The King of the Castle

Here is the King taking a nap, well at least he thinks he is the king. He is so darn spoiled. Marrissa went away this weekend and he cried most of the time, just like a baby. Robert and I were ready to throw him out!!! If Marrissa didn't love him so much he'd be gone. Of course now that she is home he is fine. What a brat!!!!

Family Portrait

We decided to get a portrait for Robert's mom for christmas. So here she is with all her kids. Starting at the top and going left to right, Robert, Gina, Anthony, Patricia. Middle Gen, Denise, Barbara. Bottom David, Ann (Robert's mom), and Steven. It looked like a big family union in the waiting area. It was fun to see everyone together. That rarely happens anymore.

More pictures of Dad's birthday

Here are some of the people that had come to the party. At this table was Robert's mom (Ann) and her husband Tony, Robert's sister Gen, Robert's son Daniel and his girlfriend Sarah. These are some friends of my dad's. First is Diane, Rita's daughter and her son Jason, then I think it's Diane, Suetta, Letty and Anabel.

This is Jennifer and David also friends of my dad's.

Here are my cousins Tiffany, Jackie, her boyfriend, Shawn, and my aunt Patti.

Dad's 75th birthday party

This weekend we celebrated my dad's 75th birthday. We flew in for one day and surprised him. It was great!!! He was very surprised. His brother Warren also came in from Kansas and surprised him. I'm glad we didn't give him a heart attack. We had about 35 people at the cooperage. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. I'm so glad we got to celebrate with him. Here is his cake. This is Rita his wife and my dad of course and me.

Here are me and my brother Larry with my dad.

This is my dad's brother Warren and his wife Wilma. My dad said this will be the most memorable birthday he has ever had.

My dying plant

Here is my poor elephant ears plant that I transplanted a few weeks ago. I guess it's not going so well. I've never been a green thumb, but love to have plants, but don't have too many because I always kill them off. Maybe when it warms up it will come back. They are suppose to be very hardy plants.

All Bets Are On!!!

Marrissa bet Robert that she could jog for a mile and a half without stopping. So he took her up on the bet. If she could do it he'd give her $20 and if not she owed him $20. So here they are stretching. Here they are ready to go Jogging!!! We are the champions!!! Ha Ha

Here they are on the cool down walk. So do you think she won the bet?

No, she went a mile then stopped to walk. She really did do a great job. I can't jog a mile so I give her credit. Robert said he give her a little something for trying and almost getting it. Isn't he a great dad!!!

Visitors

We had some friends come in from California to visit. We had such a good time with them. On Sunday we went to the park and the day was beautiful. It was about 68 degrees. Can't beat this weather at this time of year. This is when we really enjoy living here. I can't say the same about the summertime.
Hope you all have a very Happy New Year!!! As for us we probably won't even make it til midnight. We always try but end up asleep and miss the whole thing. When I was younger it was no problem at all to stay up late, but now it's a different story. The older you get the harder it gets. Ha Ha

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Enjoy this time with your families, I know I am.
Remember the real reason for this season which the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. May he bless you now and always.

Baking Cookies

Saturday Marrissa and I decided to bake cookies from scratch. I never make cookies from scratch. I always buy the dough and pop them in the oven. So I was a little nervous on how they would turn out, but they came out great. It ended up taking all day. Which if you know me, I like to do things quick and this wasn't quick. So I was very glad when we finished, but It was fun to spend the time with Marrissa and just hang out. I can't believe how many cookies we ended up with. I gave some of the neighbors platters and we still had a ton left, so I sent some to work with Robert today.

Happy Birthday to my big bro!!!!

I hope you have a very Happy Birthday Larry!!! Love Ya
When I was little I always wanted to be as old as my brother so I could do all the things he did. Now as an adult I'm glad I'm younger because I can tease him about being older. Ha Ha

Breakfast

Saturday morning was so busy around here. Both Robert and I were doing this and that and Marrissa asks "what's for breakfast?" I told her "whatever you can find to eat, I don't have the time to cook breakfast right now." She said "OK, I'll just make us all something." I thought I was dreaming because normally she never wants to do that. She she ended up making scrambled eggs mixed with chopped up tator tots, and sausage. She did a great job. It was very yummy. I told her that she can cook one night a week and she said no way, that's a lot of work. Like it's not a lot of work when I cook all week long. I guess I just need to be happy with the occasional cooking she does and be glad she is learning to cook.

Birthday Flowers

Here is the cake Robert and Marrissa got me for my birthday. It's a butterfinger ice cream cake and it was yummy!!! Of course we still have lots left, so we will be having dessert a few nights this week. Notice there are only a few candles, didn't want to melt the cake!!! Ha Ha Here are the gorgeous flowers Robert got me. I love the purple pinkish ones. I guess the longer your married the more trained you get them. Ha Ha Just kidding. He really has become more thoughtful this year.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Here was a everyone getting ready to eat the big dinner. Rita always sets such a nice table. I always use paper plates. I guess I'm just the paper plate queen and kill alot of trees. Ha Ha. We really did have a nice dinner. Of course we ate too much!!! Here are the kids at the kid table or counter. Before you know it they won't be little anymore. Time is just going way too fast.
I was really thankful this Thanksgiving for everyone being healthy and having such great family and friends. I feel so blessed. Hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving.

Robert's family

Here are some of Robert's brothers and sisters. We were waiting to get pictures taken at JC Penny's. We were taking up most to the lobby area. It's a big family. This is his sister Patricia, her husband Jose, and thier son Matthew. Going left to right is Elysia, (Gen's daughter) Gen, and Denise.

Here is Marrissa, Deanna, Elysia, Daniel, Sarah (Daniel's girlfriend), and Robert's niece Elena.

This is Tony (Robert's mom husband), Robert's mom, Steven, Anthony, Barbara, and Gina. The only I forgot to get a picture of was David. Sorry David. :(

It was nice to see all of them. It is very rare that everyone is all together anymore.

Silly Toe Socks

Marrissa thought these socks were cool. I don't know if I would like all my toes covered like that. She says at least they will keep me warm. Kids and their styles these days.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I will be out of town a few days so no blogs for a while, like I blog everyday Ha Ha.

Christmas Shirt

Marrissa decided that Spike needed a shirt to keep him warm when we go to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. She said he is an Arizona dog and he isn't used to the cold. I told her that is why dog's have fur to keep them warm. She doesn't believe me. So here is the new shirt. He doesn't seem to like it too much, but I guess he better get use to it because he'll be wearing it in Albuquerque. At least it was only 5 bucks. I told her if it cost more than that she was buying it. Of couse we have the blue ring in this one. He can't live without that dumb thing. I have bought so many other things and that darn ring is all he wants.

It looks like he is posing here. He is probably thinking "What are they doing to me?".

Take the time

The other morning as I was getting ready to leave for work I saw this beautiful sunrise. It reminded me that no matter how busy we are, we always need to take the time and look at the beauty the Lord has given us. I think of it as his way of saying he loves us. So I'm trying to take the time more often.

CRAZY WEATHER

We had such crazy weather today. First thing this morning it was cold.(at least cold for us 57) Then the sun came out and things warmed up. Then this afternoon it starting raining and then hailing. It cooled down again. After that the sun came back out. I guess it couldn't decide to be sunny or cloudy. We are loving this cool weather. We are so sick of the heat, so we were out enjoying this afternoon. Of course the dog was so scared. I tell you he is afraid of his own shadow.

Here's Robert. He had went for a bike ride while it was sunny and on his way back home it poured on him. At least he made it home before it hailed. I thought it was pretty funny he got stuck in a rain storm. Those things usually happen to me.

School Spirit!!!

Marrissa had a field trip to a student council training on Monday. She said they had to show school spirit. Their school colors are blue and green. So we got her some blue spray for her hair and blue and green ribbons. She painted her nails. She wanted to write on her face, of course I said no way. They didn't get their green shirts until she got to school. She had a good time. It's so neat to see her get exicited about this kind of stuff. I never did. I guess I was just an old fuddy duddy. Ha Ha

Halloween

Marrissa felt that Spike should dress up for halloween. So here he is in his pumpkin costume and it only cost 5 bucks. I wouldn't have spent anymore than that on a dog costume. Marrissa was a geisha girl, which after we bought the costume, Robert tells me I think geisha girls are prostitutes. Great now I'm dressing my daughter as a prostitute. I don't know if he is right or not, but we all ready had the costume which cost way toooooo much, so Marrissa decided she would tell people she was a chinese girl it sounded better.
I really thought she would tell me she didn't want to go trick or treating this year since she is 12, but no she said I'll never be too old to trick or treat. Go figure!!!

We decided not to carve a real pumpkin this year, instead we got one of the plastic ones and Marrissa carved it. She did a great job. Now we will have one for next year.