Took the kids to Huntington Beach yesterday with a friend of mine and her kiddos. We had a great time! Grant LOVED the water and cried the entire way back to the car. Katie made sand angels! It was a good 80 degrees out and the beach was pretty much deserted on a Tuesday winter’s afternoon. Great for us!

What a year!  Goodbye to 2008… Hello 2009! I ripped this one from Jill at Live Laugh Blog.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Tried pupusas.  Yum.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?  Well, I had intended on losing weight and eating better.  I did start to eat better, but since I got prego, my doctor frowned on trying to lose weight during the pregnancy.  Maybe next year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My sister-in-law gave birth to my sweet little niece Kameron!

4. Did anyone close to you die? My Grandpa RC died back in April.  While he could be a mean stinker, he was also a neat guy and I miss him.

5. What countries did you visit? None, this year, but would love to do so.  Now all I need is a passport…

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More money would be nice.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  September 6th… it is the first big anniversary for Andrew and I… number FIVE!  Looking forward to the next 50!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Mothering 2 kids and making it through the year with my hair intact and not gray.

9. What was your biggest failure?  I’m sure there are many, I just can’t think of any.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just pregnancy related problems.  Luckily they weren’t as bad as the last two pregnancies.

11. What was the best thing you bought?  The matching mother/daughter aprons from Etsy.  They are darling and I love when Katie puts hers on and helps me in the kitchen.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Katie finally being potty-trained!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled?
A certain family member who is the biggest conniving liar/manipulator and continues to make other family members miserable.  But this is nothing new… this person has been like this their entire life, so no surprises there.

14. Where did most of your money go? Health insurance & bills.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?  Putting together a book about my Great Grandma (she lived to be 105 and wrote her life story)… my great Aunt sent me some ancient photos and I just need to focus over the next month on getting them scanned in and starting the book.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Any theme song from PBS.  LOL

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:  Last year I had just given birth, this year I will give birth in 3 months.  I’m not as overwhelmed as I was, thank goodness.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?  Finishing projects that I’ve started.  I have at least 5 sitting on my desk that I need to complete!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?  Worrying about things I have no control of.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Day & eve at home with my immediate family.  Then on Saturday, we went to my mom’s for a big she-bang.  It was great.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, with my son!  It’s been so exciting watching him grow this past year and to see his adorable personality shine through.

22. What was your favorite TV program?  I don’t really have a favorite, but it’s been fun watching all of the shows I’ve never seen before on our new digital tv.  (Dirty Jobs, Robot Chicken, Good Eats, etc.)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Don’t hate anyone, but there are a few people I don’t care for.

24. What was the best book you read?  I really enjoyed Dixieland Sushi… it gave me flashbacks to when I was in Junior High/High School.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2008? Well, mom & I saw Wicked, and I had no point of reference for that play before seeing it, so it was neat to hear the music for the first time.

26. What did you want and get? I bought myself a food processor online, but didn’t read that it was a chopper only!  I returned it to the store and they had a poor selection there, so I have yet to replace it with one that grates (which is the whole reason for getting one!)

27. What did you want and not get? See above.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?  Hard to say… I certainly didn’t venture out to the movies this year… maybe once or twice to the dollar theater with the kids, so that hardly counts.  I did enjoy seeing Indiana Jones because, hey, it was Indiana Jones.    There were plenty of funny flicks too, but honestly, offhand I can’t think of one!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? We were on vacation and celebrated in San Francisco.  I turned 34!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?  Being out of debt.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? What fashion concept?  I wear whatever fits!  LOL… the first half I was getting out of my maternity clothes, while the second half, I was getting back into them!

32. What kept you sane?  My crazy friend Jenn.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?  I fancy Mike Rowe.  A lot.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? You know, I really don’t like getting into politics… I have my views, but I really don’t like discussing them.

35. Who did you miss? Some of my friends that I don’t get a chance to see often enough.  I am a big hermit and don’t get out much with the kids on my own.  I need to work on that this coming year.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I’ve not actually met anyone new this year, but have made many new contacts through my blog!  I love reading all of your stuff and thanks for all of the fun comments you leave me.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Again… don’t worry about things you can’t control.  They’ll work themselves out.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Even though we ain’t got money… I’m so in love with you honey… everything is gonna be alright.

We put up our tree a few days ago… though I prefer a real one, we can’t afford one (AND I get all rashy if I touch a real one!)  We got this one 90% off at Target’s after Christmas clearance last year.  Whoo hoo! 

I didn’t buy one thing yesterday… not even from online.  This year’s Christmas will be slim pickings for us, but the kids will certainly not be at a loss for anything with all of the Grandparents around!  (Can you say Disney pass?) I’ll hit a few sales, but will mostly be making things this year.  A few years ago I posted about the fudge recipe I’ve been making for Christmas… it’s so easy!

Did any of you hit any sales yesterday?  What did you get?  Also did you hear about the poor WalMart worker who got trampled by the crowds and died as he tried to open the doors yesterday morning?  Despicable and very very sad.

I woke up to my daughter standing next to my bed telling me “Happy Thanksgiving!”  That was followed up by baby kisses a few minutes later when I picked Grant up out of his crib.  Happy Thanksgiving, indeed!

Today we’ll head out to my dad’s house and eat… here’s the menu…

Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Veggie Platter with Ranch Dip
Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
Deviled Eggs (I’m going to make for the first time!)

Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Broccoli & Cheese Sauce
Corn
Rolls

Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie

Nothing too fancy, but good eats for sure!  Next year we’ll have another little blessing with us.

Thanksgiving 2007... just a few days away from giving birth to my own little turkey!

Hope everyone has a nice day.

I know I’m skipping over Thanksgiving entirely, but here is a little Christmas meme…

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? 

Either one, depending on the gift

2. Real tree or Artificial? 

I prefer real if I can afford it.  Probably no tree this year.

3. When do you put up the tree?

After Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? 

Around the first of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Yes!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Cabbage Patch Kid

7. Hardest person to buy for?

My dad & my father-in-law

8.Easiest person to buy for?  

My kids

9. Do you have a nativity scene? 

No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? 

I only mail cards… and usually make them (but not this year… are you nuts?)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? 

I can’t think of one I didn’t like

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? 

A Christmas Story, but I also love Elf.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I try to shop throughout the year

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Of course.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? 

Most anything homemade is good to me!

16. Lights on the tree? 

Yes 

17. Favorite Christmas song?  

O Holy Night.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? 

We’ve never actually ‘travelled’.  We usually go to each parent’s house.  But this year planning on staying at home… too much running around!  Just want to enjoy the day with the kids at our house.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? 

Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? 

I don’t even know what decorations I have!

21. Open presents on Christmas eve or morning? 

Both… we usually see extended family and friends both days.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? 

The lines at the stores.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I have an old angel from when I was a kid.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?  

Turkey or ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? 

I know I’m getting old… a food processor and a dustbuster!    But a gift cert for a massage or pedicure would be even better!

We had fun this Halloween.  It was Grant’s first and he was a little monkey (courtesy of last year’s 75% off sale at Target!)

Here is a meme I stole from Matt.  I changed a few questions because some of his didn’t really apply to me.  Feel free to re-post. 

1. What is the worst treat to get when trick-or-treating?

 A nickel for UNICEF.  I understand the concept, but does a 3 year old?  No.

2. What was your favorite Halloween?

When I was in 9th & 10th grade, my Grandparents decorated their entire yard and house and had a huge party for all of the grandkids.  We all got to invite about 5 friends.  They had a DJ, caricaturist and lots of food.  We had a great time and I know several of our friends still remember and talk about that time.  It was awesome.

3. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho? (why)

Psycho wouldn’t be far off from my normal outfits.  

4. How many Halloween, Friday the 13th, or Nightmare on Elm Street movies combined do you have on dvd?

None

5. What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?

Probably Poltergeist.  I still won’t watch it.

6. Name a few of your favorite costumes over the years.

Tammy Faye Bakker (I put on tons of makeup and had mascara streaming down my face.  This was when she was still on PTL with her husband Jim), and Elvira(see picture in #2). 

I still hold a grudge against Lisa, who in kindergarden, got to dress up as a fairy princess and I had to be a clown.  Grrr… those tears are real in the picture!  I was so upset, my mom let me change into my Wonder Woman bathing suit and wear that instead. 

7. Favorite Halloween treat?

I LOVE Milk Duds, but have to give them up since THIS happened to me. 

8. Friendly-faced jack o’lantern or scary one?

Friendly!

9. Have you ever had nightmares about a scary movie character chasing you?

Not chasing me, but that Poltergeist movie has done a number on me while sleeping.

10. Best thing about Halloween?

Dressing up the kids.

11. Strangest Halloween custom you’ve heard of?

The only one that comes to mind is smashing pumpkins afterwards. 

12. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)?

I have two friends that really get into it… Jon and Rachel

13. Your lamest costume?

I was a baby a few times.  Note my friend’s ’sexy’ costume.  What did I know? LOL

Fall is here and we have a lot planned for this month… each weekend holds something new!

• Book Festival
• Family Festival in my hometown and having a Class of 92 meetup there.
• Trip to Oak Glen to go apple/raspberry picking, then down to the pumpkin patch with my hubby, kids, parents, niece and nephews.
• Husband’s 40th Birthday Party
• Halloween

We don’t usually have so much activity in one month.  I’ll be taking advantage of naptime whenever I can!

Here is a collage from our trip to Oak Glen two years ago.

Woo Woo!! It’s here… my favorite month.  Why? Because my birthday is in June!  And now Miss Katie’s birthday is in June too!  Summer is coming… and I JUST LOVE IT.  I wrote about some of my favorite summertime things last year, but since most of you didn’t read my little blog last year, I decided to re-visit again this year.