Greeley Baby Shower

Shell planned my first Baby Shower. Though she gave me hints every now and then as to the food and decorations, she kept the theme a surprise right down to making me close my eyes as I came through the doors of the clubhouse. (I may or may not post the video that Jim took of me walking in with my eyes shut!) She chose a Baby Pooh and Friends theme that was just adorable! It was obvious that lots of time and effort went in to everything, even if I hadn't been on the other end of several phone calls during the process! I was so surprised and happy to see all of my guests. Jim had gone down before it started to see if he could lend a hand and ended up staying through the shower to visit with his family who'd mostly come from the Denver area. My Dad played photographer and I'm sure did an amazing job, though I haven't seen his pics yet. I had a really great time and feel so blessed to have a friend like Shell who is able to overcome the tremendous loss she's had in her life and still throw an absolutely fabulous Baby Shower!
Yummy cake!
Jim holding 1 week old Abby
Mom with Benjamin and Michelle with Tristan
Jim feeding Tristan...Too Cute!!
Jenn and me with her adorable twin boys
Kristi and Mom
My 35-1/2 week belly!!

2008 Christmas Tea

Last year, Shell and Linda invited me to the Ladies High Tea at Christ Community Church. This year, Linda hosted her own table using Shell's china which she inherited from her Grandmother. It was a beautiful table! We also had a really great speaker who made us laugh and laugh. This is quickly becomming a favorite tradition!

Linda waving her table number.

Shell & Katie

Our beautiful table

All the ladies at our table.

Shell's Baking Weekend

If you haven't already, see the background to this fun-filled weekend here. Even with a few hiccups, this year was just as fun as all the rest! All the ingredients!

Tara needs to stand on a chair to reach the microwave!

Katie helped put the icing on the first batch of Peppermint Meltaways.

Best Friends!
I try to make a cookie myself from beginning to end each year. This year I made a batch of FABULOUS, if I do say so myself, Peppermint Meltaways. YUM!!
Crystal & Katie getting ready to roll out some more cookies.

Shell hard at work!

We didn't get the whole group in a picture this year. Everyone had places to go, things to do... In this picture are Tara, Shell, Rylee, Katie, Linda and Me. We also had help from Rebekah, Emily and Crystal.

Beulah Crop Retreat

A weekend getaway in the mountains, wildlife, good food and great company; what more could you ask for?!

This was just about half of our group for the weekend.

Visiting Jenn & the boys

The weekend before Halloween I was able to visit Jenn & the boys on my way down to Beulah for the weekend. They had just turned 1 month old!! I really wish I could get down there more often. I hope to see them again soon for Christmas!

Two Peas in a Pod!

We had the Hinkhouse Baby Shower last Saturday. So much fun!! I can't express how excited I am to see those little guys. It's gotta be close to Jenn and Brandon's own excitement!! Good food, great company, and I actually felt pretty good all day! (More to come on that comment later!) I had a great time working on the shower and am so happy for the new little family!!
The Happy Parents-to-Be

Audrey & Scott's Wedding

I'm so happy for both of you! What a beatiful day to remember for a lifetime.

Mr. and Mrs. Cowan

First dance

Audrey and Tim - Father-daughter dance

Reinacting the cake topper!

Audrey & Scott

Mom & Dad dancing

The Girls - Jenn, Audrey and Me

Me & Jim

Update

Shell's surgery went well!! The cancer was completely contained in the uterus and thus was removed during the procedure. She is in a lot of pain still, but home and doing fairly well otherwise. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers, they are very appreciated. Please keep praying for a less painful and quick recovery.

Happy 4th of July!

After sleeping in and watching License to Wed, I headed over to Linda's to spend time with my Greeley family. Shell and Rich had brought their Wii and all the dogs were present. We had fun playing 4-person tennis; John and I actually beat Rich and Katie once!! We also got in some bowling and golfing before heading home for naps!! Shell and Rich...awwww...

Rich, Katie, John and me playing tennis

Rebecca, Rylee, John, Linda and Brian, with 3 out of 4 of the dogs!

Then it was off to Jeff's with Jim for a view of the Stampede and Country Club fireworks, and some of our own...shhhhh... Kinda pointless making things so easily purchased illegal!! See my video blog for, well, videos!

Something Happy

I'm so blessed to still be friends with some of the people I shared my college experience with. Carrie and Amber are great ladies and I don't spend near as much time with them as I would like. We had dinner Friday night at Amber and Frank's house and I finally got to meet little Frank who was born on Feb. 18th. What a cutie!! We had stromboli's, salad and cheesecake, good conversation and a little Wii bowling.

I stayed at Carrie's house in Henderson Friday night. When I found out early Sat. morning what had happened with Nick, she and I shared the shock together, as she and Amber had also been friends with him. I always wish this kind of shock would stay with us forever, as a constant reminder to never take a single moment for granted. This will be the 4th funeral I've attended in 10 months; the 5th in just over a year and a half. Of those 5, at least 3 were before their "time."

Tell the people you love how you feel. Hug often and try not to hold grudges. Forgive the people who need forgiveness and move on. That's my two cents for the day... Wishing you all good health and happiness.

Baby Brandon

I met Brandon on his 3-week birthday! Jackie and Fred invited me to walk with them at the Riverwalk last Sat. night. Brandon slept the whole time. He's so incredibly adorable and tiny. Congrats Jackie and Fred on your precious new family!!

My Personal Trainer

With any luck at all this man will motivate (read *kick*) my butt in to shape this summer. Unfortunately, he can be pretty counter-productive as he also likes to take me out for ice cream!! Hmmm... Oh well! Who am I to question the practices of a triathlete?!

We did 3.1 miles along the Poudre Valley trail this afternoon, and I actually did have a nice time. I think I'm going to like my new K2 skates!! I'm off to stretch!