"she wore the dress again"

My sweet daughter was asked to another formal event.
The banquet for Santiam Christian High School.
This is a very sweet story................
Here is Nicole getting ready. No make-up, eating and clowning around. She was DONE with me taking pictures and her date hadn't even arrived yet! Mom, I'm done, no more pictures. Gotta love it.

I was so happy she wanted to wear the dress again. Different function, different boy, different crowd. Glad I got my money worth. She said she will wear it again when she is a senior if it still fits her! T.J. arrived looking dashing. Tall, dark and hansome and in a tuxedo. And it was his 15th birthday. So sweet. And his very 1st date.............................................They went to the Bentley Hotel in Salem for dinner. (His mom took some gorgeous pictures that I am patiently waiting for!) and the event was at Mission Mills in Salem. Nicole said the decor was gorgeous and they had a great time. (when they were still at Bentley's taking pics a little boy about 6-7 years old thought Nicole was a princess from Disneyland and asked if he could have a picture taken with her. so cute.)

All I can say is...........................STUNNING............................

When he arrived I answered the door and was such a proud mom to let him in. He looked so handsome and of coarse had flowers. When he stepped in and saw Nicole his eyes lit up and he got a huge smile and said "Nicole, you look beautiful".

The story of how he asked her was very sweet. She knows him thru mutual friends since he went to grade school in Albany. They have hung out at football games, he came to her Halloween party etc. When we went to Eagle Crest for Thanksgiving, like we do every year, him and his family were there too! Nicole took Cassandra and Jasmine with us and they know TJ also. So they all hung out and watched movies, played basketball, sat in the hot tub (supervised, of coarse!) and Tyler hung out with TJ's little brother who is the same age. Had a great time. I could see that they kind of liked each other (nothing gets by us moms).

So 2 days after we got back from Eagle Crest, TJ called our house and asked to speak to "Mr.Mary". He was calling to ask LeRoy his permission to invite Nicole to the Santiam Christian Banquet (their equivilant to prom). Gotta give that kids some props. Calling LeRoy and asking. Are you kidding me. Most considerate, thoughful, sweetest thing ever!

So him and Nicole were talking later that night and he still hadn't asked her. She was dying. Of coarse I had to tell her what happened. 2 more days when by and still nothing. She was dying.

So on Wednesday I was gone in the evening decorating a tree for the BGCA and she had just gotten back from basketball practice. I was just leaving and Nicole called my cell in a panic "mom, where are you? you need to come home. NOW". I asked if everything was ok and if LeRoy was home. She said "yes, come home now, I think TJ is on his way over to ask me and I want you here!". So I headed home. She called me 2-3 more times (I was 1/2 mile away!) "Mom, should I give him my address? Hurry home, what's taking you so long?" So I pull down our street and can see a car parked in front of our house. He was so sweet to come over in person and ask her (and I met his mom!)

So after all that we came inside and she had something in her hand. It was a handmade (later found out his grandma made it, cute) personalized invitation asking Nicole to go with him.

It had all the details and asked if she would accompany him and he would wear a "penguin tux" and was so fabulous and handmade. And..........he gave her a cute little penguin ornament with the invite. And I later found out that he bought the ornament at Eagle Crest before we left because he knew he wanted to ask her.

HOW. CUTE. IS. THAT?

This kid is a keeper. I told her to always use this experience as a standard of how respectful boys should always treat her.

"Yachats 2009"

We have started a tradition (2nd year) of going to Yachats Oregon for the annual hot rod car show. Grandma and Grandpa Mary go too and they do their thing with all of their car club friends. I am not at all interested in the cars, but love the view, the company, wine, the beach, the condo's we stay in and well, just love it there.

This is the view from our balcony. So enjoyable. Friday we took the kids out of school in the afternoon and headed to Yachats. What a beautiful day, sun was shining and it was warm. This was my Friday evening. Sun was setting, kids were playing, had my glass of wine and was enjoying the the warm sun.....................

I have a similar picture of the kids from last year.....

Nicole took her friend Raelyn. She is a great girl. Funny and goofy just like Nicole. They had a great time and laughed the entire weekend.

This was my plan for the entire weekend. Hanging out reading magazines and going to the beach. I think I only got 3 pages read. ha ha! Our friends Mark and Becky and their kids came over on Saturday and us adults went to the casino (don't even remember which one cause I'm not much of a gambler, but we gotta keep the guys happy!). Grandparents were watching the kids. We didn't leave them home alone...... I made fresh homemade salsa and guacamole. Becky and I were happy as can be with that and our wine!

Went we got back we took the kids to the beach. Becky and I had a great time watching the kids play, taking tons of pictures, talking about how much they have all grown and how much we enjoy the beach.

The girls wanted to go into town and go shopping but we were down on the beach longer than we thought and then when we got back to the condo they all went swimming in the pool.

This is my favorite picture taken all day. The girls were hilarious and silly. It took a few shots to get them both in the air. Darling teenage girls...................love them...............

Me and Becky.

Here is our gang............cutest kids ever! Nicole, Ali, Grace, Tyler, Rae, Luke........

Nicole and Gracie look like they could be sisters! and so photogenic. Grace loves Nicole like a big sister :)

The clouds came in on Saturday night and it rained. What is better than being at the coast listening to the rain and then the next day it is beautiful and sunny?
Me and Tyler. They all (except Nicole and Rae) wanted to just "wade" in the ocean. Before we know it they were all soaked! That's part of being a kid at the beach. Sand in your underwear and freezing because you went into the ocean fully dressed. ha ha!

Gorgeous girls...........

I love Yachats. And love that we have started another tradition with our kids. The weekend was lovely and we had a great time visiting with our friends and the kids and got some awesome pictures and great memories.

"tyler turns 10....in September"

Tyler did turn 10 this year.
It was a school day so he didnt get to sleep in. I got up and made him pancakes and eggs for breakfast (Nicole was happy with that because she ate too!). He was very excited about "the cake". So cute (and sweet). Tyler and the cake! I made a double layer chocolate cake, frosted it, put kit kat candy bars around the edge, tied a blue ribbon and filled the top with M & M"s. voila! Perfect cake for a 10 year old boy!

I love this pic for 2 reasons. My hansome boys of coarse. But it looks like the cake has flames shooting up from the candles. It's on LeRoys shirt. Or looks like his shirt is on fire. ha ha!

I took Tyler his favorite Hasty Freeze burger and fries with a grape slushy to school for lunch. So fun to still be able to go to school and eat lunch with my boy :)

In the afternoon I went back to school and took the class chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting with chocolate and white milk. A lot of chocolate, I know! But that was the birthday boys request..........

And for dinner Tyler wanted to go to Red Robin for dinner. This kid ate alot today! When he was little he was scared of the Red Robin bird. Wasn't there this time, but I'm sure he would be fine. He's ten now...... then we went home and opened gifts and cut the cake...........

"Mary Christmas 2009"

We had a pretty low key Christmas this year. Just how I like it!
Christmas Eve we had Grandpa and Grandma Mary over. Kids opened their gift from them and we ate yummy snacks. I did a lot of "sem-homemade" this year.
I did the traditional new pajamas for Christmas Eve for all of us. The kids are getting bigger than I realized because both of theirs were too small. My babies are growing up! We snuggled in and watched How the grinch stole Christmas. Had root beer floats and were all ready for bed early. My jammies fit! Tyler and I were trying to stay awake for the movie. I saw "most" of it. ha! We never did get our gingerbread houses made. Oh, well. Maybe for new years.

I set up an awesome bar for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. (with family around you need it. ha ha!)

My semi-homemade scones. (who am I kidding. I bought them from Starbucks and they were yummy blueberry). Delicious..Me and my girl. She was annoyed that I was taking so many pics. Too bad. I'm the mom. I will take as many as I want!

Tylers first ever $100 bill.(it's real. I didn't get presents like that when I was younger!) Grandma and Grandpa Mac are in Arizona and couldn't be here but they sent gifts! Missed you guys :)

My boys. :) Daddy was a little grinchy this morning. But he snapped out of it. And cooked a delicious prime rib for dinner. KayDee, Brandi, Colton and Grandma and Grandpa Mary came over for dinner. Kept it simple. So good.Ahhhhh.........Christmas morning. My favorite.

Nicole took forever to get ready. I let her sleep in until 9:30 am. Funny how when they get older you have to WAKE them up for Christmas morning. Tyler was just content with his stocking stuff until she got up. Made coffee and ate scones and fruit. I bought her some beautiful new makeup brushes (so she would stay out of mine). Unfortunately it didn't help her get ready any faster! But she did look beautiful... (and her personal hairstylist did her hair for her at her request).

I love my family!

My tree. Scrawny but free. Thanks dad. Heard it was quite an ordeal. Once I got it decorated we all loved it.

The aftermath....................

Missed my sis Donna and her family. They stayed home and relaxed too. Shout out to Gunner and Drake. Love you, Merry Christmas......... (notice Tyler's hat? he has defected to the other side.)

Nicole was done with me taking pictures. ha!

I got an awesome new Nikon Coolpix camera from LeRoy and the kids. SO EXITED! I can't wait to figure it out and start using it. Nicole was excited cause she gets this camera.

Kids got Oral-B electric toothbrushes. They brushed their teeth 10 times last night. How funny that was "the gift" they were both so happy about?????

My camera was awesome but I got an even better gift than that.

My 14 year old daughter had 2 teeth pulled the day before yesterday for her ortho treatment and the dentist gave them to her in a little plastic box and she wrapped them up and gave them to me for Christmas. Hilarious. We have the same sense of humor. Would have been even better if they were her 2 front teeth....................................

Over all. Christmas was good.

Everyones healthy (minus a few teeth). Tree didn't burn down. Dishes are done. Boxes and paper are out in recycle. Tyler went to grandma and grandpa's. Nicole went over to Cassandra's to exchange gifts. Still listening to Christmas music. My buzz is wearing off (ha ha). Tomorrow tree is coming down. Can't wait to work out. Christmas is over...............................until next year.

"and the party was a blast"

Salon Christmas party was so much fun. I am still laughing.................................. Martinis, pooping reindeer, really hot shoes, great food (oh, the fondue), hilarious singing, people in the bathtub and the closet (party was at Andreas fabulous house), taking random pics (not to be posted, tee hee), me driving the drunk girls home (no names will be mentioned), funny stories before we even got there. (hobos, kidnapping and not going to a 2nd location..............I'm still laughing.............) And I totally changed my outfit option. Didn't get my toenails painted so I had to wear a different outfit with a different pair of really hot shoes..................

Me and my good friend Teresa.

Cheers!!!

"party shoes"

I am wearing these shoes to my Christmas Party on Friday night...........

Now I just need to find an outfit. Probably shouldn't wear just the shoes. ha ha.

Maybe, snug dark jeans. Crisp white collared shirt. Black jacket. Some bling-bling jewelry?

"winter formal"

"Isn't she lovely.....isn't she wonderful.................................."
First high school prom. Winter formal................ My girls looked so grown up and beautiful...............

Nicole and Donald "double dated" with Jasmine and Trenton. I love these kids.

Nicole's dress was so huge we had to put her in the front seat of the Tahoe and she could barley see over it! LOVE. Her dress was the perfect Cinderella dress. The bronze/brown looked so fabulous with her skin and hair color.

Getting all the girls ready was a nightmare. They had a basketball tournament that they didn't have scheduled until the day before. I did Nicoles and hair for 3 of her other friends that all play on the team. We got started really late because the game went longer than planned and one of the girls ended up being an hour late to the salon (not her fault.) They looked beautiful and had a great time.

Hard to believe this is my baby girl.

She had a great time and said they "boogied down" and danced like crazy. She wore her brown UGG boots the same color as her dress and said that was a good choice. A lot of girls were wobbling around in heels and there feet were killing them. Nicole said hers were warm and cozy.

After the prom I dropped them all off at Applebee's and they had dinner. (we used to go before prom, but times have changed! Girls didn't want to get food on their dresses and food in their braces. And Nicole said she couldn't breathe in her dress. lol. I guess that hasn't changed!)

And on that note......................

Nicole was asked to go the the Santiam Christian Banquet this Saturday night with T.J. Oh, my. Can't wait to post those pics. And the great story about the invite :)