Jessie

Earlier this week it was my sister-in-law Jessica's birthday.
Jessie is beautiful, smart, funny and super stylish!

I have been totally jealous of Jessie's hair since the very first day I met her - it is gorgeous, thick & long!
Speaking of the first time I met her... the first time I ever went to Brian's house we were watching a video & Jessie was there. She was sitting on the couch by us, and she was dipping nacho cheese Doritos into peppercini juice! (Now that I've been married to her brother so long, I don't even think that is a weird snack anymore!!!)

Jessie is really funny - she & Brian have the same sense of humor & they can get laughing so hard when they are together & telling stories from when they were younger.

Jessie has the best sense of style - she dresses so beautifully. She is one of those people that look so put together even at her most casual or in her exercise clothes! She always introduces us to the newest/funniest tv shows, movies, comedians and music, and we love to just hang out with her when we visit.

Jessie is a great Mom to her beautiful daughter Maddy, and we love them both so much! We miss being closer to them & seeing them more often.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSIE! WE LOVE YOU!

Grandma Blumell

Tonight I am thinking of my Grandma.

My beautiful, smart,

sweet, witty,

strong Grandma.
I love you.

Time for Joe's

It is finally that time of year in Arizona where we can head outdoors and enjoy some beautiful weather! One of our favorite things to do here during the fall & winter is to head to Joe's Farmhouse Grill in Gilbert. It is a fun restaurant where you eat outside at picnic tables under huge shady trees. When we go, we end up staying forever - we have the best time just relaxing and letting the kids run around.

Sam, Maddie, Jake, Dilly & Ava

Check out the muscles on these three!

Me & Tash



Ava (& her cute little freckles)

Dilly (& his 'cheese' for the camera!)

LuAnne

Today is my stepmom LuAnne's birthday. LuAnne is a wonderful person and she is alot of fun to be with. I feel like my family has really gotten to know her alot better in recent years and I am so glad.

Each time we have visited my Dad, LuAnne & Claire in Alberta, LuAnne makes special efforts to make sure Ava & Dillon have fun, and she is really sweet with them. They go for walks, they help her in the garden, she takes them to the library & they read books. The thing they especially enjoy is helping her in the kitchen. She sooo patiently lets them help her make everything! Ava still talks about the unicorn cake that she made with Grandma for her birthday last year!

LuAnne is very talented musically. She has a beautiful singing voice, and is in various singing groups & choirs (some that she has created & directs). Ava loves to sit by her while she plays the piano and sings, and Dilly is always nearby, dancing to the music.
LuAnne is also a fabulous cook - a highlight of our visits is always the food! I looove rice pudding, and during our visit to Raymond this summer, she helped me on my quest to find the best rice pudding recipe. (we found a few really good ones - thanks LuAnne!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUANNE! WE LOVE YOU!