Valentine Exchange

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I would love to organize a Pink Valentine Exchange in honor of Deena, of "Can I Be Pretty In Pink?" If you don't know Deena, she is a cancer survivor, still fighting the effects of her illness. She couldn't organize her Christmas ornament exchange this year, so I would like to do this one for her.
The rules are simple:
1. Leave your name here if you would like to participate.
2. Create a pink valentine to be exchanged with another person who has signed up. this can be any media of your choice!
3. E-mail me your address. laurienuske@yahoo.com
4. On February 1st, I will assign your exchange partner, and you will mail that person your Valentine.
6. You don't need to have a blog to participate in this exchange.
7. Be Creative! Mail a Valentine you yourself would like to receive!
8. Please mail out by February 7th to insure your Valentine reaches your partner before the 14th.
9. Please! Only join in if you are sure you can fulfill the obligation to your partner!!

That's it! You can sign up at any time between now and February 1st. There is also a link on my side bar, to bring you back to this post. If you would like to help spread the word, please feel free to post the link on your blog!! And say a special prayer for Deena, O.K.?

Merry Christmas!

A Very Merry Christmas to all my fantastic blog friends. You've made my life so happy, and each day a pleasant surprise. God Bless all of you!

The Christmas Story by Kids

"Tom" foolery!

Innocent?

or guilty!?

Back on!

After what seems a life time, my internet is working again and now I can catch up with my blog friends! I've missed all of you, I could only get on for a couple minutes at a time when I could get it to work! I'll be on soon, reading all the fun posts I've missed!

A Tree That Keeps Giving

This Christmas, Ken and I were deciding what to do about a tree. I had bought a pretty artificial at our annual Pawzaar for the Humane Society, but it didn't work out! Andy has a habit of chewing on anything that isn't real, and began his ritual on the tree. I told him no, which became Bobby's cue to begin the watch, guarding the tree from unwanted predators. So when Andy went back under the tree, Bobby went into action. He went under the tree, chased Andy around the bottom, which sent the tree spinning in circles. So the tree is going to Becky, which left us with what we'd do for a tree. Ken can't see, well I somewhat agree, paying for a tree that will go out to the burning pile. We came to a good solution. Since an artificial was not going to work, we went to Western Tree Farm, and bought a living tree. After Christmas, it will go into the yard to grow into the beautiful tree it had the right to be. For slightly more than a cut tree, we now have a tree that will keep on giving, and in the years to come, will be joined with others!

Play Along!

On Mariannes blog, she shared this, you can only answer with one word! Feel free to take it, and share your answers also!

1. Your holiday decor: Sparse
2. The weather where you live this time of year: Freezing!
3. Your favorite smell of the season: Spruce
4. Your favorite beverage of the season: Tea
5. Something you wish you could avoid during the holidays: Driving
6. What you typically bring to the potluck: Beans
7. What you wish people would stop bringing to the potluck: Nothing
8. A word to describe how you feel about the word 'potluck': Yummy
9. What is on your feet right now: Socks
10. How many layers you are wearing right now: one
11. Where in the world you would rather be right now: Iowa
12. Something that makes you feel invigorated this time of year: Decorating
13. Something that makes you feel challenged this time of year: Diet
14. A cold weather comfort food you crave: Soup
15. Something you wish you were doing right now: Embroidery
16. Something you SHOULD be doing right now: Shopping
17. Your opinion of snow: Brrrrrr!
18. Your opinion of those big furry-looking hats with earflaps: Hideous
19. A tradition you'll be sure to keep this season: Charity
20. A tradition you'd like to start this season: Caroling

Tyler

Tyler has also grown to be a beautiful cat. Now 7 months old, he's a lovable, big baby. From a kitten that took forever to tame,

to a momas boy, and an Andy's boy. He sleeps by my pillow, touches my hand during the night to get some extra pets and belly rubs, and follows Andy like a puppy dog! Like he is here, Tyler loves to lay on the back of my chair when I'm sitting down.

I'm so happy this two monster Toms are in my life. They bring added fun and enjoyment to our home.

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

I've never made any bones about my feelings towards our vet, Bart Meadows. Just now Ken and I received this beautiful bouquet from him and his staff. He's truly special.

We Say Good-bye

Today is a very sad day for Ken and I, Lucy passed away. She was improving, then suddenly went on a rapid decline. Doctor Meadows, our vet, called to say it was time to let her go. Ken went to be with her, but by the time he got to her, she was gone.
This little girl was the light of our lives. We're so going to miss her sweet personality and disposition, her quirky, funny habits, her big brown eyes, and constant love and companionship she offered to both of us. We will forever be thankful to Doctor Meadows and the Animal Hospital of Lakeport staff, who gave their all, and their time to help Lucy. Words can't even express our gratitude. Even with his own surgery on the other side of the state, Bart kept in contact with us as his staff updated him daily with her progress. We'll never forget what they've done.
It's going to take a long time to get over losing our little Lucy, but I know she's now out of pain, and running with her mother in Heaven.
Good-bye sweetheart. We'll always love you.

Thanksgiving, Time for Family

Thanksgiving this year was awesome! Eight families gathered to celebrate, eat, watch football, eat, nap, eat, watch movies, eat.......well you get the picture!

We always celebrate my birthday on Thanksgiving, and this year Kayla decorated my cake. Didn't she do the greatest job!? Thank-you Kayla!

Our little Preston is 6 months old today! Time goes so fast, he's the best natured baby ever. The only time you'll hear him cry, is when he's hungry. Other than that, he's all smiles!

Jenna on Thanksgiving overload! Her pink piggy, which never leaves her side, was her comfy pillow. Sweet Dreams!
I hope all of you also had a wonderful day!

All Grown Up

My little Toby is all grown up! From this little baby,

To this big bruiser!

I'll post Tyler tomorrow!
In the mean time, I want to wish all of you, my dear blog family, a Wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy the meal!

Lucy Update

I want to thanks all of you for your concern and prayers for our little Lucy. I'm so excited to say that Lucy is improving! We just got back from seeing her, and were happily surprised to see how well she is doing. We got her to eat, she's been drinking water, and was so happy to see us. We were set up in one of the exam rooms where we could be with her undisturbed. She walked around the room, then layed down and took in all the attention. When we were ready to leave, she followed us out of the room. It broke our heart to leave her there, yet made our hearts happy to see her improving. So please keep her in your prayers. I'm so grateful for you, my dear blog friends, for your friendship, genuine concern, and your prayers. Thank-you, and bless all of you!

Prayers Needed

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love animals. They are my passion, and my life. My pets are family members that bring our home such love. So saying good-bye when their time comes is the most difficult experience to go through. During the past two years, we have had to say good-bye to several of our precious babies. It never gets easier.
Now, we are faced with illness in our dear Lucy. It came on so sudden, and the prognosis is not good. She is in the hospital with chronic renal failure. If we loose her, I don't know how I will handle it. Lucy has been the best dog, and companion. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. Her personality has kept us entertained, and the love she has shown us can't be measured. Right now, Ken is going through the "what ifs." Convincing him we did nothing wrong, that this illness in no ones fault is going no where.
So now the most we can do is pray. And hope a miracle will come to our little Lucy.

Family Gathering

This week-end, our family went up north for a fall gathering.

We had a pumpkin/squash theme, and oh the food! Stuffed squash, pumpkin soup, and Cheryl made pumpkin cheese cake that put the Golden Girls to shame! Then Sunday morning, she made pumpkin pancakes. Oh-my-God. These are to die for. They have cream cheese in them, and the topping is made from pecans, syrup, and brown sugar, then topped with whipped cream.

Then Jay started a project for the family to get involved in, making a horno, an oven made from clay. When we go back in February, we'll be baking bread in it!

The bricks are made from clay, dug from the banks of Pine River by Jay and Wendy's husband Dan, sand, and straw. They kneaded this with their feet! Wendy, Kathy and Marti also helped.

This is Cheryl doing her part. She's such a riot!

This is the family, minus me and Cheryl as we were taking the pictures, with the progress made over the week-end.

We had such a great time, and with the help of the camera timer, had the chance to take this dinner picture. From left, Jay, my husband Ken, Mom, Kathy, Claire, Wendy, Marti, Cheryl, and myself. What an awesome time!

Fog Rolling In

Princess Kayla

I love when I come across an unplanned and unexpected photo-op, like this one of Kayla reading. She had no idea I was taking this picture from across the room.

Halloween's Over...

I hope everyone had a safe, happy, fun Halloween

Triplets million pound pumpkin.

Our little Preston's first halloween.

Our Family Time...

The visit is over, too soon.

We laughed,

we became a part of history,

we celebrated love,

and life.

We witnessed nature's beauty,

and enjoyed each others company.

But most of all, we enjoyed being with one another as family.

It ended much to soon, but the memories are more than enough to last a life time. I love and miss all of you already, and can't wait til Christmas to be together again.

Chad and Jenny Celebrate Their Anniversary!

Such a beautiful couple, inside and out. I'm so proud of the both of them, they are my pride and joy.

Our Tara Turns 15

She's grown so fast, from a tiny cuddly little baby, to a beautiful young woman. God Bless You Tara, Happy 15th!

Fun Fun Fun!! A Visit to the Antique Mall!!

Sunday we went to the Brass Armadillo antique mall. We went here last year, and it's one of those places that needs to be revisited.

Tara and Kiley enjoyed sitting in the snack bar area, Brass Armadillo isn't exactly on young teen-age girls list of fun things to do!

Me in one of the booths, were so many nostalgic things.

Since Mom moved, she has wanted a white wicker rocker. While there, I found this one marked at $40! I went to my husband, took him back to see it, and in the 5 minutes I left it, it was gone! We went up to the check-out and asked if anyone had just bought it, and the lady told me the dealer just went out the door with it, she was changing up her booth! You're kidding me! We went outside to see if she was still in the parking lot, and she was gone! Really, she changes her booth out just as I find this rocker!? I was telling Jenny how bummed I was, when in came the dealer with the rocker! One of the employees went outside and tracked her down, she couldn't believe the rocker that sat there for so long, was wanted in the 5 minutes it took her to haul it back to her truck. I got it for $32. To fit it in the van, Chad folded down one of the seats.
Kiley sat in the rocker on the way home, with me singing "Beverly Hillbillies" to her. It reminded me of Granny Clampet riding in her rocking chair on top of the truck. We got home, and fixed a full course chinese dinner, from soup to nuts! Awesome awesome day!

Boone County

It was a perfect day for the Boone County Scenic Railroad ride. We didn't get the storms or scattered rain that was called for, the temperature was perfect in the low 70's, the leaves gave a show, and we had such wonderful family time.

We rode on the 1920's train, pulled by a steam locomotive.

The conductor was an excellent tour guide, we found out the mountains we rode through hid Bonnie and Clyde, and that moonshiners were rampant throughout.

Ken, settled in for the ride.

Going over the 150' high trestle was a riot! It gave a spectacular view of the mountains.

This picture was taken looking straight down to the Des Moines River bed.

When we finished our ride, the engineer of the other train let the girls come up and sit in his seat. What great photo ops! Here is Tara,

Kiley,

and the engineer. What a great, relaxing and fun afternoon, followed by dinner at Famous Dave's barbecue. The most awesome ribs I've ever had!! Tomorrow is the antique malls, Monday is Tara's birthday, Tuesday is Chad and Jenny's anniversary, then Wednesday we head home via the Chicago Field Museum. I hate to leave!