A word to the wise...

To THE KIDS
As your self-appointed MOST FAVORITEST AUNT IN THE UNIVERSE I claim the right to have a decent photo with my chitlins (that's YOU).

And when the photographer says, "Look Surprised!!!" One small, itsy bitsy, minuscule, infinitesimal request.... Don't let me be the only one to do it... otherwise we get THIS:



Cute kiddies surrounding a freakishly, over-excited Aunt.
That'll ruin the shot every single time.

I promise.




We love you guys!!!

All the Cousins.. Brooklyn, Natalie, Ava, Madison and Dallin

not sure why Ava was gnawing on her nails like that... excitement? fear? hangnail? We'll never know.

"I'm thinkiiiing.... I'm thiiiinkiiiing...."
I adore how Santa has perfected the glazed over look.
He's not jaded at all.

Having a ball here in Kentucky with the fam. We don't see the folks, siblings and kiddos near enough for my likin'. Our vacation is flying by too quickly and I'm warning all of America... that shrill cry of despair and loss you'll hear in about a week is just my daughter being pried from her awesome cousins' arms. Or me when I realize that I have to go back to reality.

Just so you know...
We're gettin' Lucky in Kentucky.
This is last year...


THIS is this year...

• green grass
• lots of smiles
• layering striped stretchy pants under a Dora the Explorer nightgown and a hoodie.

(that last one was more of a personal fashion choice than a weather-related stroke of good luck)

HELLO Gorgeous Lou!
I promised one rad dance party if she'd give me a good smile.
We're gonna rock the house tonight... break out Jingle Bells the Remix, baby!

Blue skies... yes, blue.


Hoping everyone we love out there a safe and happy holiday.

Merry Christmas!!!

In Three Words...

So I haven't been "blog-tagged" in quite some time now... so I'm inventing my own tag and tagging myself (can you see how Solitaire is pretty much my favorite game?)

Rules: Answer the question or finish the statement in three words.

Where have you been?

• Computerless
• Internetless
• Avaville, USA

Thanksgiving was...

• Staycation
• Pajamas
• Perfection

I'm Thankful for...

• Support
• Hugs
• Family

Where are you going?

• Utah
• Plane
• Kentucky!

Christmas will be...

• Relaxventurous
• Eating
• Family

*ahem, that first word means "to relax adventurously"... it's a hybrid word. Oh, and to be clear, I don't mean we're Eating Family... those are supposed to be two separate ideas.... oh you get it!

I will NOT be...

• Blogging
• Facebooking
• Chemo

Now, I tag everyone who looks at this.

ok... so everything is great round these here parts (imaging an old wester cowboy with a slow drawl and maybe even a toothpick hanging out of his mouth saying that). We're leaving on a splendiferous vacation to Kentucky with T's family this week and we couldn't be more excited!

I'm about 35.3 million blogs behind (and that's me being fairly conservative with the numbers) but alas.... i feel as if the entire world has moved on to bigger and better without my help... or at least without my two cents of input.

But I've scanned quickly and just to be clear... I'm THRILLED for my homies who have just had babies and for my lady friends who are pregnant with 2nd, 3rd, AND 4th babies... ahhhh babies galore!!! And for all the Christmas decor, new tricks that kiddos are doing, new-found jobs and girl nites (whimper... RS Posse... oh how i missed you) all the fun things you've all been up to... i'm totally and completely so happy for you all.... and one day (in 2058) i'll be able to drop a comment or two on your blogs once more.

ps. healthier, happier and most definitely wiser (why did you snort on that last one??? i demand to know!) that's what we are at the end of this crazy, roller coaster of a year!

we LOVE you all, have a safe and Merry Christmas.