An end, and a beginning.....

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot

I Need A Silent Night.....

Not very often is it Amy Grant that speaks to me...but this song hit it right on with me today.....take 4 minutes of your life to listen....to remember that it's not about the hustle and bustle, the gifts or the endless food. And remember, it's all about the Baby Boy....

Nice....

Yes, I found this posted on the side of the fridge this weekend. Think the holiday rush might be getting to me yet?

 

Just cute

Don't think I shared the kitten story yet. Around the first of September or so I told the kids they could each get a kitten from a friend who's cat had kittens and they had to get rid of them. We like to keep plenty of cats around here (ALL outdoors) to keep the mice population under control. And we were down to about 4 cats. So, we ventured out to get TWO kittens. Well, after arriving and trying to make the difficult decision about which two to get, I just said oh what the heck. We'll take them all! So I brought home all six little black kittens. And we LOVE them! They are the sweetest little things!!

Snow Babies

These two had a blast in the snow this weekend. Creighton was out there ALL.WEEKEND.LONG! Colby joined him on Sunday. Here they were strategically planning how they were going to pelt Greg with snow balls when he got home. And yep, they got him!

Gingerbread House

I signed Colby and Kenzie up for the Gingerbread House making class at the Art Center. This is their creation. They did so good and seemed to have fun too! Colby is my 'crafty' one for sure!!

Around the house

Pictures don't do them justice, but here are my three trees this year:
This is the 'kids' tree in the den with all of their homemade and character ornaments:

This is the tree in the dining room. White lights and all silver, clear and white bulbs. (there is a mirror behind it so you can see the reflection which makes it look a little awkwardly shaped in the picture)

The living room tree. All silver and gold with just a few red bulbs and a big red bow.

The mantle. Forgot to take pics when the fireplace is going. Its so cozy! I'm not ready to put my Christmas stuff away even though I put it up the week BEFORE thanksgiving!

Not very good photos but that is because my NEW canon camera is AWFUL!!!! Don't want to jump the hoops to send it in to Canon etc so I just use it and complain about it instead :)

Too funny!

My friend Dan is retiring in just a few short days. We have worked together since 1995. He is preparing for his departure and was sorting some pictures. These are a few that he sent me and I LAUGHED. SO. HARD!

On the phone at work (December 2003)........
and November 2005--Greg sent me 100 roses!!
And March 2002--the day after I got back from Jamaica......
Lots of fun memories! Happy Retirement DAN!!!!!

Just because

a silly looking bird in the back yard.

our pond

a tree on my back porch :)

And A Little Boy Turned 8..........

My little guy turned 8 in November. We rented the clubhouse at Muni for some simulator golf, Wii, etc. We followed that up with a sleepover with his two buddies from school. They stayed up late, did way too much wrestling for me, had their heads stuck together playing Creighton's new iPod touch for hours and then ran through the yard in their shorts and took a swim in the hot tub! They had a ball. However, I'm not up for another sleepover for awhile :)

Because I have a love/hate relationship w/ my camera....

Yes, I do. I thought I would love it, but I hate it. Canon--you blew it on this one!!!!! ARRRGGGHHH! Anyway, I haven't loaded pictures since Homecoming--wasn't that like in September?????? Oops....
Greg, Creighton and Colby walking in the homecoming parade. Apparently, as seen here...Colby was texting along the way :) Shocker!

Creighton showing off his mad soccer skills.....he plays some great defense! It's not his passion, but he likes to play in the fall after baseball and before basketball. So it fit in nicely and what on earth would he do if he wasn't competing in something every season?!?!

Happy Thanksgiving from our Family to Yours!

Remembering today to count my blessings,knowing that they are many.....and that the trials and difficulties of this life are often times the greatest blessings of all.

Once, when my feet were bare, and I had not the means of obtaining shoes I came to the chief of Kufah in a state of much dejection, and saw there a man who had no feet. I returned thanks to God and acknowledged his mercies, and endured my want of shoes with patience.
-- Sadi, The Gulistan

Grades

Funny-Colby brought home her Science Test 95%, an A. Creighton brought home his Science Test 95%, an A. Colby's first quarter grades 6 - A's and 1 - B+. Creighton's first quarter grades 5 - A's and 1 - B+. Is that weird or what. How'd they do that? Regardless--I'm so happy that school comes so easy for both of them!

Also, as a side note. We had open house for Creighton the other night. He had an "All About Me" report. One of the fill in the blanks was "I have __________ eyes and _________ hair. Of course asking for colors. Creighton's paper said "I have TWO eyes and BLOND hair. Ha! Typical for him--he's a number's boy! Loves ANYthing to do with numbers! Too cute!

And today.....I miss my Grandpa!

Today I get a phone call at work. Someone wanting to teach basketball clinics for our Department. He mentioned that he was a former Hawkeye basketball player. When I asked his name, it brought memories FLOODING back. He was a player that my grandpa and I watched play many, many games. Both in person at Carver and on TV. A player he loved to watch, I loved to watch. Hawkeye basketball was a love that we both shared. We had hours of discussions about various games and players. We went to several games each year together. When we weren't watching a game together he would make several phone calls to me during the game to see if I saw this play or that one. Sometimes he would get so nervous during a game he would shut the TV off and wait til the next day to find out the result!

After I got off the phone today, the urge I had to call my grandpa was IN.CRED.IBLE. I found myself frustrated and gritting my teeth! I wanted to tell him who I talked to. I wanted to talk Hawkeye basketball. I want him to come see my son be taught ball-handling skills by one of our favorite former Hawkeyes. Then my thoughts went further.....what I wouldn't give to have him see Colby play softball or Creighton play baseball. Just as he watched me for so many years. No matter how busy he was on the farm, he didn't miss a game. And, if he was here today, he would do the same for Colby and Creighton.

So, today, my thoughts were dominated with the greatest, most honorable man to walk this earth, my grandpa.......

Miss you......

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mario

And here we have Mario Carlson. There were only about a million little boys out there with Mario costumes....but none as cute as this one........

cheerleader or football player?

At the last minute Colby decided she was going to be a 'powder puff' football player--very CUTE!!!

looks like she may have taken a break from the game to do a little sideline cheering ;)

Open House!

Believe it or not the holiday's are rapidly approaching! And we have put together an open house hosting all of your favorite products so you can 'one-stop-shop'! Whether you want to stock your cupboard with Tastefully Simple goodness or have a new piece of Accentz Jewelry to wear to a holiday gathering or you want your house to be filled with the wonderful fall/winter Scentsy aromas, we will have all the latest and greatest for you! Or make some headway on your Christmas gift giving list!!!

Check out the flyer below and stop by on Friday, November 5th from 6-9pm. Everyone is invited so grab your friends, neighbors, sisters, your mom, aunts, co-workers or whoever else and bring them along! Make it a fun girls night out. Not sure what Tastefully Simple, Scentsy or Accentz is all about? Come over, have a beverage or two and do some browsing. It'll be fun! Remember, this is open house style so come anytime!

Feel free to forward this on to anyone else who might be interested!

In case you aren't familiar with where my house is, here are some quick directions: 2420 Lucas Rd is on Lucas across the bypass (on the country side, not town side). We are about 5 houses down on the left side. There is a white fence across the front and along the drive and the house is a two story brick.

Hope to see you next Friday!!!