We finally got a family picture. Vikki was nice (and patient) enough to snap a load of pictures for us. And luckily we got one with all of us looking. :) I really want to get Christmas cards out since I haven't done it in 3 years. In case I don't get around to it, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

I love these kids!!!

Am I shrinking? Not cool that she's almost as tall as me!!!

I love this man! Thanks for being patient with me Steve!

Family Picture Bloopers

Why it takes 50 pictures to get one good one I'll never know!

You ever felt like saying this...

"Turn around and put a smile on your face dang it!" J/K!

"Please can I wear my glasses??? It will look pretty!"
"Come on Jasmine, get back over here"

"Dad gum dog, get down and stay!"

In the end, Jasmine didn't make the cut. Too bad, she's such a pretty dog, and she would've matched so well. :(

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving at my house. I love having my family over! Sadly, Lori and Trevor, and Brandon and Gina weren't able to make it.

We missed them.

I only got a few pictures , but at least there's evidence that we had a good time.
Here's Steve, carving up the turkey...yum! You make the best turkey! :) And my big brother Chad keeping Steve company. I have yet to cook or touch a raw turkey. But with Steve around, there's really no need. :) Every year Steve's family gets together the night before Thanksgiving and stuffs the turkeys and then they cook them all night in a great big pit. Best turkey you'll ever have. It just falls off the bone, and is soooo juicy. Mmmm

Grandpa Whiting teaching "S" how to make oreo turkeys Grandma Whiting back there getting ready to put on the feast. She makes the best of everything, deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, dressing, gravy (nobody makes it like her!) and best of all pumpkin pie-my favorite.

The little-big kids table- minus "H"- she was running from the camera that night.

The big kids table- I've never seen kids eat so fast- what 5 mins and they were gone playing. My kids loved having their cousins over.

Our sad Jasmine, wanting some love-or food...
A little back ground music from Artie and Steve is always a treat!Artie's wife Amber and the cutest little Gracie being so patient as Artie has some play time.
Amber kept me company while I did the dishes and we planned our next day of attack- Black Friday.

I went out at 3:30 am, my mom met up with me at 4:30 and waited in line for me at Best Buy and scored for me. We went all over the place until we literally dropped. 8 hours of shopping can make me a bit delirious. Steve was so nice to take the kids to ride horses so I could go back to bed. I don't know why I love Black Friday so much. There isn't much I would wake up early for. Actually, this is pretty much the only thing that would get me up. I'm am addicted to finding good deals.

One of the things I love on Black Friday is listening to the "Elderly" people complaining about the crowds. I always hear, "Can you believe this---this is a joke!" -in a crabby little voice and it makes me laugh. Like they were thinking they would be the only ones out there??? I love to be extra nice to those people and see if I can make them smile. In fact I love it when I can make any grouchy stranger smile. It's kind of a game to me. Call me weird.

Twilight

Steve and I went to "Twilight" last night. I have mixed feelings about it. Of course the book is always better than the movie, overall I think the movie was great. There were a lot of parts that portrayed the book perfectly. I would have liked to see more dialogue with Bella and Edward. It made it seem like Bella told him what she was feeling all too soon. I love the characters that played the Cullen's. They are going to be fun to watch. I wish they were in it more, but they probably will in the movies to come. This just felt like more of an introduction to the characters and then it ended when it got really good. Maybe I'll need to see it again now that I know what to expect. Anyone feel the same???

SRP Picnic

Two of my brothers work for SRP. Each year they have a family picnic with fun bounce houses, games, slides a rock wall and the best B-B-Q! They are so nice to invite us. My Bro Artie sings in the SRP band (2nd Shift). Livin his dream. :) They are so good. My kids love to go watch Unkle Artie.

Still a goof"H" and the Bogles
"S" climbing the wall

"T" made it to the top 3 times!

Thanks for always entertaining us!

Halloween Night

Harry Potter

Queen Bee
Dutch Dancer?

Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia

Smith Family

Light Saber VS Wand

And this is what you come home to when you're all out trick or treating and the lights are out... some safe neighborhood :)

Whiting Party

Whiting Cousins

Gramma had lots of fun games for the kids to play :)

And even some yummy finger food... (cookies)

1st Off, Pumkin Carving

4th Birthday

"H" has had a fun birthday week! Thursday- her actual Birthday, her pre-school had a field trip to Mother Natures Farm. She was Birthday girl all day and was lovin it!
These are the biggest pumpkins I suppose I've ever seen!
Having fun decorating her own pumpkin!
Some favorite b-day presents.
Next day... princess tea party with a few friends. My mom was so nice to bring her miniature dinnerware. We had miniature snacks and ate our mac & cheese with toothpicks and acted like little ladies. It was so cute! They even got their fingernails painted. Then we danced to the princess songs, opened presents and said goodbye. It was the easiest party I have ever put on! They were all so calm and sweet. I love 4 year olds!!!
Perfect example of sweetness! She was enjoying every minute!I don't ever want to say goodbye to this stage!
Here's her cute little princess friends. Fun day! One more party with the family tomorrow. :)

Would you be afraid?

At the zoo last week, we were checking out the tiger. We were the only ones at the exhibit, and this tiger looked like he was going to pounce. It was kinda freaky! "Let's move along kids" But I had to get some pictures.

First, he was just walking along yawning and what not...

Then, he started watching us...


Then he jumped up in the tree...

Then he looked like this for a while. That's when I said...Ummm let's go kids.

I wouldn't have thought anything of it except for that story about a tiger at some zoo jumping over the fence and killing someone. I'm not so sure anymore.