I am adding one more resolution...

 (not my picture and don't know who took it so I can't give them credit)

To spoil my new grandson or granddaughter beyond belief    That's right, our family is growing, Ashleigh and Keith are expecting their first child in July.  I am sure I will be blogging like crazy about the progress of his or her's arrival.  I feel certain they will be great parents.  Keith is already trying to keep her from drinking soda's and getting her hair done.  She is already experiencing morning sickness, so she is well on her way.  I will keep you posted. 

I always try to make a resolution or two.  This year a have a few. 

The first being working on my cynical attitude.  My other job has changed the way I think and I always expect the worst in people.  I have to remind myself that some people are nice and do not have an ulterior motive.

The second is the old standard, to lose weight.  John being the cook that he is, it is so easy to put on the pounds.  Don't misunderstand, I am not blaming John, I just can't seem to find a food group that I don't like.  I enjoy a nice meal.  I will be doing the Abs Diet. 

It is really not a diet at all.  I have bought 3 of the books by David Zinczenko.  I will start by eating 6 small meals a day, instead of the usual 2.  I usually skip breakfast and eat lunch and dinner.  David Zinczenko teaches you what foods are good for your body.  He says "There's no measuring, no counting calories, no complicated equations, no hours-in-the-kitchen recipes.  Just simple, smart, delicious food you'll enjoy all day long."  My kind of diet.  I will be posting the progress without telling you the beginning weight.....  (I am not comfortable with disclosing that )  Check out the website at www.absdiet.com

My third is to stay in school and keep a 4.0 gpa.  Now I know that doesn't sound hard (ok, maybe the 4.0) but staying in is a constant struggle.  But I plan to keep mowing through. 

Well, that's all of them for now.  There are several things I want to accomplish this year (not so much a resolution but a plan) like finishing the renovation in the living room (painting and molding) and redo the kitchen.  After we get a new roof.  If you ever buy an older home (ours was built in '29) plan on spending money. 

This year has gone by so fast, I am going to make sure next year slow's down a bit   Wishing you a happy new year.....

My sweety got me Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Christmas.  All I can say is wow, I have no idea what I am doing yet and I love this thing already.  Below is an original picture of Ashleigh and Keith in September

With only a click this is the same picture in high contrast black and white

and another click gives you an aged photo. 

I could probably do a million more things if I read the book and watched the tutorials, but for tonight this is all I am going to do.  Thanks sweety, I love it!

I love the holidays....  especially Christmas.  It is not the presents, it is the feeling.  Houses are decorated, there are carols being sung, twinkle of lights and kids waiting for Santa.  Even though our kids are grown..  16 to 27, Santa still seems to have them on the "nice" list.  We had great food and most of our kids here.  Next year it would be incredible if we could have all of them to include the grand kids, lets keep our fingers crossed.

It started with a family picture.

A.J. and his girl Heather were here...

John Boy and his girl Maegan

Ashleigh and her sweety Keith were also here

and of course Sean

and Oma and Opa too

Gifts were fun and a bit emotional, Opa got a flag that A.J. flew while stationed in Iraq and Ashleigh gave him a picture that was a bit emotional....  Opa really is a big softy

Keith and Ashleigh like to play games

and Sean is just a cutie all "bowed" up for the holiday

And he is very in touch with his feminine side...  Sean, Maegan and Heather all had on the same no nonsense socks....  aren't they the cutest??

Lastly, we got the coolest silicone bracelets for John Boy.  While he is gone to Iraq, we will be sporting them until he arrives home safely...

You can check out the company at www.customsiliconebracelets.com

From ours to yours, we hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I will have more pictures of the new year up soon.

Recently we had a Christmas party at work and I got a couple pictures of some real cuties.  I just love taking pictures of little ones.

This little guy loved his horse, he is the great nephew (I think that is correct) of my fabulous clerk Mrs. Miller,

This young man is ready for Christmas, he is the son of one my countroom girls, Ms. Haney,

And I think this picture just sums up an end to any party, this is the niece of Ms. Berryman,

This summer I had the privilege of photographing the 60th anniversary of Vincent and Jean Hoing.  Here is their album.  I wonder what their secret is to such a long marriage.

Here are a few of my favorites..... 

And the original baby to the house is Rowdy and he was concerned about me being there, isn't he cute?

What a cutie. This is Collin, he is the son of Holly who works for me at the "other" job.  I have to say he was pretty darn good.  I will blog more about him later, it is getting late and I'm beat!! 

The Nutcracker Ballet is a Christmas tradition for a lot of people.  For years something has always got in the way of me taking Ashleigh to the ballet to start our own tradition.  This year was no different.  I bought tickets hoping to take my baby girl and enjoy a night out, but she had to work instead.  So John agreed to go with me.  First let me say that I loved it (even with the heat in the auditorium) and to quote John, "it didn't suck as much as I thought it would"....  in other words, I think he liked it, even thought he told Ashleigh that next year was her turn.  Sean took a picture of us before we left, I think he did a great job.

I love the holidays, it all starts for me with Thanksgiving, (Halloween has never been a big deal) then the sights and sounds of Christmas.  I normally have the house completely done the weekend after Thanksgiving, but not this year.  We are a bit behind, but we did manage to get a few things accomplished.

I really don't know what John is doing with that snowman

but it looks like the snowman likes it.....

Topping the tree with an angel

The tree finished

Another small tree with ornaments that are sentimental to us

John cannot believe this one.....  I have a Barbie tree in our bedroom.  Now how many tattooed sailors do you know with a Barbie tree in their bedroom?

This is the living room, can you see Belle trying to mug for the camera?

We are not quite finished, my village is not done yet because we are waiting for a base to come in the mail and Sean will have a tree in his room this year.  When they are up, I will post again.  Until then, relax and enjoy the holiday....