'Tis the Season

Happy Holidays!
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and what a great day it was. Corey
and Rebecca came for dinner, and I had lots of help.
A couple of years ago I had each of the kids pick which item they would like
to be in charge of for dinner. It really turned out well. This year, the boys did
all of the cleaning, and Phillip helped do the mashed potatos. Lex did rolls, and
Lolly did pies. YUM. It's so great to have so many hands helping.
Here we are in December, and we are in the full holiday spirit around here.
We have always waited until after Becca's birthday to put the tree up, but now
that she is married, I decided to put one up the day after Thanksgiving.
It was really fun. The kids don't exactly like putting up the decorations, but I think
that it was relatively painless. Next up, we had new family photos taken. I thought
it would be nice to have a nice picture for the Christmas card this year. We will be
celebrating Becca's b*day this weekend as she has finals on her birthday.
Let the baking begin, carols be sung, and all our days be "merry and bright".
xoxo
Cyn

Dear Mr. Bailey

Dear Mr. Bailey,

Although I am VERY happy that you are in Utah for the weekend, I feel I must tell you a few things....

I think that from now on, if YOUR son decides to "moon" me, you must be present to deal with him. Apparantly he thinks it's funny. I do not.

When our youngest is sick and crying, It would be appreciated if you could be present for any needed support or to just run to the pharmacy.
The dogs got into the smarties in the candy dish thus showing their displeasure at your absence.

It is only Friday night. It's going to be a looooooong weekend.

xoxo

Cyn

p.s. Thanks for cleaning the toilet before you left. xoxo

Fantastic Fall

I am loving fall this year, aren't you? Cool morning walks, football games, fun times for everyone, and getting things done around the house. I have FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY finished my New Years Resolution from three years ago. I have all of our photos organized in albums, along with the little ticket stubs, pamphlets, etc. that have been saved over our last 20 years! Sing it with me now, "Hallelujiah!" The corner of my bedroom is CLEAN!

The boys have been working on projects too. Phillip did some digging to investigate why our lawn was dying in the front, only to find enough concrete to fill three five gallon buckets. He and Chris sanded down and stained some "freecycled" deck chairs. Our picnic benches are next.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and that reminds us of our blessings, so all in all I love Fall!

xoxo

Cyn

End of October

We've done some fun things to finish up the month. Last weekend we took Lauren on a horseback ride. A few years ago, we had bought her this "package" from a National Equestrian Club. It included a book, bookmark, a ride, and some other things. The only problem, was the ride was in Reno. Phillip had always felt bad about this, and decided we needed to make this up to her. Needless to say, he woke her last Saturday telling her that her country needed her, and to get dressed. We had a good time. After the ride, we visited the petting zoo, watched a couple of plays, and walked through the "town" of Bonnie Springs.

Corey and Becca came over today to carve pumpkins. Corey couldn't remember ever carving one, so that was fun. Lauren had a costume party, and went as a cowgirl. She wore a dress that my mom bought me when I was 12. I HATED that dress, but always felt guilty for hating it, so I saved it. Ha Ha! It was fun to see Lauren in it. She made an ADORABLE cowgirl.

Happy Halloween!
xoxo

Cyn

Seasons Change.

This is something that has been on my mind alot lately.
I feel like there are to be some big changes coming for us.

Maybe it's because I realize that my second daughter is about

to leave the nest, and it reminds me that I'm on the downhill

slide of having children around. In as few as 6 years, the baby graduates, and then what? Is it the economy, and thinking I need to be able to help support our family if need be?

I don't know. I am looking at going

back to school, but then the demons from my youth come back.

The fears, the self doubt, the NIGHTMARES of math, and knowing

I could not pass a math class to save my life. What to do? I am still

young, and I know that another season of life is fast approaching, and
I'd like to be doing something for the next 20 years that I want to do.

Yikes! It's both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. I try and

remind myself that I can do this, it's just those empty places in my

mind that fill with doubt. I wonder how to teach my girls to deal with

this as young women, when I know it could be a lifelong struggle that

sometimes I don't even know how. Then, I receive yet another

"tender mercy" from my H.F. when I see this

article, and I know he is listening.

I took the girls to Mt. Charleston last week to see the seasons change.

xoxo

Cyn

Hakuna Matata

I got to see "The Lion King" this past Monday, and it was MAGNIFICENT!
I never loved the movie, but I must say the play was spectacular. I would highly
recommend it! So. Do yourself a favor, and start hinting for tickets as a gift, or save
your pennies and take your family for Christmas or something. It's well worth it!
xoxo
Cyn

Heavenly Choirs.

Do you hear that? I know that most moms CANNOT WAIT for the first day of school. They are singing praises to the heavens for the first day of school to arrive. I have never been one of them. Oh sure, it's nice to get back into the routine, but isn't that what we love about summer? Having the kids around and NOT having to be so structured? I love the random "let's go get lunch," or Chris telling me that the car needs gas, so we can go on a soda/treat run. Just the simple pleasure of sleeping in. Like it or not though, tomorrow is the first day of school and even though I have some fun things planned for me, I'll miss the kiddos.
xoxo
Cyn

What have you been doing?

We have been in denial. I don't know where the summer went, but it seems to be leaving.

Goodbye summer. We have loved lazy and sunny days. We have enjoyed feeling the heat on the lake. Trying to eat ice cream cones before they drip all over. We have taken trips, had company come to visit, and enjoyed barbecues. We celebrated a couple of birthdays in your warmth, and look forward to your return already!

xoxo

Cyn

Newest Kid Pics!

My kids are cute. I know you think that's prideful, but I prefer to think of it as truthful. ( : See for yourself. Want to see yourself looking this cute? Schedule your portrait session here. Thanks Cheryl!

xoxo

Cyn

Leaving Las Vegas..

Sigh... The family left us. We had such a great time with Kaitlyn and Jentry but they had to leave. Sigh. My dogs were even sad! We did make some new GREAT memories, though! Hopefully enough to tide us over until the next visit. ( : I loved having the kids here because my sister and her cute husband came to pick them up! Double bonus!

We love you guys, come back soon!

xoxo
Aunt Cynna