Happy New Decade!

Happy New Year! Happy best wishes from me...the Candadian!

Happy Birthday Mike!

My leeetle nephew Mike! He's the youngest grandson of my parents...number 26. He's my brother Larry's (DaCoacha) son. He's a crazy BASEBALL fan with a wicked fastpitch. Here he is:

GROWING...

GROWING...

GROWING...

(with my daddy)

GROWING...

GROWN!

I LOVE YOU MIKE!

Christmas Family Party Number 1

Our first family Christmas party was held on December 21st. We called it the "What Would Norma Bring?" party. Since my brother Brian and his wife Sarah were in Utah for Christmas, we decided to have a big get together and serve things that my mom would have served.

In attendance were Brian and Sarah; Adrianne (Brian's daughter) and Dan with their children: Kelsey, Rachel, Riley, and Sammy; Brant (Brian's son) and Ariel with their children: Aiden, Ezra, and Gabriel; Jodi (my sister Donna's daughter) and her little daughter Alycia. Then, of course, Terry, me, Melissa, Erika and Tyler.

A full house and I LOVED IT! Here are some pictures of the event.

Talkin'

Can you see Melissa doing Erika's hair??

Erika with my grandpug Oscar.

Adrianne, Alycia, and Jodi (with a little baby inside!)

Brant and Riley looking at Gabriel admiring the lights.

L.to R.: Dan, Brian, Terry, Tyler, Melissa, Sarah, Erika, Adrianne.

Samantha, Dan, Ezra

Riley and Rachel

Erika, Melissa, and their beautiful Aunt Sarah

My kids: Tyler, Erika, and Melissa

Brant, Adrianne, and their papa (my brother) Brian

Gabriel and his mama Ariel

Aiden doing his ninja moves.

Two of my favorite men: Brian and Terry

My boyfriend: Terry!

When your grandchildren make you proud...

Happy Birthday Spencer!

Spencer is my step son. He is also one of the best fathers I have ever known (and I've seen many: 24 years of teaching X 25 (average) number of students per year=600 fathers). Let's change that to THE best father. I've been blessed to be part of the lives of Terry's children. I look at them as my own. Spencer was 18 (?) when I married Terry. I was impressed from day one!

Anyway, as I looked through photos to post here, I couldn't decide. They all showed him as a great daddy, a great husband, and great person. He has energy, love, and compassion for everyone around him. So, if you want to find out more about Spencer (and it is well worth it), go here, and here, and here.

Thank you, Spencer, for your example of excellence in father-hood, son-hood, step-son-hood, husband-hood, and any other "hood" you are a part of. I do love you and am grateful to know you and be a part of your life.

I remember when...

This little girl believed in Santa sooooo much that she saw him flying with his eight tiny reindeer in the sky on the way home from a shopping trip to Lethbridge...at least that's what her Dad told her and he never, ever lied! Sometimes I feel like her this time of year. I love those moments.

My First Born Child

Melissa and Me

Melissa and Erika

I love her laugh

A birthday kiss.

At exactly 6:27 pm on Dec. 3, 1987, I gave birth to Melissa. Now it is 22 years later. Wow! Time flies...it's true. But, I have loved every single minute of that time with her. She is one of those people that you must see to believe. From day one, she was almost perfect. Seriously.

This year, to do something special, Terry (my hub) and I decided to give Melissa 24 envelopes. She was instructed to open one every hour. Inside, she would find 24 reasons why her mom or her dad love her. I also put a random treat inside each envelope.

Let me share a couple with you:

"You tell me in a kind way when my clothes don't match"

-Dad

"Your work ethic. You work and work. Sure you complain sometimes but you always go and give it your all. Remember that Grandpa Leavitt always said that it doesn't matter if you are hired for $1.00 an hour, you still give your employer your all. I know he would be proud of you."

-Mom

"You always offer to go get me lunch and dinner with my credit card!"

-Dad

"You accept me with all of my faults and issues. You support me. You let me know when I need to shape-up...even if I hate that sometimes! Thank you."

-Mom

Plus, 20 more.

I certainly do love this girl. She is amazing. For more about her, go here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA!