Monday, December 22, 2008

Annual Gibson Family Party

Every year we have a Family Christmas party. Doesn't Rod look thrilled in this picture? Rod's parents started it the first year we were married and we haven't missed one since. That was 26 years ago! That's a lot of parties! Every year we have a theme. This year was Christmas Bells. I know- Not too original but after 26 years you start running out of ideas. The Gibson's aren't exactly musically inclined so I decided to try to instill a tiny bit of musical talent into them this year. We tried out some color coded hand bells and played a few Christmas songs. Surprisingly it turned out pretty good! At least we could recognize the songs!
After that, we decorated sugar cookies (shaped like bells of course) and everyone got a bell ornament to remind them of this year's party. Nana and Papa got each family bell door hangers too!
Vaughn and Kami
Papa and Nana
Devin, Jace,Shea and Brilon (we missed their Dad- Scott)
Tyler, Bren, Allie, Troy, Charly and Josh

Friday, December 19, 2008

It's a sad day when....

your son and his girlfriend are invited to an UGLY SWEATER CONTEST and he finds the PERFECT ugly sweater in your closet!

It IS pretty dang ugly but in my defense my mother gave it to me at least 20 years ago!
Matt decided that he had to take the ugly sweater invite to the next level and pull off the whole nerdy package. Where did he find those glasses? Oh MY! Isn't he too cute? Gotta love him!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Comfort and Joy...


I love being with my family- it's nice to have a place to feel comfortable with people that you love. I love my kids, I love my son in law, I love my boy's girlfriends, and mostly I love my husband. That about sums it up!

We used the top picture for our Christmas card---Merry Christmas to all of you!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Thankful Thursday


So-I'm a day late. I'm a dollar short too so it's all good!

I have so much to be thankful for.

First and foremost I'm thankful that there are STILL 12 days before Christmas. I'm no farther along than I was last week! I've never been this way before!

I'm thankful that I haven't gotten the CRUD that is going around. Rod has been sick for 3 weeks and I still haven't really gotten it. Keepin my fingers crossed.

I'm thankful that my parents returned home safely from their trip to Utah. They hit a deer on their way and did some serious damage to the car and severed the deer in the process! Not a pretty sight but no injuries to humans.

I'm thankful for the Holiday season- I love listening to Christmas music and seeing the lights. Just having my house decorated gives me a sense of peace.

That's not all but that's enough to write!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

SPT- JOY


The SPT Challenge this week is JOY. For those of you that don't know my youngest son has been growing out his hair for a LONG time. I told him I would love it if he cut his hair as a birthday present to me (2 weeks ago). He told me I would have to wait for my birthday present until February then because that is when he would be cutting his hair. (That is when he will have to have his pictures taken for his mission) So, I decided not to bug him about it - I could be patient.

Well, to my surprise, he called Kami and asked if she would take him to get his hair cut. She didn't really have the money but she assured him I would pay her back. He asked how she knew I would and she just said "TRUST ME-SHE'LL PAY ME BACK!" So she jumped at the chance and they came to surprise me at work. I know it sound dumb but it made me SO happy! He looks so handsome now that I can see his eyes and he doesn't have to do that little hair flip thing he did every few minutes to keep it out of his eyes. I wish he would have done it ONE day sooner because we got our pictures taken the day before- Oh well!

Anyway- silly as it seems- this is my JOY for the week! (plus the fact that he is planning on getting his mission papers started in a few more weeks) LOVE that kid! He fought me over taking the picture so I didn't care that he was being a goof!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Date Night this week...

So Kami snagged us some tickets to Celine Dion from a Dr. at the hospital that was giving them away. She knows that Rod loves Celine so she sent us on our merry way for a date to Jobing.com Arena to hear her concert. She was amazing. The energy she has is incredible.

The best part of the show, however, was the opening act, Gordy Brown. He was hilarious! Here's a clip of him on Letterman. He does impressions of singers and changes the lyrics to their songs but I couldn't find a clean enough clip to post. LOL This one is questionable but not too terrible...


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Anyway, thanks Kam for the fun date night!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Boy time flies and it's Thankful Thursday again!

I'm SO thankful for my family and all they do for me.

I'm thankful that my hubby remembers my birthday all on his own and took the time to spend most of the day with me.

I'm thankful that everyone in my house is healthy (although Rod is still coughing a lot at night and keeping me awake)

I'm thankful that I can learn so much from other people's trials. Through blogging I've really learned to appreciate all that I have. You can read here, here, and here about some good people that have made the best of what has been given them.

I'm thankful that I was able to talk to my dear friend Darcie on my birthday! Love ya girl!

I'm thankful that we are always learning and growing and improving ourselves and our relationships.

That's it for this week- Only 20 more days til Christmas. Scary huh? I don't have a SINGLE gift bought, made or even thought of. I'm in trouble aren't I?

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

SPT-Christmas LOVE



Lelly's 1st December SPT Challenge is LOVE.

I LOVE this nativity set. My father sent it to us our first Christmas together 26 years ago. We have added pieces to it through the years. Every year we put it out where we can all see and enjoy it frequently. I LOVE that it reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. After all the decorating, shopping, parties, etc this is truly what Christmas is about. His LOVE for us.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving Fun!

We had a great Thanksgiving. Rod's entire family was here. The boys and Kami went to hit softballs while we waited for Bren's family to finish at their other party and while the turkey's cooked. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Ever since Matt came home from his mission he has asked if we could do a Turducken for Thanksgiving.(See what living in San Francisco for 2 years will do to you?) I finally told him if he would be in charge that I would get the stuff. Well he and the infamous Alyssa (aka Marissa, Melissa, Beluga, Alisha) put a LOT of time and effort into this work of art. For those of you that don't know- a Turducken is a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. You have to completely de-bone all 3 birds except for the legs and wings of the Turkey.







I am happy to report that it was a success. The only little glitch we had was that it needed to be cooked a little longer than we planned. That is one HUGE solid piece of meat and with stuffing in between each bird too. When we carved into it- it was really pretty! Now everyone wants it to be a tradition. Hopefully Matt will take that on and be in charge again. Too much work for me with all the other preparations that were going on.

Kami's husband went to the dunes for Thanksgiving and she had to work so she had to stay behind. We took pictures of his "girls" to send him letting him know he was missed.



Bren's girls LOVE all the attention they get at family parties. Allie was lovin' on Cory all day- This picture was one of my favorites!

And of course what is Thanksgiving without a couple of our favorite PILGRIMS! Papa and the girls...




Hope all you TURKEYS had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thankful Thursday


Ironic that Thankful Thursday falls on Thanksgiving isn't it? I have much to be thankful for...

I'm thankful for awesome family and friends that take the time to let me know that they care about me.

I'm thankful that I have the gospel in my life and the gift of the Atonement so that we can be forgiven and also forgive others.

I'm thankful for my amazing kids who try not let me know that they love me but when I express to them that sometimes I need to hear it that they say "I love you mom! Duh!" (gotta love that Cory)

I'm thankful that I'm going to have a houseful of guests for Thanksgiving and I'm not stressing out about it.

I'm thankful that I love my inlaws- every last one of them. It makes life a lot easier.

I'm thankful for so many other things that my heart is just overflowing.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Life is a Rollercoaster Ride...


I've never been much of a rollercoaster fan- not even in my younger days! I love amusement parks but I always avoid the rollercoasters. Some people thrive on them- they travel from afar to ride the newest coasters across the country. Me? I'd rather stick with the more predictable rides-they can go fast but the ups and downs and loops just make me scream "let me off!" and then I usually puke. Seriously- it ruins everything.

Life can be a lot like a rollercoaster ride. We can be moving along just great when out of the blue we are thrown around some curve, or hung upside down or zooming down a drop that leaves our hearts in our throats. Anyway, I have realized that I just don't do well with rollercoasters. I need to avoid them and observe everyone else on them screaming with fear and delight and excitement. I can do without it.

Unfortunately, when your life IS the rollercoaster ride you can't actually avoid it. You have to just go with it and scream and cry and quite possibly in my case THROW UP! The alternative is jumping off the darn thing and then the damage would be even worse. So...for those sweet, concerned friends and family out there who have been worried about me- Thank you SO much for checking on me. I'm going to be ok- The rollercoaster ride has come to a stop for this time and I'm almost past the nauseous stage now and life will be normal again.....until next time. Because somewhere the message hasn't gotten out that I don't like the rides and somehow I manage to get dragged on another one at some given point. I could live without it- but I haven't been killed on one yet. Let's hope we can keep it that way! Merry-go Round anyone?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Jack's Back!


Anybody else out there a 24 fan? I've been waiting for over a year for this! Woo Hoo!I don't watch a lot of TV but this is one show I don't miss. Only 2 more days!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Going into hiding for a while...

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

SPT



wordless...

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

So.....



I've been in a funk for the past week so I haven't posted. Hope all is well with everyone!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thankful Thursday


Another week come and gone and it's Thankful Thursday again.

I'm thankful that I have the time to reflect on the things I am thankful for each week.

I'm thankful for the opportunity I had this week to provide service and comfort for a dear friend who lost her mother.

I'm thankful for the example of others that show me that I can stretch and reach and do even more if I just try.

I'm thankful for my youngest son who has finally admitted that he plans to serve a mission. And I'm thankful for good leaders that have helped him to set goals and have his paperwork started by January and finished by March. (I can do this again right?)

I'm thankful that amidst all the chaos and turmoil in the world right now and the attack on my religion that I have a strong testimony of the gospel.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

SPT



So I need a pedicure but let me just tell you after the week I've had having my feet up is a rare moment! :)

Monday, November 10, 2008

My Birthday Boy!




Today is my hubby's birthday! This is the last year he will be able to say honestly that he is in his 40's. Yup -today is the big 49!

I'm so thankful for this man in my life. He probably doesn't always think I am but... I am! He does so much for me and our family. He is always trying to find ways to spend time with the family. It's harder now that the kids are older. He and the boys have been playing softball together for church and that has been fun. (Not sure how they convinced Cory to play but he did and he can hit pretty dang good- guess it's in the genes.)

He always goes out of his way to help others. He works really hard. His knowledge of the gospel and his testimony has helped our family. He helps out around the house and with meals. He tries to make time for date night each week. He always tries to help us better ourselves and sometimes it isn't received as well as he would like. I want to thank him for all he does.

He looks pretty dang good for 49 doesn't he?
I love you Babe! Happy Birthday!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Overexposed



When I came across this picture it instantly brought to mind an incident that happened awhile ago. I just wanted to share.It always gives me a good laugh!

My close friend, name eliminated to protect her from embarrassment, called me one afternoon absolutely mortified. She had gone to her local grocery store and wandered around leisurely for quite some time-something she wasn't always able to do. When she got to the register to make her purchase the cashier politely whispered to her that her skirt was tucked in to her nylons! The thoughts of walking through that entire store in that state just about did her in. Unfortunately, her very supportive friend (ME) could do nothing to help her out....besides laugh hysterically! Poor, poor girl!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Thankful Thursday



I can't believe it is Thursday already! Well here goes...
I am thankful that the elections are over--finally!

I'm thankful that I have connected with an old friend this week! Love ya Darc!!

I'm thankful that at the moment I have NO unfinished projects! NONE! Can you believe it? OK- that doesn't count "house projects"-those never end!

I'm thankful that my hubby bought me a new kitchen sink AND installed it! (even though we missed trunk or treat due to "technical difficulties")

I'm thankful that everyone at my house is healthy.

And last but not least I'm thankful that my efforts are FINALLY paying off and that I have lost 8 pounds. (ok so long way to go but I've been stuck FOREVER so I'll take it!)

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Twilight Fan? Yes I am!

Yes, I admit it- Bren got me hooked on the books awhile back and I can't wait for the movie. So--just for fun. Which character are you?


I'm a Esme! I found out through TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

SPT



OK so I got this from a friend who got it from a friend who got it from another friend who....well, you get the idea. SPT stands for She Photographs on Tuesdays. SPT Princess Lelly (thanks Annie for helping me insert a link!) gives SPT themes each week for us to get creative and take pictures. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but I kept putting it off for one reason or another. Well, this month is simple- just take self portraits each week. Since today was election day I took a picture of me showing off my "I voted sticker". Easy enough!

Monday, November 3, 2008

I Love Fall!!


This weekend I begged Rod to drive up North to see the fall leaves before it was too late! I really miss the changing colors in the Fall and the snow in the winter so I try to "visit" them at least once each year. We headed off for Sedona and Jerome just to get away. Unfortunately, we were a little too late. There were still some colored leaves but because they had a few "cold spells" a lot of the leaves were already gone. Bummer!
I did still get to lay by the creek for a little while (one of my very favorite places to be) at least until it started POURING rain! Loved it! :)

When we were in Jerome I saw the funniest thing and I am KICKING myself for not buying it. Someone had made these darling little voo-doo dolls with the Politician's pictures as the faces. They had little skull necklaces on and really were so cute! (I know it doesn't sound like it but they really were) There was a sign that said you would get your voo doo pins at the cashier. It was just such a funny thing. I'm not sure if a democrat made them because there were only Pallin and McCain dolls left OR if people were buying the Obama/Biden ones because they don't like them. Who knows?

Of course, not wanting to promote witchcraft and not really having a purpose for such a gift I left them there. On the way home I was thinking it would have been smart to buy one just as a collector's item or something. You know how political things can be worth money some day! Dang- by the time I realized I really wanted one of these things we were too far away and Rod wasn't going to turn around! I really wish I would have at least taken a picture so I could post it on here. They really were very clever!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!!!!



Happy Halloween! I don't know why I love Halloween so much but I do! I have to admit that I miss the craziness of the few hours before getting ready for trunk or treat or trick or treating or whatever Halloween activity we were doing that night. From getting the kids ready early in the morning in their costumes, treats in tow for their class parties, to fixing the costumes and re-doing makeup and finding a fun but easy dinner (because they HAD to eat something healthy before they got all that candy). I miss them sitting on the floor with HUGE piles of candy trading with each other and pulling out a few special ones that they knew were mom and dad's favorites. Fun times!

This year I made a SPOOKY book with pictures of my kids when they were little in their Halloween costumes. Everyone had fun looking back at all the crazy costumes and remembering different things from those nights. I am SO glad I put all the Halloween pictures in one place. It will be fun to pull this book out every year. I may even shed a tear or two. I have some REALLY good blackmail video of Cory in his BUG suit crawling around on the ground and being CRAZY when he was 5. That will always be good for a few laughs!


Halloween just isn't the same without little kids at home but I am looking forward to all the little ones that will come through my office today at Midwestern and that I will see at our ward's Trunk or Treat.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Daddy!



Well, I'm the worst daughter ever! My dad's birthday was a couple weeks ago and while I DID remember to send him a birthday greeting, I didn't pay tribute to him on my blog. The guilt is killing me!

My dad is the most AMAZING man I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Seriously, he is!

My dad inherited ME, a 7 year old, when he married my mom. Never once have I EVER felt like he wasn't my dad in every way. He never referred to me as his step daughter that I am aware of. He just accepted me as his daughter-ALWAYS! I called him Daddy from day one. He allowed me to become a part of his family and to take on his family name and let me be sealed to him and my mom in the temple. He gave me the opportunity to be the "big sister" to the 3 most amazing "little" brothers *(that all tower over me by a foot or more). He taught me how to drive because he knew my mother would have killed me in the process. He took me to all my Daddy-daughter dates. We spent lots of nights at Disney movies together before my brothers were old enough. Always the "real animal" type- The original HOmeward Bound, Lassie, Where the Red Fern Grows- well you get the picture. I have the BEST memories!

He has endured many years of surprised comments when people find out that he has 19 grandchildren! The man is timeless- he NEVER seems to age!

I know that I can ALWAYS turn to him when I have a problem, no matter what it is. He is a spiritual giant and takes the time to share things that he feels are important with his family subtly. I remember a letter he sent recently when President Monson was called-testifying to us, his children, that he KNEW this man and his counselors were called of God. It was a very tender letter. He has given me blessing after blessing and I am so grateful for all that he has taught me and done for me over the years. I Love you Dad! Happy Belated Birthday! I still owe you dessert or something! BIG HUGS!!!!!!

little miss allie



I took these pictures of my niece, Allie, a couple weeks ago after Tyler's baptism and everytime I go through my pictures I stop and look at these. I wish I could be happy and carefree like that again and that something as simple as bubbles could keep me occupied. I miss my "little" kids! Thanks, Bren for waiting to start your family so that I could enjoy your little ones more! :)

Thankful Thursday



Well, it's that day of the week again! Thankful Thursday- so here goes...

I'm thankful that my gym buddy and I have gotten back on a somewhat regular schedule again. Thanks Robyn!

I'm thankful that my husband has been attacked by aliens and seems to be on a cleaning kick! A little out of character but Love, Love, LOVE it!

I'm thankful that tomorrow I get to see all of the darling Halloween costumes that hard working moms have put so much time into.

I'm thankful that I DON'T have to worry about darling Halloween costumes for my kids anymore! :)

I'm thankful for the gorgeous weather we are having and that I can sleep with my windows open.

I'm thankful that I got to spend time with Kami and Alyssa the other night and get sucked in to the whole High School Musical craziness! I wish all High Schools were that wholesome and would break out in song and dance every few minutes! LOL

Most of all I'm thankful for my family. They are the light of my life and I don't know what I would do without them. Well, maybe I wouldn't WORRY so much but other than that...

That's it for today-What are YOU thankful for?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Couldn't Resist...

Sunday night "my girls" (ok so one isn't mine yet) Kami and Alyssa were discussing how they wanted to go see High School Musical 3. Alyssa knows Matt would rather die than sit through it and Kami knows Vaughn would go to make her happy but would sleep through it. I was cracking up listening to how excited they were about going to the movie-they sounded like 10 year olds. And of course, I'm going too! LOL Can't miss more "girl time". If you know me, that is a rare opportunity with my house full of boys and their friends.

Anyway, Annie had posted a fun little HSM3 video that I just had to duplicate in honor of Alyssa's excitement to see the movie. (Thanks Annie!) It was really fun to do and Alyssa texted me saying she was crying from laughing so hard and thanked me so I guess it was a good thing so I will share it here. Enjoy!



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Monday, October 27, 2008

girls day



Last week my mom and her long lost cousin (Angie), Kami and I went to lunch.

My mom met Angie through the internet doing geneology. They had been communicating via email for a little over a year and just recently were able to meet up in New York when my mom was there visiting. Angie drove back to AZ with my mom (cuz my mom is deathly afraid of flying) and stayed for a week. While she was here she started learning about our church and taking the missionary discussions. She is such a sweet lady and we had a lot of fun getting to know her.

It was a fun little girls day out! We went to Red Robin and laughed and visited. Then Kami and I went to the mall for a few minutes. It's always fun to have some girl time.