Hair

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have issues with my hair. Ideally I want it long however reality is I like it short. Easier to care for, sassier, does not tickle my face, easier to deal with on a bad hair day, the list goes on in support of short hair. However, frequently I attempt to grow it out to fulfill my dream of long, lusious hair cascading down my back, thus was the attempt this past year. If you have read facebook you know I failed.
I made an appointment with my hair stylist for a trim. On the day of the trim I found a sassy yet simple short hair cut that I knew would look ideal on me. Loaded the image on the iPad and headed for the salon. When I met up with Michelle, my hair stylist, I asked "should I just trim it or should I try this?" and handed her the iPad. She was all for the new do, thus the iPad was passed around the salon and the yeahs won out over the nays, thus I had my answer (the one I had secretly wanted all along) so off came my locks.
Since the hair cut I have been innundated with positive comments, people wanting pics to take to their stylist, requests for my stylists name and number, and more. I am so glad I chopped it off and gave into my truer self. It makes me feel sassy, classy and alive. Makeup has arrived on my face again along with earings and necklaces. I feel so much more feminine with a short do. Below are some pics of various hair styles in the past year, as you can see it changes often. One of my dad's famous sayings is "I never know what you are going to look like when you show up." Well Dad, it has changed again.

October 2009 November 2010

Notice it is in a ponytailSeptember 2011

Grandpa Don

Last Friday we gathered as a family to say a final goodbye to Grandpa Don. Brad, Lauren, and their boys flew in from Oklahoma and Uncle Tom and his girlfriend Lisa came up from Monmouth. Other family and friends gathered with us to share memories and remember Grandpa. Brad lowered Grandpa's ashes into the ground and then it was up to the greatgrandkids to put the dirt back in the hole.

Des was resting in his Momma's arms so Leah, Eden and Ben did the honors. They shoveled the dirt back into the hole while the adults watched and listened to Tom and Lisa sing a railroad song.

Grandma Mary helped get the last bit out of the bucket.

After the ceremony we headed off to Newport Bay to enjoy a lunch. Many also tried Grandpa's favorites, fried oysters and a boilermaker. This Momma left the sampling up to the others.

Collecting Food

Leah, Rhianna, and Eden in front of our table making sure everything is arranged appropriately. Eden and Paige waiting for the next person to drop off food.

We were posted at Grocery Outlet from 12 to 2 this afternoon to collect food for Thanksgiving Meal Boxes. Paige, Eden and I stood by the barrel and our table display while Leah helped Rhianna and her mom pass out information on what we were doing and what food we were seeking. Leah amazed me when she had no trouble walking up to strangers and handing them the paper. In the two hours we were there we probably collected just over 50 lbs of food. Lots of stuffing, olives, instant potatoes, and butter. In a couple of weeks we will gather at the church to fill the boxes and distribute the food.

Lacey's Wedding

Paige's step sister Lacey got married on July 10th at the McMenimins Roadhouse off Cornelius Pass Road. Paige and I got all dolled up and attended the festivities. Paige loved seeing her family, enjoyed the reception and looked great. The bride, Lacey, was beautiful and the groom, Sam, was quite handsome, they made a great couple. Paige's father, Mark, sang during the ceremony and Alison, Paige's other step sister, was the matron of honor. It was held outdoors in the early evening where we were serenaded by a three piece ensemble. The bride was escorted down the aisle by her brother Jonathan.

Lacey and Jonathan

Sister Alison with groomsmanMark singingYou may now kiss the brideCake made by a friend of the coupleLacey at the receptionPaige and EmilyPaige and her dadThe first dance

Happy Birthday Papa Don

Papa Don the first 15 seconds are her getting the gigglies out and then is the real video. I do not have editing capabilities so I could not edit that part out. Hope your birthday was wonderful.

Christmas at Bubble's House

We spent Christmas Day at Gamma and Gampa Bubble's house. Paige did well and ate her entire package by the end of the day, ravioli and maraschino cherries. Uncle Dennis and Grandpa Dean along with Aunt Judy and Uncle Jim joined us for a dinner of lasagna and other delectable edibles. Momma was surprised with two new bright red towels, new flannel sheets and an electric blanket. From Uncle Brian Momma got soft socks and fudge (which is all gone now and was not shared). And here is the grand finale of Christmas presents for Leah and Eden. Their very own beauty salon. It now is in place in the kitchen and is oft used and oft fought over.

Uncle Dennis and Gampa Bubble's had a bit of a hard time assembling due to Leah's constant help and need to play with the new toy.

Here is Leah, beauty salon all assembled putting on makeup (fake). It even comes with a cell phone that makes noises.

Gampa Bubble's got a new puzzle for Christmas and it is of a different sort. The picture on the front is not what is in the box. It shows a different vantage point of the same picture but you have to imagine what the scene is from somewhere else in the picture. I can not wait to see what it looks like done. Good luck Gampa and Aunt Molly.

New Family Tradition (and 200th post)

Today we started a new family Christmas tradition. We loaded up the car, bought hot chocolate and went for a Christmas lights tour of St. Helens. Leah was giddy the entire time, pointing out the snowmen, santas, trees, different color lights and more. It was a running commentary from the back seat. Every now and then Eden would pop up with a OOOOHHHHHH. We did have one hot chocolate mishap but oh well. It was not really possible to get photos of the Christmas lights so I got photos of us in the car waiting for our hot chocolate.

Thanksgiving 2009

Uncle Tom in the waiting process. The cooker was not working correctly and dinner was a few hours late. We found lots to do, get out the technology, play dolls with Papa Don, snack on the rolls (one whole pan eaten prior to dinner), watching football, attempting to watch television (nothing on), Eden took her nap, Leah got out every toy in the house, and Paige read over 5 magazines.

Leah and Gamma Mary both on their respective laptops. Momma got Uncle Bruce's old Dell Mini and it is the perfect size for Leah. They look so cute together.

Leah still on her/Momma's laptop and Uncle Tom on his cell phone. Is this where we are headed, all in the same room talking to other people on mobile devices.

Papa Don giving Raggedy Andy his bottle. He was a bit forceful and used his funny voice which impressed Leah.

The after dinner lull (finally). Dinner was to be around two and we got to eat just before six. Other happenings of the night, Eden went to time out between the entree and dessert, toilet got clogged, Gamma Mary would not let Papa Don up from the table for 1/2 hour after eating, and Paige behaved like an angel (almost).

Party At Dad's House

Cupcakes take two. We went to Paige's dad for a party on her birthday. The menu included lasagna, rolls, green beans and chocolate cupcakes. Paige, Leah and Eden were much more interested in the cupcakes than dinner. I on the other hand enjoyed the lasagna. Leah licked off all the frosting and left the cupcake. She started the evening out quite shy and clingy but ended up playing around and laughing.

Paige's dad Mark, going for a second, and Nancy. They gave Paige a wonderful gift, the cutest outfit along with some tights and hair clips.

Eden had the best method for eating the cupcake, the full fledged face plant.

Happy Birthday Paige Nicole had fun with the cupcakes and smeared frosting on the faces except she missed mine and hit the hair.

Here is evidence on Eden's face with Nicole proud of her accomplishment. Eden thought it was pretty cool eating frosting off her plate. The cupcakes had Disney Princess rings. Here are Leah and Paige showing off their rings.

Here is Eden enjoying the balloons Paige brought home from school.

Weekend of Service

Eden with her church buddy Summer.

We spent our Saturday serving others. Our church decided to do a Season of Service so we decided to help out. Saturday all four of us, plus Nicole, spent time at the church handing out food boxes to 50 families in our area. All in all we met the needs of over 250 people. Leah, Paige and Eden helped me greet people in the coffee room while their box was being packed. Towards the end Eden also got a chance to drive the delivery cart, although she did the return trip once the cart was empty (nothing to spill that way). All three did an excellent job considering we were there for five hours part of it over nap time.

Helpers Joan and Duane.Paige passed some of her time coloring.

Group photo during a lull in the action

Eden pushing the cart. She was quite proud of herself

After we finished with the food boxes we headed to the Dollar Tree to pick out items to put in our Operation Christmas Child boxes. Leah helped pick out items she felt that a 2-4 year old girl would like. Once home we had to pack and repack the boxes till we could get everything to fit. However, not everything fit, we have candies, frisbees, and a jumprope to return. Sunday Leah took our boxes and delivered them to the pick up people at the drop off point. She even got to put her box into the bigger delivery box. Leah with one of our boxes.

Getting ready to hand the box to one of the packers.

Our box in the shipping box.
What an exciting adventure to see your child helping other people. I hope this is something we continue as they grow and both learn to look forward to it and enjoy.