Found: Our Christmas Tree!

Like in so many years past, we were able to go to the tree farm with our friends, The Loughs. (Heather's blog can be linked to in my sidebar--she captured many of these same moments today--can't wait to compare posts!) The weather was lovely and mild...not even raining! and the fog provided a beautiful, white backdrop to all the greenery.

oh my, it is not even December yet, and I already have my tree and I have done some present shopping...now, for many of you that may seem like the norm, or I might even be a bit behind--but for ME--this is huge!!! I am actually excited for it to be December tomorrow--rather than dreading it because I am usually so behind in preparations for the holidays. Bring on the season--and may it be filled with JOY!

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

I know, I know, two posts in one day--step away from the computer, lady, and go enjoy the holiday with your family...

just wanted to share a few more photos with you from tonight--hey! they are proof that I DO actually spend time with them! (have to do something in order to have something to blog about, right?!)

Black Friday

So...I have to know.

Who did it?

I know Dee did. :)

anyone else?

Score anything fabulous? have a horrible experience?

I want to know.

My daughter, Shell, and I have traditionally ventured out early each year...usually to Fred Meyer for the 1/2 price socks (plus free donuts and coffee), then, often to the local craft stores, and a couple of times we even hit the mall.

but this year, last night, as I sat at the dining table surrounded by piles of ads, my daughter, Gabby said "wow, mom, you sure want a lot of things!"

and I realized. I didn't. I didn't want the stuff, the things, the ANYTHING. and I certainly didn't want to get up at 4am to get them!

I have loved this Black Friday shopping tradition with my eldest for years, so it was a difficult decision to make. I really didn't want to shop, but I also didn't want to stop.

Shell did end up going out early, but this year it was with Nick. I was going to meet up with them fairly early, but overslept (perhaps it was a subconscious rebellion?) and didn't end up meeting until almost 10am.

We did shop for a bit, split up again, shopped some more, met up with Jeff and younger kiddos for lunch...then headed home.

It has been a good day. I am a bit sad to have missed the early morning craziness. but relieved to not feel locked in a tradition that really didn't have anything to do with what Christmas is all about.

will I venture out next year at the crack of dawn? perhaps. but only if I have something certain in mind to get. because I don't want a lot. I have a lot.

now it's your turn...'fess up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For these blessings, and so many more, Lord, thank You!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

sunlight kiss

Today, my daughter asked me to take some pictures of her and her boyfriend, Nick. They are a very photogenic couple, so I tend to like close-ups of them better---but I think this scenic shot is my favorite from today.

After Twilight

Rehearsal ended early, so Dana and I were able to drive to my house, leave her car there so we could travel together, and head to dinner by 9pm.
I decided to swing by the movie theater just to see how the lines were looking.
Bad idea.
Lines wrapped around the outside of building.
Did I mention how COLD it was?!
We were both hungry and definitely not in the mood to stand outside for any length of time, so we went to dinner.
Stayed in the warm restaurant for quite a while. yummy food. good conversation.
Back to the theater at 11pm to deal with whatever we had to endure for the next hour...cold lines outside? theaters already filled with only two seats remaining in the very front row?...on opposite ends?
Relieved sigh as we discover they have, indeed, opened the theater for seating by now, and even happier when we find two seats together on the far end just waiting for us in the upper area! no neck strain tonight!
The crowd is absolutely pulsing with excitement.
Applause errupts when the pre-previews begin.
and again for the previews.
But not for the movie. It begins so subtly, many of us are caught off-guard. (in fact, we still need to finish that conversation we were having, Dana, when we both just trailed off, realizing that the deer wandering in the woods was probably not long for that vampire-populated area...the movie had begun!)
Squeals of delight (dare I say I might have contributed to them?yikes! this is so much fun!) as Edward rounds the corner to the cafeteria.
Equal excitement with the arrival of the other Cullen teens.
I do not feel tired at all. which is odd, considering how exhausted I was at 9pm and here it is nearing 12:30am!

and, in the end, (I did not tuck into bed until 3am, oh my!) I have to say...

The movie is a treat for fans of the book! It is not great, and you should read the book first or you may find it incredibly lame... but I am so glad to have been a part of all the midnight silliness (ok--some of the midnight silliness, that standing-outside-in-the-cold-for-hours thing is definitely not for me---and those of you who did, you DESERVE the center seats you scored!)

Crowd reaction (yes, Dana and I included!) was, by far, the best part.

May we all allow ourselves to get swept up in some silliness from time to time.

oh... and sweet dreams :)

Happy Birthday, Evangeline!

She's 3.
She loves...
laughing,
her flip flops,
dancing,
to sing at the top of her lungs,
watching Mulan,
to eat,
carrying the kitty,
playing with her brother and sisters,
giving kisses

She is our beautiful Evie. happy birthday, little love.

countdown to twilight movie...I know, I know...but it's such silly fun :)

I knew one day I would do it...I just didn't know it would be this soon.

It always sounded so tempting.

But too good too be true.

You can't get something for nothing.

Can you?

Besides, the 'somethings' were always appealing, but not irresistible.

Not so this time.

So, today, I risked it. I did it.

I entered a blog give-away.

You can, too.

Here at Kat's blog.

It's for a lot of Twilight stuff.

If you don't know what that is, don't bother with this give-away. You don't deserve the prize.

*But I still love you*

Fall vacation by the numbers

1 mommy
1 daddy

2 daughters (the eldest was home, playing volleyball)


1 son
2,000 miles in the car

1 (blessed, sent from heaven) DVD player

10 movies

2 hotels

7 days/6 nights at Grammie and Poppy's house



1 stellar reunion with a very dear friend I worked with 9 years ago :)

1 day at HappyLand to visit the giant Mouse...

and Jack (!)

1 flower fairy princess

1 Spiderman
1 Mulan

1 BuzzLightyear (cousin Brennan caught with his hand in Evie's candy bucket!)

157 pieces of candy left from the Halloween haul

2 divas (Gabby and cousin Julianna after Julianna's 'diva' birthday party)

14 Goves gathered to eat at Red Robin--oops! make that 15, because...

1 new-baby-arriving-in-May announcement from Keith and Tricia! congrats again, guys!!!


1 bride (you are so beautiful, Cassie!)

1 groom (welcome to the family, Kory!)

2 favorite aunts (plus uncles and cousins!)loved seeing you all again, so much.

1 Gramma Lee who flew in from our neck of the woods for the ceremony

8 more photos from our trip for you to enjoy

1 really, great sunshiney time had during a not-so-usually-sunshiney-time for this Pacific Northwest family!