All of our family left this morning. It was great having them here. I feel blessed that I get along with both of Trey's siblings and their spouses. Unfortunately, they hit bad weather and had a crappy trip home. We're all really glad that we got to spend time with them. I snapped a few pictures this morning as everyone was leaving: Here's another video of the massive pillow fight that erupted last night!
After everyone left, I got to do several loads of laundry (fun, fun), and then worked on Christmas gifts. I realized pretty quickly that I was too tired to do anything that took much thought, so I didn't get much done! Hopefully, I can get some sleep tonight. We did get the tree up and partially decorated. It's feeling like it's the Christmas season!
Today we all went to the Denver Nature and Science Museum. Then after we got home and got to bedtime - the kids wound up and had a humongous pillow fight!
For the first time in ten years, we have family here for Thanksgiving! It's been great. I have nothing to write because I am EXHAUSTED! So, I'm just going to post a bunch of pictures and videos from today and yesterday. The food (too much to get in one picture!): Miscellaneous Thanksgiving day pictures: Black Friday shopping: Louis trying to steal Daddy's dinner: Videos:
After 13+ years of marriage and nearly 18 years together, Trey and I still like to be together. I think that's pretty darn good. Sometimes we do the same thing. Other times, like tonight, we're still together, but we do our own thing. Tonight while I was making some throw pillows for Ray's new bed for one of his Christmas presents, Trey was playing WoW. I feel really lucky to have found my soul mate. Plus, he's pretty cute! On another note, I've made it through my fourth in a row vomit free day! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is a trend.
Well, this lunch actually happened last Wednesday, but I just now got the picture downloaded! Oops. I love it when I get the chance to hang out with my friends. It really recharges my spirit. It just happened that it was one of my friends' 40th birthday, so we got to celebrate her birthday with her! We all met at Hacienda. I was there for a good 2 1/2 hours, and there were still people there when I left. We had a great visit. Luckily, I went there for the company not the food because it was really gross. The salsa was good, and the tortillas were good, but besides that? YUCK. I ordered vegetarian fajitas. Note to the chef who comes up with the menu at Hacienda: I have one word for you - SEASONINGS. Seriously. But hey, if I ever have a hankering for an underdone, sauteed onion with a tortilla - I know where to go! LOL. But, like I said, I went for the company, not for the food. I would have hung out at McDonald's drinking water for the chance to spent 2 1/2 hours chatting with my friends!
Well, I had a lovely lunch with a group of friends today (okay - the company was lovely, the food was na-hasty!), and I even got a picture. However, the card reader has mysteriously disappeared again. It's a good thing they only cost $5. Sheesh. So, I'll post that tomorrow.
For now, I need to talk about something that is really bothering me. I read this article: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/11/17/dobson-layoffs/. I will admit, ashamedly, that my first thought was, "Ha! Karma in action!" The story just really makes me sad. These families have children who are affected by a whole series of bad decisions. This organization felt like destroying other people's families was more important than taking care of their own. Hate is such a destructive force. I know of one woman who chose to put her homeschooled children in traditional school specifically, so she could spend more time trying to pass the hateful proposition 8. She had made a choice to homeschool her children because she felt it was the best choice for her family. Basically, she decided that taking care of her family was less important than tearing down other people's families. I just can't understand that level of hate. The thing that makes this whole situation even more mind boggling is that I know without even hearing what kind of spin James Dobson will put on it. He'll tell everyone how it is just the devil trying to undermine the good work that they've all done, and to keep the faith! (Because that feeds children and pays the mortgage, right?) James Dobson is evil. FOTF: FOCUS ON YOUR OWN DAMN FAMILY!
It's been a good day, but I am beat! I actually felt good enough to cook a proper meal for my family, so I am going to expend what little energy I have left on my food blog tonight. For today, I'm just going to post some cute pictures of the three children who cooperated and let me take pictures of them.
Today is my hubby's 41st birthday. We went out to eat, and I took the camera, but I forgot to take pictures! So, I snapped this one in the car on the way home. I'm so glad I'm married to Trey. I'm thankful to my in-laws for raising such an amazing person. I love you babe!
Today, Trey got some cute video of Olivia at her gymnastics class. She loves gymnastics, and her teacher said she's pretty good at it, too. She just has a couple of things to master before she can move up to pre-team.
I had to include this picture because, well, have you seen a cuter smile? Okay Dad! Here's another belly picture. Is this one better? :-)
Someday the world will be a place where a person's skin color or ethnicity doesn't change anyone's opinion of them... Someday the world will be a place where women and men are equal... Someday the world will be a place where no one has to choose between feeding their children or taking them to the doctor... Someday the world will be a place where people can marry who they love without discrimination... If everyone continues to fight for what is right... We will see "someday." Beth, Ray, Livi, and Lou - today you fought for "someday." I am proud of you.
Yes, okay, so it's been a week since Livi's birthday, but I couldn't find the card reader! I'd like to say that I found the reader, but alas, I just bought another one. Livi picked Red Robin for her birthday dinner, so we went there, and then we took her to the mall for make her Build-a-Bear. Wow is that a tradition I regret starting, but the kids love it! Here is Livi with her brand new Tinker Bell earrings from Me'Me' and Pe'Pe'. Here she is with her bear - "My Little Cutie." After going to Build-a-Bear, we checked out the Christmas display in the mall. We had to ignore the Christmas display police, but the kids had fun.
Then, this morning we woke up to REAL snow - finally! The kids are pretty resourceful. They wanted to play in the snow and build a snowman. I think they used every ounce of snow in the backyard. They made a snowman though! For a while, they were trying to pick the leaves out of it - they gave that up pretty quickly! Tomorrow we're all headed downtown to protest the hate legislation. The kids all made their own signs (well, except Louis, of course!). Last but not least - here's a belly shot mom!
