December brought babies!

2 of my favorite cousins had babies in December! Theses 2 cousins are also sisters! And.. they both had boys. Jess is the top picture with Oliver who came in early Dec and then we have Austin on the bottom- he belongs to Kodye and came a week or so before Christmas. I am so happy for both of them! They both live out of town so I haven't had the chance to welcome either sweetie personally! I love you Kodye and Jess.

Staying Home and Loving it

We stayed home all day on Christmas day( and Christmas Eve). Coby left with his dad at about 1:00- Nate, Cass and I stayed in all day. It was so nice to cook and watch movies. Cassidy played with each of her toys and took her time. Nate and I are so busy that our kids very rarely get to enjoy "our" home. Cassidy did this Gingerbread house about a week ago. Cass, Ember and Kate did the wonderful snowflakes that are hanging from our kitchen light.

Ski day at Kelly Canyon

Quick trip to Idaho to see family and a skiing Trip. We go to Idaho to remind ourselves how cold it really is. We took off on Friday morning to go to Targhee and the roads were so bad we hit the smaller local resort Kelly Canyon instead. This resort is smaller than Sundance, and by no means will pamper you. It was the coldest day I have ever skied. There were times I told myself I was crazy, there were a few times N and I glanced at each other thinking, "what are we doing?"

We took our little family on an adventure and I hope my kids will remember it. We packed our lunch(thanks to Nate's wonderful cousins and Aunt) we trooped through the day. I remember looking at the temp and it said 3 degrees, plus wind chill. There were a few times I wanted to just leave, but Coby seemed to be having fun. They had a terrain park with a van to jump as well as a picnic table, I took a run with Coby and fell, and ended up digging for my ski for 20 minutes.

Cass was the bravest of all, she didn't complain once, and she only fell once. Her bright red cheeks told the story, but- the last 2 runs of the day she went by herself, N and I stood and just watched her go, it was awesome! It was so worth it and I forgot for a minute how cold I was.

Hooligans

This is what I see at my house now days.

This is what we will call the teenage phase.

Coby's dad and his Uncle JESS(the marine, and veteran of the Iraq war) took Cobs and his buddies to play laser tag for Cobs big day.

Twelve, Twelve, Thirteen

I didn't know that 13 years ago I would be meeting my best friend.

Coby turns 13 tomorrow. He is really my pride and joy. He has such a sweet soul, if you know him, you know what I am talking about. He is the best son, big brother, cousin, and so on. He inspires me.

This baby picture is so cute- you should see it in real life- gimme a break I was 18 when Coby was born and this was before digital cameras and money was scarce!

Coby was BEAUTIFUL and still is, I will never forget all the nurses running into my room saying they had never seen eyes like his in all the years they had worked in the nursery, to this day I still get comments like this.

Coby is cool, he can board, drag and score goals, he is charismatic and such a good friend.

We took Coby out to Wingers tonight, his choice but 10 minutes into the meal Coby realized wings were not the best choice for his braces, ugh, 13 am I ready for this? really, ok so lets just order the gigantic piece of ice cream pie and fries then, oh ok, yeah lets go spend $20 on snowboard stickers too!

Coby and I have so much fun together, I can not wait for all the good times to come.

Thirteen, baby!!

Festival of Tree

Cassidy was able to participate in the preparation of a tree this year. My cousin Gen did a tree for her daughter. Annalynn is 3 and a half and is a survivor of Spina Biffida.Gen wanted to do a tree to give back to Primary Children's.Gen watches Cassidy on Mondays and that happened to be the day to decorate the tree. Cassidy helped keep Annalynn occupied so Gen and all her helpers could work. A few days later I took my children up to walk through and look at the trees, they were so pretty. I'm so happy Cass had this opportunity, she loved it. The tree's theme was Mom's hope Dad dream. The kids loved eating scones for dinner.

Sad

I found out, over the holiday weekend my OBGYN passed away. The guys out there reading this may think, "why is she so sad?" Girls will understand. You get to know this person, you see them 13 or more times during a pregnancy and then every year after that, you get to be friends, and they of course know you in a special way :) anyways Dr. Greg Gordon, was not only my doctor but my friend and a colleague at work. I will miss seeing his smiling face.

Now, I know for sure, I am done having kids.

Birthdays all around me

Big N had a great day- I made him his mother's lasagna, his best friend came for a visit and the Utes Won!- Needless to say I had to put him to bed- happy to do it.

Also- this is this most beautiful lady in the world- Happy birthday mom!- I am thankful for you!

Bien! 3.81

Some new words at our house to describe the tweenager:

Dedicado

longrador

Buen exito

Buen Trabajo

Ciudadania--

My son, that's right is Premio al Exito Personal.

for those of you that are out of the loop- he had one of the highest GPAs for a Hispanic and was honored at a ceremony.I am proud- he embraces his heritage, it is one more, of the many things to love.

Again?

We love our pictures taken. I told my sister-in-law we did pictures for my mom as an early Christmas present; she thought that would be a great idea for my mother in law as well. Six weeks later- Big N was thrilled to do family pics again. It was a day where all the stars aligned(if there we stars in the day) The weather was perfect. Everyone was able to be there. That is itself is a feat. My brother-in-law splits his time between Sun Valley and Park City and for the one week he was in the UC, my other brother in law,the fireman had the weekend off. Not to mention my sister -in- law the nurse had time off.... and so on. My mother in law's heart was bursting with joy.

p.s. I think my sister-in-laws are so beautiful- I am so glad to have a photo with just us.

8 things to read

Crazy 8's

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
1-Arrested Dev. Re-runs
2-30 Rock
3-SNL
4-The Big Bang Theory
5-The King of Queens( cuz everyone says I remind them of Carrie)
6-The Simpson's
7-King of the Hill
8- The might B

8 Favorite Places I Love To Eat:
1-La Dolce Vita
2-Taco Amigo
3-Sensuous
4-Starbucks
5-Flour Girls Dough Boys
6-Paradise Bakery
7-Cafe Rio
8-Kneaders


8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1-Took both kiddies to school
2-Worked
3-Went to spin class
4-Ate an apple
5- Played with Black Sabbath
6- Did some Laundry
7-Watched Monday night football
8-Talked to Big N

8 Things I Look Forward To:

1- using my ski pass
2-Thanksgiving with my parents
3-Kids programs
4-Trip to Idaho to Ski with the fam
5-The fun gifts I have purchased
6-riding my new indoor bike
7-snow
8-time off

8 Things I Love About Fall:

1-planting things for spring
2-apples
3-leaves
4-snow on the way
5-rides in the canyon
6-hikes in the canyon
7-camping
8-football



8 Things On My Wish List:
1-safety for my loved ones
2-snow
3-lose 5 lbs
4-laser hair removal
5-boob job
6-long hair
7-construction on our great room to happen
8-travel

Amy is an all star at ALL STAR LANES

We want Amy to know we love her so what says love more than bowling?

Private

Going private- you have a week to send me your email.

Roll em in guys

Good and Bad

The Good
1- C's test came back- it is a calcified lesion that can just stay put as long as it doesn't bother her. We get calcification's on our bones, she just happens to have a weird one on her neck- she is wonderful.
2- The Dance opens on Dec 5th- Will this be your year to get the skis out of storage and join me? Our family has passes this year and I am counting down the days! 31 years old and my first season pass- this is when I say- yes I have accomplished something!

The Bad

1- My RLS(not to be confused with RSL) Restless Leg Syndrome. I called in sick to work yesterday after 2 days of non-stop leg pain. I lay on my bed and my legs jump around- I cannot sit through a movie. I wake up every night- about 1:00 am and walk the floors. I've talked to my doctor about treatment for this, but do I really want to become a compulsive gambler- the main side effect? I already have enough bad habits. I try to do 2- 3 bike rides a week and N bought me an indoor bike of my own to work it out- but still, irritability persists. So if I call you from Vegas and I've mortgaged my home just know I'm on some new meds.

Catching up.

These cute girls are cousins. Jess 2nd from the left was in town last month(she lives by Hyde Park in Chicago) for a baby shower.He who shall not be named yet arrives in Dec- it was fun to get together with Shan, Jess and Kodye for a day. Kodye is the cutie on the right, she is also getting a boy in January.

Isn't is amazing that the "ladies" in the first picture are responsible for this troop right here. 2nd generation cousins- Cannon my niece on the right is my brothers daughter but everyone else belongs to the girls above. How fun for cousins to get to know one another(McKinley, Grace, Ashley, Lindsey, Haley, Coby, C and Cannon- yes Coby is the only boy- we have a shortage right now but once Kodye and Jess get their babies it may even out a bit.)

This was our tulip planting, yard winterizing day a while back. We planted 60 tulip bulbs in our new curbed flower bed. I hope spring brings us a nice surprise.

My mother in law is such a garden maiden, she gave all the grand kids garden gear- here C is wearing her gloves, and putting them to use in the pictures above.

The votes are in

I sit here in this great country with my 12 year old son, as he does his school project tonight, which is to add up swing states- with red and blue states. I am emotional as I watch the crowds of people cheer. America decided- History was made -I am so honored to have witnessed it, and I am also so excited my son will remember when history was made.

Happy Halloween-

Love- US!

Having more than we lost

I had dinner with a friend last night who I have been friends with all my life. I have only seen her once in the last year and a half. In February she lost a baby at about 35.5 weeks, her son was born, to her seemingly perfect. For months I tried to contact her, visit her and help her. I was never able to get in touch with her during her trying time. A very private person with a very private matter. Yesterday when she called and invited me to dinner, I was trilled that I could make it. We met with our other friend Leah and had ourselves a little reunion. Ku was able to tell her story of her 4th child, a son, Michael. I was so thankful to her for sharing her story. It may of taken her a while to gain the courage to share it, but I was so glad she did. Ku said so many wonderful things- but the best was when she said, "I have more than I lost, and I am trying to focus on that."

Today Cassidy had a C-Scan for a neck mass she has had since birth. It is growing and the doctors wanted us to have it looked at. So far- she has had an ultrasound and now, today the scan. The ultrasound came up with a sore or lesion. It is in such a odd place that our doctor thought the C- scan may be better than the ultrasound. Right now we are home- eating our breakfast and letting our stomachs settle. Cass had to have an I-V which I wasn't expecting, that was the worst and scariest part for us both- since I had told her she didn't need to have a shot.

Last Night Cass lost her front tooth- she is talking with a lisp today, getting used to her tooth being gone. The tooth fairy visited and left $3.

ARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG!!

At Grandma Joyce's Halloween Party with Ember

This has been such a fun costume this year- Nate's mom does a party every year for the kids and she plays lots of fun games including twister, and pictionary for the kids.They get to sleepover and watch a scary movie(Hallmark Hall of Fame) Grandpa Allen makes his famous corn chowder.

Upgrading

Coby sitting in the drag for the first time- I can't believe he has outgrown his other one.

Parachute

The quality of these photos is not the best- but here are some pictures of Coby's new drag. This one will go faster than 85 and is considered a Major Class. I love the last photo here,it looks like the bike that Batman drives in The Dark Knight.

This will be something that Coby will work on this winter along with Marty. Cob will race this car next year.

I have some footage of Coby actually racing(winning)- if I can figure out how to get it onto my blog- HELP!

Coby just told me I should have named this entry- BAD ASS ENGINE

McAffee family Pictures- Last time we did this it was 1980

Anyone who knows me and my brother may find this amusing

You have to love big N

The kids all took a turn smooching grandma- they turned out SO CUTE!

The 2 most wonderful people in the world

My grand kids are cuter than yours- best grandparents ever!

The girls

My favorite picture- and she took a ton

My troop

It has been awhile since we had this done, and I doubt we will do it again. Family pictures are stressful, but these turned out so great- I love them. My mom is happy with them- and that is what counts.

This one is for all of you out there missing Coby- me too. Have you tried to get a tweenager to sit still long enough to write about them? I promise there is more to come on Coby and his spectacular racing season.