Happy Birthday Easton!!

SEVEN!!!! My little boy is seven years old today!! He is his own person and I love that about him. I think that's where he gets his charm from.
Easton decided to have his birthday party at The Warren Theatre in Moore; we saw Bolt in 3D. We had a good time and the movie was cute.

Yummy Dinner!

I made a REALLY yummy and easy dinner last night. I kind of made it up but I'm sure someone out there has made it before. Whatever...I'm going to share it anyway!! Hehe!!

Pesto Chicken
Chicken breast, pounded; how ever many you need to feed your family
3 oz cream cheese
1 cup Pesto, I used Sauces'n Love from Sams
Pound the chicken flat. Cut about 1/4" thick piece of cream cheese and lay on the chicken. Spread the prepared Pesto over the cream cheese and chicken. Roll the chicken up and secure with a tooth pick. Place in the bottom of a lightly greased baking dish. Cook at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. I added mozzerela cheese on top but if you do make sure you don't put it on until there is about 5 minutes left in baking.

Let me know if you try this...it is so yummy and the family really liked it as well!!

More Pics From the Capitol

Alyssa & Easton - BFFs


Easton & Parker


Easton and his classmates decorating their tree


Alyssa, Easton & Olivia making cards for the troops


Easton's class with Governor Brad Henry and Kim Henry


The kids waiting to countdown the tree lighting

Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol

Easton is in the first grade at Briarwood and they were invited to attend the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the State Capitol last night. Easton was so excited about getting to go; he kept saying he was going to "meet the government." The kids brought ornaments they had made to decorate two 3' Christmas trees. Then they made Christmas cards for the troops overseas. We went as a family and it was definitely something to remember. The Governor and his wife along with Santa Claus walked around to each school and took pictures. It was pretty exciting. Well, leave it to Olivia to find the limelight. She made it into the Daily Oklahoman this morning! I think it's in the local section but I'm going to post the pic and the caption that was with it! I have other pics that I took, I'll post them soon!

Publication:The Oklahoman; Date:Dec 10, 2008; Section:Local & State; Page Number:11 Kindergartners from Briarwood Elementary in Moore make greeting cards Tuesday near a Christmas tree at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. From left, Olivia Thompson, Sabrina Durley and Natasha Helm joined students from across the state in decorating 40 trees. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Bloggin in a Winter Wonderland!!

I FINALLY got the blog updated to the new winter theme. I'm pleased with it for now but will probably continue to make updates. I hope you like it.

Turkey Gobbler!!

Olivia learned this song from school and it just cracks me up. She walks around the house singing all the time and it's fun to hear the different songs she sings. I talked her into letting me record her to share on our blog. I think she likes the notoriety! Ha!!

The Only Thing Worth Stealing...

are Kisses From Sleeping Babies!!!

Thankful...

We have been blessed so much this past year that we wanted to share some of those things we're thankful...

Phil: "I'm thankful for you (Kelly)."
Kelly: "I'm thankful for a God of second chances. I'm thankful for my family who loves me in spite of it all. I'm thankful for my friends...who are still my friends! :):) And I'm thankful for a wonderful job that has allowed me to be home more with my family."
Parker: "I'm thankful for my family, friends, God and Jesus."
Easton: "My Webkins."
Olivia: "I'm thankful for my friend Aubree."

There are so many more things but these are only a few. We hope you have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!

Laughs From Christmas Past

Last years Christmas pictures were such a big hit that I thought I would post it for all to remember and enjoy. Easton recovered from his traumatic photo session...hehe!

Getting to Know Me--Christmas Style

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly wrap but an occasional bag
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually when I find time
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years
5. Do you like egg nog? YUMMY!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? i loved them all
7. Hardest person to buy for? Men
8. Easiest person to buy for? the kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Fisher Price :)
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail, usually hand made cards with family picture
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? We play Dirty Santa twice every year...
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? NL Christmas Vacation (Mine & Phil's first date)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Not as early as I'd like
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep, remember Dirty Santa!!!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? goodies Nancy makes
16. Lights on the tree? clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Barenaked Ladies
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,
Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and of course Rudolph--Thanks Becky!
Hehe!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the "rudies" come out
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? It changes every year
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Honey baked ham
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a clean/organized house! Ha!! I need
to talk to the "Miracle Man" on this one!!

OKC Thunder

We went to our first OKC Thunder game Monday night with a group from our chuch. The atmosphere was very energetic and we had a great time. I think Easton might have enjoyed it the most. He made a sign to hold up, he got an OKC Thunder tattoo (temporary), he kept yelling at the camera men so he could get on tv, and he danced and cheered to all the music. He was a lot of fun to watch. The only thing he didn't get that he wanted was to see the Thunder Girls close up!! I'm sure it made his dad proud!!

Olivia with her "tat"

Our church family--I'm not sure how we got the seats in front of all of them...the kids were part of the entertainment!!

Parker with his Peeps...

Easton, Olivia and Aubree watching the game

This is my favorite picture! It pretty much sums up the night!!

Happy Birthday Pam!

This post is a little late, like most of mine are. Don't worry, I already wished her a Happy Birthday which was on Nov 12. Becky and I surprised Pam with a much needed "Girls Night Out"this past Saturday! First, we stopped in at The Paper Crown, a scrapbook store on the north side. We probably could've stayed there all night. Then we moved on to the main event, a night of personal pampering at a spa. It was so relaxing. We decided it was something we need to do at least for each of our birthdays! Last, we went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner and of course cheesecake...YUMMY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM!! Notice I didn't mention "age" anywhere! :):)

Pam, Kelly, Becky enjoying some chocolates after the facial massage!

Enjoying our foot massage!! Aaaahhhh!!!

Fall Family Retreat 2008

Every year our church has a Fall Family Retreat. We've been many times but missed the past two years so I was exicted we were able to go this year. We had a good time and the weather was BEEEE-U-TIFUL!!! We went to Robbers Cave State Park in southeastern Oklahoma. We went down Friday evening without incident, which is a miracle in itself when you travel with a group...especially ours! It's like a weekend of church camp. We stay in cabins that sleep about 16 people on bunk beds with things they were calling mattresses. I think having a little "girly" girl has taken some of the adventurousness out of me...things that sicked me out this weekend didn't seem to bother me before. You should have heard me and Olivia in the shower. Pretty good stuff! Hehe!! I'll try to sum up a few of the funnier stories from the weekend:
Easton threw a rock that skipped off Parker's chest then hit him in the chin, Easton fell off the top bunk in the middle of the night, Phil was tackled and put in the scissors by a high-schooler in the annual teenager vs. adult football game...btw the adults are undefeated, I got a migraine on Saturday that led to throwing up...nice!! If I think of anything else I'll add it later. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics and hug your kids today!! :):)

Parker with his friends Jake and Zack.


Parker in the door of our cabin.


Phil and Jason


Easton and Olivia at the top of Robbers Cave


We had a pumpkin decorating contest and our family came up with the idea of a mummy-pumpkin...I thought it was very creative...but we didn't win!!


Some of the "contestants" of the American Idol skits.


Elmo Robinson


Brian and Shannon Plumb (My personal idols..hehe!!!)


Sarah, Tina, Kelly & Misty


The Thompsons


The Stouts and 1 Woods

Little Spooks!!

We had a hodge podge Halloween this year. On the 25th we spent the day at Grandma and Papa Gary's watching football with friends and family. Later we all went to our church for the annual Fall Family Festival. Parker was Jason from the Friday the 13th Movies, Easton was a Ninja and Olivia was a flapper. Nancy made her costume and did another great job. I'm already excited to see what we come up with for next year and Olivia has already started planning.
Here are a few pics of our day.

Easton, Aubree, Olivia, Brody & Clare


Parker, Easton & Olivia


Parker and Sawyer


Olivia and her girlfriends!


Aubree, Mason & Olivia


The Family!!


We hope you all had a Happy and Safe Halloween!!

ROCK THE VOTE!!!

Phil and I both voted today! Phil went early this morning at 7am and it took him 1 hour and 17 min (he's very exact....hehe) and I went later at 9am, it only took me about 30 min. If you haven't yet...GET OUT THERE AND "ROCK THE VOTE"!!

Attention All Readers!!!

I have been reading the most amazing book serious and I wanted to share it with you. The series is called Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers. It is Christian fiction. I know what you're thinking because I had the same thought, boring and stuffy, but it is anything but that. It takes place around 40AD in Rome and Ephesus. If you're an avid reader or just someone who picks up a book on occasion you will enjoy these books. If you do read them let me know what you think!

What a BRAVE Boy!

Easton had to be allergy tested today. This is the second time he's had to have the skin prick test. He did not like it AT ALL the first time. He asked me all the way to the doctor today if he was going to have to get "those shots". I really felt bad for him. Let me tell you that I think I honestly saw the face of true bravery today. He had a strange need to watch the nurse prick him, almost like he couldn't take his eyes off of it. She talked to him the entire time to keep him distracted. It worked really well but there were a few times when his voice would change or he would tear up but none ever fell! I guess it's just another sign that he's maturing. Man, Easton is, at times, the most sweetest child and other times he is the absolute most difficult...but we love'em any way!! And yes, he's pretty much allergic to everything!!

Happy Birthday Parker!!

Eleven years ago today my sweet little Parker was born. I can't believe its already been that long. He has grown into a sweet spirited, compassionate, tweenager with a great sense of humor. I know God has great things planned for Parker. I love you Park!!

Leelou Blogs

Anyone in need of a blog make-over? Check them out!!

I Just Wanna be a Rock Star!!

Today was "Dress Like a Rock Star" for the kids at school in honor of Red Ribbon Week. Of course, Olivia is at the age that dressing up is fun. After she got dressed this morning she had a major meltdown. She didn't like the clothes she had on. She said her shirt was a halloween shirt and not a rock star shirt. I told her I would make her pony-tail big and that seemed to calm her down. Here are the results of her dress-up. I think she looks AWESOME!! One more note...I asked her after school if she liked her outfit now and she said, "No, no one said I looked cute!" I know that wasn't true but man, we're in trouble!! Sheesh!

GO COWBOYS!!!

Do you ever look back on your life and realize there was something different you should have done? Like you made the wrong decision somewhere and the choice you should have made becomes clear? Well, I think I probably should have gone to OSU! I have always enjoyed going to Stillwater...even in high school attending cheer clinic. I love the college town atmosphere and Stillwater seemed just close enough and at the same time just far enough away from Mom & Dad! As a junior I went there for student orientation and it just felt natural. Most of you know my decision for college was totally driven by where Phil was...that wasn't a smart choice. Needless to say, that's the choice I made and I can't dwell on the past.
So for now, I totally enjoy going to Stillwater on game days for tailgating and the game, if I'm lucky enough to have a ticket. Phil and I got to spend most of the weekend there and we had a great time. Gary and Nancy took the kids with them to Houston and gave us their tickets to the game. THANK YOU SO MUCH GARY & NANCY! We love you!! I think our weekend together without the kids gave us a much needed recharge in our marriage and a reminder of the importance of time spent together. We missed the kids but we had a good time.
Here is a pic I took at the game. I took it with my Blackberry and think it came out pretty good. For my next purchase though I want a camera I can carry in my purse. Phil says it's a "girl" thing! Hehe!!

New Do!

I know I'm always changing my hair everytime I get it colored or cut but I think this is by far the most dramatic. It's probably going to shock some of you and it'll take me a little getting used to but I kind of like it. I've been trying to let my hair grow out and putting bleach on it for so long is slowing that process. I'll probably stay dark through the winter and hopefully by summer it will be longer and healthier.

BTW...Parker did a great job taking the pic for me! Thanks Park!!

Tag You're It!!

I was tagged by Jeana over at her blog, Keeping Up With the Sorrells, so I guess I should be a good sport and play along. I'm supposed to get the 6th picture from my 6th file in my photos.

Okay, if this couldn't be anymore boring; none the less, this is THE picture. I guess I could have cheated and just gone with something else but I have too much of a guilty conscience (yes, even with something as small as this). This is one of the very first cards I made when I started stamping. In fact, the date on it is Oct 2004. Sheesh!!! That was a long time ago.

I also feel like I need to explain the heading of our newly remodeled Blog. I know it's off center and I've been searching like crazy on how to fix this. I know for some of you AR people, like myself, this was probably bothering you!!

First Concert!

Easton went to his very first concert last weekend. My mom, dad and me took him to see Jars of Clay, Switchfoot and Third Day (there was another one that I'd never heard of); they are Christian rock groups. We first went to eat at Earl's in Bricktown. When we got to the concert Easton got to pick out a t-shirt. Of course he wanted the one that had Third Day as Wii people on it. Easton made it through three of the groups but slept in my lap during all of Third Day. In the end he said he really liked it! For me, it gave me a good feeling that Easton knew all the songs from Switchfoot and Jars of Clay!