-11 degrees

THAT was the temperature reading in my car yesterday morning when I left for work at 7:20am! Brrrrrrr!!
It DID snow again the other day....

How much snow do we have??? Yeah, good question. I'm not one to keep track of all of that all I know is it's COLD and there's a LOT of snow and I'm REALLY happy I have the auto start on my car. Brrrrrrr.

I'm getting ready to order a pair of snow pants from LL Bean OR Lands End though because if it's gonna be here (the snow), I might as well 'enjoy' it as warmly as I can right?!

We went to some friends of ours house the other day. They have a VERY nice log home that they're pretty much remodeling. Look at their Christmas trees....OVER THE TOP!!!

This one is GINORMOUS! I don't know just how tall it is but it's HUGE! You can barely, kind of see Joe there to the far right. He was standing up. Now, he's not tall by any means...average height 5'9" or so?? Bonnie still had to decorate this tree--can you imagine?!

I KNOW when Bonnie is done with this tree it's going to be AMAZING!!!! I can't WAIT to see!

This tree is located in the kitchen/dining area in front of one set of doors that goes out to the side porch. Oh, this tree is SO beautiful. She did SUCH a NICE job on it.

Joe made fun of Jim's 'Charlie Brown Christmas tree.' Joe is just used to our artificial tree for the past ohhhh, 10 years.

We NEVER had an artificial tree growing up but there are definately advantages to it!!

Bonnie made the most SCRUMPDILLICIOUS clam chowder. OH MY GOSH!! I could have eatten the ENTIRE POT!!!!

I like clam chowder but I LOVE this stuff!!!!!

SO.......

The girls made cookies:

Here's Nikki and Kelsey probably trying to figure out what they're going to do........

There was baking stuff EVERYWHERE. I don't know how many DOZENS of cookies or how many different varieties of cookies we all made.

Okay....so here's Nikki have WAY too much fun 'peeling' hershey kisses--for the peanut butter blossoms. You KNOW you've GOT to have peanut butter blossoms at Christmas time!! :) Though we never called them that as kids.

And here's 'Em'....getting ready to grind up some almonds, I think. We were learning how to use Bonnie's food processor together. :) We got it though didn't we 'Em'?!?! :)

And the boys...........

Well, the BIG boys did what they BIG boys know how to do best---->

Watch the game and drink a few. :)

I must admit 'Jim-Bo', as Joe calls him, was a HUGE help. Bringing cookies out to the freezer and back and forth and back and forth......and in 'Jo-Jo's (as Jim-Bo calls him), defense he'd just worked that night and only had like an hour and a halfs worth of rest before we went up. So I guess relaxing with a brew or two and veggin' in front of the tv is warranted. :) They're good guys!!!

Here's Kelsey checking on her Gingerbead people......

I thought this was SUCH a cute picture. :)

--It IS Kelsey. She's just wearing Em's sweatshirt! LOL

Nickles making MORE cookies and Em testing the dough! LOL

Kels realizing how much she likes smoked gouda and brie!! :)

Bonnie and 'Em' checking on the, one platter of MANY, peanut butter balls before chocolate dipping. :)

Look at Emmy's feet. She MUST have the SMALLEST feet of ANYONE I know. She is 14 and wears a size 2 kids. NO KIDDING. That doesn't even translate into an adult size folks! Nikki picked up those little chick slippers, in the kids section. FOR SURE I didn't think they were going to fit her but THEY DID!!! Perfectly!!! I teased her that night. She's a twin so I told her, her brother must have hogged up ALL the room in the womb! LOL He's taller but just as thin as Em BUT he wears like a size 11!!!! hello?!

I worked the past 2 days so not much fun was had by me, as far as Christmas goes but I'm OFF today and tomorrow so it's catch up time! LOL We're going out as a family today to battle the crowds one last time before Christmas. I'm pretty much done we just need to get a few last minute things and the kids are going to pick out their gifts to each other. I figure we'll split up, shop, eat lunch, swap, shop and go home! Thank goodness we don't have MUCH to do! The little bit we DO have to do will likely take us better part of the day I imagine.

It's snowing out AGAIN so I guess we'd better get moving.

Merry Christmas to each of you

and

A HAPPY and prosperous New Year!!!

Just a few photo's to share.....

Phew, it's been a busy week...

It's nice to have a few days off though I have a feeling these 'few days off' are going to be 'busy' too....but a FUN busy.

I'll share as we go along......

but for now this is all I've got....................

Salvador came over the other night with his dad, sister and his nephew, Ishmael. He has GOT to be the happiest baby ever. He is ALWAYS smiling. It was SO much fun playing with him but even MORE fun watching Salvador with him. Look the smile on Salvador's face. :)

Those pictures just make me smile......I love the way Salvador looks at him. And to see him holding him in person...you can just feel how much he loves him!

Nikki cheered last night....I went after work(-one of the 'pluses' to working a day shift!) Here she is:

I'm not sure if this was the girl's varsity game or the boys varsity game....but it was at the beginning when they announce the players from each team.....at least Nikki's pony tail wasn't sticking STRAIGHT out last night. LOL

Mid-game when they came out and cheered in front of us. She's such a cutie pie!! I LOVE it when she smiles SO big and looks so happy!! :) You'd never guess she's a shy kid would you??

And one more......

I meant to crop this one and just didn't yet. Oh well.......

I was SO tired last night....and REALLY didn't feel like going out of my way to even take pictures!!

I had SO much fun at the game. I tell you, it seems to me game nights are really just socialization nights!! EVERYONE is out and about!! LOL

Another reason I really enjoy going!! Last night I sat with my sweet friend Brenda and her family. (I met Brenda when I worked at the hospital--what a blessing!!) What a SWEET, friendly and FUNNY family. Oh my gosh! Did I EVER laugh!!! Her husband just CRACKS ME UP!!!! I had so much fun and totally enjoyed myself...even though my BUTT hurt from sitting for SO long. I REALLY need to get one of those bleacher seat thingies if I'm going to continue to go to these games! LOL

I picked Salvador up after the game last night, he didn't want to go. He was at home snowboarding instead. :) It made my heart SO happy to see him having fun, enjoying himself and doing one of the things he likes best...snowboarding!!

This morning he got all geared up and he and Samuel went outside to play in the snow. I was planning to make it outside to take a few pictures of them but just didn't get there. Samuel didn't want his picture taken. He forgot his snow bibs at school and had to wear his snowsuit from last year. It fits but IS a little short. I guess it 'will do' for this weekend.

I LOVE these hats. Nikki has a few and hasn't cared for them until this year. Yippee!! Cuz SHE looks ADORABLE in them!! She had one on last night. I HOPE she'll wear it again today!! You KNOW I'll snap a picture of her if she does!!

I have a hair appt this afternoon and then a few errands to run with the kids. Nikki and I have a few things to check out for Santa...........

Have a GREAT weekend!!!

Until later..........

-S

I am HOME again!!

For good this time!! :)
I was back to Wenatchee earlier this week for computer training for this new job of mine. WOW! LOADS of information. I HOPE I can remember just a quarter of it!! LOL I am SO impressed with this organization. WOW!! We'll see how I feel in a few months huh?! Yeah, I bet that's what a lot of you are thinking. LOL Well, if this orientation/training is a preview.....I think I'm gonna be pretty darned happy!! :)
One of the things we did last week was a 'personality test'. Some of you have probably done one before...I know I did in a Interpersonal Communications class I took. You go through 4 different groups: Extroversion vs. Introversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. Each group has a list of qualities. You pick the ones that MOST suit you and which ever side has the most 'you' qualities is your 'preference'.
I am an ENFP: (Extrovesion/Intuition/Feeling/Perceiving). Most of you who know me probably wouldn't be very surprised. LOL
At the end, when you determine your 'groups', each one has an explaination, which SHOULD fit YOU AND a short list of 'Occupational Trends'. This is what it says of ENFP:

Warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. See life as full of possiblities. Make connectons between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the patterns they see. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and support. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal fluency.

Occupational Trends: Counseling, Teaching, Religion, Arts
I think it 'fit's' me what do you think???

So, YES! I am home again. My family was SO happy to have me back and welcomed me with BIG hugs and kissses last night. It's SO nice coming home after being gone isn't it?? Everyone is SO happy to see you and have you home. Ahhhhh....
HOWEVER, the MESS that greated me wasn't quite so welcoming!!!! UGH!
So yes, I AM off today BUT GUESS what I'll likely be doing a BETTER part of the day?! MMMMhmmmmm........picking up/organizing/putting away/laundry etc.....
I am just THANKFUL that Anna (the SWEETHEART who cleans my house) is coming TOMORROW!!!!
It NEVER seizes to amaze me HOW MUCH of a MESS 2 children and ONE adult can make in a matter of just a few days!!!! BUT, you know what?? It's alright, cuz I LOVE 'em and THEY LOVE ME!!! What's a little...or A LOT....of mess among loved ones right? :)
I have a lunch date with a friend this morning (11:30) so I guess if I'm going to get ANYTHING accomplished I'd better scoot!!
I HOPE each of you are able to have some 'down time' to relax and enjoy the Season!!
I hope to be back with pics SOON.
Until next,
God's Blessings to EACH of you!!!

Home again, home again jiggity jig!!

What is THIS you ask??

Well, my blogging buddies THIS is a 'Li'l Yami' like the cup says and THIS my dear friends is ONLY THE BEST yogurt EVER! EVER I'm telling ya!!! If I could find it in the store I'd eat yogurt EVERY single day. For the REST of my life. I know plenty of you out there don't like yogurt. It's kind of one of those aquired taste's don't you think? I've never been a HUGE yogurt fan. My 'favorite' (before Yami of course) was the Yoplait, Light, Thick and Creamy. It was the ONLY yogurt I'd buy for me. The kids like and eat the Yoplait, Light but me...gotta be thick and creamy. Well, the hospital up here has 'Li'l Yami' and the kid's SCHOOL's have 'Li'l Yami' but I can't find it at the store. :( THAT makes Stacey a not so happy girl. BUT, while I was in Wenatchee this week, the hotel I stayed at had Li'l Yami's out EVERY morning as part of their breakfast. It just MADE me happy. I was a yogurt eattin' girl!! Stashed a few too. Shhhhhh! I MIGHT have enough to hold me through until I go back on Monday!!

Well, I'm doing my research TODAY to find out HOW I might go about getting Li'l Yami's to BUY so I can have them ALL the time! If ANY of you bloggin' buddies out there KNOW WHERE I can find Li'l Yami yogurt PLEASE let me know. I'd be EVER so thankful.
Anyways...............

It IS GOOD to be home!!

We (Pam and I) got home yesterday evening....JUST IN time to make it for the bball games. Nikki was cheering so OF COURSE I was gonna go! Joe dropped Nikki off, met up with me--to return my camera-- and then he went home for a nap. He had to work last night. SO, Me and Sammo spent the night at the game(s). I saw my SWEET, SWEET friend Fay when we walked in and she invited us to sit with her so we did. I certainly wasn't going to turn down THAT invite!! :) SHE is just 'GOOD PEOPLE'. It was SO nice to catch up with her. Samuel took control of the camera and started clickin' away..........

Here we are.....

Do I look a LITTLE tired? Let me tell you, I WAS!

Yep. Those are NEW glasses folks....and YES, they are a little...(a little? HA!) crooked in this picture. Not so sure why? I don't know if I'd just put 'em back on or what but it's PRETTY darned obvious. LOL. Was I drunk too?!?! JOKING! No, I wasn't....although it's NOT sounding like a bad idea.......until of course when I think about how I'll feel the next day.

-Mental note to self--perhaps white isn't my color....LOOK at how pastey white I look. I mean I KNOW I'm fair complected but I didn't think I was THAT white. WOW!

Well, OF COURSE Samuel had to take a 'few'....a few?! More like 20, pics of himself. Yes folks we have a Nikki in training! LOL

Anyways, here's my little clown...

My camera is a little bulky for him I think so he didn't get real clear ones. My sweet little bobble-head. How can ya NOT just LOVE this kid?! :)

He got LOTS of pictures, he did. Many of them, did I say 'many'?? Yeah, most were blurry. But that's alright. He's 8 1/2 and just learning. So I'm cool with it. Besides, they're digital. Who cares?!?! I'm thinkin' though.....that HE is going to NEED his OWN camera here pretty darned quick. No better way to get better than to practice!

And here's one of 'beans'.....

That little 'wanna be pony tail' just CRACKS me up....pokin' straight out like that. LOL!!

OHhhhh, you should have seen the looks I got from her last night. She did NOT want me to be there. She gets embarrased in front of me and Joe. She can do her cheer stuff in front of, and WITH Samuel ALL NIGHT long but in front of me and Joe....mmmm NOPE! Well, she did GREAT and by the end of the night those glares were big smiles! I LOVE that girl!!! :)

Oh! Where's Salvador you ask????

Mmmmm......yeah.............LONG story. Not here.

Well, it's just about THAT TIME. Time to start getting the kids up and going. I think I have a pretty busy day ahead of me today. I haven't started a list yet, though I need to. Just THINKING about what all I NEED to try to get accomplished today has got me just a little overwhelmed.

ENJOY your Friday and thanks for stopp'in by!

It's Thursday!!

It's been a GREAT week! Boring at times, yes it's true, but IT IS orientation. :) Just being here at these classes, learning more about the organization I'm working for now......right now, I REALLY DO wish I'd done it sooner!!! I think me and this place are going to be a good fit. Now, keep in mind, I've said all this without ACTUALLY working yet. HA! But their principals---I'm on board!! This organization REALLY cares about their 'customers' AND their employees. NICE!
Joe left yesterday morning. Jury duty. 'Cept he called me about 10:00am and told me guess what???? Well, OF COURSE.......they dismissed him. :)
Turns out he NEEDED to be home anyways---oh the drama---but that's not a story for today....
The kids are GREAT!! Nikki stayed with a friend...had her FIRST game---she's cheering for the basketball team. She wasn't pleased with her performance BUT it was her FIRST game. She'll do better tonight. :) YES! She has ANOTHER game tonight, home, and HOPEFULLY we'll be home in time to make it!!!
Samuel stayed with my friend Sonia and her family. When Joe went to pick him up yesterday....he DIDN'T want to come home!!!! She, Sonia, is one of THE SWEETEST people I have EVER met. And her family.....AWESOME! You just can't help but LOVE them!!! I was going through some tough times about a year or so ago--God KNEW what I needed, or WHO....and then there was Sonia!!! :) I am SO THANKFUL for you Sonia!!! She's helped me through some tough times and ALWAYS keeps me focused on what's IMPORTANT!
Anyways, back to Samuel....He's only ever spent the night at his BF, Riley's, house so although I wasn't worried really....just wondered how he was going to do when it came time to go to bed. As it was, Sonia was OFF the first night--perfect!!! Well, he did great. Sonia 'momma'd' him just like his Momma does! :)
I'd HOPED to leave you with a few pictures.....ahem.....but it would SEEM my dear, lovely, wonderful husband TOOK my camera home with him. DOOFENSCHMIRTZ! <- (that 'word' is off some cartoon Samuel watches and it just STICKS!)...oh, and of COURSE, I say that ONLY in LOVE!!! :)
So, no pics. I've never uploaded pics from my phone. They just don't seem to be THAT great on my phone much less anywhere else. Maybe one day I'll give it a try but that day isn't today.
We didn't end up going to Leavenworth the other night either. Would you believe I came home and took a nap. Wouldn't believe it would you???? Well, I did. And by the time Joe was able to awaken me from my slumber, I didn't want to GET UP much less go to Leavenworth so we went to another local restaurant...The AppleWood Grill. It was alright. The service was great until we wanted to leave and then we couldn't get them TO COME and take our money....hmmmm. I had the 'Drunken Shrimp'. It wasn't bad....lots a shrimp....in a tequila, garlic, lime (butter) sauce. Joe had a salad...ohhh, if I could think of the name of the salad right now...but I can't. It was what he wanted....he was 'craving' salad. WHATEVER!
I shouldn't say that....I WAS craving a salad yesterday....that chicken, apple, walnut salad....ummmmmmmmmmmm. And let me just tell you, it HIT the SPOT. JUST what I wanted. Was it ever good. So I guess one CAN crave salad.
Well, we leave and go home today once class is over. Our manager/supervisor told us we could take tomorrow off if we wanted. SWEET!!! Don't have to tell US twice!!! Then we'll be BACK on Monday for more training, computer training for the week.
I'll be back sometime this weekend. I still want to post some Christmas pics. I took some pictures of some of MY favorite decorations. I just haven't taken the time to post them yet. Hopefully this weekend.
Have a WONDERFUL day!

This week......

I'll be in Wenatchee the greater part of this week for 'CORE Training/Orientation' for my NEW job!! Yesterday was my first day. It wasn't too bad but by the end of the day I was POOPED!! I went to be early, errr....FELL asleep early last night and NOW I CAN'T sleep! GRRRRR! I've been up since.....oh, 2:30am I think.......tossing and turning, turning and tossing. UGH!

One of the other girls who just got hired is here too...we carpooled together. She is VERY nice. I'm glad we're getting to know each other. She just moved here from California too and we're finding we have QUITE a bit in common!!!

This is where we went for dinner last night..........

I was introduced to McGlinn's, among other places, when I lived in Wenatchee while finishing school. The food is FABULOUS!

This is what I had last night:

(or should I say, what I took HOME from dinner! I was STUFFED!)

Smoked Salmon Fettuccini.....

Mmmmmmm, was it EVER DELICIOUS!!!

And guess who came down to join me for a few nights???

Yep! Joe!!! He's off the next 2 so he decided to come. The kids are staying with friends so it's just me and him......awww....how nice.

He goes shopping and what not during the day while I go to 'class'. HEY! What's wrong with THIS picture????? :)

I'm not real sure WHAT he did or WHERE he went yesterday--he did tell me but darned if I can remember.....Today I KNOW he's going to go to Hooked on Toys, probably for the DAY AND then to pick up one of Samuel's Christmas gifts!!! It's SO nice having HIM to take part and take care of some of that for me.

THIS is what Joe had for dinner:

Uhhhmm, Yeah...........It's GONE! He SCARFED!!!! It was the 'special' and it DID look scrumptious. Steak with a medley of peppers, onions and prawns overtop and some garlic mashed potatoes, a salad and of course their famous fresh beer bread. Mmmmm....I tasted one of his prawns and was it EVER yummy. It ALMOST made me wish I'd gotten the special too!! As you can tell, he THOROUGHLY enjoyed it!

I was HOPING to be able to meet up with my DEAR friend Kim while I was here.......for the WEEK....but darn it if she's working Mon-Wed!!! Ugh! I leave Thursday after class! Oh well............maybe, hopefully, next time?!Tonight we are planning on going to Leavenworth. We're supposed to get out of class a little early today so it will be PERFECT!!! And the plan is to go here for dinner:

Visconti's.

I LOVE this place. If you're ever in the area or even CLOSE........GO!!!!! You WON'T be disappointed!!

Well, I suppose I'd better try to rest for a half hour or so before I start getting ready for the day.

Have a GREAT day!

Sometimes I even surprise myself

We have LOTS of eagles around here, bald headed and juveniles, especially lately it seems. I've been seeing them on the islands and perching in a few of our trees on the river. I just don't ever seem to have my camera handy. Well, this morning I did. Samuel saw 'her' first. I took a few pics while she was perched in the tree and snapped this one right after she took flight but didn't think figure it would be that great of a shot--it was kinda a 'blind shot'. I was pleasantly surprised. Isn't she just BEAUTIFUL??? I NEVER tire of eagles. NEVER.

And I ALWAYS call them 'she' or 'her'. I don't know why. I just do!! You SHOULD be able to 'click on the pic' to enlarge it. Check it out. See if YOU can figure out what it is she's holding. We've had a few ideas--anything from a river rat to a squirrel to a small dog. Your guess....

As you can probably tell I didn't make it to church. I had GOOD intentions-just not good enough I suppose. I was talking to my mom and then my dear friend Kim called. I hadn't talked to her in a few weeks and we were catching up. I'm GLAD we had the opportunity to talk--Kim is one of those friends that you don't talk to every day and can still pick up right where you left off last time-- but I'm disappointed in myself that I missed church! UGH!

I DO have a few other pics I wanted to post today but I HAVE to go right now. NOW I REALLY DO hear the shower calling AND my kids! LOL

I'll be back........will you??

Until then.....

Smiles to you!

Sunday Morning..

I woke up this morning and came RIGHT up to my 'studio'.....why, I don't know....mmm, that's a lie. I know why.....I just don't really want to 'GO THERE' right now.....
Anyways, I went to check on a few BLOGS I've been following. That's ONE of the things about living on the West Coast....it's three hours later on the East Coast. Moving right along.......I first went here.....read her latest post (Dec 5) and then HAD to go HERE to check it out. All I can say is 'WOW!' and encourage YOU to visit them too!!
I'd ORIGINALLY planned on sharing a few things this morning BUT that will have to wait until sometime later today. I'm going to get ready for church now and then I have some things to do with the kids after. I LOVE that I will have Sat/Sun off from now on. That means NO EXCUSES for NOT going to church for ANY of us--well, with the exception of Joe, of course, who DOES STILL work nights. And I'm thinking Sunday should be our 'family' day now....get all the 'chores' done on Saturday so Sunday we can go to the movies, bowling, for a LONG ride, WHATEVER.
Alright....well, I can HEAR the shower calling..........
Until later on..........

The goings on this past week.....or so...

What's been going on at Casa de Flores?? Ohhh, a little bit 'a this, a little bit 'a that.....

Thanksgiving..........

You know, I've NEVER been a huge Thanksgiving fan. I don't know why just haven't. I moved away from home after High School and I can probably count on one hand how many times I've been 'home' for Thanksgiving. Often times, especially when the kids were babies and Joe was working, it was 'just another day' for us.

I asked my friend Sonia if they were going to do anything for Thanksgiving and she said she they weren't 'big Thanksgiving people either'. She proceeded to tell me, 'We're thankful EVERY day. We don't NEED a special day to show our thanksgiving.' I've thought about that a lot this week and I agree.

Honestly, it probably would have been just another day this year but my Samuel wanted to do Thanksgiving. How could I turn him down?! So Thanksgiving we did. Nothing big. Dinner with most all the fix'in's. We're not big turkey fans so we don't USUALLY do turkey anyways, we often times do ham. Nikki LOVES, 'Dad's Famous Ham', so ham it was again this year!! Before we could all 'dig in' we went around the table sharing some of the things we are thankful for. I had to work Thanksgiving night so I prepared as much as I could in the morning. I even made some cannoli. [Cannoli is Italian pastry, for those of you who don't know, and I'm pretty sure it's my FAVORITE. Where I grew up there was this awesome Italian bakery/Deli (Frances) that made THE BEST cannoli, among other things...oh, their sandwich rolls were TO DIE for!!! And they had these BIG pickles....Mmmmm. I was a synchronized swimmer when I was younger and we always had practice on Saturdays so we'd go up to Frances for lunch. The BEST sandwiches ever, chips, sometimes a pickle and THE BEST (BIG) cookies. Mmmmm. Memories. Frances isn't there anymore. :( ] I cheated a little bit....I made the filling but I had some cannoli shells my mom had sent from home AND I had Nikki make up some pizzelle's (an Italian cookie)-my mom bought me a pizzelle iron a few years ago...pizzelle's are ANOTHER one of my FAVORITES!! We made up the pizzelle's and rolled them around the cannolli forms we have and then stuffed them. Mmmmm.......

We had an early 'dinner' and I took my 'prework nap'.

I worked the next 3 nights and here I am off only for 2 before I go back for 3.

I almost forgot to share the BEST NEWS of ALL!!!

I go back for three BUT it will be my LAST 12 hour THREE! I gave my notice last week at the hospital. Yes, it's true.......because I got a job at a clinic!!! I've been having a hard time being away from Joe and especially the kids in the evening. I'd thought about a clinic job before and just didn't persue it. Well, lately it's just really been HEAVY on my heart. I NEED to be home with my kids. THEY are my priority. I've just been thinking....in 10 years will I be happy with the choice I made to work 12 hour NIGHTS, sleeping MOST of my off days? Not being home with my kids in the evenings for dinner and bedtime WHEN THEY are home? And then I'd think....Samuel will only be little ONCE, am I willing to give away that time, that goes by SO QUICKLY anyways, for a job?! The answer I kept getting was, a LOUD and CLEAR NO! So, I looked for a job, found one, applied and GOT IT!! The hours vary slightly...7:30-4:30, 8-5 or 8:30-5:30. I will have to work every 7th Saturday until 12:30 but it's overtime. They offer a lot of good benefits so I'm happy and thankful about that but MOST importantly I'll be home with my family in the evenings AND another added bonus.....NO more working holidays for me!! Yes, it's true....I won't have any more 5 days in a row off. As NICE as 5 days off in a row sounds the truth of the matter is I often got LESS done in my 5 days off than I did in my 3. It's hard to go anywhere for a mini vacation or anything when you have children in school and the rest of your friends are working!!

I will be commuting now. The hospital is about 6 minutes away which WAS NICE. The clinic I'll be working at is 22 minutes away.....I clocked it the other day,{teeheehee}, but it's alright. You'll remember, I have a nice, new car with a awesome audio system--I don't mind driving. :) And thank heavens, the gas prices are better!! It SURE was NICE to gas up the other day for $37 and change instead of $70 something-$80!!!

SO that's what's been going on over here and......I'm EXCITED!!!

I'll just leave you with a few random pictures of 'my boys' (minus one)...


Salvador.

He actually had his eyes OPEN! What is it with this guy that nearly all the pictures you take of him, his eyes are closed!!!! AND LOOK!!! He's been keeping his hair short. Isn't he handsome!!!!

And Sammo........

He's just getting SO big!!

He spent the night (and day today) at a friends house. By the time he got home this evening (5pm) I was still sleeping....

It was SOOO nice to see him when I woke up. He's SUCH a 'momma's boy' but I LOVE IT!!! I just can't EVER seem to get enough 'Momma Love' from him!!

I'd HOPED to get our Christmas tree and decorations started today but.....mmm, nope. It didn't happen. Maybe I'll pull everything out tomorrow and we'll start on it tomorrow night when the kids get home?! Some of you may remember that our friend Chris was staying with us last year, while his house was being built, and he helped 'decorate'. Oh it was fun AND FUNNY.....he and Joe together....oh dear.......I'll have to give him a jingle and see if/when he's available for the decorating fun!!! :)

That's all for now. :)

Enjoy your week!!!

Nikki went to Tolo

Of course I had to work......

I SHOULD have just asked to come in late....it's true. But I didn't. Next time.....

I did wake up early to serve her and some friends dinner and be there for a short time while they were getting ready. AND Joe dropped her by the hospital after he picked her up so at least I could see her all dressed and all. She was beautiful as always....you see now how she got her nickname 'Beauty'.

Here are some pics I snagged from Cynthia's (one of her BF's) myspace:

Nikki and Salvador, before Tolo, here at the house.

Salvador didn't go........

Cynthia, Devon and Nikki

Vanessa, Cynthia and Nikki

{BEST FRIENDS & Sister's of the heart}

Aren't they just beautiful?!?!?!

This one is dark, yes......

Cynthia, Nikki and Kyndra

[Peace]

Nikki's dress wasn't MY first pick but Nikki likes it and I tell you, I think she could make a burlap bag look good!!

Nikki didn't take her camera. Yes, I know. Nikki was the Camera Queen for a while. I KNEW I'd get to see some good pictures....but for whatever reason she's not been AS into her camera for the past little while. I don't know why but I hope she gets back INTO taking pictures.

Now to post on my facebook acct.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend....

It's what's for dinner.......

....for my family anyways. I work tonight and I don't usually eat before I leave so I don't know that I'll have any tonight. Maybe it will be SO good and they will like it SO much that there will be NONE left in the morning?! Maybe I'd better set a bowl aside....just in case.

So, what is it??? Well, it's Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Stew from the 29 minutes to dinner cookbook from Pampered Chef. It smells wonderful. I figure I'll serve it with a loaf of french bread....Pillsbury style tonight folks. :)

ALSO, check this out!!!

I FINALLY got a light fixture for this area. You should have only SEEN the one that used to hang there........some of you have......lets just say it was VERY outdated. We bought this one some time ago...Joe just hadn't taken the time to install it. If you could have only seen HOW he installed it. That's a pretty darned high ceiling there. Instead of going out and buying another ladder, that he probably wouldn't have any other use for, he put the ladder he does have, which by the way, is pretty tall itself on top, YES! ON TOP of our old kitchen table--real safe huh?! Well, it's done. I'm sure if he'd fallen and hurt, or killed himself, I'd be singing a different tune. The ONLY thing...........It's not quite as low as I'd like it but that's all the chain that came with it. There is plenty of wiring so we just have to pick up the right chain next time we're at Home Depot or something.

I'm off to get a few things done before it's time to take a nap before work tonight. Joe should be home any time now, he went hunting AGAIN over Colville way. They didn't get anything. Bad year for many I understand. Hopefully we'll have a few minutes to 'visit' before I hit the hay!!

Enjoy the rest of your week.......that's ALMOST over!!! :)

-S

My Halloween BOOquet

I forgot to share with you my Halloween Boo-quet from my dear friend Sandra.

Check it out:

How stinkin' CUTE is that right??
She delivered it to work. I was SO surprised to have gotten flowers. My husband has NEVER been one to buy flowers. He'll pick me flowers every now and again....sometimes more than others just depending on the time of year, but buy them....mmm, not so much. He asks, 'Why? They're just going to die anyways.' Hmmm, yeah but they are nice. EVERY now and again he will but I can probably count on one hand in the 17 years we've been married.......

ANYWAYS................

SO, I was so excited to get these!

And look at the 'broom'!

How clever is THAT!!

I left them at the Nurse's Station for a few days, while I was working, so visitors and who ever else could enjoy them as well. :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sandra if I haven't told you already. I LOVE my flowers. That was SO sweet of you. You SO made my day!!! :)

ALWAYS my baby.....

Nikki took this picture of me and Samuel last night...well, really EARLY Sunday morning. He woke up and came out and cuddled up with me on the sofa. He's such a 'Momma's Boy' and I LOVE it!! I'm gonna get AS MUCH of it as I can because before too long, he's probably not going to want to 'cuddle' or give me my 'momma love' as much, so I'll take AS MUCH as I can get now. I remember when he was a baby and I'd hold him, I kind of knew he'd be our last, I'd just sit there cuddling him HOPING if I did it often and long enough that I wouldn't forget what it 'felt' like. My goodness they get big SO fast don't they?! I was just looking at pictures of Samuel when he was a year and a half-two years old, earlier this morning, and I thought, 'MY GOSH! That seems SO LONG ago-I can hardly remember him being SO little.' Kinda makes me sad...........

Alright, before I start boo-hooing..........

SO-after gettin' my 'momma love' fix and put Samuel back to bed, I played around a bit with my camera. I'd TOTALLY forgotten all the COOL things this camera does! Well, this is one of them....kinda KEWL huh?

That's all I got for today.

Have a FANTABULOUS week!!!

-S

Harvest Party

I made mention in my last post Samuel's Harvest Party at school last week, on Friday. I woke up early so I could attend. I don't go to a lot of things at the school these days because often times I'm working so I decided that I was going to wake up early and go on over to THIS one.

WHAT a GREAT job they did over there. WOW!!

They had a TON a FUN activities for the kids.

Here's Samuel after he got his face painted for the FIRST time. He ended up getting a scar on his other cheek.

They had some REALLY talented face painters. Both Joe and I were impressed.

Pumpkin bowling........

The boys LOVED this....and you should have seen the poor pumpkin- all duct taped up...lol

...starting to 'spill it's guts'. LOL

Gourd painting. Someone brought a HUGE box of gourds so the kids each picked one and drew on it. They enjoyed it.

Samuel showing his off for Mom.

:)

and BUBBLES!!

Honestly, I don't think kids ever outgrow bubbles. I know I EVEN like bubbles!!!

The kids played out with the bubbles for as long as they could....until the teachers encouraged them to let the other kids get a chance.....

They also had stuff to decorate bags and then the kids could take a handful of goodies (like OTC stuff) to put in their bag. They had a station where they could color a face mask-Samuel did one up with Joe's help. Joe really is a creative guy.

ANOTHER thing the kids LOVED was a big 'ol box filled with shredded paper and little trinket toys (OTC again). One of the 'hit's' (for the boys anyways) was those little man toys with the sticky balls on the hands and feet. The kids throw them up the wall and they 'walk' down.

One of these guys..........

The boys totally digged 'em.

They also had a trail mix. They had each of the kids bring in a baggie full of something 'healthy' to contribute to the mix (dry cereal, nuts, raisins, cheez it's, pretzels etc...) They had a HUGE bowl FULL. What a great idea instead of candy right?!

There was another table with apples and caramel and a ginormous cake.

WHAT A FUN TIME!!! I was SO glad I went and Samuel was SO happy Mom and Dad were there!

Halloween

This is Samuel's pumpkin. He carved it ALL by himself. No bad!! He was kind of disappointed because the one eye is so crooked.....I like it. I think it makes it look all the better!!

Happy Halloween!!! :)

Really......anyone who really knows me knows that I'm not a huge Halloween fan.

My 'favorite' Halloween was when I was 24!

I was pregnant with Nikki and went trick or treating with my siblings as a bunch of grapes.

It rained.

Do you know HOW difficult it is getting in and out of a vehicle with a bazillion blown up balloons pinned all over your body?!

Lets just say I've had easier tasks! :)

The year Samuel was born we decided we'd just start taking the kids somewhere fun for dinner or something instead of the whole trick or treat thing. It worked well for a while.....until we moved here and had less 'fun' options so the past 2 or 3 years the kids have gone out trick or treating....

THIS year, however, we went to a friends house for a Halloween party and OH MY GOSH did we have a good time!!! It was a dress up party. I was scheduled to work so I didn't get a costume thinking I wasn't going to be able to make it but GUESS WHAT??? I was lucky enough to get low censused Friday night and I was able to GO to that party!! WOOHOO!! I just HAVE to share a few pictures:

Here's Joe and Jim. OH MY GOSH if he (Jim) didn't have me HYSTERICAL all night long. If you can't tell, he's a 'biker babe'. OH MY GOODNESS he CRACKS ME UP!! And Joe....yeah, well, lets just say he's a hillbilly of sorts.................. What a pair those two!! LOLOL

OH! But you've GOT to get the FULL effect of Jim........

Just relooking at these pictures this morning I crack up. LOLOL

Here's Samuel:

Joe picked up a little face painting kit thing for him, UGH!

Our own little 'Chamuco'. Of course he had to follow his dad's suit and wear some 'redneck teefers'.

UGH again!

Joe did his makeup, which I gotta say was pretty good.......I guess.

His class had a 'Harvest Party' earlier in the day so he still had the bat and scar that he had painted on his face from there. I'll post pics of that next........

Nikki was going to be the rabbit from Alice In Wonderland. She bought all the stuff she said she needed and then never ended up dressing up after all. None of the older kids did actually.

Bonnie, Jim's wife, did a GREAT job. She had ALL KINDS of decorations up, the place looked GREAT!! She even had prizes for the kids!! They decorated pumpkins and did all kind of fun things....and then they watched scarey movies all night long. Yikes. That's NOT for me. I'm NOT a scarey movie kind of a girl.

Bonnie says they're going to make this party an annual deal. I know where WE'LL be next year!!!!! :)