I am Blessed

My Forever Family

Ya know, I thought that I would hate this time of year for the rest of my life. It was 2 years ago today that I was shook up with the news of my daddy passing away in his sleep. I will always remember the day as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. It was the most awful day of my life & I don't want another day like that again.

I couldn't get excited for Thanksgiving last year & seemed to be in a weird daze. This year I have been dreading it, until I really got to thinking about being Thankful for all the things I'm truly blessed with & how this is the perfect time of year to reminisce about all the fun times & memories I had with my Padre. I still feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone, so my mind isn't clear, but these are some of the things I am thinking of:

*My 3 boys were blessed to get to know my dad, & each have characteristics of him. I am thankful for that.

My sweet baby princess was sent to me straight from my daddy's arms. I am thankful for that.

I can whistle like my dad. I am thankful for that.

My Dad was able to be with me in the Temple when I received my own endowments & also on my wedding day. I am thankful for that.

My dad was the best listener & gave great advice; with an un-biased opinion. I am thankful for that.

Jas & my dad loved to talk sports & they got along so well. I am thankful for that.

I might have "num-chuck" calves & a long torso, but they came from my dad & I am proud to be his little girl. I am thankful for that.

I inherited my dad's love for the Yankees, BYU, Peanut Butter, "Nuggies", Neil Diamond, Willy Nelson, John Denver & Johnny Cash music, travelling, & hanging out with Family. I am thankful for that.

His passion for sports & his competitive streak lives on in me, & my kids :) I am thankful for that.

Some awesome quotes that will always stay in my family: "Judas!" "Slower than a blind camel" "Mash his melon" ... oh the list goes on & on- I miss him.

One of the biggest blessings I am thankful for is His Example. He was REAL - & life wasn't sugar coated. He made everyone feel good about themselves & served all he knew, up until his final hours on this earth. I am thankful for that.

*I am also so blessed to have my wonderful mom! I can't even explain how much she does for me & our family. I know it had to have torn my dad up to leave her, but he knew she was such a strong Rock & could help each of us kids through this life. She is an amazing lady, only worried about all around her- not herself. She has such a fun bubbly personality & lives her life in service. I wish I could do more for her, as she has done for us. I hope I can follow her example & be like her someday. I love you Mom & know that Dad is proud of you & is with you all the time. I am thankful for that!

So I hope I can try & remember each year what I have been blessed with, & not what I felt was taken from me. It won't be easy, & I'm sure I will have a few emotional melt-downs- but hey that just means I'm alive. I am thankful for that.

*I would be really thankful too, if blogger would let me download these other photos- I'll keep trying-hah!

*&$!*!

I posted quite a few below, since I hadn't for awhile. I'm going to go private, when I get around to the NIGHTMARE of typing in the email addies on blogger- Jeez!

U2 Vegas Baby

*Wild & Crazy Weekend with my Bro & Sis & Friends! I did miss my hubby & Babies- so did my Chi-chi's. Note to self: if nursing, remember to take pump with you on trips away from baby.

Yeah, tats look totally real! -I'm not quite sure what I was doing ;)

we look GINORMOUS in front of that fridge :)

My Hotty Bro Joel & his Gorgeous wife Missy - love this picture

*showing off the sweet Tats
Fun Times

*When we get together - all craziness takes place

Girlies getting ready to Rock Out!

Red Velvet Cheesecake WHAT?!? - Darn Delish

Don't Mess with the Zohan :)

We had a FABULOUS time in Vegas at the U2 Concert a few weeks ago :) They pretty much are the best concert anyone will ever see- Nuff Said! Oh, & Black-Eyed Peas Rocked my world too, as the opening band. Fergalicious was delicious. It was definately a SOLD OUT Stadium - it was chuck full 60,000 people CRAZY!!

Good Company (Joel, Missy, Ryan, Lainie, Jill & I), yummy food (Cheesecake Factory, Pei Wei, Circle K Nachos-haha :) at 1am none-the-less, Robertos, Great Shopping (Vickis Secret, GAP & so many others) & thanks for the Pedi Jeej. Just for the record, I really liked your scorpion spider on your toe :)

*Thank you to my lover boy who stayed home with the kids & my wonderful Mom! It was a Wicked Awesome & much needed quick trip :) ... Now Anaheim June 2010, anyone?!

Princess Cayz Pics

*Cayz 9 1/2 Months old in these adorable Pics I can't believe how fast my lil' girlfriend is growing up! She has such a fun personality & sweetness about her- she lights up our days :)

Kellie from Elements Photography did an amazing job, as usual- we love Kel & can't wait to meet her lil' McKai man!

Halloween Fun

*jacked up blogger won't rotate my picture- anywho it is Treyg & Kai showing off their halloween goodies Kel gave them :) -oooey gooey slime w/ eyeballs, brains & fingers..mmmm
*One of our favorite Halloween tradition's is going to this Mansion House - she has tons of fun decorations, firepits, train rides, balloons & she gives out big candy bars!

*Jas AKA: the priest in a kissing booth?! WHAT??

*Train Rides - fun for all (Creed: BYU Player, Treyg: Batman, Kai: Nacho Libre)

*Yep, that is Nacho Libre (Crazy Wig & all) Some people thought he was a lion & bear superman, so everytime he'd say trick-or-treat he'd say, "I Nacho"

*Cayz Ladybug Princess

*The whole Crew

*one of the parties we went to... Nacho was sleeping at home

- but Jas & I represented him with our Priest/Nun get-up (I know I totally look like the Hot Nun from Nacho, it is Crazy the similarities!) *Creed w/ some buddies at their School Halloween Party

*Halloween Parade- I didn't do so hot taking his picture there :( it wouldn't take until he got in front of the gate

*another fun tradition: Carving Pumpkins

*We made these yummy Ghost Krispies for a Party

*Jas did an awesome job with this Pumpkin

*slipping in the kucky punkin guts (Treyg wanted to be a toilet for Halloween- we laughed, then at Creed's Halloween Parade we saw a "Toilet Costume" it was one of Creed's friends- hilarious!)

*Creed carved his pumpkin all by himself- did an amazing job! Only one cut on his middle finger :( not too bad...

*Cayz loves pulling herself up to things now- she loooooved this GINORMOUS Pumpkin - oooh she is so fresh, check out that lil' lady!

*Our Fav Fam Tradition: Chocolate Haunted Mansion

This year the Choc Mansion lasted 2 days.... we usually last a week or more! -Haha

Creed is 7!

Creed had another fun filled Birthday. We had a family party at Pirate Island Pizza. Jason surprised him & got home from Texas on his B-day (w/Gpa Curtis) & picked him up from school. He was excited about his cool presents: Pirate Legos, BYU football, light up truck & trailer, space shuttle, games, clothes & orange crocs :) We also surprised him & took him his favorite Taco Time meal for school lunch...

Creed is such a great help & good kid. We are happy & blessed to have him in our home. He is the life of any party. Creed loves sports & is currently taking Gymnastics. He is excited for his 8th b-day to be baptized. Love you Creed Bear- you are an awesome dude!