Remembering 2010 before it is gone forever.....

Well, it is almost over, 2010 that is. Can't say it has been a particularly good year, but I also can't claim it to be a bad year either. I think as with most things it had a little of both. As I take a few moments to reflect on the year... I guess I realize I am quite the optimist.... or maybe I just take photos of the good stuff (that would make sense wouldn't it?). At any rate.... I reflect on this past year, and choose to share my memories with you....here goes:

Highlight:My beautiful daughter celebrated her 13th birthday. A teenager....where has the time gone???

Highlight: Jake had a great year in baseball. He pitched a little, but he was a superstar at shortstop and 2nd base.

Highlight: Emily had a great vacation with Granny. They visited Bucks and Spurs Dude Ranch for a week. They rode every day, all day. A great time and great memories.

Highlight: We took a great mini-vacation to visit and play in Branson. We hung out with family and visited the local attractions...including Silver Dollar City and Ballknockers. What fun!



Highlight:We welcomed new friends into this world, and got to babysit and play with them.

Baby Camden Parker Weatherby

Baby Emily Marie Vinyard

Highlight; My kids had the opportunity to be part of something much bigger than us. We had the privilege of participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund walk. The walk was held in Forest Park. We were just a very small part of the day, but it felt so good to be a part of something SO important.

BIG HIGHLIGHT:I had the opportunity to do something I REALLY LOVE. I was trusted by these people (and a few more not shown here) to capture their family on "film". I got to PLAY photographer...and I LOVED IT!


Highlight: We spent time with friends and family. We celebrated our birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and we even found reasons to celebrate your average Monday.
We found time in our busy schedules to eat, drink and laugh together.

The only real sadness that stands out to me this year is the passing of my very special grandmother. She is loved and missed every day, but it is because of the things that she taught me ....that I know to COUNT my BLESSINGS and not dwell upon the sadness of my life. CELEBRATE the life you live, and live it to the fullest.

And with that, my friends and family....
I wish you the very happiest of New Years.
I pray that you will be blessed in many ways and that you will embrace all that the new year has to offer you.
With love,
me

Christmas Fun with Family

 

Christmas at Granny's House was as fun as ever. We gathered for food, family and fun. This year's theme was...Minute to Win It. We played games from the popular game show. Some of the highlights were "Junk in the trunk, Face the Cookie, and Rodolph. EVERONE played, and boy did we laugh.
Christmas at Granny's was filled with plenty of laughter.

 

Christmas at with the Schmoll-Ellis family was filled with dancing this year.
We gathered for food and fun. After several rounds of "Rob your neighbor"... we had several rounds of "Just Dance 2". Lots of wiggling, shaking and laughing.
Christmas was fun.

Christmas Joy

Is there anything better....than a WHITE CHRISTMAS?
I don't think so . There is something about everything being clean and crisp and covered with snow. It seems like a very fitting thing for Christmas morning.... almost like a new beginning.


The presents surrounded the tree, and the stockings were hung with care....


Grandma and Grandpa Huels were here to celebrate the holidays.
I think everyone got..."Just what they wanted"
We had a Fantastic meal... with new recipes that are sure to become old favorites.
We watched the kids play their new games, and Emily tried on all her new clothes.
We gathered in the family room and watched movies.

I love spending time together. Doesn't really matter what we do...as long as we are together.

I wish my WHOLE family could be together on this and every Christmas...

I hope that you all had a peaceful, blessed Christmas, and I pray that next year we can be together.

With all my love to you all.... Merry Christmas to all....and to all...... a good night.

"I'm Ready to see gloves on the Ice"

This is the family enjoying a night out with the St. Louis Blues. A very nice "elf" friend of mine was generous enough to give me several tickets for the hockey game for Thursday night.
We love hockey. We love nights out with the family...

we love...gloves on the ice. Yes. I am admitting it. There is nothing like the excitement of the hockey game...and the thrill of a fight on the ice. I know that may be shocking to many to hear that...I don't like boxing or martial arts.... I don't like violence...but a hockey fight.... it is different. Not sure how...it just is.
Here is the VERY drunk guy who was sitting down the aisle from us. He was VERY intoxicated. His friend left him here passed out...soon after this young man vomited large quantities of beer all over his feet. An usher sent security to remove this drunk man. It took 3 people to help him down the many flights of steps.
Here is the girlfriend (and friend) of the above drunk man. They were away getting more beer when security removed the drunk boyfriend. They stumbled up to their seats...sat down and placed their Coach purses into the boyfriend vomit. After some time they got a phone call from said drunk boyfriend.... telling them to come get him. Girlfriend stated they would come get him as soon as they could.... 40 minutes later...they got up and called him back. As they left the girlfriend was heard saying " dude, do you think you are ok to drive me home?"

I used this as a teaching moment .... "Look kids- THAT is what STUPID looks like".

WE had a great time. The Blues won 4 to 1.

I would like to thank my "ELF' friend for sharing these tickets with my family. We had a wonderful time and so appreciate your generosity. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!