10 years

Saturday was the 10 year anniversary of my Mom's death. Sometimes it feels like yesterday and sometimes it feels like SO long ago. As I reflected on it over the weekend it's really hard to believe it's been that long and it really makes me sad to think about all the things she's missed and that I have missed out on because she's not here. I do know that she is looking down on me and my family and watching over us. I also know she has made me the mother that I am, because I had the BEST example to follow! I really still think about her every single day.
Several years ago my little sister Sarah got this tattoo in honor of my mom, not only to remember her death but, she also collected angels too. She had over 200 of them! So after wanting the same tattoo for many years, I thought no better time to get it than now. Yesterday was the day, I have these little angel wings and halo in the inside of my left ankle. They are outlined in black, have pale blue and while on the wings and a gold halo. I love them, and I love and miss you Mom!!!!!

Snowy Days

Last week we had some serious snow around here! It was the most I've seen in a really long time, and it stuck around longer than usual too. That was good for me because I was on my long stretch at work and didn't get to play in it with the kids until Wednesday. No worries there was still plenty of snow and me and the kids had a great time.

This was from the first snowy day. Casey took the kids out to play and they had a blast. I love this picture for a few reasons. One, he's just so dang cute. Two, his red, runny nose indicative of cold weather. And, three his ears popping out from under his beanie :)

I love this one too, she looks like a little Eskimo snow princess, and her smile says "I'm happy!"

These next few are from the day I got to go out and play with them. They took turns climbing off this rock and jumping/sliding into the powdery snow below. Who new a rock could be so much fun!

You can really see how much snow we got in this picture....a lot!

More happy faces, the snow made my kids (and me & daddy) happy!

I just really thought this was a cool picture Casey got one of the days. I love how all you can really see is snow and how it is sparkling in the light, so pretty!

Happy Turkey Day

I hope everyone out there has a very
happy, healthy, and delicious
Thanksgiving!

Today I am very, very thankful for everything in my life! I am most thankful for my healthy, happy little family :) I am also very thankful today for my amazing Dad and siblings and the very best friends around!!!

My 30th, soccer, a princess party and a birthday celebration!

Well I did it, I officially turned 30 last Thursday! And I have to say it's not that bad ;-) I am actually loving my little life at this very moment, I have a feeling 30 is going to be great and I that I will have some of my best years ahead of me! My birthday turned out really nice. Norah got to stay home from school (Veteran's Day) so me and the kids lounged around for a bit eating chocolate chip pancakes in our jammies! Then we headed to the gym and the store, even though it was my birthday I still wanted to get my workout in and hey we gotta eat! Shortly after we got home my mother in law stopped by with lunch, presents and cupcakes! Thank You Jamie!!! Later that night my family came over and we enjoyed wine, pizza and cheesecake. I got some great gifts and was thankful to have a nice night at home with my family.

Saturday my little soccer star had her last game! She shot for a goal but it was blocked :( Oh well it's still super cute to watch them play and she has a blast. After her game we headed to a pizza party to celebrate her team. They got certificates and medals, she was so proud of herself.

Next on our Saturday agenda was a princess party for our favorite 3 year old, Miss Avery! A big happy birthday to her and a thank you for having us over for such a fun party.

To finish Saturday off Casey and I headed to Dukes for a little romantic dinner for my birthday, just the 2 of us. I kinda thought he might have something planned for after dinner but I wasn't sure ;-) We had a great dinner and a couple drinks then he said we should maybe go out and get a drink and dance, that's when I knew he had something planned! We headed for 6th ave in Tacoma and ended up at a place called Sax. We've been there before and I was pretty sure I was gonna be surprised by some friends and family!

I was right! Waiting for us were some of my very best friends, my sister and brother and some of my really good work friends too! Thank you Casey and anyone else that helped arrange it, it was a great time and I couldn't have asked for anything better for my birthday than to be with my best friends and family. I love all of you!!!!
P.S. there are more pictures from my fun birthday celebration on FB!

Trick-or-Treat

This year we joined the Newgard and Riggs families for some trick-or-treating.
Here's all our little ones; we had a pretty in pink fairy, buzz lightyear,
little mermaid pricess, an adorable little monkey,
the cutest giraffe you've ever seen and a little lion!
They were all just too cute!

The 4 older kids definitely had this trick-or-treating thing down!
They did great at every single door,
even the couple houses Nolan snuck into didn't mind a bit ;)

Norah led the trick-or-treating pack, she's an old pro by now!

My loves!
They both picked out their own costumes,
and I think they did a great job!

Buzz and his princess showing off their spider rings!

Yay for a family photo where we are all looking at the camera!

Thank you to the Newgards for having us over for some Halloween fun! Trick-or-treating with our friends and yummy homemade chili made for a perfect holiday night!

Halloween was just the end to a fabulously fun, very busy Halloween weekend(week really). Wednesday night we carved pumpkins, thursday night we made caramel apples, friday night we went to a Fall harvest celebration at Norah's school and went out and celebrated one of my best friends' 30th birthdays! Saturday was our annual work Halloween party(see Tiffany's blog for some great pics of our costumes!) And finally Sunday Halloween! What a long weekend, but all very worth it!

On a side note I had to go home from work early last night because I couldn't keep my food down. It's no fun throwing up at work. I feel a little better today and am hoping my queasyness and vomiting spells are behind me. I guess all the indulging(food & drinks) I did over the weekend caught up with me :( I'm not 21 anymore! In fact I will be 30 in 9 short days, Yikes!