Monday, October 25

Kids Away-Parents Play

I marinated steak, bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, & cherry tomatoes for 5 hours & then assembled 40 some shishkabobs. Alan BBQ'd them up for me. I made rice, a couple appetizers, & 20 some jello shots. Ive never even had a jello shot. Sounds pretty immature college like behavior but yah its ok - no drinking & driving going on. I dont think the jello shots were intoxicating as much as they were filling. Mine were in these 10 oz plastic cups I had leftover from a bday party - so you had to eat them with a spoon. LOL! Had pineapple jello w/ coconut rum, orange jello with whipped cream flavored vodka, stawberry jello with spiced rum, and peace jello with whipped cream vodka.
We had Shawn Brewster & his girlfriend Dana Richardson over ....grew up with both of them since Grade School on up. Randy Johnson & his wife Kirsten, same deal grew up with Randy all my life....Kirsten didnt attend EHS with us all but its as if she did because she knows everyone in the town. Real sweetheart! Of course Danny & Jen Hopkins were there...no get together is complete without them. Lets see...Shawn & Kirsten had never sang karaoke before but we corrupted them & had them singing multiple times! It was great! Who knew Mr. Shy Randy was actually George Strait? I was so impressed. He swooned his wife with all sorts of oldies. Dana knew how to belt several songs out & was a ton of fun to be around! Danny & Alan did their traditional Willie Nelson & Toby Keith Duet....Danny & I butchered some oldies from our little era, and Jen brought down the house with the first rap song of the night. Fun times...lots of talking, eating, laughing, & catching up. Oh almost forgot the highlight of the evening was when I turned off all the lights & stood singing my "signature song" with the light of the tv karaoke screen illuminating my happy fat face :-) LOL - good times!

Here are a handful of cruddy quality photos taken from the video camera in poor lighting. Click on this link to my facebook album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=79773&id=1639255198&l=e8b278a4f9

Saturday, October 16

Mid October Already?

Jeepers! I know we always say it but WOW time really does fly! It seems to go even faster the older we get, the older our kids are?!

Anyhoo....so flag football is wrapping up. It actually ended up being a cute sport. The boys have already been asking about tackle football for next fall....hoping they forget about that. Here is a link to the football album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78235&id=1639255198&l=160f7449b8

Our magnificent Senior in HS, Mr Payton James Hibberd, is on track with his grades. Im looking forward to conferences with his teachers on Monday. His Senior Portrait turned out handsome, not like that wasnt expected! This is NOT his Senior Portrait (we are not supposed to post his portrait yet, , , waiting) Other Payt News?? He's wanting to get his license but we are still shopping around for more affordable car insurance. Plan to finish my calling around by Tuesday. Our insurance company that we've had for 10+ years quote was more than double to add Payton! The Army really keeps pestering Payton...he did lookover their material for mental health specialist but with the active war going on . . . we're privately hoping he chooses community college for his Fall 2011 plans. So far MHCC sounds like his plan. HS Graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 3, 2011.

Also in the news this month....Mr Nolan Ricky lost his 1st baby tooth! Nolan loves kindergarden, and goes PT mornings Mon, Wed, Fri & all day on Tues & Thurs. He is looking forward to his 1st field trip to a pumpkin patch this week. His teacher says Nolan is a great student - a bit squiggly at times - very social - and well behaved. 1st time we've had one of the kids described as squiggly but yes the boy has been moving & squirming since birth. Our busy boy!!

Just wrapped up conferences with the kids teachers....all 3 of the youngens are doing fabulous.

Darla's teacher gushed about what "a good human being Darla is". She has been impressed with Darla's writings. I plan to take a photo of one of her poems, and also post one of her writings that the teacher chose to read aloud to the class. Other Darla news...her ringlets/curls have returned...thanks to the layers we had cut into her hair. She can shower & wake in the morning with quite a head of curls. She has enjoyed experimenting, including using a hair straighener/iron as well. Softball has ended - basketball has started & her papa is Assistant Coach (couldnt commit to Head Coach bcuz of work). We think Darla is gonna really rock & roll this season of basketball. Our DeeDee also just got new glasses, which her eyesight has improved. She only needs to wear them at school in class, and at home when doing homework/reading. Right now Darla is away at her best friends vacation cabin...she will return after staying 4 days...what a treat for her! Ive been dogsitting her lil' miss Lila, the chihuahua. :-(
Elijah Alan for the 1st time in his life has really started branching out. His life used to be 110% basketball. He actually has been mixing it up a bit...playing soccer at recess even! He has tried baseball, football, but is bummin' he was not allowed to play for our local basketball league on the 3rd/4th team. He is only in 2nd grade but runs circles around most of those kids. I have been lobbying the local club for 10 years now to offer basketball for the k-2 age group. We are one of only 3 in the Clackamas & Multnomah County school districts to not offer basketball to this group. All the other ball clubs say the k-2 is the 1st age bracket to fill up in fact, and they have the most teams for that age! So unless I get them to change their mind... we will continue to drive Elijah down to Gresham in the winter to play with their 3rd/4th team. Elijah is excited about his costume for halloween. I am anxious for halloween to be over with because I can cut his hair on 11/1. He has been growing it out for his costume. Its a suprise!!

As for Alan...working hard.....our bills, especially medical bills, have really caught up to us. Paying $50 a week for company van gas, the $2 hour "temporary" across the board pay cut that happened 2 years ago has really hurt us, BUT overtime has been reinstated. I desperately need to get a job! Just updated my resume yesterday! YEAH!! Poor Alan spent $35 for a new starter for his truck today but nope the darn thing still wont start. When it rains it pours I tell ya! We count our blessings! We thank God for having a home, our health, and all our amazing family & friends. It wouldnt hurt to have a little prayer for our family though. We are trying a new church out, and we really need prayer for wisdom regarding our finances right now. Thank you all & love to you all.

Saturday, October 2

Hello October

What do you have in store for us October 2010?

As for September you've looked like:
1. Fall Softball *continues 2 more weeks

2. Flag Football *continues 2 more weeks

3. Checking out a new church *again tomorrow
4. Eye Appts & new glasses * last of these appts Mon

5. Lots of dentist appts * 1 more appt for 2 kids

6. Researching Auto Insurance for teen driver * scary
7. Homework *ongoing
8. Housework * neverending
9. Hiking * more more more before the snow flies

10. Dieting * commitment

Sunday, September 19

Wednesday, September 15

Best Day of My Brothers Life


My youngest brother Cory & his beautiful bride Ashley got married in Missoula, MT on Saturday the eleventh of September. Our family was blessed to be able to make the gorgeous road trip to witness the nuptials. Our daughter Darla & oldest son Payton were both honored to be in the wedding party as well.

Copy/paste this link into your browser to view Cory & Ashley's wedding photo album I put together.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75625&id=1639255198&l=336a0b0cb9

Wednesday, September 8

Back 2 School Night


Ice Cream Social....meet your new teachers & principal, etc.,

Here is a link to some pretty adorable photos of the kids (before Darla got her hair cut, by the way):

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=65649&id=1639255198&l=0c5f6c9a79.

Beach Baby




Copy Paste this link to your browser to view our family's photo album of our beach trip on Monday September 6, 2010 (Labor Day) to Lincoln City, Oregon:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75158&id=1639255198&l=95a85d8a05

Payton's a SENIOR in High School


Copy Paste this link into your browser to view the photo album of Payton's 1st day as a Senior in High School:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75120&id=1639255198&l=f1f2748397

1st Day of School : For 3 Littles


Nolan-Kindergarten Darla-4th Grade Elijah-2nd Grade

Click on this link or copy paste to your browser to view the photo album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75062&id=1639255198&l=9937185697

Wednesday, September 1

Nolan's 6th Birthday:



Here is a link to the photos from his party:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=65633&id=1639255198&l=183b65c13f

Thursday, August 5

Busy with a capital B

Just so you all know....blog is going to be really boring, wish I could say like our life is but quite the opposite. I am the Co-Chair for our EHS 90 Reunion Committee and the big event is Aug 20-22, 2010. Until after the reunion I am pretty bunch swamped with work, husband & kids. So enjoy your summer! Hope to share some cute excerpts from vacation bible school videos soon. Smile!
If you want to check out what I have been so BUSY with this past year plus check out my reunion website: http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/res11d1r8/

Thursday, July 29

John 15:5



God is Love....

Got Love?

Tuesday, July 27

Ouch! Blonde Moment!






In all seriousness, Darla is fine now . . . but that was a doozy of a sliver. Darla & her 2 sweet friends Tierra & Elayna were outside barefoot enjoying the summer sun when Darla stepped on a stick that decided to lodge a huge chunk into the side of her foot. It was too big for normal tweezers...so off to the ER we go. DR gave her a shot to numb the pain while attempting several times to remove the sliver. He finally got it by cutting it out of her foot. He treated her with an antibiotic & special iodine like medicine to prevent infection. Her friends were real sweeties worried about her & helping her into the clinic. Good friends!

Tuesday, July 20

Payton...Pizza....& more.,

Payton is spending some much needed R&R time with Grandpa Bob & Grandma Vickie this week. We met Grandpa in Estacada at our favorite pizza shop & enjoyed lunch before saying our goodbyes to Payt. Grandpa also let us borrow his fun game "washer toss" (similar to horse shoes). We love you guys! Thanks for all you do!

Monday, July 19

Lil' Miss Lila's 1st Bath

Darla saved $200 of her own money...and spent 4 years convincing her papa she was old enough to own a little doggy of her own. Nolan & Elijah each chipped in $50 & Lila Love Crombie has joined the family. She is a purebread registered chihuahua. Born on 4/29/10 to champion parents. Darla has hopes to show her & breed her once in the future...but present day hopes are to master housetraining. A lot of work - they have tiny bladders & must be taken outside at least every 30 minutes. We love her but this little girl who isnt even 3lbs yet is a lot of work. Here is Lila receiving her 1st bath:

Friday, July 16

Monday, July 12

Judah & Kelley's Wedding

The Groom: Judah, only son of Alan's oldest brother Dennis'.
The Bride: Kelley, the beautiful love of Judah's life the past 6 years.
The Wedding: Took place at Kelley's sisters gorgeous estate in the rolling countryside of East Gresham on a gorgeous warm sunny July weekend.



We consider ourselves so blessed to have witnessed the union of these two beloveds. They both love the Lord with all their heart, and their wedding was a good reminder to all us married guests of our own sacred vows. Thank you Judah & Kelley for sharing your amazing wedding with all of us. We love you!
Copy & paste this link into your browser to view the entire photo album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57485&id=1639255198&l=b36223a6ec

Friday, July 9

Jen Copy Them From Here

just click on pic to enlarge -
then right click & left click on "save as"
then save to your pc




Monday, July 5

My Baby's Behind The Wheel




Im pretty sure this is my least favorite aspect so far of motherhood...helping our son learn to drive...realizing soon he will be out on his own. Statistics for teen involved accidents are so scary & were very well communicated to us parents at the Drivers Ed Info Meeting.

Happy 4th Of July

227 years ago...on July 4th, 1776
This great nation, the United States of America,
In a struggle for what was right and free,
Was proudly born...
May we celebrate that precious freedom
For which our forbears fought so bravely...
The freedom that is inherent
In the Stars and Stripes, our revered flag...
Celebrate Freedom
This Fourth of July!

Wednesday, June 23

Thursday, June 17

Kids CA Vacation




Grandma Lori spontaneously invited to bring all 4 of our kids to her CA home last weekend. She will be bring them home this coming weekend. They will have been gone
a total of 8 days...which is a LONG time for us, considering theyve never been away longer than a weekend in the past.

The kids are having an awesome time. Darla loved sharing today how she can dive off Grandma's diving board now. Elijah is over the moon about the new trailblazer colored shoes & basketball shirt his grandparents got him. Payton is looking forward to spending the night at his Aunt Lena's tonight...a getaway from his younger siblings no doubt. Elijah couldnt believe how "huge" his teenage cousin Lennon has become. Darla is in love with the adorable 2 year old cousin Drevin, and wants to bring him home with her. lol

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Garber for having the kids for such a special & memorable trip!! So special & generous of you.

Wednesday, June 9

I am my kids mother!

As DR Laura always says "I am my kids mother!"

I will always be their mama, regardless of their age. They know I am here for them for always. I thank the Lord my babies feel comfortable talking to me about anything & everything. We are so blessed to have Payton, Darla, Elijah, & Nolan entrusted to our care.

I look forward to spending my life encouraging & supporting my children. I smile thinking about the future dinners we will someday get to share with our adult children & their families. All the new memories with our growing family excite me to no end! The thought of babysitting our grandbabies, ensuring mama & papa get plenty of alone time nurturing their marriage, thrills me! I no doubt will giggle with delight to make my kids wedding anniversary cards-what a grand accomplishment in todays world, will never forget a birthday-afterall they are my most favorite days of the year, attend school functions, come over & help fold laundry, or whatever my kids would appreciate. I know a lot of women a generation ahead of me might be laughing at me. They are probably sighing "You just wait Amy...you will be busy with another phase of life... tired and too busy to do all these things you dream of above." And true as it may be for many.... I will defy the odds because "I am my kids mother!" They are my life and my interest in their lives doesn't decrease when they turn 18 & move away. I do, however, look forward to doing a little bit less laundry & less driving them to & fro.

Friday, June 4