Christmas Pictures

I guess for some Christmas was just to much!

We even got Dad to play a game of Wii Bowling!

Blake playing guitar and Ava singing. It was so cute!


I hope that everyone reading this had a wonderful Christmas! We did. The kids got way too much as usual, but I think they had a good time. Here are a few of our Christmas pictures.

The Tooth Fairy Arrives Tonight

It finally happened... Blake lost a tooth! It happened today at school. He said he actually pulled it out himself! He looks so cute... like a little hillbilly! We asked him what will happen tonight, his reply, "I put the tooth under my pillow and the Tooth Fairy will come" then I asked "So, what will the Tooth Fairy bring?" Blake's reply, "Money" then I say "Oh, is that right, so how much is your tooth worth?" Blake's answer "$9.00!" Are teeth really worth that much these days???? Wow, talk about inflation!

First Snowfall

Even Ava joined in the fun.

Blake's NewFriend

Today we woke up to snow! Blake was so excited! I, to be honest, was a little disappointed. Snow, already, YUCK! But Blake had a great time. He even "made" a new friend! HA HA

Yule Like Peoria

Actually a really good picture of Blake!

The four of us outside Riverside Community Church, our church in downtown Peoria.

Yule Like Peoria is a Holiday Walk-A-bout in downtown Peoria. The festivities start off with the lighting of the trees around the Courthouse. Shops open up their doors to visitors with cookies and hot chocolate. It wasn't too cold, just right for a late November night.

Ava's 1/2 Birthday

Yes, sometimes they do really love each other!

Ava blowing out her "2 1/2" candles!


When I was a kid, half birthdays were a big deal! So why not keep the tradition going. But poor Blake with his half birthday being 2 days before Christmas, we never did much, so with Ava's being a whole month before Christmas we thought why not. It's not like we did a whole lot, just a little cake, some candles, and a song.

Halloween 2008

Cinderella and Prince Charming. That is what they were going to be until Blake saw Optimus Prime (a transformer) at Wal-Mart. Oh well. It was a nice thought! So here they are Cinderella and Optimus Prime.

Pictured is my best helper of all time....Mom! She goes with me to just about all my events. I don't know what I would do without her! Don't you love the smile.

And last but not least... the final product! Here are a few pictures of my display at the Lake Storey Home Show. It sure was a busy day, but well worth it!

Step #3, packing of the vehicle. It just so happened that my car wasn't running right, so I got to borrow the Suburban. Thank goodness! It sure came in handy!

Here is Step #2, lining of the hallway to make sure you have everything you need! I skipped showing you Step #1 because a picture of me trying to find what to take just didn't sound fun.

What Keeps Me Busy

So, this blogging things isn't as easy as I thought. You know, something cool or funny happens, so you write about it. Well that is way easier said than done! So here are some photos of what has been keeping me busy lately. As most of you know, I sell Usborne Books. I can sell them at Home Shows or at Events. This time of year, events are everywhere and I feel like I have been to them all! The biggest and best one around here is the Lake Storey Home Show. WOW!!! What a day! I thought I would show you my process....

Our Return Trip to Madison!

So, I am going to give this whole "blogging" thing a try, finally! Everyone else does it. I love reading their's, so here goes one of my own! And what a better way to start then our trip to Madison. Some of you may know, we lived in Madison for 2 years! It was quite the experience. Some good, some bad, some all around learning experiences that I think we needed. But it would be a whole separate story!

Anyway here we are again! This picture was taken earlier today around the Capitol Square in Madison. We did "Farmers Market" first then had to stop for a quick picture. Notice our "fifth" family member! Ava insisted on having her bear in the picture.

So far it has been a great trip! We really have missed it up here! Don't know that I am ready to move back yet, but it sure is nice to visit.