The Makings of January

January is FINALLY over. It is one of the busiest months of the year for me. There is a NEW YEAR to prepare for, 7 family birthdays to celebrate and an extra day off of work. What could be more fun??!!

Amanda and I start off the festivities with birthdays on the 14th (me) and 15th (her). Amanda came over on the 14th for some cake and good cheer. We sang, ate and exchanged presents. A great time was had by all except Annie was missing as she was sick and Rick was in Portland.


On January 23rd I caught a big white bird and flew to Portland to celebrate Collette's 30th birthday (24th) and Rick's "special" 25th birthday (25th). I had a great visit with Rick, Rusty and Collette. I had the amazing experience of riding the train from the airport to downtown Portland. I was almost in the middle of two bums fighting! I also picked up some fashion ideas.. apparently there is a new look in Portland.. the storm trooper meets the tin man style. Sorry I didn't get a picture ... I was scared!!

We celebrated birthdays all weekend and then took a couple of "family" pictures by the lamp that Rusty and Collette gave Rick. I've got to mention here that Rick was so excited about his George Foreman grill AND his new mop that yours truly gave him! He couldn't wait to start mopping! Impressive...

And of course there was ROCK BAND...

We did several Kiddie Kandid poses but my camera was having a meltdown and they are SO blurred!! Dang ....

ahhhhhhh...... this one is funny....



I had a great time and am already planning my next trip!!

Wrapping up 2008

2008 was great so I'm expecting wonderful things for 2009. We had a wonderful time on Christmas Eve with Randy, Annie and their kids; Jenni, Lynn and their kids and Jamie with her son along with my mom. We ate and then did the crazy scene of opening presents around the Christmas tree. (I only have this one picture as my batteries died...)

Christmas morning we had breakfast at Jenni's (great food) and then visited Hank and Max later to see what Santa left them. I dare say that he dumped his sack out at both of their homes! Along with a HUGE snow storm it was the perfect day! We missed Rusty but he and Collette were snorkeling in Hawaii on Christmas Day while we were snow blowing out our driveway from one of the biggest storms in years. Something's wrong with that picture......

The best gift for everyone was that Rick came for a visit on December 28th - staying til January 2nd. We had a family dinner that night for him and Amanda, who came as well.

Dyson and Colby were so excited to see Rick. They each stayed a night at the house so they could play with him. New Year's Eve brought Randy's 31st birthday which we celebrated by tubing that morning and then partying at Randy's house that evening.

These are the boys ready to go TUBING!

The hill we tubed on was steeper then this looks. We had 3 sleds, 2 tubes, a shovel and some cardboard... not to mention the cold wind! But we had a great time.

Great times with a wonderful family! 2009 here we come!!