Family Saturday

Jason's grandpa wanted a cookout since so many people were in town, so ask and you shall receive.

Jason's Uncle Ricky and Aunt Chris were kind enough to host. They've come to Ohio before and had dinner at our house, so I was excited that Xander remembered them and didn't mind going to their home.

Of course we had the obligatory group photos. This is Jason's dad sitting between his two sisters, Mona and Pris with his brothers Eddie and Ricky in the back. And PawPaw Latiolais.

This is PawPaw with his grandkids (there are some missing, I think 6, but I'm not positive).
Getting the great-grandkids to cooperate was a different story. I don't think this photo is missing anyone, but has an extra person. Xander kept taking off so Jason had to run by and drop him on his side so we could take the picture before he had time to get up.

We even had to take an in-law picture. This group of us was titled "those of us that had a choice," as in maybe we didn't choose wisely, ha-ha.

We played a game similar to corn hole and had a tournament.

Chatting in the backyard with my sister-in-law, Sarah. We saw each other almost every day for two weeks, but never really got to talk to each other much.

That night Monica recruited her brother and his girlfriend to watch our kids so we could go out. Her other brother manages a bar and had been out of town for the wedding so we decided to hang out there since he had to work. I also got to meet Jason's cousin Trish. I've talked to her online before but we'd never met in person. She's one of Monica's sisters. And even though we all know I'm really pale, in my defense Trish goes tanning. A lot.

This is my new friend Kahea. She's Monica's neighbor/friend and has the most polite kids I've ever met. Again, in my defense of paleness, she's Hawaiian. I just didn't stand a chance this particular night.

And in case you need to leave before you finish your drink, you can....take it with you???

Not sure if that's why they have cups by the door, but couldn't think of any other reason. Thought it was kind of weird so I had to take a picture. Seven of us went to breakfast at the end of the night, which was a fun way to end the night. There's nothing better than people-watching at 2 a.m.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2009 already! I'm not a huge fan of January (except for my dad's birthday, of course), and even though I love winter there's so much of it ahead with not much to look forward to. Easter is late this year and no one recognizes Mardi Gras as a holiday here, so there's nothing to break up the monotony between now and then.

My resolution this year is simple.....to have no resolutions. They're always the same so I've decided instead of the typical losing weight and exercising that all of us always plan, it would be best to make a permanent change to eating more healthfully and staying active. I think if those two things can happen then everything will should fall into place.

I can say that, aside from the three trips we were fortunate to take, 2008 was not our best year. I think I had a cold for more of the year than not. They've been messing with my Synthroid for the past seven months and even though it's the right dosage on paper, it's not agreeing with my body. The refrigerator broke and we lived out of coolers for over a week. Our dear "friends" at the auditor's office made an error on their part which resulted in us owing them thousands of dollars. Both of the cars needed major repairs. Xander had stitches twice. We've been fighting with United Behavioral Health for four months over some of Xander's bills and Jason worked for almost six months without a contract. You get the picture. Maybe I should make a resolution not to be so negative???

In retrospect, even though 2008 was not such a great year I've been able to come up with a lot of things that were worth remembering.

1. Louisiana trip Jason hadn't been home in almost six years and I just love it there. Plus we got away without the kids and could come and go as we pleased for the first time in YEARS. We indulged to our hearts content and got to do some (albeit quick) visiting with family and friends as well as partying with fans from both of our favorite college football teams. It doesn't get much better than that.





2. Jason was able to come home/be home both times Xander needed stitches, so I didn't have to take care of it myself (which would have been bad, bad, BAD).


3. Blizzard We got a TON of snow, the most I've ever seen in one day. We took the kids sledding and they loved it.

4. I showed the kids how to plant strawberries We didn't get that many but they got excited when we did and there's something nice about knowing where your food is coming from. Hopefully better luck this year.

5. My cousin had a new baby I haven't had the chance to see her as much as I'd like, but I love getting my baby fix now and then since we don't plan on having any more kids. I held her today until my arms fell asleep.

6. Kids posed for photos in fancy clothes This is a rarity.

7. Jason's brother and his family came to visit for the 4th of July and we had a really fun weekend

8. My flowers grew (even though some of them were the wrong color)

9. Ten years of marriage and a weekend away to celebrate.

10. Got one of the kids potty trained and the other is half-way there

11. Finally got Xander into the special needs preschool and he LOVES it

12. Florida trip Who doesn't love Disney World?



What blessed your life in 2008?