Happy New Year!!?! what a start...

Well, our New Years started out with a bang-LITERALLY! We were actually quite the party poopers and were in bed asleep by 11:30 but were woken up to the typical poppers, noise makers and fireworks from the partying neighbors. Around 12:15 we started hearing really loud explosions and after a few it sounded like someone threw a handful of gravel at our bedroom window (on the 2nd floor). The next thing we knew someone was banging on our door- our BACK door!

Apparently, someone in the neighborhood had some seriously strong fireworks and something landed in our yard and it caught on fire. By the time we got downstairs 2 neighbors that saw the explosion had hopped the fence and were hosing down the fire in our backyard.

What a way to start of the New Year!

Be Your Best sELF!!!!!

Our Annual Gibson Family Christmas Party was last weekend. Our theme was "Be your Best sELF" We had good food and good times. Everyone got something "elfy" to keep as a momento of this year's theme. Thanks to Scott for sharing his house with all of us. We were missing 2 of Brenda's family this year. Tyler was sick (thanks to his mom passing it on to him) so Troy stayed home with him. Just not the same when we are missing someone.

Allie and the elf she made (with a little help from Alyssa)

My favorite picture... Crazy Charly!

Kami Elf


Nana & Papa (aka Pat and Nolan)

Scott and his boys-


Brenda, Allie, Charly and Josh

Our crazy family
Kami and Vaughn

Matt & Miss Alyssa

Playing catch up!

It has been a LONG time since my last post. Facebook tends to get more of my attention lately because it's quick but I really don't get to journal what is going on in my life.

My hubby's 50th birthday was last month. I really wanted to make it memorable-not just a shirt or dinner out. Not even a new softball bat. Although I know he would LOVE that, he will also just get one when he needs it (which unfortunately is more often than I would like). Anyway, after months of trying to figure out what I could do I decided to surprise him with a trip to Hawaii.

His entire family came over for dinner to celebrate the September,October, and November family birthdays-(trying to catch up on all those we missed). When he opened his present from me there was a card that talked about turning 50 and then directions to open up the box of clues to find out what his present was. There were Mr. Potato head snorkel and fins,

an underwater camera,
a book on Oahu, and finally the airline tickets.
Everyone kept saying what a good wife I was. I thought it was funny because honestly, this was the best "Homer Simpson" gift ever!!!!! Like I wasn't going to enjoy this trip as much as he would? HELLO?! Besides, our anniversary is a week after his birthday and MY birthday is a week after that so it counted for those too.

I want to thank my family that helped us be able to go on this getaway. I told them that if they needed ideas for our birthdays that they could contribute to my surprise-and so they did. It was THE BEST!!!!!

I can't believe I pulled it off and that he was actually surprised!

Anyway, the resort we stayed at was AMAZING-right on the beach. Some of the highlights were the Polynesian Cultural Center, snorkeling, Catamaran ride with breakfast and more snorkeling and SEVERAL drives to the NORTH SHORE because we just loved it there.

It was so nice to be able to get away and not have ball games to get to at certain times (since that is the only time we really ever get away). Best birthday(s)/anniversary EVER! More pictures to come

A Good Cause...

Last year I had a good scare after a mammogram and had several months of tests and finally a biopsy to determine if I had breast cancer. My BFF also had a similar scare. It was a good eye opener and I am much more aware now. Since last year's RACE FOR THE CURE Kami and I had said we were going to do it this year.

A month or so ago- we got a reminder when my sis-in-law asked us if we wanted to walk with her in celebration of her good friend Cindy who has survived breast cancer a couple times and is currently undergoing Chemo AGAIN!!! Immediately, my goal to walk was reinforced. SIGN ME UP!

So, yesterday was the big day. Kami was up early and raring to go. We hauled our backsides downtown to join the crowds. Over 30,000 people- pretty impressive. Thanks to Kami we got lots of freebies (she's good at finding good "stuff"). We walked and walked and walked. Cindy was there with her whole family and lots of friends. There was no complaining. NONE. We took pictures of her with her friends and family but they are on Kami's camera- BUMMER!

Feels good to be a part of a good cause and to help find a cure.



We had a good time and saw some pretty funny things. It was funny how creative people got.
These girls were so cute!
And talk about a cheerleader!!! This guy was on the side of the road cheering us on and making us laugh!

Uplifted!

Yesterday I drove home in great anticipation to watch my recording of OPRAH- praying all the way that I had really set my DVR. Stephanie and Christian Nielson were going to be on the show and I was so anxious to watch.

For those of you that don't know Stephanie's story she and her husband were in a plane crash over a year ago. Long story cut VERY short- she was burned terribly and was in a drug induced coma for 3 months as she was treated for these burns. Her family stepped in and took care of her 4 young children while she and her husband healed. You can read more about it on her blog
http://http//nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Anyway, as I sat on the couch to watch her I was in awe. This woman is absolutely AMAZING! I have followed her blog for awhile now and have always felt like she was the perfect example of what motherhood should be. She takes time to enjoy the simple things and family truly comes first. She loves her husband SO much that it just oozes out of her. You can see it in their eyes as they gaze at each other and the words that she uses when she writes about him on her blog are always so respectful and tender.

I was motivated and uplifted by her and want to be a better person and appreciate the gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me and not take things for granted. I cried silent tears as I sat and watched her tell about her struggle with daily tasks. I don't feel it is an understatement that she looked beautiful on the show. Despite her scars she radiated love and beauty. Her eyes sparkled and she just glowed.

Even though they didn't bring up her religion you can see that her faith in God throughout this whole ordeal has been incredibly strong. Her family has been her greatest support. Following her blog and reading the struggles that she has had have humbled me. I doubt that I could handle the type of adversity that this woman has had to deal with. I guess our Heavenly Father knows how much we can handle. I just hope that I can continue to be mindful of all that I have been given.