New Year's Eve Dance

It's the third annual hanger New Year's Eve party! This year my sister and brother-in-law and niece and nephew-in-law joined us for a great time. Greg and I are part of the group that puts on this dance and this year we had 96 party-goers. It was so much fun! We have live music from a very talented singer/piano player and lots of party stuff -horns, poppers, streamers and kazoos!! Lots of food, too!
Beth and Bryan are having quite the time - noisy bunch they were!!!
Adam had the most creative hat of the night- who would have thought this somewhat quiet young man would be such a party guy! We loved it!


Greg joined our friends, Dave (he's the piano player/singer in the red shirt) and Dennis (he owns the hanger we party in!) in back-up singing for a special song performed by Dave's wife, Vici! She sang "Santa Baby!"
Here's Beth bringing up the rear of the line dance group! She took some encouragement to get out on the dance floor but here she is (red blouse, black pants)! I'm second in line (on right hand side) and Amy is back by the hanger wall (short black dress!).
It's 12:30am and we're ready to call it a night! We're hoping to get all my family here next year! That would be so much fun!

Game On - Part II

Well, it is definitely "Game On!" for these boys! Andy gave Ryan a purple (not Ryan's favorite color) bear with not just one, but two doctor outfits! These pictures say it all! Ball's in your court, Ryan!!

Christmas-It's About Family

This Christmas was very special for us. There were 25 of us on Christmas Eve at my brother Joe's in Vancouver. On Christmas Day we gathered at Mom and Dad's for more food, fun, and family time. We are truly blessed to have the family we do!

The dishes must be done before we can open presents - here is the dish detail crew. Bryan forgot to read the dress code memo!!
Teresa and Andy, Lauryn and Ayden are opening their gifts - boy, there were lots of them!

Lauyrn and Meysa's shirts said it all: "Grandma and Santa have my list covered!"

Mom and Dad enjoyed their surprises too!

Update on December goals

It's now the 14th of December and time to reflect on what has been accomplished. Some successes and still some challenges.

• I'm leaving work by 5pm every day and getting in my workouts.


• Rusty has walked on the treadmill once - I spend more time at the gym than in the hanger because the gym is warm and the hanger is 60 degrees!!!!


• More time is spent with God; I'm doing better with this


• I miss my decorations and Christmas "stuff" but am glad we made this choice. We will decorate next year!

Idaho Trip

I spent last weekend with Andy and Teresa. We had a great weekend of shopping, making candy, eating, playing games, watching movies and catching up! We even had snow on the day they took me back to the airport in Spokane. It was fun to see how these newlyweds are settling and enjoying their married life.
Snuggling up to keep warm - it was snowing hard!

Teresa had never made candy so here we are trying to spread out the peanut brittle quickly. It was quite the feat!
Andy is trying to toss the pizza dough like the pros. We laughed and made a mess but we managed to get the pizza done!
The backyard view before the snow. It was cold and even the horses didn't want to be out in the weather. I don't miss that cold weather!

GAME ON!!

My two boys are always thinking of ways to play "gotcha." Only now it's changed to "game on!" Ryan and Aimee gave Andy a Barbie Gift Card for his birthday. So in response, Andy and Teresa have purchased a very special gift for them! (And I'm not telling except to say the camera will be ready!!) So here's to "GAME ON!"

This year Christmas will be different!

We decided to slow down this Christmas and not be so focused on "getting things done." I plan to spend this next month reflecting on what my life means to me, who I am and who I am called to be by God.
Here are the commitments I am making:
1. Spend more time together, just focusing on us. We aren't decorating this year as we are still working on the remodel project and just can't even begin to get out one more box!!!
2. Make a commitment to spend quality time with God every day. I have my weekly bible study but don't spend enough of every day seeking Him.
3. Pray daily for each member of my family: for health, wealth, and happiness.
4. Prioritize my work load and not spend so much of my time there. It's been so hectic that I've lost site of who I am supposed to be.
5. Take my dog for a walk every day; when it's bad weather, we can walk on the treadmill. I'll have to post some pictures of that. Rusty loves the treadmill.
6. Stay committed to working out as I prepare for my January half-marathon.
7. Don't forget to do 1 -5!!!

I am looking forward to this month - it will be different but hopefully, much more blessed!
I plan on posting how I am doing!

Merry Christmas, my friends!