Thinking Back...

Thinking back on the year, it hasn't been half bad. There have been some definate special moments. Here are some of my favorites of the year.

Pink was definatley hot this year. She has always been one of my fav's, but this year she really outdid herself. Pretty sure I am not the only girl that suddenly wanted to go buy a riding lawn mower.

I finally broke down and became a clinique girl. Seriously, you get what you paid for.

These are my favorite shows and the only ones I have been loyal too. The Hills is genius and teaches some very important lessons. Gilmore Girls is over in a way, but I watched every season this year from episode 1 to the end. These women inspire me.

Racquetball - because its what the cool kids do these days.

Yes, Twilight is on here. I decided to watch the movie first since the book is always better. Have read every book since.

I WILL have to say they are good, but not my favorite. Bella is so pestimistic about so many things and sometimes Edward is just TOO perfect, but that may just be the bitter female inside of me that no longer believes that kind of man exists. (which he doesn't. That is why he is only a fictional character in a story.)

Baby Mama
BEST movie of the year!

The year was full of a lot of other wonderful things. Little moments and things flood my memory. Vanilla Ice and Spice girls, The darndest things kids have said, days in the sun, text messages that have made me almost split in two laughing, and of course the best things of the year are the people that I spent it with. Sometimes I think I have to be the luckiest unlucky person in the world.

Christmas with the Curtis Family!

No matter where I end up, I will always half a second family. No holiday is complete without them. Didn't know what a surprise I was in for when I went to deliver presents there. Tami's present is manual labor from Jay and they had already started and were ripping out carpet when I got there. Really excited to see what Tami puts in. Here are some pictures of there hard work.

This last one is blurry which makes me sad, but my camera is hard for kids. It was getting cold and we were trying to hold smiles while Janna figured it out. It's still one of my favorite pictures though since Tami and I are usually taking pictures and never get to be in them together.

Then I sure did go with them over to Kristi's. Everyone talked to Papa and Patty over there and the kids played while we conquered another puzzle. EVERY time, Tami and I end up racing for pieces at the end. Jay TRIES to help, but he more or less supervises. Tami and I know who really does all the work.

Oh and I ruined Brook when I was her babysitter. Now she thinks I need a thousand pictures of her at all times...and of course she is absolutely right. So I threw in a couple of the very many that were taken. We also got pictures of Tami. You will notice Jay says he helped, but he is NOT in the pictures. Hmm........

Opening Presents

I have the cheesiest family in the world. And you can ask for anything and pretty much expect to get something completely different. And then of course it must be modeled. Jeff isn't in these pictures though because he is absolutely no fun and refused all pictures I attempted.

My dad not only got my mom the nauseating pink bathrobe, but matching slippers. I asked my dad if that was his way of telling us they were moving back into a trailer.

First of all, he opened this present and couldn't figure out how to get his new shirt on. when he finally figured out they were pants, the dancing started. These are the genetics we have to fight every day.


Brian wanted an apron. He's pretty cool and likes to cook. I looked everywhere and found him this blue bistro apron....but that's not the only one I found. The hat says "ho ho ho" for anyone that might care.

This is my new beanie since Brian steals ALL of mine.

Good thing I love that kid.

Christmas with the Barneys

I was really skeptical about Christmas this year. I lOVE Christmas and usually have to force myself to wait it through Thanksgiving before going crazy. This year was different though. Then Brian told us he was scheduled to work Christmas day. My heart absolutely dropped. I understand having to work, but Christmas without my twin just didn't seem like Christmas at all. I just couldn't imagine opening my presents without him, and the idea of him being alone in Mesa absolutley killed me.
Then the most wonderful thing happened. Christmas morning I got a text from him saying it was slow so they let him off for the day and he was already in Globe headed this way! I consider this my own little Christmas miracle, and it made my whole Christmas to be sure.
Here are some pictures of us at my grandmother's. (My dad was doing what he does best.) I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Old Spice

As read in mens health,"Old spice helped change me from a scrawny nerd intothe colossal man mountain of awesomeness that i am today. Thanks old spice." -Brian Urlacher

Pat Benatar, Icon and Legend

Straight out of Wikipedia, the source of all great knowledge:

"Pat Benatar (born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on January 10, 1953) is an influential, four-time Grammy Award-winning American Rock singer with seven platinum and three gold albums to her credit, as well as 19 Top 40 singles. Pat Benatar was eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Benatar is also known for her mezzo-soprano vocal range."

Now for my input.

Pat Benatar is AMAZING! She was quite the rebel rockstar of her time. I bet there isn't a soul out there that isn't familiar with at least one of her songs. We Belong to the Night, Heartbreaker, Hit me with Your Best Shot....seriously, these are classics. Passion like that never dies. So this is my homage for the infamous Pat Benatar. I will always be faithful to you, Pat, the original heartbreaker.

(If you will notice on the picture, the album title is "Crimes of Passion." Need I say more?)

Service ideas???

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." Dickens wasn't kidding.

The Christmas season is here, but there is also a gloom in the air with a lot that has been going on. Well I have a family that I keep thinking about that aren't just getting hit with the economy, but are having some struggles with very personal family matters and my heart goes out to them. I seriously think about them quite often throughout the day. We want to do something for them, something that will lift their spirits and let them know people care without making them feel as we are taking pity on them. (Been there and that is the WORST!) So does anybody have any ideas? I would appreciate any input at all whatsoever.

This has also been a reminder that we don't always know what's going on in other people's lives, so I hope that everyone is doing well and knows that they are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all so much!

Birthdays!

For those of you who don't know, my mom had Jeff on her birthday. That's right, she spent her birthday popping out her first kid. So yesterday was both their birthdays. Couldn't do anything to embarrass Jeff since he just stayed home all day, but my mom worked! Didn't get a picture of the huge sign on the front door (that she never goes in or out of), so she couldn't figure out how everyone knew it was her birthday. Also put a message on the back of her car, but she saw it first thing when she went to Walmart and had to put her purchases in the back of the car. Of all the days for her to make an early trip to Walmart, but oh well.

There is a picture of her car, her trying to cover her face, the cake I made them (sparkling candles are NOT the best idea by the way) them singing to each other while we sang to them, and them on one of there many attempts to blow out the candles. Apparently sparkling candles are both dangerous and hard to blow out. Who knew?

Christmas Cookies

When I was in Mesa my friends got tired and so we ended up canceling Saturday night's plans and I ended up at home with Brian who insisted I find something to entertain myself with while he played his game.

A trip to walmart later and cookie magic was in progress. They aren't that cute, and Brian said it sounded like I was trying to remodel the kitchen in the process, but it was FUN!

And he did admit they were good.

Glenda, Super Hampster

Meet Glenda. Glenda is a Chinese Dwarf Hampster that my brother gave me for my birthday. This is as big as she gets, but she makes up for her size. Apparently they are nocturnal, but Glenda doesn't just run on her SQUEAKY wheel all night, but in the day too. Seriously, I thought I liked running, but I have nothing on this girl. Sometimes I seriously wonder if they put crack in her bag of hampster food.

Lately she has gotten bored too, apparently, because now she is trying her hand as an escape artist. I always catch her scaling the side to try to get out, and I have to tape her ball shut because she can open it.

Never thought I would be so amazed by a rodent.

Christmas Shopping with Jes

My pretty friend Jessy!

It was take a picture good and go crosseyed hot.

Jes saw this shirt and said:

"Hey look, its us!"

So mad this one was blurry.

This is us on our way to watch BOLT.

Everyday Angels

Meet Geraldine.

This sweet 90 year old angel came into our office today

and offered to sweep off our porch if we would but give her a broom.

I momentarily protested, but she would have none of it. In fact, she said to let her do it or she would use the broom on ME!

Geraldine is one of my favorite people and once before brought a quote for me.

Thank goodness for people like Geraldine, sweet angels that give us a piece of heaven and remind us what is really important.

This is the quote she gave me:

MY INFLUENCE

My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done,

Leave countless marks for good or ill ere sets the evening sun;

This is the wish I always wish,

This prayer I alwasy pray;

Lord, may my life help other lives

It touches on the way.

Meet Holly!

Everyone knows I LOVE my phone. I am seriously hardly ever

without it. My mother has joked that its like my blankie or pacifier or something.

I just feel better with my phone. Keeps me connected, entertained, and I can alwasy

call for help in a pinch.

That's why I have no idea how I managed to lose the last one. Poor Jacie. :(

We had such a beautiful time together. But I seriously think she got tired and left me

because I have NO idea where she went. I was texting up a storm on Sunday, as always,

then next thing I know I was sitting in the truck and she wasn't in my pocket or purse.

I seriously FREAKED out.

I searched that whole truck, the house, outside, EVERYWHERE. And then I made Mike

relook for me.

So anyway, I made myself waid a total of 48 hours in case she happened to show up and then that's when Holly comes in.

Holly is my new phone. She looks a lot like her sister, Jacie, but has already shown some special character, and I think we are going to get along just great! Her name, Holly, was inspired by the Christmas season, so I can remember when she came into my lfe. She has filled that huge void in my life and filled my empty little hand.

And that is the story of the crazy girl and her new phone, Holly.

nananananananana BATMAN!!!!!

Zack got a new mask, but it didn't take long for us girls to check it out.

Winter...ugh.

So I guess I just have problems with produce. Seriously its getting ridiculous.

This morning I went to the gym and was STARVING by the time I left. Driving home I brilliantly remembered that I had bought bananas the day before and left them in the car (so no one STEALS them). It took about .2 seconds for me to find a gorgeous yellow banana and rip the peel open. And then I bit.

IT WAS FROZEN! SUCH a disappointment. I do NOT like the cold. And who knew a banana would freeze so easily?!

HOW long 'til summer?