Grandma Audrey's 80th Birthday!!!

Grandma Audrey's 80th birthday was on January 14th, 2012 and a party was thrown for her at Uncle Steve's house.  I was unable to attend so Sherry took a bunch of photos and I "stole" these off of her blog.

Christmas Basket!

Not knowing what to bring as a gift for Dad & Lena...I decided to go with a medely of things in a basket.  I found a cute "red drum" basket and filled it with a bottle of red wine (a yummy Pinot Noir--Red Bicyclette), some Hickory Farms Summer Sausage and aged cheddar cheese, crackers, and some gourmet apple butter.  I actually bought a bunch of apple butter jars from one of my co-workers who makes it from scratch!  I gave them as gifts to Mom, both Grandmas and kept one for myself...because it was really GOOD!!! 

When idioms attack!!!

Dad had hip replacement surgery today and now has a literal hitch in his giddy-up!  Working at a hospital he was actually able to take home an example of the "ball hitch" component they use during surgery and it really looked just like what you see on the back end of a truck!  The photos here are similar to what he had, because I forgot to take a photo of the real thing when he showed me!

Cute Creativity...

These wooden blocks were hand-painted, lettered, and dressed up with 4 corners of mini-crystals for subtle bling...really a cute idea.  Lena created this and it hangs at Dad's house over their entertainment center in the living room.

Trick-or-Treating with the Grimes Family!!!

Tonight I handed out some candy to the kiddos in the neighborhood for awhile.  I tend to turn out my lights about 30 minutes past dark because I really don't like having to open my doors up to strangers and after dark it is usually BIG kids or van loads of folks that don't live in the area.  So knowing that Sherry and Matt were planning to do their drive around trick-or-treating I had them give me a 5-10 minute warning call that way I could turn back on my spider lights and pumpkins to give Carter the full effect!  Sherry and Matt had already been to the Schroeder's house, Terry Grant's house, Mom's house, Dad's house and so by the time Carter got to mine he was sugared up and close to the crash point!!!  He looked so cute and did really good (even though he was getting tired) and that I understood, becuase it was a looooong day for me too staying dressed up from head to heals all day!!!

Me (AKA: Auntie Moe-Moe) and Carter

I was the last stop on their trick-or-treating run...as Sherry said, Carter was entering a sugar coma by this point!!!

Grama Carol and Carter

Dad, Carter, and Lena

The Grimes Family

Wayne and Amy weren't in town but they did go to a costume party and I had to share their hilarious costumes!

Paul's "Rosie the Riveter" costume that he wore when we went out the weekend before Halloween.

Bryan & Melissa's Wedding...Porterville, CA

   My cousin Bryan Searle married Melissa on September 10th, 2011 at 5pm.  It was set in the backyard of a really pretty farm house.  It had a pond, big trees, and lush green grasses.  The weather was breezy but comfortable.  Near the end of the wedding there were clouds and lightning looming in the distance, but luckily it never made it to the wedding!  The wedding and reception was held in the same area and they had really yummy barbeque accompanied with beans, salad and rolls.  After the food and cake, there was a lot of visiting and dancing, that Carter and Grandma and Grandpa really got into!   

Congratulations, Bryan and Melissa!!!

I brought a pack of "Toy Story" stickers to keep Carter entertained!

Wayne rarely takes a "normal" picture!

Carter stole the big glass...leaving Matt with the mini one!

Don't worry, it's just sparkling apple cider!

They played nice...at first, anyway!

Gives new meaning to a sweeeeet kiss!