Ugly Sweaters

It's that time again...for our Ugly Sweater Contest.  Here's our 2010 entrees.  

 BreAnna picked this one out for Blake. 

 Blake did a little customizing on this sweater for Bre. 

 Bryan found this for Jon...totally unaltered!

 Jon held on to this for 2 YEARS...it was worth the wait!

 Chelsea's pick for Laurie!

 Laurie found this for Nick.

 Nick picked out this "ensemble" for dad

Dad got a little stuck in the 60's when he found this for me.  

 Christmas scrubs for Dr. Larson

 Look what I found for Tess!

 Cute family...even in "ugly" sweaters!

Celebrating at "Arellas"

We had a vote and Jon won for giving Chelsea the "ugliest" sweater!  There were some great finds this year.  I look forward to next year!  Merry Christmas!

Can you find Nick?

I just couldn't resist this...I was looking around on facebook and saw that someone had tagged Nick in this picture. This has to be one of my all time favorite "class pictures!"  See if you can pick Nick out!  (Actually, he's hard to miss!) Those were the days!!  Love him!

Halloween 2010

It was definitely a quiet Halloween at our household this year!  I was recuperating from dental surgery,  Bry, Bre and Steele  were in New York City, visiting old friends and enjoying fall in the "Big Apple."  Blake was attending Halloween festivities in Provo, and Sean was celebrating "Day of the Dead" in Mexico. We didn't even have very many "trick or treaters!" LUCKILY...we did have a visit from the cutest little witch EVER...Nick and Chelsea came by with  Tess in an adorable witch costume that Chelsea made! 

I love Halloween and I really missed dressing up this year , but I just wasn't quite up to it.  Rest assured,  I won't miss it next year!  Here' are a few pictures of Halloween 2010!

Beautiful baby Tess!

 Thomas the Train...how cute is he?

 Bre as a Famous Rockett Toy Solider 

Haunted Pumpkins!

Blake's pumpkin, Jon's, Lauri's and Nick's!

"Wayne's World, Wayne's World, party on, excellent!

Proud parents Nick and Chelsea

Bry and Bre's pumpkins

Old School Tron and contemporary Tron!  

Bre, Bry and Steele at FAO Schwartz

"Ain't She Sweet..."

 

On September 14th Mom turned 85!  She will probably shoot me for making that announcement, but if I were her, I would wear my age with pride!  She is amazing!  No one would believe she is remotely  close to 85!  On Wednesday she attended a birthday luncheon in her honor, where she celebrated with her dearest friends.  It was a wonderful afternoon and mom was touched by all the warm thoughts, songs, cake, flowers and a surprise appearance by Bob! We are so blessed to have her for our mother!

To Mom on her 85th Birthday!

God must have rejoiced in "Nineteen twenty-five"
He saw what he'd created & He knew you'd thrive!

I wish I had seen a glimpse of you then...
You must have been the "bees knees" to all the young men!

Yet other men paled in comparison to...
The young man who stole your heart from you!

The dashing young pilot, dressed in Navy white,
You must have known you'd found your White Knight!

Together the two of you would persevere,
An unstoppable duo throughout the years!

Bringing up three children would have it's drawbacks...
Bob and Nancy alone, would stop most in their tracks!

Luckily, Susan made life a bit better
"Patty Pioneer" would never  pester!

All our friends that came round knew to be tidy.
Alene's reputation was, "she's little but MIGHTY!

It takes "Wonder Woman" to do all you've done.
As a wife and a mother you're  NUMBER ONE!

But what you've accomplished goes far beyond that...
You're a best friend, business partner and diplomat!

You were always the one that built our esteem...
Try outs for cheerleader or pursuing life's dreams!

And you were the one whose shoulder we cried on
Long after boyfriends and girlfriends were gone!

You helped us with our homework night after night
You made sure on prom, our dress was "just right!"

You planned out each wedding, down to the bouquet,
You saved your daughter hundred's of miles away!

You've supported each child and grandchild too,
You never missed a baptism or a debut!

No one's more grateful for your eighty five years,
Than your children whose lives you continue to steer.

Happy Birthday Mom...Your life we emulate!
You have more than earned this day to celebrate!


                     Happy Birthday Mom

Not Too Shabby...

This is a preview of an article that came out in August's issue of "Instore" Magazine, called "America's Coolest Stores."  The picture is from the Grand Opening of OC TANNER.  You'll note that the store front it amazing and that the "doormen" are particularly handsome!!   It was a great night!

Another Year Older...

..but you'd never know it!  Steele's birthday was today.  He turned 61!  No one can believe that...I can't believe that!  There is nothing about Steele that says "old."  You'd think that I would feel great about that, but I don't ;) I'm tired of comments like, "Now I forget, who's older, you or Steele?"  OR when we run into people that we haven't seen for a while and they say, "Steele, you look amazing!  You haven't changed a bit!  I can't get over how great you look!"  Then they turn to me and say, "Hi Nancy, how are you?"  Hmmm... There's a lot to be said for things unsaid!  I know I should be incredibly  proud to be seen on his arm, (and I am) but I always thought that the woman was suppose to be the "arm candy!"  Not in our case.  How am I suppose to be able to grow old gracefully when I am married to the man of eternal youth!  I'm starting to fell like Bella in Twilight!
What can I say...he comes from good stock.  If you know his mother, you know what I mean.  She will be 90 in October and still golfs a couple of times a week and she looks amazing.  I come from good stock too... My mom's incredible, but I guess it skips a generation on our side of the family;)
Seriously...This post is just in good fun!   I love Steele and I am so proud to be married to him!  He's not only incredibly handsome, he is a wonderful husband and father and I am very blessed!  So here's to my handsome husband...Happy 61st!

California and the Fourth of July

Having family in California has both it's advantages and disadvantages. The obvious disadvantage is.... my family is 800 miles away and I wish they were a lot closer. The advantage is...my family is 800 miles away and we ALWAYS have a fun place to vacation and we get to visit some of my favorite people!

Because Chelsea is highly organized and planned this trip months ago, we were ALL able to get the time off from work and go to California. We had unusually cool weather for July, which put a damper on the beach, but we still had a great time. We had to divide and conquer...some of the kids stayed with Bob and BJ and the rest of us stayed with mom. She put on a great party for the Fourth. We ate, played games and watched the fireworks on the golf course. Our seats were great! We were close enough that we picking ashes out of our hair. It was a great show. We spent 9 days in California, but they went by far to fast! Thanks everyone for putting us up AND putting up with us! Here's a few of the highlights....

Watching the fireworks with Sean

My beautiful daughters in lawChelsea...mom to be!Playing games at mom'sWave "hello"Frozen bananas on Balboa Island Bry, Bre and Steele at Michael Jackson's grave. "Go Crazy..."The handsome photographer Swingin' on the beachSteele and Sean enjoying the beach!Play time!

Oh...and did I mention we were also there to meet this little guy!

Welcome James Robert Hexberg!

Mary, Mary....

quite contrary...

Let me start by saying, I blog as a way of journaling. I don't really expect people to read it or find it interesting. Having said that, I'm blogging about my garden. Zzzzzzz....

I LOVE having a garden! Just one of the reasons I look forward to spring every year is knowing that I will be able to plant soon. It really does bring new life! Steele worked very hard last fall tilling in all the leaves and grass clippings so we would have good soil this spring. With our "winter like" spring weather, we just barely got our garden in. Hopefully we will be able to harvest it before the snow starts flying again in the fall. We're trying our luck this year with a variety of tomatoes, tomatillos, corn, peppers, onions, basil, cilantro, oregano, mint, chives, and italian parsley. A perfect salsa and marinara garden.
Now we'll have to wait and see... "how does your garden grow?"

My Favorite Quiet Book

When Bryan was a baby I began my search for a pattern for the perfect quiet book. I found some cute ones, but none that were anything special. Just as he was about to turn two I found a pattern that I loved. It was the cutest quiet book I had ever seen, so I decided to give it a try. I am not a master seamstress, so it took me months to finish it, but it was well worth it. He loved it and I still have it today! It is nearly worn out from the many years of use but it continues to be my favorite quiet book.

When Bryan and Bre had their first child, I wanted to make one for him. I thought I had kept the original pattern, but I couldn't find it anywhere! I even checked out vintage patterns on line but no luck! Bound and determined, I used my very limited sewing skills and Bryan's old and warn quiet book to make one for Steele. I made a few modifications (and once again it took a lot longer than it should have,) but I finally finished it!

I guess now I should get started on Nick and Chelsea's . With any luck, I will have it done by the time Tess is 2!

NYC page with Velcro cars
Count the fish!Tie the bowsLace the mitt Braid and tieHook the buttonsLearn to zipUndo the buttons and see what's insideLearn to snap