Beware!

This is what happens when I let the girls frost sugar cookies without adult supervision....  They wanted to paint Lauren's entire face, but luckily common sense returned before that adventure could occur!

We are Family

Lucky little Griffen has not one, but two great-great grandmas.  One grandma from Jorden's side of the family, and one grandma on Cade's side.  It's perfect. 

Here, we have a five generation picture with Griffen, Cade, Ryan, Carol and Carol's mom "Grammie" (Wilma Cornia).  Grammie lives in Wyoming, so we were happy that she wanted to get out of the cold and snow for a while.  Who knows-after experiencing the heat of Arizona, Griffen may want to visit her this summer!

'Twas the Night Before the Night Before....

This year, we are celebrating the Christmas "season".  No sir, we aren't going to be limited to a couple nights in December.  Instead, we decided to string it out over a few weeks.  Due to a growing family, busy schedules and relatives all over the place my mom decided to hold "Christmas Eve" a week early.   So before she and my dad headed to Alaska for Christmas, we got together for our tradition of Mexican food, stories and family.

Naturally, this one was the star of the show.  (At least for me).

These two aren't so bad either.

Of course, I'm pretty fond of this couple as well.

But when it came right down to it, it was a fight over who could hold Griffen.

Or any one of the cute kids hanging around that evening. 

Merry Christmas.... (season)!

My Favorite Things

Lest (first time I've used that word!) you think that I've given up writing altogether, I'm sharing the piece of high falutin' literature I've been working on. 

Actually, it is an assignment for the 7th and 8th grade writing class.  The teacher (and my dear friend) has asked the students to write their own version of "My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music.  Some kids have seen the movie, others haven't, but all of them loved the jazzy Tony Bennet rendition that she played for them.  Even the most reluctant writer has been creating lyrics and humming along throughout the day.  Most of my students are not known for their poetic skills or syllable counting abilities, so I've been busy.  There are only so many ways to rhyme X-Box and ipod.

But don't let me fool you.  I've loved every minute of it.  I fell asleep last night composing lines, and woke up at 4:00a.m. with new ones in my head.  Truth be told, it's been a great opportunity to appreciate the little beauties of life.

MY FAVORITE THINGS
Bacon on burgers and french fries with dressing,
Green enchiladas and ice with my Pepsi,
Little League baseball on summer evenings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Memorable moments in black and white photos,
Red Gerber daisies and gardens in neat rows,
Powerful monsoons with brilliant lightning,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Sandwashes, cedars, blue hills in the moonlight,
Clean folded laundry and cookies at midnight,
Time for a good book and lots of reading,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When my head hurts,
When my child cries,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad!