M I A

To all of my faithful followers - all 3 or 4 of you, LOL - I promise to get back to posting soon. I've just been so gal-darn busy lately. Love, Juliet

Getting through the month of February.

Getting back to a new normal.

My dad visited for a month helping out after surgery. He and Mason found they had a lot in common. Whether playing checkers or talking about wars - which Mason LOVES to do - they found a common ground to have fun.

So for years, we as a family, have been limited to where we can safely eat out due to the severe peanut and tree nut allergies Gracie and Mason have. One of those off-limit establishments has been Chinese food or basically any ethnic type of eats. I've been wanting the kids to experience a Japanese steak house, you know, where the chef comes to your table and puts on a show of chopping and making fiery volcano's and throws food across the room into your mouth? You know what I mean. Anyhoo, I did some leg work at our local place. Imagine this little Japanese manager lugging out what I swear was a 30-pound box of butter and other ingredients so I could read the labels to check. All was good. Segano's was very accommodating and eager to make us all feel safe and comfortable. This was a really fun night out.

I had to share this picture because the memory of this moment makes me giggle. First of all, I mean no disrespect when I say the men in my life, in general, don't pay a lot of attention to the cleanliness of the house. This is good most of the time. Well 1 1/2 weeks after surgery I said to my dad, "would you mind sweeping the floor, please? When I walk on it things stick to my feet" I said sweetly. His reply was, "well, put on some shoes!!" Isn't that a hoot? So here, dad and Mason take up the project of sweeping.

Dad helping Carson measure, cut and decorate a Valentines box for school.

More wonderful help. SIL Rachel brought over not one, but TWO dinners for the family. She washed the dishes after too! Thanks Rachel :)

Serving up dessert. Isn't that supposed to go on the sundae's?

It's all about the ladies!

The annual Daddy Daughter Dance comes around every February and dad goes all out. I took Gracie out of school for a day of shopping for a dress and shoes. We spent hours giggling and trying on clothes, going to lunch and eating overpriced gummie bears. This was one of those memory-making days I will always cherish. I loved this day with my baby girl. She said to me while changing in the dressing room, "mom, I will remember this day forever, thank you". Me too, little goose. Me too.

Morgan and Gracie

Are they really just 11 and 12 year's old?

Bella Van Buren and Gracie

Recently I held a Vision Boarding Party at my house. Seven of the most beautiful ladies, inside and out, sat down with a blank board and cut out pictures from magazines to form the goals they would like to accomplish by the end of 2012. Some joked we should do our husband's vision boards too! LOL I'm sitting with Charlene Saigh and Jenny Parmenter.

Even the younger ladies joined us. Morgan Perry and Gracie came up with some creative goals for themselves.

Getting started. Clockwise: Kris Wolhart, Jen Van Dam, Kay Pfaff, Carol Triffle, Michele Perry, Charlene Saigh, Jenny Parmenter, Morgan Perry, and Gracie. Four hours after this picture was taken, the living room was completely covered in magazines and our boards were complete. This was a very special time for everyone as we were able to focus on the things that mattered only to us. There were a few tears shed as we talked about trials and triumphs from year 2011. As we progressed, laughter and words of encouragement were everywhere. I have the best friends in the whole world and I'm grateful for every single one of you!

Kay Pfaff and Carol Triffle

Michele Perry.

Happy Birthday Michigan and Mason.

Celebrating Michigan's 175th Birthday. Mason tells me, as most elementary age kids sometimes do, the night before they are needed, that I need to make 32 Michigan shaped sugar cookies. I enlisted all three kids and I swear I didn't go back and doctor these up - this is how they turned out! Gracie and I piped the edges and the boys did the rest. We knocked them out before bedtime and had leftovers for ourselves.

Mason's birthday party. There really wasn't a theme but these cupcakes are angry birds. If you don't know what that is, it's a video game. His younger cousins came over and stayed the night and they all slept in the basement - even Bryan. Happy Birthday, Mason. I love you buckaroo!

This is the next morning.

The actual morning of his birthday. Notice the traditional donut breakfast :) Aren't their sleepy faces adorable?

Dad came in from the Philippines for a month-long visit. I haven't seen him in almost 2 years. It feels so good to have my dad home, even if it's just temporary. Aurora couldn't make it this time unfortunately. This was taken at Mason's most recent wrestling meet.

Mason wanted crab legs dinner for his birthday. Here everyone is digg'in in at Red Lobster.

Waiting to be seated.

New hair dos, more wrestling and Bob the Builder.

Gracie trying out her new look. What do you think of the pixie?

Gracie and her friend Jessica making a movie.

Carson loves to build things. Here he is with his new set of tools building a bird house from a kit. Pretty neat, huh?

Jack and Mason after wrestling each other in the finals.

Of course the littler ones need time on the mat. This is Will, Sam and Carson.

Jack in his final match.

January 2012

Congratulation's Mason! Last Sunday, Mason participated in his first tournament. After a very long day and four matches, he came home a winner. Bryan and I are so proud of him. Not because he has earned a metal but because he dedicated himself to practice, had the utmost good sportsmanship - every step of the way - and he made sure to thank his dad and family for supporting him. I'm not sure if Bryan put him up to it or he decided on his own that I needed reassurance that he was okay, but after each match he came into the bleachers and gave me a kiss. What a sweet boy, eh? Now, how to do cure bleacher butt??

Mason and his training crew.

This was taken at Sam's birthday party at Bret and Rachel's house.

Carson 'sort of' participated in wrestling this year. Here is a team picture. He's not sure what he wants to do. That's okay :)

Gracie and her friend Becky making cotton candy.

Target practice.

Aren't the weekend's nice when you have nothing to do?

Science project of making rock formation's.