A Good News Minute...

I just wanted to write a short little post about our good news! Tomorrow we will officially be HOMEOWNERS!!! That's right, we have purchased my grandpa and grandpa's home (where I have been living for the last 3 years) and we'll be calling it our own! We are so excited to start painting and pulling up carpet and really making it our home!! Yippee!!!

The Happiest Place on Earth

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This month we went on a great vacation to DISNEYLAND!!! B.'s parents thought it would be fun to take all their kids and grand kids to "The Happiest Place on Earth." Oh boy was it fun too! We all had 3 day park-hopper passes to both Disneyland and California Adventure and the 12 of us had a great time exploring the parks and riding the rides!


We stayed at the Castle Inn & Suites and it was a PERFECT location! We were only about 2 blocks from Disneyland so we could just walk back to the hotel when we were hungry or needed a little nap. We were also about 1/2 block from 7-11 so we went on several slurpee runs!



California Adventure had a big roller coaster called "Screamin" that we all loved! It was rockin' out to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and that made it even more fun! I think I rode it 4 or more times.


My sister-in-law and I especially loved the roller coaster!






The streets of Disney were pretty busy, but we took full advantage of the "fast passes" and didn't have to wait in lines too long!

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My little nieces and nephew are so adorable!! What really made the trip fun was seeing them all get so excited about the rides and characters!



There were sooo many fun rides in Disneyland AND California Adventure!




We went to a "Character Breakfast" one morning with "Minne Mouse and Friends." It was fun to sit and enjoy a great breakfast while the characters visited all the tables. The kids were so excited to get their autographs and pictures taken! Of course I had to get a few pictures too!

The trip was unforgettable! 3 days in the parks gave us plenty of time to enjoy the rides, parades, food, and take lots of photos! We'll make our way back when we have some kids of our own to share the "magic" with!


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Surf's UP, Dude!!

What would a trip to California be with out spending some time at the beaches!! The kids had never been to the ocean before so they enjoyed the sand in between their toes, the water on their feet, and looking for seashells! My one little niece wasn't too happy when she went for an uplanned "swim."



My hubby and one of my brother-in-laws couldn't get enought of the ocean! Our whole family visited Corona Del Mar the Monday we arrived in California and they were the only two who got in the water. By Thursday they were craving some more time in the waves!! We only stayed in Disneyland half of the day then headed to the nearest Wal-Mart for boogie boards and headed to Huntington Beach. The two guys boogie boared while my sister-in-law and I watched and took pictures. The fun ended when my hubby got slammed by a wave and broke his board! Good times!

Extreme Makeover: Office Addition

BEFORE:

I wish I 'd taken a picture of this old office before we tore all the cupboards and shelves down but I think you get the idea from these photos that this office was old, out-dated, and not in the best of shape. The plaster on the walls was crumbling off, the base boards were rotted, the tile was stained, and the walls were of course...turquoise! My grandma and gramdpa's favorite color!

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AFTER:

Now the room looks like this!!! It is the "HUNTNG ROOM!" The drawers are full of camo and ammunition, flashlights, and other "gear" The gun case is in place and all the animals finally have a "home!" The taxidermist still has the latest mule deer but it will be joing the rest of the gang on the wall soon...as long as others I'm sure.

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"TOTALLY" my fault!

Dang it!

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I've had my drivers license for 10 years and have gone through 3 cars now. I don' t think that's really something to brag about but it is an interesting fact about me. I've lost all 3 cars due to wrecks! I don't take the blame for 2 of the wrecks but this one was all my fault and my car ended up being totalled! I rearended a Suburban while out delivering Christmas treats. What a way to start the holidays! As for the Suburban, VERY minor damage! So, I get to drive the truck now and my hubby cruises around town in an old Honda we fixed up. He's a sweetheart to give me the more relaible vehicle! I get lots of exercise driving it too because I'm not real good at parking the beast so I always park at the end of the lot!

My CRAZY husband!

My crazy husband decided to try a new haircut this time around. Instead of just shaving his head...he left enough hair for a nice Mohawk! We both laughed pretty hard about it! He only kept it for a few days...I think it made his hats fit funny!


I think he's trying to look mean here! Is it working?

Merry Christmas to ALL...

Even Daisy got spoiled this year! Santa brought her a new bone and toy! Lucky dog!

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Before making our way to visit our families on Christmas, we had our own little "First Christmas." Santa was really good to us this year! He left us all sorts of goodies and stockings full of treats! My hubby gave me a pair of cowboy (cowgirl) boots and a Willow Tree angel. I gave him a few hats, including a real nice cowboy hat! We had a good time celebrating the holiday at our home.

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CHRISTMAS MORNING

Christmas morning was loads of fun! Gram and Gramp D. were there along with all the kids and grandkids! Mom D. fixed a delicious breakfast for us and then we all exchanged gifts. We spent the morning laughing, chatting, and playing with all the toys the kids received. We are so thankful to have family nearby so we can spend the holidays together!

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All sorts of fun was had with the family! Mom & Dad D. got a photo frame and certificate for a family portrait, we gave our nephew a toy bow, my sister-in-law and I got really pretty nativity sets, and the big boys had a good time playing with the little boy toys! My honey received a pair of snow shoes from his parents and I got a really nice wool vest and sweater. What a great Christmas!

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CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON

We spent the afternoon with my parents and family. When we got there they had already opened their gifts so they sat back and watched us enjoy opening ours. We passed out the gifts we had brought for everyone, we had shared lots of laughs, then we all lounged and watched a movie till lunch/dinner time! It was such a fun day!

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Everyone liked the gifts they received this year. I think dad especially liked the down vest we gave him! My parents gave us a few games, a nice comforter set and a stocking full of trinkets. My hubby also received a pair of wool pants for his winter hunts and I got a jewelry box and clothes. Mom cooked a delicious meal for the gang later that afternoon. We had so much fun spending time celebrating the holiday with our families!

...and to ALL a good night!!

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'Twas the Night Before Christmas!

On Christmas Eve we divided the night between our families. We had dinner and played games with the D. clan then watched the kids open their Christmas pajama's! It was really fun being there with the kids as they got exited for Santa to come!

With no grandkids or neices and nephews on my side of the family, things were a bit different. Mom bought all of US pajama's!

Each year after we unwrap our pajama's we have a little "fashion show" down our hallway and model our new pj's. This year mom played a little joke on me and bought me a "moo-moo!" Of course I had to pose for a few photos with my sisters before opening my REAL gift...a hoodie!

A Christmas Eve Family Photo

~ Home ~ Sweet ~ Home ~

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We are currently residing in my grandma house. It's been great having so much room to ourselves. I especially enjoy the fenced backyard and all the trees. It's a fun little house that needs some updating, but we are thankful to have a nice place to decorate and call "home."