Book Sale Success!

The book sale was awesome. This year they were letting fewer people into the building at a time and it was much less chaotic. I even managed to shop the children's section... twice!

Me, Dan, Kelly, Jessica in line

See how bundled up we are?

It was only in the 50s... brrr!

The line in front of us 

The line behind us

Our haul

We purchased 57 books for about $120.00... quite the bargain.

We're already looking forward to next year!

Sixty!

I have several blog posts to write today, but I'm going to publish the one that's most important to me - my birthday!

Last Wednesday was my 60th birthday. I can't believe that's my age because I don't feel anything like I thought 60 might feel! I'm not a person who is bothered by my age. I'm proud to be 60 and when you consider the alternative, well, you know.

We held my birthday party yesterday and it was a blast. Thanks to all in my family who made it a special day for me. I love you!

On my screen the color looks blue, but it was a gorgeous deep purple

Adam, Jessica, me, Zach, Katie, Gabe

JD and Janel are on the tablet. I didn't want to have my 60th birthday photo without them in it. So we Skyped them in!

Dawn, Shelby, Matt, Shawna, Summer

Dawn is Shelby's mom and Shawna is her sister visiting here from Minnesota

Four Generation

JoAnne (my mom), Jessica, me, Snow

I wanted a photo with all of the grandkids, but that can be challenging these days. Both boys are in the "photo avoidance" stage of life. This was the best of the worst! Skye, Sunny, Thunder, Storm, me, Snow

Tio Zach helping Storm with his swim shoes

My mom with her 6th Great-grandchild.

My SIL, Kelly with her first grandchild.

Summer!

Tia Katie and Snow

Storm and Jessica

Another example of the best of the worst photos, haha!

Snow and Summer, what a difference a few months makes

Three

Today is Thunder's third birthday. His party was this past Saturday. Thunder is totally enthralled with trash trucks. On Wednesdays when our trash is picked up, we run out when the trash truck picks up our recycle can, we run out when it picks up the recycles across the street, we run out when it picks up our garbage, we run out when it picks up the garbage across the street. The drivers are great guys and they always wave back at us. More often than not they also toot the loud trash truck horn. He turns every truck at my house into a trash truck.

He's also completely into horses and anything horse related. When I have an empty gift wrap tube, he turns it into a horse and gallops around the house on it. When we go to the library, he always wants to check out a book on horses.

He loves puzzles, books, playing outside, cars, trucks, and "Sheriff Callie's Wild West" on Disney. He's a sweet, thoughtful, loving little boy. I love him so!

A cowboy hat!

Turbo DVD

Tool box

Cowboy boots!

Sunny, Thunder, Storm, Skye

Showing Uncle Mark how the trash truck works

Aunt Kelly and Storm

Uncle Mark giving Skye some golf pointers

Gigi and Papa

Family Christmas Party

On Sunday, we got together with most of the family for a little Christmas party. Everyone brought their favorite appetizer or dessert. We played games, handed out prizes, sang Christmas songs, and participated in a White Elephant Gift Exchange. It was fun!

Why can't they all smile at once?

Yeah... NOW she's smiling!

Sunny, Katie, Thunder, Gabe

Zach and Gabe playing a game

Jessica playing a game

Kelly playing a game

Hmmm... maybe the games I chose were a little too intense!

Skye and Thunder were fascinated by the train

I got the coolest White Elephant Gift!

A sock monkey that you can launch &

while he's flying through the air he screams like Tarzan

Gabe's gift was a yard of butter cookies - his faves!

Zach got a lottery ticket - no he didn't win anything

Kelly received Starbucks goodies

Thankful...

Even though our home is in a state of chaos, I hosted Thanksgiving this year. I hung a sign on the front door warning every one that they were "entering a construction zone - hard hats NOT required"! It was a beautiful day and we were able to eat out on the patio, which is a tradition at my Thanksgiving dinners. Everyone contributed and we had a great time!

Outside dining

Sweet Skye

Gigi & Skye getting in some play time 

The food line

Mark, Zach, Dan

Ashley, Kelly, Jessica

Papa

Tia Jessica with Skye and Sunny

Thunder

Jessica w/Thunder, Matt w/Sunny, Zach w/Skye

After party cuddling

Sunny is four going on sixteen!

Is this a photo bomb?!

Sunny, Katie, Thunder

Beautiful Mother/Daughter

Gramps and Grammy join in on the fun!