Late Chrismas with Twyla

Due to our crazy busy schedules during the holidays, we finally made it up to Jim's Moms house to exchange Christmas presents. It's been almost 2 years since I was up there last, things just haven't worked out to get us all up there sooner. The kids had a relaxing day after opening presents and most everyone dozed on the couch at some point. It was nice to see Bobby too, it's been just as long since we've seen him. He's all grown up now! Scott came over and brought Kyra, she loved the clothes and book we gave her. It was fun to buy for a little girl, my girls are all big girls now. Jim and the kids looked through pictures and got a good laugh at how everyone has changed over the years. I'm glad we finally made it up there, we need to make a point of going up more often. Maybe this summer....

50th anniversay dinner

Last night we headed down to Jamblin Jacks in Olympia to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. The restaurant was nice and everyone seemed to have a good time. My parents loved the scrapbook I made for them and we all had fun trying to remember the details of the pictures in the album. Neither one of my parents could really remember how or when they became engaged, it was really weird. I guess that's what happens when 50 years goes by. Anyway, it was a nice evening and I'm glad we all got together.

50th Anniversay

My Mom called me on Wednesday to "remind" me that it is her and my Dad's 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday. What?? I had no idea how close they were to 50th and I definitely didn't think it was this year, so as you can imagine, I freaked out. How in the world can I prepare any kind of party for such a big occasion with only 2 days notice? So, I did the best I could. I called Mike, Melissa and Nancy to see if they wanted to get together for dinner on Saturday night and if they had any pictures so I could make an album of some kind. Of course Nancy had the most pictures and she sent me copies of their wedding photos and some others I didn't have in my collection of pictures. Then I got prints made and on Friday I headed to the bakery to see if I could get a cake with one of the pictures on it. They were very helpful and I managed to get the cake ordered for pickup on Saturday right before dinner. Last night I took a chipboard album I had already started work on to use as the base for the album and put most of it together. I ran to Michael's this morning for a few finishing touch embellishments and I now have a finished album to give as a gift tonight. So, with not much time, I managed to put together a dinner, get a cake and make an album. Whew! Oh, did I mention that I don't know any of the details of how my parents, met, how my dad proposed, where they got married or really much else? So most of the album has blank spots for journaling for my Mom to fill in afterward. My hope is that she will get it done and some day the album will come back to me with all of those details. My Dad has gotten really forgetful over the last few years so I hope there is still time to hear from him on some things. I plan on asking him tonight. I'll also take a few pictures of them tonight to add to the last page of the album.

Hash House a Go Go

During our trip to Vegas we made a point of trying to get to at least one Food Network spot for a meal. I searched out Hash House a Go Go and we grabbed a cab there on Sunday morning. Wow, cabs are expensive! On the map it only looked like a few miles, $25 later- one way, we finally made it the restaurant. It was definitely worth it, the food was delicious! I had the bacon waffle and Jim had the corned beef hash, both were delicious. The biscuit on Jim's plate was by far the most yummy biscuit I have ever had. Jim wasn't even going to eat it! I tried it and ended up eating half of it with some of the yummy strawberry jam they had on the table. The waitress was great, she called a cab for us and it was there by the time we finished eating and stood outside for a few minutes. When we first got there there were only a few people waiting, by the time we left there was a line out the door and people waiting outside. It is one of those places worth standing in line for, if you're ever in Vegas , spend the $50 worth of cab fare and head over for a meal you wont regret.

Miss Tiffany

Tiffany gave me this picture of her this weekend and I knew right away the kind of layout I wanted to do with it. I am so grateful that she and I met and became friends, it has been one the easiest friendships I have ever made. We have alot in common and enjoy spending time with each other. We don't stress out when we don't see each other for a while and we understand when one of us just wants to have someone listen to us without judging. I know I can count on her to be there if I need anything and for that I am truly thankful. Tiffany truly is MY amazing friend.

New pages

Here are a few pages from scrapping with Tiffany yesterday. Her Mom Susie was in town for the holidays so I got a chance to catch up with her a bit. Susie and Tiffany are hard at work on projects for this month's CHA conventions. Tiffany is teaching an amazing mini book class and I get to go along and help in the class, I cant wait. Check out Tiffany's blog for more details this week on the project.

I love all of the paper I used on these pages, especially the blue Teresa Collins paper- yummy! The page with my dad and the juice bag turned out really cute too. Can you imagine not knowing how to use a juice bag? That just shows you how the generations differ now days. The bridge layout is from this summer at the covered bridge we always stop at on the way back from Long Beach. I love that spot.

I spent part of today in the love shack putting stuff away and organizing. I always feel better when the shack is nice and tidy. I did one more layout today but I'm saving that one to post tomorrow so check back to see what it's all about. Maybe I'll head out to the shack again tomorrow, we'll see.

I know it's late but here are a few shots from Christmas Eve and morning. We left for Vegas the day after Christmas so I didn't get a chance to post much about Christmas. The kids were all spoiled, of course. They all didn't really ask for much this year so we had a hard time figuring out what to get them. Maybe next year we'll just take everyone on a family vacation and forget the gifts. Spending time away together seems like a much better way to spend our money. Now if I can just convince Jim of it we'll be set! We will be heading up to see Jim's mom within the next few days, it's been forever since we visited so I am really looking forward to it. Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Viva Las Vegas

So Jim and I hanging out in Las Vegas for the next few days. We are making sure to lots of sightseeing and touristy things this time, including the wax museum. I think Jim like it a little too much, just ask Brittany! We're staying at the Monte Carlo and it's been a really nice place to stay so far. We're heading out to see Jerry Seinfeld tonight- should be fun. See you in a few days.