Family Pics

We took family pictures on Saturday... the Saturday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday... so it was a busy weekend. But, it was great fun! Here are some of the pics. And yes, Nic and I took them. We are both working on developing our talent of photography. Nic is better than I am, but we both enjoy it. So, here's some of the pics...

Thanksgiving and such...

Our Thanksgiving with our little Sweet Pea was wonderful! I decided I wanted to MAKE everything FROM SCRATCH (well, not everything... just what I signed up for). So, it took me a total of about five days to do the stuffing, which totally ROCKED. And I made homemade cranberry sauce, which is so easy and yummy. And I also made a delicious frozen fruit dish. It doesn't sound like a big undertaking, but it was a lot of work. I'm really glad I did it though. Homemade stuffing/dressing is SO much better than the stuff from the box. And this recipe was fabulous!

Mercydez wore the CUTEST little dress! She was all dressed up and adorable! But then again, she's always adorable! We had dinner with Nic's family first. That was fun, as always! There were kids everywhere, which I love (Mercydez is number 18 of 20 grandkids)! The tween girls wrestled... it was so funny! They had wedgie wars and pulled each others hair. It was funny! We all sat and watched... and laughed. It was so funny!!!! These girls are always doing something interesting. Then, we came back to my parents and we had a very elegant dinner. My mom had out her many beautiful and fragile dishes out. It was so pretty! We ate by candlelight. I was so glad because my Grandma LOVED my stuffing/dressing! Wahoo! We had our awesome nurse, Moira, over for dinner too. I love Moira. She's an amazing nurse, but also a great friend. And we had some family over too. It was really nice! Kade came down from Idaho and it was so good to see him. He's working hard up there. We sure miss him.

Then we cleaned up and looked through the adds so we could, of course, go SHOPPING!!! I planned everything. Crystal, Sam, and I went out early on Friday morning... okay, early as in 6:00am. Not too bad! Nic's mom watched little Mercy pretty much ALL day. I owe her so much! But, we found a lot of good deals AND there weren't as many people out as I thought there would be. So, that was great too. I got Mercydez ALL the Signing Times for HALF OFF! I'm so excited!

Anyway, I can't believe it's already December... and here we are getting ready for Christmas! Wahoo! My FAVORITE! So, with that in mind, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Mr. Kody

My little brother, Kody had his birthday. I wanted to make a tribute to him. Kody has always been a sensitive and caring person. He's a sweet kid who respects women. He's very considerate. I have seen his love for Mercydez... I see it in his eyes. Kody has a good heart. Some times he is too much of a "tough guy" to let it show through, but his heart is sweet.

Kody, we love you. We hope you had a good birthday. I wish we could have been at your birthday lunch. Happy late birthday.

My Brother, Kade

My old...est brother Kade had his birthday on the 1st! I can't believe it's already December! Happy birthday Kade! It was so wonderful to have you down for Thanksgiving! Kade is a helicopter pilot/teacher and is currently living in Idaho. He is such a great example to me. He works so hard, so diligently, to achieve his goals. He doesn't settle for mediocre. Kade is a great older brother. He's very protective. He's very loyal. Kade is a great person all around. We grew up kinda butting heads and we still have our differences... but that's the beauty of being siblings. You just work around it. You love each other anyway. It seems like these last few years have been great in that we have become closer and better friends. I love my brother. I truly want the best for him. He deserves it. Mercydez has a wonderful uncle in Kade. I know, without a doubt, that Kade would jump in his car and cruise down here in a moments notice for little Mercy. Kade and I spent some very tender moments together at Mercydez's bedside at the hospital. Kades heart is so big. He's so loving and so wonderful. I am so blessed to have the brother I have. We love you Kade. Happy belated birthday.

Kloower

My friend Alysson celebrated her "Golden" 25th Birthday on November 25th! Wahoo Kloower! Alysson and I have been friends litterally for forever. We are two very different people, but we are kindred spirits in every sense of the phrase. She understands me, and I understand her. Alysson has stood by me in so many ways. She has an amazing heart. She is beautiful inside and out. She's not afraid to be different! And the best is that she's not afraid to have fun! I love being with her! She is an amazing friend and a true sister! I love you Kloower! PS Your birthday party rocked!

My "Other" Dad...

Nic's dad, Drew, celebrated his birthday on the 24th of November. Can I just say that I have the CUTEST Father-in-Law?! Seriously! Here are some things I absolutely LOVE about Dad... ONE: He has the cutest laugh! The best is when he REALLY gets going! It's so awesome! He can barely breathe! So, here's this cute man with a HUGE smile on his bright red face! It's so contagious! He makes me laugh! TWO: He is a reader, through and through. Drew always has a book in his hands, and most of the time it's gospel related. He is so knowledgeable. I love talking with him. THREE: He is so willing to offer service. He is more than happy to drive Mercydez and I to the doctor (someone has to sit in the back with Mercydez incase she needs some help from her best friend, the suction). He is happy to help us move, happy to hold and love Mercydez, happy to GIVE the shirt off his back. Nic grew up with a great example. FOUR: Drew plays the harmonica, and he plays it beautifully. I've been told he is a self-taught expert. He plays by ear and he does it so well. One of my most favorite things is when he sits down and just plays away. I love to just sit and listen. It's one of those moments that you hold in your heart for forever. FIVE: Drew loves to play guessing games... but not the "I spy" type. He loves you to GUESS the song he's JUST ABOUT to sing. He is so funny! One time he told us he'd give a dollar to anyone who could guess the song he was just about to perform for us. Seriously, he is so cute! SIX: Drew has this awesome golf cart he rides around the Haws' HUGE backyard. He puts a trailor on it and he gives rides to the grandkids. I love it. It's fun to see who is sitting in the seat next to Drew each time he's out and about. That passenger seat never seems to be empty. Drew is good company. SEVEN: He saves EVERYTHING. Litterally. If you need it, he has it. And if it's not in the house, it's probably in the shed. And if it's not in shed number one, look in shed number two. If it's not in shed number two, look in shed number three.... you get the idea. EIGHT: He hates the doctor. He hates the dentist. Even when his kids BEG him, he won't give in. Okay, maybe if it's painful enough, he will. NINE: Drew loves babies. He loves to hold them and love them. I remember a while back I was asking him his favorite age group. He told me he loves them all, but he starts to question his love when they start walking! Ha! NINE: Drew loves to talk and share his newly-found knowledge from his latest book. Often time when the family is together he will ask if he can share something. Everyone knows whats about to come! TEN: He is a righteous man who is determined to make it back to his Heavenly Father. Drew is a wonderful father, grandfather, husband to Millie, brother to his two beautiful sisters, and an all around one-in-a-million type guy! Happy (late) birthday!

My Mom

My mom celebrated her birthday on November 21st. It was so fun to spend time with her! We had take-out breakfast from Mimi's Cafe... their pumpkin pancakes are to DIE for! Then we had lunch with family at my moms ever-favorite, Bajios. Followed by a late-matinee of Twilight... which, my mom perfectly stated as being the CHEESIEST movie she has ever seen. Then, we came home for some pizza and some yummy icecream cake from Baskin Robins. It was really good. Then, off to bed we went! It was a fun day, if I do say so myself!

Now, let me brag for a minute.... I have the most amazing mom in the whole world. I haven't met a better woman. She is so strong and so dedicated to doing what is right. My mom has never had the "easy" road. It seems like she has always had to endure difficulty in one form or another. She is constantly overcoming. Despite the challenges she faces, she is eager to help. She is eager to love. My mom is so amazing. She has taught me so much, sometimes with words, but mostly by example. She LIVES righteously. I'm so greatful Mercydez has the Ahma she has. We are better and stronger because of her.

So, although this post comes a little late, okay, a lot late, know that we love you and we hope your birthday was all you wanted it to be!