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

Christmas

 I was lucky enough to be off work the weekend before Christmas and both Christmas Eve and day. I joined Charles and the girls at his parents ranch on the weekend where we attended Christmas service at the local Presbyterian Church...and they joined my family for Christmas.

 A rare picture of both me and my mom. Love her!!!

 me with the Thomason clan

 Christmas service picture

 goofing around

 not our best picture...but a happy memory

 bright and 4AM early for Santa Claus and gifts

 My parents and their new kids

A family picture that is missing eight of us

Soaking Up Axel Ryan Time

My old Friday pal is leaving me soon as he and his parents are relocating to North Dakota. I have been trying to spend lots of time with this little guy...and we have chalked up a few more memories.

 The armbands once belonged to Nathaniel J.. I think it is fun to see someone sport them around.

 I was invited to little mans Lego birthday party...and of course we had to do a selfie

Who is the kid behind the mask?

 Thinking this is pre-party goofiness

 I was invited to fill in for grandparents day at Axel's school

 Charles and Axel being creative with Lego's

I am totally afraid that Axel Ryan will forget me and we will lose our special connection. Stephanie assures me that this won't happen. I created a special gift for him which will hopefully help. I am so grateful that Brody and Stephanie have trusted me to be an active part of Axels life thus far.

Thanksgiving at home

Thanksgiving in Kelly's life usually consists of working, going out to eat with The Thomas Family or going to Georgia. This year I spent the day with my family....and I forgot to take a picture of all of us.  I really did enjoy the time spent with my parents and eating their delicious food! I also really enjoyed time with Sally, Joel (her fiancé), Hunter and the boys. This is also the first Thanksgiving that Charles and I spent together...however...his second Thanksgiving with my parents.

 Love me some turkey...well my moms turkey soup from leftovers

 I love this picture

Next year the day will be spent in the ED again....

An afternoon of Science

For months I have wanted to visit the Perot Museum in Dallas. Not sure what finally sparked this Tall Redheaded Man... but off we were...Guess he decided it was time to get some energy back after being in the hospital.

 View of Dallas behind us

 Check out the huge dinosaur 

We decided to examine our cheek cells under the microscope

 Hmmm....did this guy once upon a time really sell cars

 nurse...or crazy scientist...

One fun and educational afternoon

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