12.24.2008

Happy Birthday...Christmas Eve....

The 24Th of December is always a busy, yet fun day. This year we started our day with a Christmas Eve breakfast feast, a few presents, then I was off to do a few last minute things while Ash and Sam played with their gifts. Christmas Eve cannot begin until Mom's Birthday is celebrated. That is the absolute RULE!

Her Birthday fun includes finding a restaurant (that is open), then closing the place down(not because we take long, because the workers want to go home).We go to mom's and dad's to celebrate mom being one year older. Give gifts( NO Christmas wrap-another RULE). Take birthday pictures...
This year mom was recovering from knee surgery the week before-bless her. She smiled through it all, and was only on Motrin!


Happy Birthday MOM!!!!


Christmas Eve begins....








Then off to bed with visions of sugar plums....... In our matching shiny red Jammie's, thanks to Lisa!

12.23.2008

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

A mother is she who can take the place of all others
but whose place no one else can take.
~ Cardinal Mermillod

12.21.2008

Let It Snow...


12.19.2008

Festival of TREES....


Every year at Ashlyn's school the second grade students have a festival of trees. This was Ashlyn's work of art. All the children were given the same template. Ashlyn wanted a real tree and lights, oh well! We of course had to use the glue gun, which never ends well....Poor Sam ended up with a major burn/blister on his pinkie. We loved the way it turned out. Ash made ornaments out of glittery pipe cleaners and cut an old "dress-up" necklace for the garland. My favorite part is the homemade foil star like the one on her tree:)

Here is the result....

12.13.2008

Bowers family Christmas party...

Four of the five Bowers' boys (Ken, Dell, Bob{my sweet Daddy}, Dean)
I love these guys!
You really cannot get a better group of people together! The Bowers' are so much fun and the most kind and loving family. We had to party without Grandma Jiggs this year, we missed her so. We hope your eyes will be okay...Love you! Hope to see you soon.

My cousin Brian and his Grandaughter, Deja.

Love the chocolate face!

(Courtney, Vicky-hiding, Trayson, Keedra, Brandon, ??, Mariah, Babette, Shaylee)
(Judy{my sweet Mom} and Aunt Paula)
(Ashlyn and Abby)
Thank you Dean and Paula for great food and a great party!

12.12.2008

Sweet house...

Fridays are wild around here.
We spent our night in a sugar induced coma after making this...

This was Ashlyn's idea. Unfortunately, Sam and I had to finish after the "fun" wore off.

12.10.2008

Happy Birthday to the man I love...

Today my sweet hubby turned....One year older!
Happy Birthday babe!

We Celebrated on Monday with his family.

This year Sarah AND Morgan are in Utah! We had a great time.

(Ashlyn, Sarah, Brinda, Danny, Sam Sr., Sybelle, Morgan, Sam , Me)


Sam then spent the rest of the night playing his gift from Ashlyn.




Dinner with my family on Wednesday... (Judy, Ashlyn, Chase, Kim, Sam, Me, Bob)

Happy Birthday Sam, here's to MANY, MANY more!

I love you!




12.04.2008

Oh, Christmas tree...

Three years ago I bought Ashlyn her own Christmas tree. A white tree with pink and purple lights! She looks forward to decorating her OWN tree. She was so excited, she cleaned her room without too much nagging from Mom ;0) She has a darling collection of ornaments. Last year we were given very precious Santa ornaments that belonged to Grandma great. We love these antique ornaments and treasure them so.

Sam helped Ash make her very own star. I love that he made this with her. Sam made a similar star when he was young. It still sits on top of his mom's tree. I love these traditions. I love that Ashlyn calls garland the tree's necklace. This is the most wonderful time of the year. I love seeing Christmas through my daughter's eyes.

11.27.2008

Here comes SANTA CLAUS...















I am Thankful for...



I am blessed in more ways than I can count. I love my little family. Sam is an amazing husband and the best Daddy a girl could ask for.
I am blessed to have been chosen to be the Mother of the most awesome daughter.
I have been blessed with wonderful parents by birth and by marriage.
I love my sister and niece's and nephew. I am blessed to be close to them.
I am blessed with a home.
I am blessed to have a job I love, and the opportunity to go back to school.
I am blessed with great friends both near and far.
I am blessed to have a Heavenly Father who loves me no matter what.
I am blessed I have a Forgiving Heavenly Brother.
I am truly blessed...

11.22.2008

And the verdict is...

L~O~V~E~D IT!!!
Twilight brought out my inner teenager(scary, I know). I questioned if I should even comment about my feelings, seeing as how skeptical I was about going. I truly went with very low expectations. I did not allow myself to watch any trailers & tried not to get too caught up in the HYPE. I am glad I went, and overall enjoyed most of the full 2 hours. There were a few "cheesy" moments that seriously made my skin crawl(sparkly skin scene). For a 37 million dollar film I couldn't expect a "Harry Potter" production. I didn't, and it wasn't up to "Harry" standards. I do hope the box office numbers will push the budget it deserves for New Moon. I am not ashamed to say I like the "teen flick". I hope to see it many more times. I give it two thumbs up!



Here are a few of my thoughts regarding the casting.


Did not like the "Edward" choice at first... Then he won me over, and over, and over...

EDWARD (Robert Pattinson):

Full Name: Edward Anthony Masen Cullen

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: June 20, 1901

Date of Transformation: 1918

Special Abilities: Mind reading, Super-speed, Extraordinary strength

"What if I'm not a superhero? What if I'm the bad guy?"

Exactly how I imagined "Bella"

BELLA (Kristen Stewart):

Full Name: Isabella Marie Swan

Status: Human

Date of Birth: September 13, 1987

Special Abilities: Accident prone, Attracts bad luck, Immune to mind reading

"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him... that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

"Jacob" Darling. Great choice. I cannot wait to see more of him the the next film.

JACOB (Taylor Lautner):

Full Name: Jacob Black

Status: Human Quileute

Date of Birth: 1990

Special Abilities: Fixing cars

"So do you think we're a bunch of superstitious natives or what?"

Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper

"Alice" was PERFECT!

ALICE (Ashley Greene):

Full Name: Mary Alice Brandon Cullen

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: Around 1901

Date of Transformation: 1920s

Special Abilities: Can see the future

"Some things are more certain than others..."

"Jasper" creaped me out. He was "icky" to quote Jessica.

JASPER (Jackson Rathbone):

Full Name: Jasper Whitlock Hale

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: 1843

Date of Transformation: 1863

Special Abilities: Able to feel and to manipulate the emotions of those around him.

"I can feel what you're feeling now -- and you are worth it."

"Rosalie" So Mean, I do not like her at all. Great casting though.

ROSALIE (Nikki Reed):

Full Name: Rosalie Lillian Hale

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: 1915

Date of Transformation: 1933

Special Abilities: Beauty

"What is she to me? Except a menace -- a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us."

"Emmett" Loved him. Could not have picked a better actor.

EMMETT (Kellan Lutz):

Full Name: Emmett McCarty Cullen

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: 1915

Date of Transformation: 1935

Special Abilities: Strength

"He's no match for us, Edward. He won't be able to touch her."

"Carlisle" good, once you got past the horrible makeup job in the first scene. Who doesn't love the character?

CARLISLE (Peter Facinelli):

Full Name: Dr. Carlisle Cullen

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: 1640s

Date of Transformation: After 1663

Special Abilities: Compassion and the ability to resist the thirst for human blood

"Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand."

"Esme" Loved her. Thanks Nat for reminding me how I know her.(Grey's)

ESME (Elizabeth Reaser):

Full Name: Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen

Status: Vampire

Date of Birth: 1895

Date of Transformation: 1921

Special Abilities: Loves passionately

"You're what he wants. It will all work out, somehow."

WHAT CAN I SAY??????? Oh! My! "I'm ready"

~Thanks to Yahoo for the great Twilight facts and photos.

11.17.2008

Hurry up Friday!!!

I did not think I would rush out and see TWILIGHT. The thought of standing in lines and fighting for a decent seat made me cringe. I loved the book so much. I am anxious about the movie being too cheesy. And not to mention, I imagined Edward WAY better looking!!!
Today, I actually bought tickets. Girls day out with Heather and Natalie. I am excited and a little anxious. We were able to reserve our seats, that will take away a bit of my nervousness. We will be there at 10am on Friday. There are still tickets available if any of you are interested.

11.01.2008

I love FALL!!!











10.31.2008

This is Halloween!!!

Whole wheat/ banana pancakes, shaped like pumpkins started off our day.Then to school for a parade and party!Visiting the Grandparents.

Dinner: homemade chili in pumpkin bread bowls. Finally, trick or treating with Dad and Dobie!