Fall 2012 Highlights

I haven't been blogging for a number of reasons.  Busy? yes, but there is more to it than that.  I had an adrenal fatigue relapse this summer and, quite frankly, I don't remember much about these last few months!  when I have that I am super tired and cannot think clearly, much less keep up with things!  On top of that I have had computer issues, elderly parent issues, and, well, being busy at home, too.  I wish I could brag blog about all the stuff I have accomplished since about August, but there just isn't much to say!  I have totally been in survival mode.  Among with my "computer issues" was that my pictures haven't been automatically downloading and saving into the computer.  I'm not computer savvy- I just figured out plan "B" for that!  So here are some pictures of some of the bright spots of this fall.

 Kids play "sleeping".  Love that "baby"!  

{Side note: that couch is NOT in my livingroom!  Its in the basement and its a hide-a-bed or we probably wouldn't still have it! LOL}

 Hanging out in Grandma & Grandpa's back yard

 Peter's 8th birthday.

 His party consisted of his friend Shad and his family.

Silly picture!  Love Dallas' Stanly Laurel imitation!  {And Jordyn peeking in the back!}

 G&G with the girls.

Namesakes: 

Joseph Donald, Grandpa Donald, Mary, Grandma Mary

First day of school, including Lucy & her "blanket" which is no more because she completely shredded it until there is nothing left.  Maybe she ate it?  Who knows!

Corah, 8th grade

Joseph 4th, Peter 2nd, Mary 1st, Leah is 3 and she "homeschools" too.

My lovely back yard-- boy do I miss those leaves!!!

Playing in the leaves

Isn't that an awesome picture?!?  {Too bad she's wearing a gubby old shirt with paint all over it!LOL}

One of "Oreo Kitty's" last days with us.  He and Lucy made us understand the meaning of "fighting like cats and dogs"! Since their last {really big!} fight, we haven't seen him.  I don't understand why he would leave, Oreo ALWAYS won!!   

Jordyn's fall fun party

 "Happy Birthday to ME"

 Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa's house, wearing the turkey shirts with tu-tus that Jordyn made for them.  Aren't they adorable?!

Grandpa hug!

I am so glad we were able to spend Thanksgiving as a family at Grandma & Grandpa's house because that was our las time to visit them there.   The next time we all go to visit, it will be at their new assisted living apartment. They "aren't ready" but it will be such a relief to us "kids" to know there will always be someone there to watch them and keep them safe.  It is a lot safer than their house that just isn't handicap accessible.  They are changing so fast... but I am so glad we still have them!!! 

Easter Weekend

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the grass is growing... seems like beautiful weather for Easter!  As we consider the Resurrection of our precious Saviour who so lovingly and willingly died on the cross for our sins, we enjoy the resurrection of the earth after the mildest winter I can remember.  It is a time for celebration! I would love to share some of the ways we celebrated this year.

On Saturday {since Sunday morning we get up and eat breakfast at church} we made our resurrection rolls:

 Start by rolling up a large marshmallow in a crescent roll.

Pinch the ends, making sure they are completely sealed, no gaps!

This is the "tomb."

Mary models the sealed roll.

Bake according to Pillsbury's baking directions, 375* for 10-12 minutes.  Even though we tried really hard to make sure they were sealed, they still leaked a little.

After they are cooled, open them up...  the marshmallow is gone!

The tomb is empty!

The marshmallows melt into the dough, making them sweet!  Mary told me they did it in children's church also, only it was "differenter" because they rolled the marshmallows in butter and sprinkled cinnamon on them!  Mmmm!

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The next very exciting thing we did for the weekend was watch my great-nephew Hunter's get married!  Awww!  They are such a sweet couple!

Welcome to the family, Maria!!!

Most of our family on Easter Sunday, 2012

Thanks for stopping by!

Judy

Summer Birthdays

 For Tyler's 22nd birthday, {July 25} I made him brownies... from scratch!  I  Dallas had ZERO faith in me and thought that there was NO WAY my brownies from scratch would be fit to eat.  He was wrong.  They were fantastic!  Tyler worked on his birthday. {Welcom to adulthood. ;-)}

Mary turned 5 on July 26.  The last year or so we take the party to Grandma & Grandpa Dale because they really want to see the kids on their birthdays and can't travel.  Grandma made the cake, Corah & I decorated it.

 On July 29 Mary got to have her first  friend party.  Of course, when a girl turns 5, she loves princesses!  So we had a princess party.  Above is the guests with Mary in the middle.

 This was the princess dance competition.  The girl in the middle by the piano {Eden} won!

 Party time!  A chocolate princess cake {of course}.

Princess Mary Elisabeth

For Dallas' birthday on August 2nd, I made him a big breakfast with an omlet & French toast. Banana cream pie was in place of a cake and we celebrated before  he left for work.

We have so many birthdays in a row, it is hard to do each one justice, but we try to make them special, anyway.  Sorry, guys, but the princess party was by far my favorite!  What girl {of any age} doesn't enjoy a little royal treatment once in a while?!

Signed,

The Queen