Something to Wake You Up

This morning Joey got rear ended on his way to work. Tell me if it looks possible that these cars were in the same accident? Joey's truck had minimal damage while the woman's car was un-driveable. She couldn't get it to start. The funny part was that the poor girl was eating oatmeal when she hit Joey so her oatmeal splattered all over the inside of her car. I am just glad that nobody was hurt. It pays to drive a big strong truck.

Funny Kids

Last week my sister had surgery to remove a big ovarian cyst and we went to visit her in the hospital room. Stella was exceptionally sassy to everyone. She kept telling the nurse "I am a mean boy." The joys of having an older brother....This is the face I got when I was trying to get a picture of her and her cousin Stormie. (My sister is healing great)

We had a family picnic last weekend and I just love the look of pure happiness on the kids faces. Having dad at the park was a Big deal. They both got brave enough to go down the really scary and steep slide. Even I was scared.

Gordon B. Hinckley

Last night we heard the news that our loved Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had passed away. He was 97 years old. I will remember him always as he was newly called as President when I was baptized. I have since enjoyed hearing and reading his words. He was such a strong, genuine, humorous and caring person. He will be missed, but I know he is rejoicing now as he is reunited with his sweetheart Marjorie, who passed away almost 4 years ago.


I will be reminded of him when I look at this sign featuring his "Nine Be's" that is hung over our breakfast table. I know he was a man that truly lived by these.

New Annie

After months of thought I finally cut my hair. Joey gave me a good pep talk the morning of my hair appointment day. Since my friend who cuts my hair is sort of retiring I thought I better do it while I have someone I trust doing my hair. Here is the first photo. I am so glad I did it! Although it is a HUGE change. My hair had gotten long. The new look came out a little shorter than I expected but I still love it. I feel so free...

Not a very good photo...it is from my phone.

Girls B-Day Dinner

Friday night I had so much fun! We had a birthday dinner for a few friends and we ate at one of my favorite places, Javier's! Happy Birthday Marlene, Melissa and Jessica! We need to do more girls nights.

Thank you to my sweet husband for letting me drop the kids at his office :)

I tried to fix the re-eye in this picture below but I couldn't. Terrible picture of me!!

First Broken Bone

We had quite an eventful weekend. Bennett fractured his elbow while jumping on a friends trampoline. We took him to the ER for the first time in his life. He was scared and thought they were going to cut his arm open to fix it. He was very brave, but he still did not like having to do the x-rays. When they told him he would get a cast he was grinning from ear to ear. Joey has more pictures on his phone. Here is one right after the x-rays. Don't let this picture scare you, he really is fine. We went to the orthopedist today and he got his real cast. He has to wear it for 2 weeks and then go back for more x-rays. I guess it is common for kids his age to fracture their elbow and it is not always visible on the x-ray. They could see the fluid and blood surrounding the area which is a sign of a fracture. He may be all healed in 2 weeks or he may have to wear the cast longer.

Christmas with Mimi & Baum Baum

Saturday night we went to my mom's house in Carlsbad for our Christmas celebration. They made an amazing dinner and we had so much fun spending time together. The kids played with their cousin Stormie and ran around like crazy.

Date Night with the Thackers!

Friday night we went to the Melting Pot with our good friends. It was such a fun night! I highly recommend going there. It is a long dinner and leaves plenty of time to talk and laugh.

Happy New Year

I cannot believe it is already January! I am so sad that the holiday season is over. I do have one thing to look forward to, which is our Christmas dinner and celebration at my moms house on Saturday. It has been our tradition to do our Christmas after the New Year and I love it. It makes the season last longer.

We had a very fun New Years Day. We woke up and had yummy donuts and fruit for breakfast. Then we took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was great, Bennett was laughing and dancing through the whole thing. Stella even stayed put through the whole movie.

Then we came home and decided to head down to the beach to play in the sand and get the boys in the water. It was so beautiful down there this afternoon.

We finished the day off by going to Joey's parents house, playing bingo and watching college football. And having a yummy dinner and dessert together. It was great to spend another fun evening with G-ma, G-pa and super aunts Whitney and Taylor. Stella has grown attached to them. We will miss them when they go back to school!

It has been SO awesome to have Joey home for 10 days and to be able to do anything we want. We are sad that he has to go back to work tomorrow. It went by too fast. I have so many blessings in my life. I am so grateful that we are all healthy and that we can spend this precious time together making memories. I look forward to the New Year and I can't wait to see what is in store for us. Happy New Year to everyone!

Bennett was quite excited when he finally won BINGO! This kid loves numbers. He could have played all night long.

Stella's turn to spin the bingo balls.