, I know you cant see the ornaments but I wanted to show you all the lights Toby put on this baby. Only took him seven hours. A labor of love. Thanks baby!!

STILL THANKFUL....EVERYDAY

Thankfull this year for our little bun in the oven. Isn't she so cute pregnant?
As some of you know, we had a scare with grandma a couple of days before Thanksgiving as she had a stroke that effected her right side. I was SOOOO thankfull that we got to have another Thanksgiving filled with grandma and all her WONDERFUL food. She's still so beautiful in every way.

A couple of turkey's in charge of the most important part? Oh well, it still tasted good in spite of all thier picking!!

Awh, we love erchother.

Do we look related or what? I dont care what you say aunt Cindy your adorable!!!

This will be a picture I will always cherish and be thankful for every year.

LOVE YA LADIES

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,And then I started to become a woman.And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man. Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'Another, 'Let's fight together,' Another, 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,Another your shoe fetish,Another your love for movies, Another will be with you in your season of confusion,Another will be your clarifier, Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,On whatever the occasion, On whatever the day, Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ...Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several.. One from 7th grade,One from high school, Several from your church, inner circle, couple from old jobs, On some days your mother, On some days your neighbor, On others, your sisters, And on some days, your daughters.
So whether they've been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years, thank them for all they've done for you.

I KNOW ITS EARLY, BUT I CANT HELP IT

Ok, so I know its wrong to listen to Christmas songs before thanksgiving, but I'm so exited!!! If you thought I was a fall fanatic, Christmas is even WORSE. So, you will just have to have charity and bear my early Christmas music ok?! The first song "Christmas Cookies", is one of my husband's favorites. And yes he LOVES me to bake them and has already started asking for them. So, Christmas is early. Hey, if Walmart can do it, why cant I?

5... ALREADY?

NOVMEBER 9TH,2003

One of the sweetest day's of my life.


We wanted to be surprised with this one and we didn't find out what we were having. I still remember the anticipation right after he was born and the elation my husband had when they said, "It's a boy"!!!

I can honestly tell you this was the boy I always dreamed about whenever I thought about having a son. Even when I was much younger, this is what he looked like when I would imagine him.

He is truly one of the greatest joy's in my life.

HappyBirthday my beautiful boy.