Happy Birthday Jilly!!!

Jillian Grace celebrated her 1st birthday with a lively and colorful lady bug party. She had all three grandma's there (there is a pic of us all, but I don't have it...), a grandpa, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends! We had a great afternoon and everyone was happy and cheerful. I felt blessed to be there and really enjoyed all the festivities. Happy Birthday sweet baby girl :-)

To Dallas and back again

So, quick update, my friends. I have just returned from Big D and had a wonderful time. It was 7 days of shopping, eating, playing, spending time with my "big" kids and my grandkids. Tannis and I had a hoot and she was truly introduced to a Southern way of life! I am pretty sure she is looking forward to her return in the summer with Corey and Co. and perhaps an annual November trip is in the works for us ;-) I have photos and stories and I'll try to fill in as many pieces at a time as I can. Dennis is off on Saturday for three weeks and we have snow falling as I type. My prediction will be at least a couple of quiet days to spend at my desk catching y'all up... it's great to travel, but always nice to be home too!

Happy Halloween 2008

Mrs. America 2008 - my costume for work and yes I made it 8 hours without a wardrobe malfunction!!!
Our trick or treaters all ready to hit the neighborhood for their annual candy grab

Kitty, Ali and Jack aka Masquerade girl, Military babe and Elvis!!

They're ready to go....




















The morning after...

Hope everyone had a safe, fun and candy overloaded evening!

Halloween Memories from years past...

We aren't sure who carved this masterful Jack-o-Lantern, but we are thinking, Kay!!!!

Look at my handsome clown and all his bounty... I wish I could see the ring on his finger better!


I love this one :-) The bird cage is on the table!! Dennis hamming it up and Kay and Larry are just happy to be hanging with their little brother and sharing the fun!

3 years old in my homemade bunny outfit. Great whiskers, eh?!

And a short leap to a 4 year old and Miss America... my, didn't we just grow up so fast :-)

Happy Halloween y'all. Have fun, be safe, and I hope you receive more treats than tricks!!

Okay, so they didn't get posted by the end of the actual birthday day, but they are making it up by the end of my next day off :-) As per our tradition, Ali and Jack and Kitty came to wake us up and jump in bed to open presents on Tuesday morning. She was raring to go and still unsure of exactly what 12 should feel like. A lot of gifts were received a bit early this year, such as her ear piercing, contacts, and new bedroom duvet and sheets (which haven't arrived yet...), however, there were still a few things to open!
The birthday girl

Kitty explaining her "gifts" to Alison















Twilight - yippee! And Rockband - oh yea!




The birthday girl is ready for her big day at school and a lunch out with Mom and Dad

At the end of the day after swimming and dance and a good long chat with big sister, Linsey, we enjoyed an ice cream cake complete with sprinkles and an attempt at a written birthday wish :-)

Alison turns 12!!!!!

Here's my baby girl when she first arrived in Canada almost 12 years ago. It was a few days before Christmas and we had arrived from a balmy 80 degree Dallas day to a -40 degree evening with horizontal snow! Isn't she cute?!?! What a bundle to such a beauty. I am certain we had no idea in 1996 that we would end up building a home and a life in Saskatchewan, but here we are and Alison is certainly flourishing. We had a lovely morning with presents and an omlette breakfast and then Dennis and I were able to take her out to lunch at Earl's for a grown up treat. We have a busy evening ahead with swimming and dance, but I will post the rest of the photos before the end of the day. Happy Birthday darling! I love you :-)

Thanks Facebook :-)

Okay y'all, just have to say, I am loving Facebook and quite seriously should join a Facebook Anonymous rehab group - I'm addicted!! I love seeing all of my old high school chums, my relatives, my buddies and what they are all up to. It truly brings me joy. So bring it on and add me as your friend and let's check each others status :-)