The Last Post of the Year...5 Christmases and a Birthday

Christmas is always a hectic and busy time for everyone, including us. From December 19 - 28, we had 5 Christmases! First with my sister's family and my dad & stepmom. Second with our good friend the Hitchings. Third with Chad's family. Fourth our own Christmas. Fifth with my mom, stepdad, & stepbrother's families. It seems like Christmas goes on forever. The girls were very pleased and delighted with all their gifts. They must have been very good girls this year. We enjoyed playing games, watching movies, talking, and eating lots of great food with everyone. It was an enjoyable holiday season and we are very grateful for everything we received. Thank you!



Cooper received a Barbie vet doctor kit.


My sister, Kelly, made Campbell her quilt and a baby quilt & pillows to match.


My sister also made my quilt. A work that has been in the process for 2 years. This quilt is very special because it is made of Colgin's clothes, blankets, and special keepsakes. Kelly did a fabulous job and I truly treasure this great gift!


Campbell & Cooper were so excited to open gifts at Oma & Opa's house.


Uncle Jeremy gave Campbell a baby doll. That was the only present she wanted.


Cooper (at home Christmas morning) was happy with an American Girl, Kaya, puzzle.


Campbell, at my mom's house, looking at yet another new baby doll to dress.


And, finally we end the year with a birthday. Chad's 37th birthday. Yep, he is a New Year's Eve baby, a tax deduction for sure. ;o) The smile on his face says it all. He loves winter, he loves the snow, he loves the holidays, he loves to eat and drink and be merry, he loves Christmas. I'm sure that's why we all love him so much, he makes every day great. Happy Birthday hon. Kisses.

Happy Holidays to all! Looking forward to 2009!

When was the last time you...

Went Roller Skating??

For my niece, Bailey's, seventh birthday the party was at the roller skating rink. Neither Bailey nor Cooper have been roller skating before, so it was a test of patience and good attitudes. I know I haven't been roller skating since junior high school. We all did very well, had a lot of fun, and had some good laughs, especially when Pat (Bailey's dad) fell down while taking pictures during cake time. Thanks Kelly & Pat for a fun day. Happy Birthday Bailey.


Campbell really wanted to go out there with everyone.


Cooper and Bailey.


Cooper and mommy skating.


Cooper and daddy skating.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me;
12 charming and admirable qualities,
11 great new friends to spend time with,
Check marks on my "important things to do in life" list,
A lucky number we see all the time,
Eight years of wedded bliss & self employment,
A little blue box from Tiffany's,
PF Chang's catered in for me to eat,
Five years of teaching,
Four Dodge Durangos,
Three beautiful, smart, and amazing kids,
A second chance at love,
And a proposal at the Bellagio for everyone to see.

As most wives do, I tend to complain about Chad and his quirks (or just my pet peeves) but really I must admit he does have some great qualities that attracted me to him and make me glad each day that he is my husband.

1. Patient (he has more patience with the girls & customers & people than I'll ever have)
2. Spontaneous (he doesn't mind going to the Kwik Shop at 8pm to get us slushies & chocolate)
3. Creative (he made a "scheme report" for me to guess when/where/how he would propose)
4. Loyal (not a ladies man, doesn't kiss & tell, and friends till the end)
5. Fun (he is always the life of the party, and he is adventurous)
6. Generous (he is always willing to do anything for anyone, including donating his time for wine groups)
7. Loving (he always like to make me happy and see me smile)
8. Confident (who else can wear black pleather pants in Vegas and look cool?)
9. A Good Cook (he loves to cook and other than a big mess, the food tastes great)
10. A Great Father (the kids know how much he loves them and is proud of them-everyday)

I hope you've enjoyed reading these posts, as much as I've enjoyed writing them. Although some were more difficult to come up with than others, it's still the thought that counts. Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday Chad! Thanks for taking a chance and love, life, and happiness with me. Kisses - ME.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me;
11 great new friends to spend time with,
Check marks on my "important things to do in life" list,
A lucky number we see all the time,
Eight years of wedded bliss & self employment,
A little blue box from Tiffany's,
PF Chang's catered in for me to eat,
Five years of teaching,
Four Dodge Durangos,
Three beautiful, smart, and amazing kids,
A second chance at love,
And a proposal at the Bellagio for everyone to see.

Chad knows everyone, or everyone knows Chad. To say he is the life of the party is an understatement. Since his parents lived over seas, his friends became his family. They really looked after him, included him on their family events, and cared about his well being. So I am very thankful for all his great friends and all the fun times we've had together.

Here's to you: Trice, Nathan/Kirsten, Dave/Heather, Sean/Sierra, Murray, Dave/Sara, Brian/Karrie, Brian/Vanessa, Chris/Angela, Bryce/Stacy, and Rick/Amy.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me;
Check marks on my "important things to do in life" list,
A lucky number we see all the time,
Eight years of wedded bliss & self employment,
A little blue box from Tiffany's,
PF Chang's catered in for me to eat,
Five years of teaching,
Four Dodge Durangos,
Three beautiful, smart, and amazing kids,
A second chance at love,
And a proposal at the Bellagio for everyone to see.

We each have our lists, I have A LOT of them. The most important list is the "important things to do in life" list. So thanks to Chad I've (we've) been able to check off some of those great things.

1. Get Married
2. Travel (Vegas, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, Illinois)
3. Earn a Master's Degree
4. Have Children
5. Buy a House
6. Attend sporting events (St. Louis Cardinals baseball, KSU football & basketball)
7. Own a winery
8. Be a stay at home MOM
9. See Garth Brooks live in Concert AGAIN! (because 3 times wasn't enough)
10. Enjoy life!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me;
A lucky number we see all the time,
Eight years of wedded bliss & self employment,
A little blue box from Tiffany's,
PF Chang's catered in for me to eat,
Five years of teaching,
Four Dodge Durangos,
Three beautiful, smart, and amazing kids,
A second chance at love,
And a proposal at the Bellagio for everyone to see.

Yes, number 9 is our lucky number (or at least some form of it). We met on April 19th. Colgin was born June 19th. Colgin was born at 5:09pm. Cooper was born at 9:00am. Campbell weighed 7lbs 9oz. Campbell was born at 9:00pm. Our address is 3719. It just seems to be a number our family likes.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas...

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me;
Eight years of wedded bliss & self employment,
A little blue box from Tiffany's,
PF Chang's catered in for me to eat,
Five years of teaching,
Four Dodge Durangos,
Three beautiful, smart, and amazing kids,
A second chance at love,
And a proposal at the Bellagio for everyone to see.

Chad and I were married on Feb. 26, 2000, after getting engaged in August 1999. It was a small ceremony, with lots of specials and favorites. But it was a BIG party with lots of laughs and tons of wonderful people. It really was a great day and very enjoyable. So now fast forward eight years...here we are together, happy, and despite some people having their doubts, still married. It takes strong people to stay together through all we've been through, so I can say our love is very strong.

In addition to eight great years of marriage we've also been self employed for that long. It seems that big things always happen on my birthday (more to follow up on that subject). So in August 2000 (my 25th birthday) Chad and I purchased our liquor/wine store. Chad had worked there since college and had been partners in the business for 3 years. Since that time we have continued to grow the business, remain successful, form great relationships with customers, and again remain married. Another hard thing to do is work with your spouse. That being said, some days are harder than others.

It's been a good (and sometimes rough) road, but there is no one I'd rather go down this road with than you hon. Smooch!