Random Holiday Activities

December contained a variety of activities that were enjoyed.

 Since Charles and I both enjoy peppermint bark...we decided that we would make our own.

It was a little more challenging than planned...but the final product was quite delicious

 a selfie with the snowman at our ward Christmas dinner

 another selfie at the Not So Silent Night Christmas concert

bands featured-Blue October, OAR, Ingrid Michealson, Daughtrey and Train.

 tickets purchased for this hottie who likes Train

 My mom is the coolest mom that you can ask for...

she has always been in touch with the music her kids listen to

 probably going to be my last concert for awhile with my concert mate Kaitlin

(as she is embarking on nursing school life)

we heard about this recipe on one of the morning shows and decided that we had to try it

 Charles cooked up a delicious pork loin dinner 

Enjoying the drive out to the ranch

Emily's Birthday Events

Emily is one of those lucky enough to have a birthday so close to the holidays. It is hard to make the day special...but I think we succeeded. Charles took Emily out to dinner for some daddy daughter time. I enjoyed dinner with Miss Abigail. We then all met up for some yummy Sweet Sammies ice cream sandwiches and an excursion to Sundance Square.

 Emily celebrating her 11th birthday

 Sweet Miss Abbey

 Charles' sweet girls and woman

 The Thomason clan

 Love this holiday picture

 Picture says it all

 this young lady ate a double double

Mission Trip and Guatemala

Panajachel-Solola-Nahuala Mission Trip

helping serve the Mayan Families http://www.mayanfamilies.org

organization- Global Hands of Healing

For a few years now, I have wanted to go on a medical mission trip and serve those who are in need, while being able to adventure to another country. My health cooperated and I was able to travel to Guatemala with Global Hands of Healing for eight days.

The group consisted of eighteen individuals, who came from a variety of religious backgrounds and many different skills. Our group consisted of 1 medical doctor, 4 dentists, 4 nurses, 2 dental assistants, 1 paramedic, 2 vision workers, 2 ministers, 1 CRNA, and 1 young adult/college student.

We flew into Guatemala City and traveled to Panajachel (about 4 hours away) where we stayed at the hotel Jardines del Lago for six nights...

The hotel sat near a lake leaving us with beautiful grounds and a great view...especially at the morning buffet. Every morning the weather was lovely and we ate overlooking the lake.

We would all make frequent stops in the lobby to use the wi-fi, to play crazy UNO, eat cookies and head out for the many activities.

I am going to break up this experience into a few different posts...

Reflecting on 2011

2011 has been quite a ride....many life events that lead to nothing but change. Some of these that I will treasure forever....and others that I wished would never had made an appearance. Either way...it will be a year that will always have a mark in my life....it will be part of my story and journey....a part of what makes me....well me.

So I have chose a variety of pictures from the past year....no particular order.

After doing zumba for a year...I got into the best shape and became pretty fit. Sadly, since my foot incident...I will have to work my hiney off and get here once again. At this time...that appears to not be for at least another month.

I turned 40

I had some girl time in Balboa this past summer. Met some new people and reconnected with some old friends.

Foot surgery December 8th after dealing with a non healing broken foot since October. It was time for a screw, the inability to work and the generosity of some very great people. But don't worry I will get it together and be able to pay the niceness forward this next year.

We became parents to a high school graduate this June.

I made my yearly visit to Seattle to see Jodie and the kids this past winter.

One of my besties came to visit in September....more girl time and a great support during what would turn out to a very sad part of my year..

A Halloween party and a chance to just be me...goofy.

I became a college mom to the boy who went off to the University of Houston

And then I found this quote and will make it a part of the life to which I am now headed for.

As I reflect here...I am grateful for the many good memories...the ability to learn from the not so good...and look forward to 2012...and hopefully the peace and happiness that will come with the choices that have been made.

Happy New Years Eve Day!

Kelly

Girlfriend Times

Life is sometimes hard and full of unexpected challenges.  It is times like this when girlfriends need to stick together....and this is what Melissa did for me three weeks ago. No small feat when one has a special needs daughter and another in 1st grade. But some how the stars aligned and Melissa was able to arrange sitters and transportation for six days and a last minute trip to Texas.

we spent a crazy night with another friend and 16 other women driving around in an extended van
How one of them convinced their boyfriend to drive is beyond me

She arrived on a Friday evening and stayed for a long weekend and a variety of activities. Everything from appetizers, going on an all girl (19 in all)  night out on the town, shopping, site seeing and a lot of eating and talking.


Heather and i both like Fuzzys Taco's so we had to show it off to Melissa


Having two great friends here, Melissa had to occasionally divide her time. Then Heather and I also shared her together for some of the time...How special M must feel to be a wanted woman...hehe. But the company was fantastic and on our last evening out, Heather bought us dinner.

I was sad and teary eyed to send one of my best girlfriends back to Arizona. But how grateful I am that she came to spend some time fun time with me and to help me figure out the challenges to which I face.

Girl Time in Balboa

Last week I was lucky enough to go visit one of my best girlfriends (at her parents beach house) in Balboa. Three days and four nights was definitely not long enough...especially when we haven't seen each other in three years. Sadly, airfare just would not cooperate with a longer trip. 

The weather was in the mid 70's....a nice break from the heat wave we are having here in Texas. I was actually pretty cold at night and had to sleep with a sweatshirt.

Our days and nights were packed with everything from eating Mexican, dancing, painting seashells, walking the peninsula and visiting an old friend and family.

Tessa and her fabulous personality

Tessa and  I spent time together looking for crabs...taking walks...and just acting silly like almost six year olds and crazy adults do.

We went to the beach one afternoon to play in the waves and sand. I totally miss being close to the ocean. Tessa and I had a blast. Melissa stayed beach side and took pictures. Hopefully some will come my way after her vacation is over.

Devon (Phoebes aid), Melissa and me
a little goofy in the late night hours

Stacy and me on the waterfrontold high school friends

Stacy and I had reconnected this last year on facebook. I contacted her last minute from the airport to say I was headed her way. I was one lucky girl as she was able to pick me up one afternoon for a nice catching up session.

the crew at the Balboa Candy Store
we definitely spent a lot of time here

It's official...he graduated

Procession into the convention center

Today was the big day for Central High School's class of 2011. It was definitely bittersweet as the day lead  up to the graduation ceremony. Since our grad time was 6pm, we had a luncheon with family and friends and then dessert to end the day.

wanting me to snap the picture so we could enjoy the Mexican feast

mom and I made cake balls for dessert

Nathaniel crossing the stage

Had to kick off the shoes after a long day

Matt, Isaac, Mark and Nate in the back
...well...being themselves
Nathaniel worked pretty hard in his high school years. He earned the gold stole for participating in the  Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP), red/gold cord for varsity sports and a metal for being a Advancement Placement Scholar. DAP and the Scholar program required quite a bit of extra classes, language and excelling on tests. However, his laziness/procrastination at times, kept him from being in the top 10 percent...as he wound up 7 slots away....bummer. I am not disappointed though. Nathaniel is my pride and joy!

It was a fun day and the high school years have been quite the experience with Nathan and his group of friends. They participated in the festivities...humored me with a few pictures to finish off the photo albums that I made each of them....and then they were off to "the Arcade" for what this group of guys do best....computer/video gaming.