Meet John- It was his birthday!

This is John, my mom's new boyfriend. Well not new-new, but recent.


Recently we celebrated his birthday with family dinner and a small birthday party.


We all went over to Mom's house for dinner and then after we hit up the cake and presents.



Dwayne and I got John this Giants Santa hat. Not Cowboys I know, but that's John's team.

He's also a fan of the Godfather so we got him that on DVD as well

John, me and Halo

Mom got him a nice Giants sweater

Halo loves John!

After we had our cake and the presents were opened it was time for some games. We played Yahtzee and had a good time.

Even Halo played, just kidding but he stayed up at the table with us and made sure we followed the rules.

Halo, me, Mellie and Steve

John grew up in New York, where they have real winters. For most of his adult life though, he has lived in states where it doesn't really snow. On the night of his birthday, it started snowing!

And I don't mean the pretend snow we get that lasts as long as it takes for the snow to leave the cloud and hit the ground. Nope, I'm talking about real snow, the snow that sticks and makes you use a broom to clear off your car.

Naturally we were all very excited and had to take some time to go out and play in the snow.

Mellie and me after we came back in from outside. The snow was a nice ending to John's birthday day. Happy Birthday John!

Dual Birthday Parties

Steven's birthday was the day after Thanksgiving and Katana's was on Thanksgiving day. She was up on our end of the state for her birthday and Thanksgiving so, we combined Steve's party and her party on the same day.


Here is our newest 5 year old!



Our little God-daughter isn't gonna' be little much longer!

Katana with the present we got her

Steven opening up some of his presents

We got him a bunch of Butterfinger candy bars. They are his favorite and he couldn't eat them while he had braces but now it is fair game!

Happy 19th Birthday Steven and Happy 5th Birthday Katana!

TSO to kick off the season!

Almost every year now, for the last four years, TSO has kicked off our Christmas season. This year they were in Reno for two shows the day after Thanksgiving. We as a family went to the PM show. It has sort of become a tradition now to go have dinner before the show all together and then head over to the venue to find our seats.


The night of the concert it was raining and I didn't want to get my hair wet so I wrapped my scarf around it. Kind of funny looking isn't it? :)


Dwayne was hungry and ready to go inside to get some food!


They put together a nice long table for us all. Pictured here is Mellie with cousin Jordan.


Dwayne has had a little food and is feeling much better!

Cousin Jordan and Aunt Elaine

John and Mom

Cousin Olowan and Me

Me with Dwayne. Once dinner was finished it was off to the Reno Events Center for the show. The weather was wet, windy and very cold. Parking was terrible! We had a tough time finding a spot but , alas, we made it to the show!

If you've never seen TSO live, you must try to go at least once. They never disappoint. Their shows are always energetic and awesome.

They have their own singers, musicians and workers but they also incorporate the town's musicians as well to fill in their strings section.

They do it all, smoke, lasers, lights, fire, you name it, they have it!

The lights always match the beats of the music and it really pulls you in.

Our seats were right where the platform was for when they came off the stage and into the audience.

My cousin Olowan had never been before and she really enjoyed it. She looked at me and said "I want their CD!"

Like I said, it is an amazing show and we look forward to it every year now!

Us after the show was over

Mellie after the show

Mom, me and Mellie

Mom and John

Me, cousin Olowan, cousin Jordan and Mellie

We had gotten Mellie her ticket for her birthday in September and she was so happy!

Giving thanks in 2009!

Well, as I sit here updating our page, the Christmas cards have been mailed and looking out the window, the snow has started to fall. We already have a good layer of snow on the ground much to my liking. I keep saying I want more snow and Dwayne keeps assuring that not only do we have plenty but that more is on the way. Turns out, that weather man of a husband was right! The snow is now coming down outside my window in large flakes. I love it! I have been a little slow in updating the page again, I apologize. We have been very busy. Dwayne has been taking quizes, taking finals and writing essays. I have been doing much of the same. We both have been working too and Dwayne has put in some overtime. Busy busy busy as usual! So, now that I had an afternoon available, I'd thought I would get this blog updated. Lets start with Thanksgiving!



Mom and I got the turkey ready the night before and on Thanksgiving morning I got up and put it in the oven.


Mom made most of the sides over at her house while the turkey was cooking at mine and then she came over and helped finish getting everything ready to eat. Perhaps it was more like she came over and I helped her.



Of course, football wasn't in shortage. The guys, John (my mom's boyfriend), Halo and Dwayne all sported their team jerseys.

They watched and talked football while the food was finishing up.

This was our thanksgiving table.

The centerpiece.

Then it was time to eat so we called everyone to the kitchen to dish it up.

Even Halo gets a plate on Thanksgiving (Christmas dinner too) and he inhaled it in about two seconds! It must have good.

Judging from Dwayne's look as he digs into the leg, it was!

Turkey overload!

When you get us all together, there's never a shortage of good times. Mellie and I were having a good time for sure.

Our family meals are always filled with laughter and love, always.

The siblings, Tiffy, Mellie, and Steve

The girls, Mommy, Mellie and Tiffy

Awe, look at that brotherly love!

Okay a more serious picture of the two. Dwayne and Mellie

We have so much to be thankful for and so much to be grateful for. We are thankful for all of you, our friends and our family. We are grateful for the home we have and all that's inside. We are grateful for the love we receive from everyone and for all the blessings the Lord gives us. We thank Him everyday for what we have and we pray that He keeps all of you and yours close to Him too!