Thanksgiving Fun....

Thanksgiving with the Heaps !

I may not have time to get our Christmas cards out this year,

or put up decorations,but...I had to take some time for this post!

I couldn't wait to record our

fun weekend with the Heaps.

I also know from experience- if I wait too long before posting,it may not get done!

It may seem odd to start our

Thanksgiving post

with Leo as the focal point-

but Leo, was the focal point!

"At least I can live out my dream

for one weekend"

comments like this one said by Mitch, were commonly heard.

OK, I must admit- I even enjoyed

seeing Leo run around the house

and sleep with the kids.

I have always said,

If we could just find a dog,

that didn't poop

and didn't smell like a dog... ??

The Heaps tell me Leo's poops are sooo small-

they practically don't count...

Hmmmmm.

The Turkey Trot!

The traditional Thanksgiving morning run!

My injury is still not allowing me to run very much,

so it was definitely a "trot!"

I felt bad holding them back-

but Jacqueline sweetly said,

"Birds of a feather, flock together!"

By my side they stayed-

I'm sure Jac felt like she was walking!

Dinner is served!

We had quite the feast which included,

Matt and Lou having a

Sweet Potato showdown!!

(I think it was a tie vote, both delicious!!)

Jill made her famous homemade rolls.

All of us working in the kitchen together

made for some good memories.

With a broken dishwasher,

we opted for paper plates

and had the easiest

Thanksgiving clean up, EVER!

I know-

they really had to twist my arm on that one.

The only time we had to "parent"

the kids at all...was

getting them to stop playing long enough to eat,

and getting them to bed!

Oh... and when we had to occasionally

step in while Justin was practicing

his new found favorite hobby,

teasing 2 cute little girls.

:)

We also found some time to relax.

Mac got a soothing foot rub

after he bribed Gracie with a new lip gloss,

and Justin lost his FIRST tooth!

This made me a little sad.

First they loose a tooth, and before you know it-their in High School.

Justin really only had 1 piece of advice

for Gracie on loosing a tooth.

"Just don't let Aunt Jill touch it,

and it won't hurt at all!"

Classic.

Black Friday!!

I have never attempted the

Black Friday experience.

We decided- this was the year.

These are pictures

we took before heading out at Midnight.
We flunked the Black Friday test.
We really needed Monica or Wendy with us.
We saw the line at Toys-R-Us

wrapping around the store,
lines for Target and Old Navy starting-
5 hours before they were even opening...
and went home!

Jill captured some great "game faces" during Bowling!
As you can see, we all took it very seriously.

I LOVE this picture of Emily and Gracie!

They just couldn't watch!

Many times after my turn, I felt the same way!

Random craziness!.

See what happens when sisters get together?!

(and this was only 2 of the sisters!)

The kids wanted me to take pictures of them-

"sleeping".

Can you pick out the 1 picture

where they are actually "sleeping?"

Thank you Heaps Family

for spending Thanksgiving with us

and starting out the

Holiday Season

in full swing!

We love you!!

Come back soon,

and don't forget to bring Leo!

Garage at Midnight

Black Friday

in the Buhrley garage! I forgot to add these pictures

to the original Thanksgiving post.

It just didn't seem right leaving these out-

This was our

"Black Friday" experience!

Black Friday...

the most fun I've had

at midnight in my garage!

First date!

Mac's first date! Our kids grow up knowing their first date

will be with mom (the boys) or dad (the girls.)

I will get 3 dates out of the deal and Lou only 2!

Friday night I get a call on my cell,

"Yo, wanna go out?"

I laughed and said, "No, I'm busy!"

He called back and tried another approach-

which of course, I accepted!

We had a a really good time.

After a few dating 101 moments,

notice the chopstick picture...

he is ready to hit the dating world!

He opened doors, was a good listener, made me laugh,

told me I was beautiful...I have no worries. :)

Maybe that is the worry-

he is a little too charming!

I really lucked out on this Friday date night!

After Mac and I got home he watched the little ones,

while Lou and I went out for date # 2!

Thanks Mac

for a

great date night!

p.s. So Sorry that you "lost" your wallet!

I hope you find it by your next date!

Trick-or Treat!!

Happy Halloween!

We started out the night with our traditional

veggie chili and cornbread.

I think this was the 18th year of this tradition.

I had to put in this picture of Gracie as she is saying,

"delicious!" and also because yes,

she is in a swim suit.

I thought this stage would pass! Why do I buy her clothes?!:)As Mac said,

"This is kind of a strange holiday

if you think about it....!"

Yet, it is one we look forward to and enjoy!

Our church Halloween party was a lot of fun.
Between school, church, and trick-or- treating,
we had 3 days of candy celebration!
By the end Justin was giving away his own candy
to kids that came to our door!
I think now he wishes he had it back!:)

Lou and I with a few of our fellow hippie friends!
We used our "Whiting Idol" costumes of
Sonny and Cher.
( I will eventually post pictures of this event!)
Many did not even recognize Lou.
He truly transformed into Sonny!

Halloween 2009!
Let the Holidays begin!!!

Sweet Sixteen!

Happy Birthday Mckay! I know people always say this, but it's true...

where has the time gone!?

I can hardly believe Mac is 16 !!

I love this picture of all the kids.

It was taken 2 days before his birthday

and the way Gracie is lovin on him,

speaks volumes.

He really is the center of our home and

is loved by all.

If you know Mac, you know he does not

like to speak of his accomplishments

nor does he define himself by success.

The only time he has held a trophy or medal

has been for a picture we have pleaded for.

So for me to write anything about him

is pretty risky on my part!

But I think he will allow this because

he knows it means a lot to me!

16 facts about Mckay:

***Every teacher since Kindergarten

has told me the same thing.

Mac is a friend to all.

(and... he talks a little too much. )

"Mac is nice to everyone."

a common phrase said by both teachers and peers.

**Mckay would give away anything

he had if he knew someone really needed it.

He is not driven by money or "things"

but by his huge heart.

**He is very humble and compassionate.

**Mac is a leader.

He has never done something just because someone else does.

**He is very self motivated,

driven and disciplined.

In first grade he woke himself up

by his own body clock so he could read for 2 hours

before school each day-

to win the hot air balloon ride! He did win...

but has never read that much since.:)

**Mckay is competitive but not only with others.

He is continually striving for his personal best.

**Mckay loves his Heavenly Father

and truly wants to follow him.

**Mckay works hard and plays hard.

**Mckay is always looking for ways

to live life to the fullest. It is never a dull moment!

If it is-it is his mission to change that.

**He has an amazing sense of humor

and loves to tease.

**He loves and appreciates a variety of music.

**He loves his family.

**People are drawn to him.

**He is a very loyal friend.

**His has a smile

that can get him pretty much

whatever he wants.

**When talking on the phone he always ends with an

"I love you"-always.

These pictures brought back

a flood of sweet memories.

We are so grateful for this

strong, faithful ,kind hearted

16 year old!

Happy Birthday Louis Mckay,

Mac, Mac attack, Mac-a-Dude, Big Mac...

We Love you!

Arizona weekend!

Lou and I spent last weekend in Arizona!

We have family on both sides and it was wonderful

to spend this quick trip with them.

Lou had meetings in Scottsdale,

and we had planned on staying in a hotel.

Wendy, the great and wise

sister she is,

talked me into staying at her house

(it didn't take much talking.)

and putting the hotel money to better use.

Which I joyfully did, doing some seriously fun

Arizona shopping!

Friday night both Buhrley families

met up with Wade and Monica for some

great food and even better company.

Saturday we had lunch with all the Whiting clan -

minus Jos:( at Grecko grill.

How I love this family!

We had a great time finding out about

Laurisa's college life-

and tried to get as much info as possible on her "love" life.

I take this responsibility very seriously as an Aunt.

However, Mckay was not happy

I hung out with Mitch and Jake

without him!

He insists on coming with us next time!

Monica surprised me with

a cute,cute,cute apron

she had made the day before!

(notice the top picture in the collage!)

With an apron this cute-

cooking...

is sure to be a delight!?

( or at the very least I will look adorable!)

After lunch, Monica,Wendy and I

had a productive shopping day!

I always like to be productive!

My bags were much heavier coming home!

These woman are dangerous to shop with!:)

Really, it's probably because I actually had time to shop

without any other responsibilities!

It was a fun day.

Sunday morning while Lou finished up in meetings,

I spent time with Grandma Wright.

I arrived at grandma's assisted living home at 8 a.m.

and was able to spend the next 5 hours visiting.

It was a sweet, sweet experience.

I was thrilled when my Aunt Ginger,

cousins Bridgett and Wendy-

with 2 of her darling children,

came and kept me company for 3 hours!

I don't get to see my Arizona family near enough

and it was wonderful!

It was fun catching up

and it made for the perfect ending to a great weekend.

Monica and Mitch came before we had to leave

and Mitch gave us all a magic show.

There are 5 women staying in this home

and I think they all now have a crush on Mitch.

I don't blame them.

Thank you Wendy

for the fun shopping, late night talking,

and a weekend that felt like a vacation.

I love spending time with you

and wanted to pack your sweet kids in my suitcase

and bring them home.

Yes, all of them-not just baby Luke!

Although, Luke- I would never give back.

Can't wait for my next

Arizona visit!

p.s. I am also going through major withdrawals

from going on 3 trips with Lou this month.

San Diego

The Endodontic meetings we attend in San Diego

every October are some of my very favorite.

I love the setting-(it's held at a beautiful resort )

and I love the atmosphere this conference provides.

Those who come to these meetings are truly interested

in improving the service and quality

of the work they do each day.

Not quantity, but quality.

It is nice to be associated with people

of such integrity.

We always bring the staff to this conference

and I also love being around these women.

I also love spending time
with this particular Endodontist.
We had quite the laughs trying
to take these evening shots... of ourselves!

However, this weekends highlight had to be
Baby Lily.
Matt and Amber were thoughtful enough
to have this beautiful baby on the one day

we could drive up and see them!
They were less then 2 hours away

and we couldn't get there fast enough.
There is just nothing like a newborn.
She melted my heart.
I truly would have taken her home

with me if I could have.
It was very hard to leave the hospital.
We loved being able to share a few moments
of this special time with Matt and Amber.

It also seems to be a tradition
to stop by Mike and Pepper's house for pizza each year!
They only live about an hour from where we stay
and it's fun to spend a few hours together and catch up.
It is also nice to see their darling children

when Grandpa Buhrley is not around.
Grandpa tends to be a little selfish with his grandchildren.
Actually, the truth is when Grandma and Grandpa are around
no one else matters!

Welcome Lily Odessa Buhrley!

Daddy/Daughter date night!

Daddy/Daughter nights...

just one of the many

highlights of having a daughter!These two

make quite the team!

Laborbirth Day!

This year my Birthday

fell on Labor Day.

I loved everyone having the day off to play with me!

My morning started out with sleeping in until 8 a.m.!!

I awoke to sweet Birthday signs all over the house

(Thank you Mandi!)

I also awoke to busy sounds coming from the kitchen!

This is what I found!

I proceeded with a morning workout,

while my family slaved away in the kitchen

making a gourmet breakfast!

Serious good food!

serious sweet husband/dad.

Beautiful fruit and delicious veggie omelet.

My favorites.

We spent the day together-

including another picnic at the park.

This just may be a new birthday tradition!

The day ended with our "Special Cake".

Grandma Whiting created this years ago!

She really should have gone public with this

before Betty Crocker did!

"Special Cake"

includes adding pudding and chocolate chips to the mix

and topping it with cream cheese frosting.

Out of this world.

We also put applesauce instead of oil.

This not only makes it healthier,

(so we can add more chocolate chips!),

but makes it sooooo moist-
absolutely delish.

This was topped off with

homemade ice cream.

Heavenly, the best ice cream I have ever had!

A very nice Laborbirth day.

Sleeping Angels...

There is something so sweet,

so peaceful about a sleeping child.

Watching a sleeping child,

can almost make you forget the craziness of the day.

Almost
These are Gracie's bedroom walls.
These pictures were taken a few hours earlier,
while my sleeping Angels-
were still awake.
Walls covered with make-up AND fingernail polish.
LOTS of fingernail polish.
They thought this was absolutely beautiful.
Gracie couldn't wait to show me how they had decorated her room.
They begged me to at least
leave the Justin and Gracie portrait on the wall,
"it's so beautiful!"
(bottom right hand corner picture.)
Justin in trying to explain his part in all of this,
"I came in and saw Gracie doing this.
It just looked like soooo much fun.
I wanted to try. I'm sorry mom."

Gracie, through tears,
" But when do I get my make-up back?"
Hmm... how about in 15 years?

Laugh or cry?
Laugh-quietly.
These "little" angels of mine,
won't be little for long.

Tradition!

First Day of School!

My kids know by now, not to fight the traditional

"going out the door photos".

In fact, I tell them no matter how old they are,

or what grade they're in....

I will be there with my camera on that day!

They laugh at the thought of me showing up

on their College doorstep.

I get a little sentimental about the first day of School.

Maybe it's my own childhood memories and excitement

of this day or the tradition of first day cookies

I knew would be there when I came home.

Something about this day

makes me want to freeze it for a moment.

I look at my kids a little longer,

trying to feel and appreciate the moment.

Feeling a little in awe

that another school year is starting -

Knowing my kids won't ever be this age again.

Knowing my kids-

are growing up.

and Feeling grateful to be their mom.

Mac
Sophmore

Mandi
7th grade

Mitch
4rth grade

Justin
Kindergarten

Gracie
Preschool

With my little ones going to school in the afternoon,
I had a little more time for photos!
They are always willing and ready to pose.

This is a big year for these two!
Spending each afternoon apart is going to be quite the change.
As Gracie did not have preschool on Justin's first day,
she was able to send him off.
The below pictures show her-
First, driving him to the bus stop-
and then saying their good-byes.

Cooking the first day of school cookies kept Gracie busy

while waiting for the bus to bring him back!

Mandi was the first to come home to warm cookies

and an anxiously waiting Gracie!

We were all excited to meet the boys at the bus stop.

Mitch and Justin looked so cute

coming off the bus together.

I am so glad Justin has his big brother to look after him!

Mitch found Justin sitting on

the wrong bus coming home!

Worried this would happen again, I heard Mitch assure Justin

he would "never, ever go home without him."

Justin is also glad, ( and proud) to have his big brother looking out for him.

Later that night as I was tucking my Kindergartner in,

I realized he went through a "right of passage" this day.

He no longer is talking of marrying his mom or sisters.

He has a new love.

"Mom, Mrs. Pace is so,so,so,so,so,so, just so,so,so, pretty.

When I get old I want to marry her."

Apparently Mrs. Pace made a VERY good first impression!

Yes, I think Justin will adjust just fine.