Aargh! I need your help!

So, I am getting ready to go visit my parents next week for 11 days in China -- Yes, I am excited, but, I will be home 10 days before Christmas . . . do you see where it could be stressful?

Ok, so here is my problem, my computer that housed all of my addresses for Christmas cards crashed, and getting a list was feeble at most -- we recovered the hard drive and apparently it wasn't working for a while. . .(it has my brother living in Equador and he hasn't lived there for two years now) -- so, I guess what I need is anyone who would like a Christmas card for sure, to send me an e-mail or comment with your address -- I will be so grateful! Otherwise, if you send me a Christmas card, I will send you one LATE! :) -- my e-mail address is: deanarae1@aol.com -- thanks for helping!

Our Trip to Utah

Last weekend we went to Utah to visit Jake's family. There was no special reason to go, just some money that we had banked with Southwest that if we didn't use we were afraid we would forget about it. . . So. . . we arrived about 2:45 in the morning Saturday (Jake wanted to take the last flight out -- good thing we did as he didn't make it home before we left) -- I haven't been awake on that side of the monring in years. The weather was beautiful and Jake was in heaven! He got to help his dad and family brand the calves, teach the boys how to "work" -- or rather show us how he could build a fence. . .the boys worked about five minutes, but then ran and played. . .While we were up there, we celebrated Spencer's birthday. He loved having his cousins there for the celebration, I did have to laugh when he came up to me and said, there is something wrong mom -- what is wrong Spencer? There are no PRESENTS! The honesty and innocence of youth!

 

 

 

We had a good visit and were all glad to be home when we got home!

Spencer's First Party

So, Spencer is getting ready to turn FOUR in a WEEK! So, I decided it was time for him to have his first friend party. . .Friday was the day. The theme was cars, the invitations went out, the friends came. . . and Spencer learned how he loves his PARTY! We did box cars for all of the kids and they got to wash the cars, put oil in the cars, gas them up and detail them (put stickers on them), then the big event. . .The races -- we "herded" them into a line, and then told them to go -- when they got to the "finish line" -- we sprayed them with Silly String! They loved it! Then they wanted to race again, or maybe be the sprayer. . . .Then we went in for pizza, and decorated some wooden cars with markers and played with balloons. Our next big activity was the pinata, they were cute trying to get in line. . .and I was a little concerened with keeiping them from getting hit, but no injuries, thank goodness! Candy and then presents, and cake and it was time for them to go home! Thanks to all the kids for coming, and to the moms, thanks for all the help! I couldn't have done it without you!~

 

 

 

Ryan Did IT

This morning I went back into my room after everyone else was up (I get up at 5 with no lights on) and this was setting on my dresser. Apparently Ryan finally figured out how to tie his shoes last night after I fell asleep and he wanted to be sure to let me know! Loved the note and I am so proud of Ryan learning to do it -- I should have taken his pic while he was showing me this morning! Oh well, maybe later. . .

 

We've Been BUSY!

So my mouse isn't wanting to work properly today, and I have a million things to do, so I have to get these things done before I am so overwhelmed with pictures that I just bag posting. . .
Last week, we got to celebrate Halloween. . .First with Spencer's preschool class, morning and afternoon were combined, so we enjoyed all of our buddies in the pm class. Spencer's cousin Cooper came and surprised Spencer at his Halloween party and Spencer loved having Cooper join him! Trick or Treating on Halloween was kind of a comedy of errors -- it was HOT, so Jacob was Darth Vader in shorts, and hey, it worked for me -- I just haven't gotten pics of the front of the boys. Ryan couldn't find his cool cape for Star Wars OB Wan Kanobi, so he was a makeshift pirate -- but he had fun for that so it was good. I took the boys around our circle and told them if they wanted more candy they would have to get Jake to take them, otherwise I would give them each a bag of candy -- Ryan wasn't satisfied, so he and Jake went further, the other two were perfectly content!

On Sunday night, Jake came with me to run a quick errand and we came home to Spencer's hair sticking up like a faux hawk -- apparently he decided it needed to be combed, and he combed it himself -- he was very proud! The boys are growing up fast! I have another set of pics that I might add to this post of Spencer deciding my perfectly cleaned bathroom was dirty and him cleaning it with hand soap and the toilet brush cleaner -- I just love that kid --

 

 

 

Political Activist?

 

So, here I am, standing up for the marriage amendment on the ballot in Arizona. I have made telephone calls for this amendment and I thought that would be enough. Well, yesterday, I got an e-mail that was very urgent, stating that they needed our time and to stand at our polling site and share information for this proposition as it is very close. I was very uncomfortable with doing this, but I had the time and Spencer was in preschool, so here I am with a fellow "activist" standing up for family! I hope and pray that it passes in Arizona, but come what may, I guess if I am asked to stand for important issues, I will, whether I am comfortable or not! Forunately, where I live, there weren't any of the opposition at the polling place. . . but we still had some angry people . . . gratefuly, we had many that said thanks!

Family Pictures

Hi All,

I have pics from Halloween to post, but everyone is sleeping and my camera is in hiding in my room, so that will have to wait. However, we did have our family pictures taken earlier this month and they are posted on the studios website -- the website is: www.stilllifestudios.com -- you can enter in and then select event login (on the bottom tabs) -- find DeGraffenried family and then enter the code: 3cuteboys -- if you look, you only have to promise to offer your opinion on your favorite, family, and each individual boy pic. . .I know, you really don't but for the boys, there are lots of cute ones, and I don't know which one is my fave! Thanks!