4 Christmases - Our Christmas Letter

Masynn and her Swim to me Puppy prior to losing her tooth
Benny and Me, KasiAnne and Mike
Benny, Braxton and Me
Benny and Me


I meant to get this posted yesterday but with the madness of the holiday season here I am just beating that midnight on Christmas Day clock. I guess in a way its pretty neat because I can just tell you about our busy Christmas instead of a recap of the year.

I finally realized today that even though I still love opening presents, the whole magical Christmas thing you feel as a kid is just not the same as an adult. I'm not saying that its bad by any means I've just realized that its really just exhausting. I love getting to see my family that I hardly seem to ever see anymore and I still love the thrill of getting those that mean so much to me, presents that I know they will love and appreciate.

The best part is that this year I did more personalized gifts. Those of you that know me well know that I am a rather crafty gal. I think this craftiness stems from that of necessity in the sense that so very often they just don't make the things I want, therefore I just figure out how to make things myself. This making of things has driven Benny crazy for the past 4-5 months while I spend little bits of my extra time working on something or another. It tends to make me a bit crazy by the time Christmas comes but I love how happy everyone is to get something that was done just for them.

The Christmas holiday started with my sister KasiAnne, her husband Mike, Benny and I all having a 'date night.' It was on the 23rd, we all went to the movie "Four Christmases" then went to Red Robin for dinner. This was such a great way to start the Christmas festivities since the four of us all get along so well.

Chrismas Eve we spent with Benny's extended family on his dad's side. We had a nice dinner and even sang some Christmas songs. There are some great voices in that family! Then afterward Benny and I spent the rest of the evening with his mom and dad. The four of us exchanged gifts and went to bed. (BTW...Benny and I got a much needed new Dyson for Pets vacuum, this thing is sweet, and its purple!!)

This morning we got up, had some hot tea and coffee and waited for Benny's sister and brother and their families to come. We had breakfast together then exchanged gifts. We soon needed to rush off to my dad's house where we spent the afternoon exhanging gifts with my dad's side of the family. Once everyone heads home from there, we're off to Mike and KasiAnne's house because my mom has just made it into town from Alabama. So we spend the remainder of the evening with my mom.

Then I look back at the events in the past 24 hours and realize we've just done our own Four Christmases! All in all, a fantastic Christmas. Benny is still at Kasi and Mike's house and I am here at home with my mom. Mom went to bed though since she's still on Alabama time. One thing I am extremely greatful for is the fact that Benny and Mike are becoming such good friends. They get along like they've known each other for their entire lives. Its great, its the one thing that means so much to me since my sister is so important in my life.

The biggest news of the day is that Masynn came to my house to spend the night with Granny and while she was having an evening snack of some hot chocolate and eating Trix Cereal she lost her first tooth. It was a little traumatic for her screaming bloody murder and all, but Granny was here to hold and calm her until Mommy showed up to retrieve her and the tooth. That means Santa last night, Tooth Fairy tonight. YAY!

Oh and for those of you who are wondering...Benny got me the mocha colored Juicy Couture Velour Sweatsuit I was wanting! I love it and am of course wearing it right now along with the beautiful silver earrings he got me.

I hope each and everyone of you had amazing Christmases. I hope your 2009 gets of to a fabulous beginning and that all of the warmest of blessings will be yours. Now I'm off to find out if my boyfriend is ever going to come home from his new best friend's house (aka my sister and brother-in-law's).

Tootle Loo!

Benny's New iPod

One of Benny's friends, a friend he's knowns since high school bought him an iPod for Christmas. Those of you who know Benny well know that he and electronics don't seem to understand each other very well. He's been talking about getting one latley and it was so awesome of his buddy to get him one and to load it with tons of Benny's favorite music.

Then the other night after a day or so of him listening to his new tunes he comes home from work asking about the music I have on my iPod and wants to know if I can put music from mine onto his. Of course! So, we sit down at the computer and I tell him a little about how the whole downloading songs thing works. I just so happen to have a ton of music on my hard drive so I was able to give him tons of new stuff. We even created him a playlist of his favorites.

Last night when he came home from work, he was just so happy to have all of his favorite songs in one place, we then went to Wal-Mart and got him the plastic wrap to keep the face from getting scratched and a rubber case to protect the whole thing. I am excited to see him so happy about the iPod. Its cool that there is at least one piece of electronic technology that he is getting along well with.

FYI- The picture is from the web not a picture I took of his iPod. I am positive he wants me to make sure you all know he would not have a song called Shake Your Pom Pom on his iPod. LOL!

Country Elves

I quite seriously cannot stop laughing!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

'O' Christmas Tree

Benny absolutley loves our Christmas tree. And when I say love I mean it in the deepest of affections. I'm not kidding he comes home from work, gives me a hug, a kiss and leans back against the kichen counter and gazes across the great room and says, 'WOW that's a beautiful tree!' Seriously, he's done this everyday now since I put it up last week.

I agree, it is pretty, and not really what I was expecting knowing that Benny and I would be blending our things. Benny had 4 boxes of Christmas decorations including ornaments and a pre lit 9 foot tree. He hadn't seen most of his things in probably about 6 years or so and I had not seen my things since before Phoenix. So, it was pretty great that his things and mine ended up making such a lovely tree.

I know you probably see the picture and think eh, its just a typical tree. Well, maybe it is just a typical tree, but the most exciting part about it is the fact that its our first tree together. Maybe its because we are both so happy with each other that seeing our ornaments looking so nicely blending together just left us both with a rather warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Plus there's just something about Christmas at home. After 4 years of preparing for Christmas in the 80 degree Phoenix weather its nice to be home and actually smell and feel Christmas coming. (Don't think this means I like cold weather.) It just seems right to get that jolly feeling as you can sense the weather getting cooler and wanting to maybe snow anyday.

As this Christmas draws nearer I thank God everyday for the gifts he's given me throughout my life. This may be a bit of a rough holidays for many of us including myself because of the state of the economy and my difficult year prior to this one, which means its much more important to remember the real meaning of Christmas. Its not about how expensive the gifts are or how many gifts you get, but its about being with the ones you love and who love you. Those are the true gifts of life. Those who cannot find the true meaning of Christmas in their hearts will never find that meaning wrapped up under the tree. Take time to thank God for all he has done for you and for what he has planned for you. Be thankful to him everyday for the things you have and for giving you the means to have that 'O' so beautiful Christmas Tree.

7 Random Things

Ok, Lisa tagged me for my 7 random things. I loved reading Lisa's things and learned quite a bit about her since the days where we knew nearly everything about each other. Now I have to actually think of 7 things and hope I know 7 people to tag that haven't already been tagged, I'll do what I can.

1) I have a box at my dad's house full of notes, letters and mementos from my childhood. I haven't been through it in ages but I know its there right next to the suitcase that has my Barbie and all of her things in it. When Kim married Dan I copied all the notes she wrote me in high school that said she hopes she marries Dan Hatch and put them in the photo album I made them. I think that was the last time I went through that box.

2) This may not be news to some of you, but I HATE when people don't put their shopping carts away! You just pushed the damn thing all through the store and full of stuff mind you, but you can't walk 25 yards to put it in the cart round up so that the wind doesn't blow it into my truck while I am inside shopping? Come on! Combat laziness and put your carts away, if you don't I wish wild winds ramming your car with all the carts in the Wal-Mart parking lot next time you go shopping!

3) I was only in kindergarten for 6 weeks. My September birthday fell just 2 days after the cutoff and I had to wait a year to start. So, I was 6. After 5 weeks of asking my mom how much longer I was going to have to count bears and trecking down to the 1st grade hall everyday to attend the highest level reading group in a 1st grade class as a kindergartener, my mom decided to have a talk with the principal. They put me in 1st grade. So ha, I skipped kindergarten! Funny thing many of my friends ended up only being just days older than me. Kim 10 days older and Lisa only 6 days and Tawni she was 7 days younger, how'd she get in? Either way, sorry you girls had to do kindergarten without me!

4) I don't like to read. Pictures, yes please give me pictures. After #3 your probably thinking...she loves to read and she's good at it. Well, its the comprehension part I have a hard time with. Finding something interesting is the deal. If you can write something that keeps my attention then you must be a good writer, or at least have a topic that rocks. I do like writing though so go figure. I hate having to comprehend something that is boring. So, I just turn my brain off. Its a talent really, I think. Actually I have a terrible short term memory when it comes to recalling information so reading is pretty much just a waste of my time cause I rarely remember half of it anyway.

5) Photography, I've always liked taking and having pictures but not as much as I do today. Photography is my little 'hobby on the side.' I think I may quite possibly be addicted to photography blogs. I love contemporary portraits of weddings, couples, seniors, babies, families. You know, pictures taken in places where you really would never think of taking pictures and then they just turn out amazing. If I find a blog I like I get obssessed with waiting for new pictures. I just love, love, love seeing other photograpers' work and what they can capture. Reminds me how beautiful everything is and can be. Sometimes all it takes is the right light and just the right angle, so if something doesn't appear good to you at first, keep that in mind.

6) I am OCD, I am sure of it. I can't stand it if my house is messy. Everything has its place. I will stay up til all hours of the night if things aren't just the way I like them before I go to bed. Ok, well...unless of course I've fallen asleep on the couch watching TV again. If I lay down on the couch to watch TV its pretty much a given that I will fall asleep. Then I am pretty much rendered useless and it takes all I have to even get pajamas on and get in my bed. But once I get to cleaning (and its usually at night) its over, no one can keep up with me or stop me and I'm on the cleaning rampage. I can't quit. I can always find something else that needs to be cleaned or put away its re-damn-diculous. What is even scarier is that Benny is just like me when it comes to cleaning...I know and I love it about him, just one of the many reasons we get along so well and part of why I love him!

7) I really don't like talking on the phone. I do it if I have to or if I have something to say, but I'm not really big on just calling to chat or see how you are doing. E-mail...now I love e-mail, its the greatest invention ever. You can call me if you want to come over and chat or you want to meet me for lunch to chat, but really, I don't want to just sit and chat on the phone. Mostly cause I get too distracted by things I'd really rather be doing and I will do other things while on the phone with you if it starts to get too lengthy. So just keep it short and sweet on the phone and drop on in for a visit anytime or shoot me an e-mail for heavens sake!

Ok, Lisa there are my 7 things! Hope you all learned something new about me. Ok, I tag just 5 ...Sarah, Robin, Jessica, Candie and Roberta. Can't wait to see what your 7 are!

My VIAO

That's my VIAO over there to the right. On Sunday, Albert came and took my VIAO away... oh my poor laptop. As technolgy gets newer, faster and better everyday my once high tech cutting edge Sony VIAO is quickly becoming a dinosaur. The once light 7 pound VIAO has had to make way for the newer, sleeker, faster, models. I hate to let it go. Its been such a great tool for me and has been there for oh so many photos, resumes, cover letters, emails...you name it.

Albert is the computer guy, in case you hadn't figured that out. I'm going to say that no news is good news at this point. I am actually rather scared to hear back from Albert. He's either going to tell me that it cannot be fixed or its going to cost me more than what its worth. I know Albert is not the 'bad guy' in all of this but man...that crazy computer it just makes me want to scream. After all of the applications I've given to it and all of the interesting information I have shared with it over the years, and this is how it repays me. It literally will link to the internet but won't display it on the screen. The little icon and the pop up messenger tells me that I am connected but then I click on the little blue 'e' and nothing...'The page you have selected cannot be displayed.' Yeah, well you aren't displaying pages I don't even want to see, you, crazy VIAO are not displaying anything!

If anyone has any computer smarts or if this has happened to you before, please let me know if you have any ideas how to resolve this. I would welcome any thoughts or ideas even though I think I've exhausted so many of them already. Hopefully Albert will be me and the VIAO's savior!

The Library

Ok, so I know its been a week or so since my last post and yes I am quite possibly a huge slacker but hey...sometimes it just works out that way. So this post includes a photo that is not my own, I know, I know, so unlike me the gal who is always taking pictures. I have good reason for this. I am currently at the new Kennewick Library on Union, so the picture is one I found on the web of the library. I've been wanting to check out the new building but wasn't sure if I could get a card here since I do live in Pasco. Well, things change. Yep, it is now Mid Columbia Libraries and there is a whole list of local libraries that they gave me that us in the Tri Cities can go to. Once you have a card for one you can go to any of them, even Connell! Its such a different process now. As a kid we always went to the old Kennewick Library of course, you know the one across from Kennewick High School and next to Keewaydin Park.

I remember the smell of that library, the smell of most libraries. They just have that distinct musty paper smell. I remember the little plastic boxes that had cards and black pens in them at the desk. Those are what you used when checking out books. At the Kennewick Library you didn't get a library card. You just filled out one of those little cream colored cards with the green lines and letters each time you went there. Then the librarian would hold each book under the counter and it made a kind of dull clunking noise. Still not sure what that was for because I don't think they had electronic sensors back then. I still liked to hear that noise though, it made it seem like it was all official that I was checking out books.

When you entered and left the library there were these silver arm bars that you had to push and walk through. Kinda similar to ones you'd see at an amusement park gate. I always thought that was so cool that I got to go through them. For whatever reason I was easily amused sometimes as a kid.

I did notice today upon walking into the new library that the musty paper smell isn't quite as strong. Its there but not like it was in the old library. And computers have replaced the old card catalogs and microfiche machines. Do you remember those?!?! That was fun sometimes to get those plastic laminate strips with the newspapers on them. I wonder where those all are now? Some landfill somewhere probably. You even checkout your own books now. Seriously, its just a bar code on your card and a bar code on the book and you're outta there.

So, I guess more importantly...why other than to check out the new building am I sitting here at the library on the internet? Well, my computer at home isn't working right and I was told yesterday at work that because of the economy they may only have work for me for another couple of weeks. In that case since my internet is down I am here checking out my options. I have a few great leads and have acted on them, but am still open to suggestions or if anyone has any thing they know of, by all means help a sister out!

Handsome Lil' Devil

Every mother says their child is cute. Benny's mom is no exception. She kept telling me how adorable Benny was as a little boy. I just had to say, of course, I am sure he was...that was until she brought out the picture box! Quite seriously, and I may be a little biased but oh my gosh how absolutley adorable is he? I posted the Halloween picture of me on my last blog so I thought it only fair to show you all what a handsome lil' Devil Benny was. This I believe was either his kindergarten or 1st grade picture and I just hope if we have kids someday they will be just as adorable as him.

Holly Hobbie and Laura Ingalls

I was going to post this on Friday but got busy and didn't have the opportunity. Plus this weekend was extremely busy and I don't even think I turned my computer on once. Anyway, in the spirit of Halloween, I wanted to post this picture of myself from Halloween in 1979. Yep, that is me. I loved Holly Hobbie and could've passed for Laura Ingalls, as I adored her. For whatever reason even being the tomboy that I was, I loved long dresses as a kid. I think cause they made me feel pretty.

Benny sees pictures of me as a little girl and swears I was the prettiest little girl ever. Yeah, I guess I was kinda cute. Wasn't such a cute newborn though. Yikes...I'm surprised my parents didn't send me back after seeing my first photo from the hospital. Guess that's true unconditional love for ya. Sorry, I'm absolutley not going to post that photo.

I don't really remember too many specifics about Halloween, its never really been one of my favorites. I do remember my parents taking us to family and friends' houses to trick or treat until I was in middle school. Then I just went with my friends in their neighborhoods since I didn't really have a neighborhood. I even won 3rd place in a middle school dress up contest for my Minnie Mouse costume. I made the skirt myself. (Those middle school Home Ec skills came in handy) I don't mind dressing up and actually enjoy it now and then, but I have to be in that mood. If only I had a big girl dress like this and a bonnett...

My Sister -KasiAnne

I figured since I told you all about my sister-in-law that it would
blend well into telling you about my actual sister. This entry could get rather long since of course I've known her for her entire life, being as I am the 'big' sister. I'll try to cut out all the family jokes and old stories to spare everyone.

What can I say about Kasi that hasn't already been said? She's a great sister. Sure we had our days as kids where we used to try to beat the crap out of each other. The day I realized she was my size and harder to pick on was a sad day...haha just kidding. She'll be the first to tell you that when she tattled to mom about me hitting her that mom would just tell her to hit me back. Then she figured out how to really get me, we had two steps from the living room to the kitchen in our house growing up. She figured out how to use those steps to her advantage by launching herself off the top step and pummeling me to the ground. We'd wrestle around til finally mom or dad would break us up. Dad would just say, "Be nice to each other, that is the only sister you'll ever have." Guess he didn't realize we'd have sisters in law someday. That's ok, he was right, we should be friends. Now she is one of my bestest!

Kasi took me in as a stray (and Mike too) when I moved home from Phoenix. I don't know if they realize how much it meant to me to stay with them for a few months while I waited for my renter to move out of my house and got caught back up on bills after the move. I know it was hard to have me there for so long, but they did it very graciously even through the days when Benny and I first met and would stay up late in their bonus room watching movies. She even fattened me up a bit while I was there with all of the dinners she made, well ok it was only 10 pounds and those are gone now. I was so spoiled though cause that was a nice perk of the Wilson hotel. :)

Kasi is a fantastic mom to Masynn and will be to baby Wilson on the way in May, she's a great wife to Mike and to me she's an amazing sister. I always value her opinion even if its rather blunt sometimes. Its her being her that makes me love her so much. Someday I'll need and want her advice with kids of my own. The best part of letting her have kids first is not only that people think she's older than me but that I'll get maternity clothes, hand me down kid stuff, and that ever so needed advice and built in babysitters.

I Love you Kasi, thanks for always being there for me even when I am a pain the butt. I couldn't have asked for a better sister.

BTW...I love that picture of us and even more so cause Doni in the background cracks me up. For those of you who don't know, Doni is one of Kasi's childhood friends the picture was taken at Doni's birthday party, so I guess since she was the birthday girl I'll let her get away with being the center of attention in our picture. LOL!

My 'Sister-In-Law' - Sara

This is Sara. Her husband Andy is Benny's younger brother. Although we are not technically sisters in law yet, I already consider her mine. I just wanted to post something about how great it is to have her in my life now. She's been incredibly inviting in making me feel welcome in the Clark family as she knows what its like to be in my shoes, the newbie and fitting in. Although with the Clarks I don't feel like I have to try to 'fit in' cause I just feel like I do. They've all been awesome and I already consider each one of them my family.

A funny story that Sara and I have about being 'sisters in law' is back a few months ago in June. Sara, pregnant with baby Cash at the time and me needing to go for my women's yearly check-up found out that we had appointments at the same office within 10 minutes of each other. So we decided to go together.

We arrive at the doctors office about 30 mintues early we both check in. I had to do mounds of paperwork since I hadn't been to that doctor for 4 years because of my stint in Phoenix. Sara gets called back within about 10-15 minutes. I sit there and I sit there and again I sit there. Finally about an hour and a half after we arrive I get called back. Sara was still back there when I finally went in.

I get in the exam room and I sit there, and I sit there and I sit there. Keep in mind I'm wearing that stupid backless gown...and that's it. Well, I may have kept my socks on. Either way, its after 5:00 at this point and I rode there with Sara. She's 8 months pregnant and I can just envision how uncomfortable she is sitting there in the waiting room chairs waiting for me. Me being in the fabulous backless gown can't just go strutting out to the waiting room to let her know I am still waiting for the doctor. Then finally I peeked my head out the door and found the nurse. I told her to let Sara know that I was still in there. I guess Sara had already asked about me and she told her nurse that she was waiting for her sister in law so she wouldn't have to explain everything. Then the nurse was so excited that we were related. I don't think Sara told her the story either way.

Eventually the cleaning crew came in for the night and was really starting to wonder. Finally I texted her. I told her I was still waiting. Finally the doctor came in and my appointment was only about 15-20 minutes long. So...3 hours later we finally got out of there! So much for riding together. Poor Sara had to wait for me forever because of my doctor's backlog of patients. Moral of the story, she didn't leave me there, that's when I knew for sure I liked her! Oh and never make doctors appointments in the afternoon. Always take the morning slots.

The picture is Sara and I at Deer Camp. I know the boys would say its appropriate that we are in the kitchen, but honestly we weren't in there all that much. Unless of course we were making our 'special Tea' as Sara called it. I just think its great that she and I get along so well. Although I already have an amazing sister, sisters are one of those things that you can never have enough of, well... ok there may be a limit (just ask my friend Robin who has 4 older ones). I am greatful that Sara and Andy have always told me how happy they are that Benny met me. I may not get to see her or spend time as often as I would like to but the time we do get to spend together is always fun. Plus we get to keep each other company while the boys are gone for a week and a half at Elk Camp.

Sara is a great mom of two handsome young guys Colton and Cash and from what Andy always tells me, she's a great wife as well. Here's to my new sister, Sara! :)

A Crazy Old Man & Ollie the Dancing Onion

This is my dad's property near Ephrata. We went up there on Saturday to winterize his well. That's his Jeep down there in the circle. He had that road made so that he can camp back in there.

He bought the property a while back while I was still living in Phoenix. This was the first time I had been up there to see it since he did. Its a nice drive through Washington farmland. I even remember my dad saying, "Feeding America" as we drove through. Made me smile, it is true. Lots of potatoes, onions and corn. Even some wheat fields. So yeah, feeding America is right. It all goes somewhere and eventually ends up on some of our tables. This piece of property however is out in the middle of pretty much no where. Kinda neat though to be around nothing but sagebrush. There was no noise and it was pretty on a sunny Saturday.

Here's a picture I took of dad in the bench he hauled up there to put on the overlook. Kinda neat, sure has a great view. Who knows someday maybe

there will be people living out there & companies making their products or just more farmland. Until then my dad will just enjoy going out there and camping and 'getting away from it all.'

Where you turn off the paved road there is an old run down farm with a crazy old man. He just sits in his old pick up. Really! He just sits there. You can see him in there just watching a whole lot of nothing. Guess there is a story about him shooting at the UPS man who tried to deliver him a package from his sister. The Sherriff ended up bringing to him and asked him why he shot at the UPS guy and he told him he didn't order anything. The Sherriff said well, your sister sent you something. I saw him, he was there when we turned off the road and still there when we got back on it to come home. Dad says he's almost always in there and in the summer he puts a wood pallet on the roof to block the sun. Weird!

Have you ever seen an 8 foot onion? I did, painted on the side of an onion shed and I made Dad stop and take my picture on the way home. I thought it was kinda cute. I'll call him Ollie the Dancing Onion.

Breakfast

Masynn stayed the night with Aunt Kari and Benny last night, she got up early with me and we joined Opa (my dad) and Grampie (my grandpa) for breakfast this morning. My dad and Grampie have gone to breakfast every Friday morning now for as long as I can remember. Every once and awhile I'll roll my lazy self out of bed early and join them. This morning it was a surprise to them both that Masynn came. Masynn just loves her Opa. She ordered a Kid Kake and it came as Mickey Mouse with M&M's on it. To my surprise she actually ate the entire thing. We even had to order her another. This is rare for the girl who eats like a bird and is as picky as they come with her food. Anytime she wants more we are happy to get her more, need to put some meat on those long skinny legs of hers. Speaking of chicken legs, the cutie with the long pretty skinny chicken legs came up with a new nickname for Benny last night. She now fondly refers to him as "Benny the Chicken." She said she can't call him uncle Benny yet cause we aren't married, but when we are married he'll be her Uncle Benny instead of "Benny the Chicken."

Kasi left Masynn's new big fluffy coat for her to wear to school today and she would have nothing of it. She was more excited about the tag with the puffer fish on it than the coat. We had to go by Kasi & Mike's house on the way to school to get her a sweatshirt to wear to class because she absolutley refused to wear that big coat. She's too smart sometimes cause she knows that by the time recess comes the coat will be too warm and she wouldn't want to wear it.

I'm about ready to start on a secret operation that Masynn and I have taken on for the holidays. She wanted me to get started while she was in class today so I guess its time to end the blog and get to work!

Thoughts for Today- Masynn

I'd really like to try to tell you about something going on in my life each day, yet have it be something actually interesting to read. The things that I generally find interesting sometimes bore others so I'll do my best. Who knows maybe this quest will find that my life can be and is more exciting than I sometimes think it is. Although, I enjoy my life very much most days it may not always be the most exciting.

Among some of the things that make me happy the things at the top of my list are Benny, my house (and most things to do with it other than the mortgage), my friends and family and for sure my most beautiful niece Masynn.

Today I want to tell you about Masynn. She's 5 now, well at least until December. She started kindergarten this year and is as smart as a whip. This I already knew but now her smarts are being tested in school now and from what she tells me, she's doing just fine and she likes it. Although I hear mostly about recess and snack time. In looking at her school picture its evident she is no longer baby Masynn but grown up young lady Masynn. Either way I am proud of her. She can sometimes be full of grouchy-ness and a bit cranky and kinda bossy, more so than the average kid (I'm gonna blame it on the red hair) but I still love her all the same because everything else about her makes me happy.

She never ceases to amaze me with her smarts. Masynn asked me in the car the other day about my job. She asked, "You draw houses at work, right?" I said, "well, yes houses and other buildings. " "Well, how do you draw them, with a pencil or on a computer?" "On a computer." "How do you draw on a computer?" "I have a special program that I learned how to used so that I can do it." "Hmmm... well do you have a pencil that is hooked to the computer?" "I guess kinda, its a mouse, just like the one you use on your Mommy's computer." "And you can draw a house with it?" "Yep!" "That's neat, so it draws lines and stuff?" "Yes, it does." "But how?" "I tell it where to put the lines and how long I want them to be." "So you draw all kinds of lines and put them together to make a house?" "Yes, that's what I do." And as she motioned with her hands she said, "Well, we learned about lines in school. The art teacher told us that lines that go up and down are vertical, lines that go side to side are horizontal and lines that go kinda sideways are diagonal."

All I can say is, I was so proud! I continue to be each time I am with her. I am also extremely proud that my sister is her mother. KasiAnne is an amazing mom, Mike is an amazing dad and they've created this amazing little person that is an absolute joy in my life.

Bathroom Cabinet

So we just got back from Deer Camp last week and Benny leaves a week from today for Elk Camp. If its not hunting its fishing and if its not fishing its hunting. The best part about it is that we don't have to buy ground meat, ever. Plus deer and elk taste much better and is leaner than beef. For people who eat meat with nearly every dinner this is a huge bonus.

Ok the other good part is that while Benny is gone, I get tons of things done around the house. Heck, I came home from deer camp 3 days before him and painted both of our bathrooms. I even refinished a cabinet my dad gave me and hung it in my tiny bathroom for some much needed storage. Its a good feeling of accomplishment and a great thing to keep me busy while he is gone. Its great he enjoys the hunting so much, but I sure miss him when he's gone. I already can't wait for him to get home and he doesn't even leave for another week!

Here's the cabinet before & after

Deer Camp

Benny and I on my day one of deer camp, his day 3. That's the Tucannon behind us.

My Birthday Message

Benny and KariAnne all dressed up for dinner out.

This was at the Olive Garden for Benny's mom
Mary's birthday. It was a nice evening, thanks
to Jill for snapping this great picture of us.

The Kalama River

Benny in his element and me in braids. :) Our 4th of July trip to the 'West Side'

The Kalama is beautiful. It rained 3 of the 5 days but sure was fun. Benny brough plenty of rain gear to keep me warm and dry. I told him that was my only requirement and as usual he came through for me.