Christmas and Beyond

Well this first picture is actually from Dec 23. But it was just so cute I wanted to include it.

We had a nice Christmas, actually better than I had anticipated. On Christmas Eve I was having a hard day, facing the first Christmas without my mom, just really got to me. I left work early and went over to be with Kyler and Jay. Jay helped me get in a better state of mind.

Christmas was actually really mellow. We started off the day at our house with a nice breakfast opened our presents and the gifts from Santa. Kyler got a ton of stuff. Too much! Next year I should buy less.


At about 1 we headed over to Jay's and opened presents there. We waited for the Flaherty's from the coast to arrive and ate dinner. The most delicious Prime Rib ever! We hung out for a bit over there and then Mike, Leisa, Alex and Maci came over to our house for the night.

The next Morning we went out to breakfast. Leisa and I checked out some after Christmas sales. I bought my usual wrapping paper half off.

Kyler spent most of the day playing with his a multitude of toys. On Saturday we went over to Dan's Grandma's house and hung out over there for about 3 hours. Now we just have one trip up to Portland left to wrap up our Christmas but that will be a while.

And here is a small view of the mess I have left to clean up.

Shots from the week.

My favorite ornament. I bought it last year in Disney World. I just love it. Reminds me all the fun we had.
Our Christmas tree pre Santa. I had to rearrange it today so I could get to the plug in easier.

Some shopping with Jay, Danielle and Kyler at Biglots.

And a little snow fun.

Snowy Saturday

I am sick with a cold but we got some snow here in Grants Pass.
Dan took Kyler out and I stood on the deck for a minute taking pictures, then
I got my booty back in the nice warm house.

Dan actually took this one. I took the rest.

Seeing Santa

On Saturday we decided to head over to Jacksonville. Every year they have decorate in Victorian Style. Lots of neat stuff to do and look at. When we got there we immediately went over and saw Santa. Kyler told him that he wanted two Transformers. One little Tank one and one little Bumblebee one. After talking with Santa for a bit.

We went on a horse drawn wagon ride. I loved the sound of the clip clop clip clop. We were lucky (Dan would say unlucky) to have gotten on when the Carolers were one so they sang to use the whole ride. Kyler sang with them and they thought he was the cutest thing ever.


Then we walked down to the Back Porch BBQ. It was yummy but I was disappointed that my prime rib sandwich wasn't very sandwichie. Still it was good prime and huge and only 9 dollars so I can't complain too much.


Lastly we took in the Jacksonville Museum and the Children's Museum. Kyler really enjoyed the Children's Museum. So it was a super fun day. I am glad we got to spend the day with each other in such a fun place.

Preping for Christmas

Look what I got done...........

All of my Christmas cards. Thanks to Sadie and a CTMH cutting guide. I really like how they turned out too. Each one if a little different than the other one. It only took me from about 6:30 to 10:30 to get them all done. It probably would have take less had I not jabbered on and on to Sadie and Jamie. But that's half the fun. The paper is a the level 2 Aspen kit from Close to My Heart. All this card wonderfulness cost me 15 dollars which I think isn't bad for being homemade. Oh at its 20 cards for lots of pattern paper left over from the Aspen kit.

Checking in

I updated on Saturday and then took this picture on Sunday morning. Dan and Joe (our neighbor and Awesome Darci's husband) were burning some burn piles. I guess I should say awesome Joe too cause I didn't have to help at all that day and it went so much faster with two people. So thanks awesome Joe!

I have a little funny throat thing going on. I really hope I don't get really sick around Thanksgiving. Plus Twilight comes out today and I have scrapbooking thing tonight. I just don't have time in my schedule to get sick. Dangnabit!

Well I should sign off and get my booty to work! Enjoy Kyler in all his cuteness.

Dishwasher

Not much going on today. Kyler and spent the majority of the morning together. We started working on some Christmas gift jars. My awesome friend Darci scored these mayonnaise jars for free. I put Kyler to work helping me wash them. Then Kyler and I made the stuff to go in them. He can be a really good helper when he wants to be.

We decided to go outside for a while so I could work on some pictures for the Scrappy Jo Photo Challenge. Kyler let me take few of him before he remembered that he hates me to take his picture. Dan says its because I filled my quota of picture of Kyler oh about 3 months into his life. The photo over here is on I use the sepia filter on in phototshop. Kind of a fun little treatment.

Well I am off to a birthday party in a bit. Happy Birthday to Noah who turns one today!

Dear Kyler,

So Monday I am playing with my camera. I am trying to learn to shoot not in auto mode.

Kyler is looking at his transformer instructions and is saying "Dear Kyler, Don't break the transformers. Love Kyler." cracked me up so I asked him to show me where it says that. That's him showing me.

We also found this perfect shirt yesterday in his closet (thanks grandma) It got lots of chuckles all day.

Halloween

Are you ready to party?

We were yesterday we had 3 party's one at preschool where the first two pictures were taken. This Kyler with the teachers daughter. I always tease the teacher that if I could arrange a marriage it would be these two. So when we came in and Sophie was Snow White and Kyler was Dopey. I knew it was meant to be :) This picture will be featured on their wedding invitations. Hehe.


Here is Dopey with a slightly less cute Snow White but I think he loves her none the less. After preschool we headed over to Darci's for the mom's group Halloween Party. This picture has all of the kids with the exception of Noah who was getting dressed. And this believe it or not was the best picture I got of the group.


Last but not least it was Dan's birthday yesterday so we had a little dinner with our friends Darci, Joe and Davey and my dad came over too. Happy Birthday husband of mine. So it was a fun packed day! And it wasn't even Halloween. Heigh Ho.... Heigh Ho... It's off to work I go.

Been tagged

So Miss Karry tagged me...

6 things I am grateful for...

1. My Husband. Although he can make me crazy sometimes. I adore this man. There is no other person for me. And I know the last two years of our lives have been a rough but he has stuck by me.

2. My Boy. He is super sweet. He cracks me up. He is truly the sunshine of my life.

3. My girls. You girls know who you are. You rock! I always have so much fun with you.

4. My family. I love you guys!

5. My camera. I know its a material object but its a darn good one.

6. That Halloween is here. YEAH!!

I am not gonna tag anyone cause I can't think of anyone I know that blogs. Sorry :(

The wheels on the bus...

Last night we went to Kyler's back to school night. We of course got lots of artwork. But the kids also sang 4 songs for us. The wheels on the bus, the ABC song, 5 little monkeys and 10 buzzing bees. This is a shot of Kyler singing the part of wheels on the bus where the old man is snoring.

I finished up mine and Kyler's costumes. We are going to be Snow White and Dopey. I'll let you guess who is who. Kyler's is stinking cute.

Next week is jam packed for us but I'll try to post pictures soon.

Heard this song....

I heard this song today and it really relates to how I feel about losing my mom.

Broken by Lifehouse

The Broken clock is a comfort
It helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow
From stealing all my time
And I am here still waiting
Though I still have my doubts
I am damaged at best
Like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain
There is healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on (I'm holdin on)(I'm holdin on)
I'm barely holding on to you

The broken locks were a warning
You got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded
I'm an open book instead
And I still see your reflection
Inside of my eyes
That are looking for purpose
They're still looking for life

I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain (In the pain)
Is there healing
In your name
I find meaning
So I'm holding on (I'm still holdin on)(I'm holdin on)
(I'm still holdin on) (I'm holdin on)
I'm barely holding on to you

I'm hanging on another day
Just to see what, you will throw my way
And I'm hanging on, to the words you say
You said that I will, will be okay
The broken light on the freeway
Left me here alone
I may have lost my way now
But I haven't forgotten my way home

I'm falling apart
I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart
That's still beating
In the pain (In the pain)
There is healing
In your name (In your name)
I find meaning
So I'm holding on (I'm still holdin')(I'm holdin' on)(I'm still holdin') (I'm holdin' on) (I'm still holdin')
Barely holding on to you (I'm still holdin on)
Barely holdin on to you

Sunday Safari

On Sunday we went up to Wildlife Safari. I won a year membership at a silent auction at work. A dang good deal I might add. We had lots of fun! For the longest time Kyler was more pleased with the fact that I let him sit up in the front with me than all the animals. But hey its a whole new view from up there. We went around the driving loop, had a Rhea get a little fresh with us. Kyler and I didn't not approve of his freshness and made Dan drive away. The giraffe's were friendly but didn't not try to make it past 1st base so they were Kyler's favorite from the day. After the driving loop we stopped off at the picnic area laid out a blanket and ate some lunch. We did this to be cheap but I must say it was really nice to hang out and eat our PB and J's there. Then we took a walk on one of the hiking trails Kyler starting patting 30 seconds into the walk so we only did a small loop. Then we went to the Safari Village (the free part) and checked out the animals there, watched half of a show and went on our way home.

Route 5 Crop

So here are some pictures of me with the scrapin' celebrities at the Route 5 Crop. This me with Karen Russell. Karen is from my hometown so she has special place in my heart.

The crop was two days on Friday we (Leisa and I) went to each of the store in Grants Pass and Medford. Each store had a make and take and lots of great shopping. Then Saturday we had a crop from 9 to 11. We also got a class for both Karen Russell and Ali Edwards. Leisa and I both won awesome paper packets and just had a great time.

Here is a picture of Leisa posing for me. Like Maci does.

And me with Ali Edwards

First things First

Kyler's birthday party was stressful for momma Mary. We had a cake fall, (yes I said fall) last minute cancellations and a grumpy Mary but overall I was told many times that it was great so it must have been great right?

Now its almost 11 and I getting tired so I'll post pictures tomorrow from my rockin' Crop this weekend. I promise!