Football!!
Tonight is the Homecoming football game and also the "Bone" game with Rancho High school. This is always an exciting time of year and a fun game. GO LVHS!!!
Last night when I got home from work I had an envlope sitting on the counter for me. Me?... I got some mail?...Something addressed to me other than bills?...It was from my Aunt Charlene. She sent me a Halloween Magazine that is full of fun, cute food to make for Halloween!! I love this stuff :-) I was so very excited! I had to call her right away, I was so surprised and happy. I will be trying out the fun meals and drinks.
Good day :-)
I had a wonderful day with my family. I cooked a nice dinner in the oven making the house smell good. Then decided to make pumpkin/chocolate chip cookies. Yum!! It's cool outside, the house smells so good and homey. Very comforting, I love this time of year. I had to eat one of course with a cup of coffee. Really made me think of my Dad for some reason. I sure would love to share a cup of coffee with him and these yummy cookies and conversation.
Katie and three of her friends went to the Fright dome tonight. It has 5 haunted houses, freak shows, rides and lots of scarey things. I dropped the girls off at 7:00pm and will pick them up at 11:45pm. No school tomorrow because of teacher in service day, so fun times for the kids. :-) busy day at work for us as we will have lots of older kids.
Shopping for a dress
It was so much fun shopping for a Homecoming dress for Alexis. She looked long and hard for "The Dress". She found it on the internet, we went shopping and found it in the store, she tried it on........it looked so beautiful on her. I told her that we would have to talk about it as it was pricey. She was so excited and that is all she talked about. Grandma Carol, Katie, Alexis and I went to the mall and bought the dress last weekend. It was so fun. Everyone remembered us and welcomed us. Alexis tried the dress on for Grandma, she looked like a rockstar!! Grandma bought her a beautiful butterfly necklace to wear on her special day too. Alexis' eyes lit up and she was/is so happy and excited. I will be posting picures when the dance happens as I don't want to show the dress off before its time. :-)
Labor Day weekend
We did not do much for the holiday and that was oh so nice! Friday night was softball practice for Katie, resting and watching for Mommy. Deric worked a football game and Alexis went to Vegas' football game. Saturday we got up late, at our leasure. We hung out around the house and relaxed until 3:00pm. We picked Austin up and all headed over to Chuck and Jhonna's house to celebrate Chris' graduation from the Metro Police Academy. Sunday, slept in late again and ung out at home until 3:00pm again. We went to Mimi's house to eat dinner, swim, and watch a couple of movies outside in the back yard. That was fun and so relaxing, the weather was just beautiful! Monday I fixed waffles for breakfast then Alexis drove me to the Mandaly Bay so we could check out her job site so she would know where to go and how to get there on Wednesday morning. Deric and I went grocery shopping and now we are relaxing as a family until it's time for bed. Everyone has work and school tomorrow.
Family Celebrations
On the 3rd of September my nephew Chris graduated from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department academy. We are all so proud of him! Congradulations Chris and we are so happy for you, Jessi, Jordan and baby. We love you.
We had a family celebration Saturday night at Jhonna & Chuck's home. It was so fun for everyone to get together. Austin came over with us and Sommer was in town from Reno. The McCartey's were all there, every last one of them. We ate, talked and played games together. We laughed a lot and enjoyed each others company.
We are so blessed to have such good families and friends.
Laughing at the Jokester!!!
Deric and Katie and I went over to a friends home to celebrate two of the guys birthdays. We had so much fun. One of the ladies got pushed into the pool, ha ha we all laughed. Glad it was not me we were all saying to ourselves. The guys all came around and tried to pry us out of our chairs, not working! ha ha. In the mean time Deric had taken everything out of his pockets and jumped into the pool with his shorts on. He and the guys decided they were going to pull one over on me. Deric started acting like he did not feel good and said that we needed to go home and right now!! I put the truck keys in my pocket and gathered up his cell phone, wallet, and pack of gum. I was holding all of his things in my hand saying goodbye and giving hugs when all of the sudden he pushes me in the pool. One of the other guys jumps in at the same time and scoops me up and out of the water. Others grab Deric's phone and wallet. Deric has to jump in and search for the truck keys. They really did pull a good one on me as I was very unsuspecting but........it's not my phone that got wet! LOL Good thing cuz I may have cried. It was a really nice fun time with old friends and some new ones too! :-)
My Kidz at home
Friday night all of my kidz were at home. Really, all at the same time! Justin came down from Arizona and he and Sammie came over, Austin was able to come to supper too. The girls were so excited to see their brothers! Deric and I were too. We had a wonderful supper, great fun with lots of laughs. It was so nice to be all together again. I hope it happens more often.
Goodbye Elementary school!
Katie is graduating from 5th grade today!! Wow!! I know I have said it a million times over, but where does the time go? We are saying farewell to Daniel Goldfarb Elementary School. All of our 5 children attended Goldfarb. Our family helped to open the school and have been there for 14 straight years. Junior High here we come. Yikes. Only two of my 5 kidz will be in school. Alexis will be a senior and Katelyn will be a 6th grader. Happy Graduation Katie!
Back to reality! :-)
We just got back from a wonderful trip to Maui Hawaii! It was, in fact, paradise. We all had such a wonderful time. We were so blessed to be able to go with Steve and Valinda. We did so many things and had so many wonderful first times. We went parasailing: Fun, exciting, beautiful, and scarey all at the same time. We drove jet ski's in the ocean (well, Valinda and I watched): That was fun and fast paced, everyone enjoyed that. We went to a luau: That was beautiful! The food was all delicious, the show was amazing and all of us girls got flower lei's. They smelled so good and were so so pretty, a highlight for me! :-) We went on a sunrise tour: (Just Deric and I) Everyone else thought they were on vacation or something and did not want to get up at 2:00am to go watch the sun rise. ha ha. It was very fun and nice. We went snorkeling: My personal favorite!! I feel so empowered, so proud of myself for this one. I did not know if I could get in the water. I'm so chicken in deep water even in a swimming pool let alone in the ocean where "things" are everywhere. I sure did not want to be someone's lunch. We saw sea turtles on the way out to the cove. We saw a sea turtle hangin out resting while swimming and many fish and coral. We had a wonderful lunch after our swim and we saw dolphin's on our way back to the hotel. It was awesome!! We went shopping and watched fireworks in Lahinia. That was the most beautiful display of fireworks I have ever seen in my life. The whole trip was magical.
Alexis turns 17
Where did the time go? Could it really be that 17 years ago I had a baby girl? Where did that little girl go that hung on my every word, that was always at my side wanting to be with me and do everything that I do. She is now a young lady. Ugg!! We had a nice quiet evening. We made chicken Teryaki bowls and talked. Angelica decorated Alexis room with streamers and balloons and reeces peanut butter cups. Of course we had cake and ice cream too.
Family love
My Aunt Charlene and Uncle Marvin arrived in Las Vegas from Bartley Nebraska on Friday!! They are staying with Mom. Their trip was good and safe. We are so happy to see them. Katie and I went to Grandma's house Friday after work and met Uncle David and his family there too. We ate Chili soup and corn bread and visited.
Saturday Deric and Katie and I went to Bahama Breeze to a surprise Birthday party with some friends that moved three years ago from here to Idaho. It was so nice to see them and visit. Then it was off to Grandma Carol's home for fun and dinner. Alexis and Anjelica joined us after work and of course David and his family. We celebrated Alexis' and Deric's Birthdays. The boys did not make it as they had to work in the night. We had a great time again.
Superbowl Party
Deric worked a 16 hour shift. Ugg!! That boy can work. He went in Midnight on Saturday night and got home at 4:30pm on Sunday afternoon. He met the girls and I at our friend Jamie and Craig's home. It was their son Blake's birthday party/superbowl party. We had a really good time just eating and talking while the guys all watched the game. Now we are home preparing to get to bed getting ready for the week of work and school and pitching practice for Katie. Hope everyone is well and is safe traveling to and from where ever you ventured today. Lot's of love..
Birthday goodies
For Deric's birthday we had the day off together. I made two really yummy things for supper to enjoy together. Chicken Alfredo Lasagna and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Brownie Pie. They were so good and so worth sharing so here they are!!
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Alfredo sauce:
1 quart half & half 8oz jar of parmesean cheese
2 T. butter flour
Melt butter in sauce pan. Add flour while stirring constantly until you have a playdough consistancy. Slowly pour the half & half into the mixture, once mixed add the parm cheese. Let the mixture thicken slightly. Remove from heat and let stand while preparing the other steps.
Lasagna:
2 or 3 chicken breasts lasagna noodles
16oz ricotta cheese shredded matsarella cheese
one head of broccli
Boil chicken breasts until cooked through. Set aside to cool enough to chop into small bite sized pieces. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Cut broccli into very small pieces. Boil broccli until very soft. Stir cooked, cut up chicken and broccli into the alfredo sauce. Place a very thin layer of ricotta cheese on the bottom of pan, then place a layer of noodles, ricotta cheese, alfredo mixture, matzarella cheese. Repeat steps. Place in 350 oven for 45 min. enjoy
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Brownie Pie
1/2 C. baking cocoa 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt 2 eggs
1-1/4 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
1/2 C. butter melted 2/3 C. whipping cream
1 pkg. (11oz) peanut butter and milk chocolate morsels, divided
Vanilla or chocolate ice cream
In a small bowl, combine cocoa, flour and salt. Beat eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla in a small mixing bowl; blend in sugar and butter. Add cocoa mixture; blend well. Stir in 3/4 C. morsels. Place crust on baking sheet; pour batter into crust. Bake at 350 for 45 min. or until set. Let cool. In a double boiler combine cream and remaining vanilla and morsels. Cook stiring often until melted and smooth. Cut pie into dedges; top with ice cream. Spoon sauce over ice cream and pie. Give them a try and enjoy!!
Attachments:
Deric's Birthday
Today is Deric's 44th Birthday!! Not sure what we are doing yet (talk about not prepared).
Today Katelyn is "Super Citizen" at school. Yeah for Katie!! She will be recognized at a school assembaly out on the playground this morning with an announcement and a certificate in front of the whole school. We are very proud of you Katelyn. Katie also wrote the best essay for her DARE class at school and was chosen to read it in front of everyone at their DARE graduation. I can't wait to see that. :-)
Birthday celebration
Last night we met some very dear friends for a Birthday dinner celebration. It was Anjelica's 17th Birthday (Alexis' best friend since Kindergarten). We had a wonderful time. This is when you get weepy about "the good ol days". I miss making waffles for the kids in the morning before sending them off to school and watching the whole big gang of them walk down the street. I miss the first day of school excitement with 10 or so kidz all waiting around to get their pictures taken in front of our house before they are sent off. I miss having the fresh baked cookies ready and waiting for all my kidz and all the neighborhood kidz after school. I still have Katie of course but this is her last year in elementary school and they are all growing up in such a hurry and all going different directions at different times because of school and work and sports. We have had a child in Goldfarb Elementary school for 14 years!! Wow!! Alexis will be turning 17 in February, where has the time gone...............
facebook
I guess I am going to have to get into the facebook scene. I need to make some time to do it right. It's taken me forever to get this website on shutterfly going!! Now because my family and friends are doing the peer pressure thing I am going to have to figure out the facebook site. :-) Just give me a little time guys. I love you all
Blessed
Our family is very blessed. We have gone through extremely hard times but we have remained strong. We are strong in our faith in God, we are strong in our family ties, we are strong in our friends and neighbors. We have a good life.
9/22/2009 2:08:22 AM - 001038348079
Thanks for popping in! Glad you liked my hummingbirds...they are so challenging! (if you had time to take them you'd love them too!) Anything new on your end or same ol? busy running the kids???? Wanted to stop in real fast and say hello! Tell hubby to stay safe and to lock up some bad guys for me!
9/21/2009 11:08:21 PM - 001024320926
Hi Shannon, I hope summer was good to you, I can tell you're very busy from looking at your site :) It's a good thing though. Great pictures and a great site!!
Hope all is well.
9/1/2009 12:32:52 AM - 002077861718
Great pics. of the vacation and first day of school. So much fun. Looking forward to your Halloween ideas next!! Congrats of the grandbaby. Babies are blessings always!!
8/30/2009 10:30:24 PM - 001038348079
Hey there...how are you guys doing? I see a fellow Police Officer with something I recognize in his hand...yep...could it be...Starbucks? hahaha....Hope you guys had a wonderful wknd and a better wk to come! Stay safe!
8/25/2009 6:19:56 PM - 002077344794
I love seeing your site. Your life is blessed with so much love and it shows on each page.
8/22/2009 5:05:00 PM - 001024320926
Hi Shannon, Love all the new pictures and pages!! Your site is awesome. Hope all is well and that the summer is being good to you and yours :)
8/10/2009 4:29:52 PM - 002079403478
love it... hopefully our main computer gets its wireless thing fixed soon so i can add more recent pictures
8/4/2009 3:47:35 AM - 001038348079
Hey there girly! Hope you are doing well and hubby is staying safe! Will got called out tonight to recover/hes on scuba and it really bothered my Alyssa! She asked so many questions! We will prob have to limit the police talk huh? Any suggestions there mom? I know you have been there done that! Anyway, I hope you are well! I know we will talk more when the cooler temps get here. But was making my rounds and thought i'd pop in! Love allllll your new pictures! Great job!
7/21/2009 2:07:46 AM - 002079344553
shannon you did great job is great to hear from you will stay in touch hope we can all get togather agian it has ben way to long love you guys! Cant wait till we all can be toghater as a family agian and have lots of fun
7/18/2009 10:28:52 PM - 002077344794
Yes Shannon you do get all of the credit for our addiction... Shantelle is hooked now too.
7/17/2009 9:44:02 AM - 002078358061
alright sounds good :)
7/15/2009 3:27:50 PM - 001025515806
The friends and family section I just added. I have to get all my old pictures gathered and put on the page and yes, take some new ones too! :-)
7/15/2009 9:15:49 AM - 002078358061
We're definitely going to have to fill in that Friends and Family Album with some of our pics. I miss the family!
7/14/2009 11:40:20 PM - 001024320926
Love all the trip pictures!! Wow ya'll have been busy :)
7/14/2009 11:39:14 PM - 001024320926
Love the new headers Shannon!! You look wonderful up there!!!
Hope ya'll had a great 4th and that the summer is being good to you :)
7/13/2009 5:25:37 PM - 002077344794
Wow your Hawaii pictures are so good. Looks like you has so much fun! What wonderful memories you are creating.
7/11/2009 10:15:05 PM - 000045951721
Hi, Shannon and Deric; My apologies if you receive this twice. I'm not sure if Shutterfly got my message to you the first time. Thank you soooooooo much for the awesome dolphin shots!!!!! They are incredible. It was great meeting you all and hopefully we'll be back in Hawaii again some summer. Best, Laura and Drew Wingard
7/10/2009 1:56:53 PM - 002077344794
I love this site Shannon, any yes you and I do have picture taking as one of many things we have in common. Thank you for getting me hooked. I have been looking for something to get my photos organized and displayed...this is perfect.
7/8/2009 10:49:33 PM - 002077861718
Oh Shannon! The trip looked so relaxing and fun. What wonderful time. Can't wait to hear the details. Love ya!
Regina
7/8/2009 4:07:52 PM - 002051382668
Love the pictures. How wonderful your trip to Hawaii and I am so happy you could have this vacation with family. What fun!!!
Aunt Charlene
7/7/2009 10:23:42 PM - 002077344794
Shannon this is so cool. Guess what I am starting tonight? Any ideas? Yes that right I have to do this wow it's so cool. You are very talented and creative.
Sharon
7/7/2009 1:47:06 PM - 002057980516
WOW and Holy crap!!! What a great time in Hawaii you had. You all look wonderful, gorgeous and tanned.
6/7/2009 6:47:19 PM - 001024320926
I love the family trips page Shannon!! Looking forward to seeing more pictures. Have a wonderful weekend :) Lisa
5/31/2009 3:28:32 PM - 001038348079
Hey girly! Miss talking to you...I bet you have been busy too since I havn't seen you around! Hope you guys are doing well. I was out of commission for about 7 wks working on the DVD for Alyssa's school. Glad to be back!
5/26/2009 9:50:10 PM - 001024320926
Hope all is well and ya'll had a wonderful Memorial day weekend :)
5/8/2009 9:30:19 PM - 001024320926
Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful Mothers day weekend with your family!! Blessings, Lisa
4/25/2009 2:17:47 AM - 001038348079
"Hey girl" hope its ok I added a couple of your pics to my Shutterplay page...Its still a work in progress....Hope you like what I picked...If you like another better let me know. I couldnt get all the kids in one so I picked a coupel others....If you have one of the kids you would rather have...lemme know.....LOL. Tell hubby to stay safe out there! Hey, he should put in to come to the DIAP conf here in Indy this year...Good training...he could stay with my Husband and keep him in line??? haha Or mine could keep yours in line?
4/21/2009 2:11:47 PM - 001024320926
Love, love, love the sports page. Great pictures!! Too fun!!
4/21/2009 2:09:39 PM - 001024320926
Hope all is well and that the sporting activities aren't keeping you too busy. Take loads of pictures!!
Have a wonderful day, Lisa :)
4/10/2009 10:46:12 PM - 001024320926
Happy Easter and many, many blessings!! Have a wonderful weekend!! Lisa
4/5/2009 7:46:13 PM - 001024320926
Thanks for stopping by and you are so nice :) I love the comment and the one on the bluebonnets, it was like finding a littel gold nugget :)
I hope all is well and have a wonderful weekend :)
Lisa
4/1/2009 5:47:32 PM - 001024320926
When you have a minute stop by and see my San Diego pictures, too fun :) Hope the class is going well and you're learning loads!!
Have a wonderful day :)
Lisa
3/26/2009 9:54:21 PM - 001024320926
Thanks for the email and I'm glad to hear you like your class, too fun :)
3/24/2009 6:15:18 PM - 001024320926
Shannon, hope all is well. How's the class going? I hope well and I think about you doing well in it often :)
Have a wonderful day, Lisa
3/23/2009 3:17:30 PM - 001038348079
You doing ok??? So hard to keep up with sites isn't it??? Love your favorite pictures...so so cute...Hows the camera class going? REady to teach us????
3/20/2009 10:08:45 PM - 001024320926
Happy first day of spring!!
3/11/2009 10:47:33 PM - 001024320926
So how's the world of exposure? Hope all is well. Lisa
3/7/2009 3:47:08 AM - 001024320926
Thanks for letting me know. I am excited for you too. I can't wait to hear how it goes and all about the stuff you learn. Look out photography world here comes Shannon :)
Lisa :)
PS: Hey if you're on the FB look me up.
3/5/2009 4:48:44 PM - 001024320926
Have you started your class yet? Hope it's going well :)
2/24/2009 5:57:48 PM - 001024320926
Gosh, Shannon I am so excited for you :) I can't wait to see your pictures. I really hope you like it and learn a ton, I loved it and I learned so much about my camera. I wish you nothing less than the best experience ever :)
~Lisa :)
2/23/2009 12:51:03 PM - 001024320926
Thanks for stopping by, love seeing people have enjoyed my site. You asked about the BetterPhoto.com, I loved it. I learned a ton and the instructor was very informative. When you sign up they give you a questionaire, on that the instructor asks how brutal you want his critics to be, so you can make it as easy on yourself or rough on yourself as you want. I took the one specific for may Canon, the instructor was Peter Burion, I thought he was great. I would do an assignment and he would say it was good but next time try, I would go do that and it was always better. I am very happy I took the class. I would highly recommend it before your vacation. Backlighting is a big problem near water and they can teach you how to deal with it. I'm not wanting to be a professional but I did enjoy learning a few things that helped me battle some of the common things that happen. Let me know if I can help :)
Lisa :)
2/11/2009 6:21:19 PM - 001024320926
Thanks for stopping by and you are welcome to come by anytime. I love your very family pictures :) They're best.
Have a wonderful day, Lisa :)
2/10/2009 2:32:42 AM - 001024320926
Hi I found your site on Connie's site, she's my shutter pal, and thought I'd stop by and say howdy :) looks like a wonderful family in the header pictures, all smiles, just the way it should be. Thanks for letting me drop by, have a wonderful day :)
Lisa :)
http://lisasphototime.shutterfly.com/
1/30/2009 11:00:55 PM - 001038348079
Mason and I have had the flu ALL wk...We havn't been able to play in the snow..sniff...getting ready to upload some pictures of our snow that I took out my door....Ref the photo editing. I use Adobe photoshop elemets 6. I love it! I also do ALL my scrap booking in it now. LOVE IT. I wish I could afford Adobe creative suites though. Better run...Mason is drinking out of Alyssa's cup. UGH!
1/15/2009 6:02:47 PM - 001038348079
Making my rounds...thought i'd pop in and say hello! Hope all is well with you! Havn't heard from you in awhile.
1/5/2009 3:49:41 AM - 002033344104
Love your site! I'll visit often! I miss you guys!
1/5/2009 3:17:57 AM - 001014744339
Very nice page so far! I really love that pic of the kids in their tye-dye shirts! It took me a minute to realize they were YOUR kids and not an ad for the website! LOL
1/5/2009 12:33:49 AM - 001038348079
Hey there, I got your message on my site. Thanks for visiting. Looks like you are doing a wonderful job at creating your site!! (lots to learn, huh???) Theres some wonderful people on here to help if you get stuck. Myself of course and if you go to my guestbook area there are some sites of all my friends...I'm sure they would be happy to help also!!
Not sure if you read but I'm a retired Police officer (Indpls Metro Police) (I got injured in a freak accident at work) My husband just started his 10th year on the State Police. I spend my days now being a stay home Mommy/taking pictures of them and now digital scrapbooking. Come back anytime and visit! Better go the kids are crying!! (my site http://etterscreations1.shutterfly.com/
7/12/2009 2:49:03 PM - 002051669728
