Fur Rondevous in Anchorage

Our Float in Route
All the Parade Gang
Carma and Josh, our Front Office Manager

Hi all - Thought you all might like to see some pictures from the parade today. This is a big deal in Anchorage and we had a great if not exhausting time. We decorated the float last night, and participated in the parade today. It started snowing right at the end and has continued all day - we must have gotten at least 8-10 inches.

We made it through "peak" and work remains steady now. We plan a bowling party of all of our staff and families this week-end, then I get to fly to San Diego to welcome Hadley's baby (she is due to be induced March 10 if she doesn't go before.) Lee will be running both offices and isn't looking forward to me being gone.

We are doing well. We are halfway through tax season and survived! March brings a hint of spring and chances to go sight seeing! Happy Birthday this week to Shelly and to Lee (next week) who will "celebrate" without me!

Who's eligible for Social Security? and Dancing With the Stars

Wow, I had a great birthday yesterday! Shelly and family, Steve and family all came over for pizza, salad, cake and ice cream. I got a great laptop from my dear husband and tickets to see Dancing With the Stars at the E Center tonight from my 3"kids." Then we had a slumber party with the five grandkids. Little Emily had to go home with mom and dad. We had a lot of fun all in the same room and mostly slept. We had pancakes for breakfast, candy for snack and spaghetti and hot dogs for lunch! We played Rock Band on Wolf's WII and just had a great time.

I grateful for each birthday as it means I'm here another year to enjoy my family. How grateful I am for them and the closeness we have. I am so lucky to have two great son-in-laws and the best daughter-in-law there is. Love you all and thanks!

Dancing With The Stars was great. My dream was always to be a dancer so I thoroughly enjoyed it and Lee actually liked it, too, although he did roll his eyes a couple of times.

Happy New Year to all and may you be healthy and feel peace and joy in your lives.

Merry Christmas!

I am late with updating my blog, adding a Christmas background and getting my Christmas letters out, but . . . finally I've done all three!

I spent a week in San Diego with Hadley and family. Corey has a leading role in "Traditions of Christmas", a San Diego musical tradition. Julia and Aubrey also had roles and they all did wonderful. We spent the first 3 days at rehearsals and then got to see the show. The musical has continued for 10 days and Hadley is wondering how to fit shopping, dance recitals, baseball tournaments, etc. in. What a busy life they lead. What a fun and talented family.

I stayed with Shelly's kids while Ryan had his surgery. They are always so fun and easy. His surgery was successful and today they learned the lymph nodes are negative. What a great Christmas present!

We attended cute little Ashley's preschool Christmas program and she did great. Andrew said ho ho when he saw Santa - so cute.

Lee and I got away for a couple of days to celebrate a little early for our anniversary and my birthday. We are looking forward to spending some time with Shelly and Steve and families. Sure wish Hadley and family could be here, too!

We wish you all Merry Christmas!

My New and Improved Craft Room

A duvet cover turned into curtains!
My new craft closet!
Yes, it is nearly full!

I have the greatest handyman living here - my incredible husband! He had already finished building and painting my craft room. He just hadn't built the cabinets yet because he was waiting for me to decide what I wanted.

He finished my craft closet (4 doors wide)and I love it! Now comes the counters for scrapbooking, sewing, wrapping, etc. I will have more storage and a peg board. I didn't realize I had so much stuff - his word was a little more graphic.

I switched the day bed to the guest room and put the futon in the craft room. Of course, then the colors didn't match so I took the duvet cover off the day bed and made these curtains and a couple of pillows. I am very happy with them and love it so bright and cheerful.

So now after he finished the pool table room, guest room, saw room, finish room, he is working to finish my craft room. The only room left in the basement is the bathroom and that will be next year.

Thanks to my wonderfully talented all around handyman husband who can design, build, and repair anything! You are awesome!

Peaches Peaches Peaches

A few weeks ago Shelly and I canned 4 boxes (104 lbs) of peaches. We ended up with 36 quarts, 24 pints, and 16 frozen containers! It took us 12 hours and lots of diet coke/pepsi but we did it. They are so yummy and we are very proud of ourselves. Thanks Shelly - it was exhausting but oh so worth it!

Lucky #13

I give everyone a hard time when they don't post to their blogs and I haven't posted for a very long time, so here goes.

First- Lee and I will be grandparents for the 13th time! Hadley and Pat are expecting their 7th - yes, their 7th child at the end of March. It was very much unplanned and unexpected but after a few tears, they realized this must be the Lord's plan and they are excited. Hadley is not feeling too great but hopefully will be over that soon. The kids are very excited.

Corey (Hadley's oldest) started college and loves it. The rest don't start school until after Labor Day. Shelly's two oldest are in school, Megan starts preschool, and sweet little Emily keeps Mom and Dad smiling. Ashley (Steve's) started preschool and little Andrew, who is healthy and all boy, keeps Mom and Dad on their toes at home.

Lee and I have enjoyed a lot of camping and are sad to see summer coming to a close. As it gets cooler we will just have to go south a little bit. We're headed to Anchorage (yea I know, that's north) for a week in September to get tax school started and plan on doing some fishing. It will be fun to see something besides snow and ice.

We love reading your blogs and enjoy your pictures so keep it up and I promise to do better!

Fun in San Diego and Summer Camping

Okay, I know it's been forever since I posted. We spent a week in San Diego in June and had such a great time. Corey, our oldest granddaughter, graduated from high school and Emily graduated from middle school. I drove down with Shelly and kids and Steve and his family were already there. It was so fun to be together with our three kids and their families. Unfortunately Lee and Ryan weren't able to join us. We had a great time going to graduations, the beach, and, of course, visiting In N' Out, several times! I can't believe Corey is headed to college! She's so grown up and is going to go far with that beautiful voice. What a talent she has!

Early July Lee and I spent a week in Heise Hot Springs, near Idaho Falls. It is one of our favorite spots. There is a 9 hole golf course and we golfed every day at least 18 holes. We left there and met Shelly and family at Lagoon and then on to Cherry Hill where Steve and family joined us. We loved Cardiac Canyon! From there we sent to Pineview Resevoir for 4 days boating. Ryan's parents were kind enough to bring their boat and join us. We had a great time! Lee and I tubed and he water skied. What fun to watch the kids have such a great time. Little 3 month old Emily did great and the boat just rocked her to sleep.

It's been such a great summer and we love going in our fifth wheel. What great family fun!

We took these pictures at a lake near San Diego. Getting 12 kids to all smile and stay in one place was a challenge but they look great! Corey is the oldest at 17 and Emily the youngest is 3 months.

All our cute grandkids!
This one was tricky to get!
Corey's graduation
Emily's graduation