Turkey Time

Since we moved to Texas we have decided to always stick close to home and have our own little Thanksgiving. Last weekend was my family's dinner and the Meisberger dinner as well so we had no family obligations. Daddy cooked up a yummy beautiful turkey with all the fixings and the girls and I set up the table for our family feast. It was delicious!!

After that it was clean up and pumpkin pie!!

Now we are going to go watch a family movie. Mara decided it was going to be The Cat in the Hat.

We hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. There are so many things in life we have to be thankful for!

Serving

Today on Thanksgiving Mara and I went to downtown Tacoma and served those without. Serving is something I have always done but this was the first time Mara asked to come help me. Typically I go to Nativity House but this year we went to the Oasis Hope Center. There were many people there and I think that in the 3 hour time frame we were there we served up nearly 400 meals alone. You never realize how many people there are out there in our city that do not even have a meal to eat. The appreciation and gratitude was more then words can say. Every day we take our shelter, food and drink for granted and to these people it is a treat!!

It is always a humbling experience for myself and I am hoping it was for my daughter too. The leader of the center asked Mara if she would come back on Christmas Eve to help serve and pass out gifts to children that have nothing. Mara was quick to answer "Yes". It makes me so proud to know that I am raising a daughter that can act so selflessly to make others have a bit of happiness!!

I love you Mara and I am so very proud of you!!

Maya Lauren Lukecart

This week McKenzie and Ken had baby Maya. I went up Monday evening and stayed thru the night to help McKenz with Labor. Unfortunately things were moving very slow and I had to leave around noon the next day. This is a pic of us before it all started. At about 1:20pm little Maya Lauren was born. Weighing in at 7lbs 13oz and was 20" long. I have no pics of her because I have not gotten back to get my hands on her. McKenzie is reporting that she is adorable, healthy and happy!! I never thought I would see the day that my friend McKenzie would become a mommy but I am was amazed and am so proud of her little accomlishment. Mac... I know she will bring you all the joy in the world!! I love you guys!!

Cousins

Last week my Aunt Nicole,Uncle Rich and their kids Paige and Connor came to visit us from New York. I had not seen my uncle Rich in 8 years so it was a real treat! THe girls just love the kids and had such a fun time playing with them. Our family decided to have a giant early Thanksgiving dinner and 50th Birthday celebration for my mom . There were 33 people in my grandparents house and boy was it nuts!! IT was a great visit and we hope to not let 8 years go by again!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful and loving husband. It has been 8 years today since we walked down the aisle for our I do's.. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember how special that day was and how it changed my life. Lots has happened in these 8 years and I love that I have gotten to share every second of the tears and joys with you. We are all creating our quilts in life (like Angie said about David). You are the one constant thread that runs thru my quilt and it couldn't make me happier!!

I love you baby and I can't wait for 8 more!!

To the Moon and Back.. Infinity + 1............

Bread

Thursday afternoon Gracelyn and I went over to MeeMaws and Papa no toes for a visit. Papa was in a real big baking mood and so Gracelyn decided to help. Today the project was homemade bread. This is a recipe that has been passed down in the family and with my little ones learning the family secrets hopefully they will be recipes that last for generations to come! I can remember when my papas mom (Nona) used to make this same bread!

Gracelyn had so much fun and as you can see from the delight in Papas face, he had just as much fun as she did. I just love moments like this with my girls. They are so special and so few!

Thanks for the bread Papa.. It was delicious!!

Happy 50th Birthday Mammie

Mom(A.K.A. Mammie)
The girls, Justin and I wish you the happiest Birthday ever. We love you so much and are so thankful for all you do. I never thought 50 would come but I guess it is here. Trust me you don't look a day over 35!! Hee hee...

May all your wishes come true on this milestone of a day!!!

Soccer banquet

Tuesday evening was the banquet for soccer. It was a pizza party and each of the kids received trophies with their names on it. Mara was a very proud player!!

Fathers Feast 2008

Tuesday was the annual fathers feast at first pres. This is a special time where the kiddos invite their daddys to share in their school day. The kids sang songs, ate snacks and created a marshmallow masterpiece out of toothpicks and marshmallows. Mara and daddy ended up making a poodle dog! Pretty darn good!!

The Montgomerys

Saturday night Justin and I along with many of our friends attended Brad and Genny's wedding in Seattle. The ceremony took place at The Knights of Columbus Ballroom. It was so beautiful and we all had such a fun time together.

Brad was accepted into the squadron at the same time as Justin and we soon realized he went to Bellarmine with me as well. During our many years of training we have all become close and we were so honored to be a part of such a special day. I got the pleasure of helping Genny and her bridesmaids pick out their dresses and as you can see they all looked amazing!!



Brad is a huge Seahawks fan so it was perfectly fitting that this cake be a part of their wedding!!






As we were leaving at the end of the night we took these special pics of all of us. The last word out of Genny's mouth was "Hey Brad .... I think we finally made the blog". Well here's to you two!! You made the Blog!!!



We wish you many years of happiness and all the love in the world. Now go make some babies!!! :)

Highschool Musical on Ice

Thursday night we headed up to Seattle for HSM on ice. The girls were so surprised and had so much fun!! Gracelyn danced almost the entire time and kept screaming "Hi Sharpay" and "Go Wildcats". Who knew a 2 year old could love this Disney phenomenon. Pretty sure it has a lot to do with her older sister.

The skating was great and they combined all three movies into the performance. Just when you think they have accomplished it all.. here they come again!! The lights, acting, singing and fireworks were amazing. The girls were in aw and we had such a fun time. Is it weird that I know every word to every song in those movies???

Mr. Chesney does it again..CMA"S

My main man Mr. Chesney just sealed the deal for 4 years running as Entertainer of the Year... I am such a proud fan..

I know yal think I am a dork and well the truth is I am but that doesn't change the fact that I Love Kenny Chesney oh and his music too!!:)

Another Celebration for Daddy

Saturday evening Justins family came over to celebrate his Birthday. It was a bit delayed but with everyones hectic schedule this was the best time to fit it in.
David made Justin this cool cake of a C-17. What a cool brother huh?? David got the entire structure of Justins plane just right!! The cake was delicious and we came up with a new frosting flavor....airplane gray???

New Neighbors

When the rain came so did the ducks.. I guess they have moved into the neighborhood for a while. They are so cute with their little babies!! The girls love to go out front and watch them waddle... Graceie loves to say "Quack Quack" to them.

Childrens Museum

Thursday after school it was horribly rainy out so I decided to take the munchkins down to the museum. There was only one other family there so we had the whole place to ourselves and boy was it fun.

The girls painted pictures, did marker window art, traced animals, dressed up and played grocery store. I bought this membership but I always forget to use it. Now that my memory has been refreshed we will be attending more often. The remodel is great and there is much more for the older kids to do as well as the younger ones.

Cheers to the Childrens Museum!!






Gracelyn said this was my head, her head, daddys, sissys and Heartleys. Oh and pumpkins...