Tree Trimming Party Dec. 4

So, it's not so much fun to decorate the trees without little kids around. So what does one do? One throws a party and forces other people to decorate for them. It was Fran's idea.










Sara and Sara are discussing whether to decorate or not to decorate.












Nan and Scarlet are exhausted.


















Sara is hanging a USMC ornament in honor of Jake.












Here is an extreme closeup. Hey, how did the incredible hulk get back there?

















Jake, this is for you. Enron all the way.



















I was so happy that Valerie came over with her bunch (bearing gifts!). They were a tremendous help with both trees. They actually did most of the work along with Nan.










Miss Ellie....

Miss Sylvia....

and Miss Julie....Thanks to you all!!!

Jeff SO did not want his picture taken.

I tried to find a picture of Mom-mom without a wine glass in her hand. It couldn't be done. Nan is still exhausted.

It was a great little party. Who's coming back on Dec. 26th to help me pack it all away???? Anyone??

Is your cat on drugs?

Again with the crappy camera.

If you look very closely you can see white powder on the right side of Tangle's face starting at her nose - what could it be? She has lost a bit of weight lately. Should I be worried?

New Front Walk

Ta-Da!!! Jeff put in a front walk - He said it's the first and last he'll ever do. Famous last words. Of course he did a terrific job.

Here's the view from the street side.










Here's the view from the house side.














And here's a view from the side side.

Wedding Cake

Hey, look at this beach themed wedding cake. Just look at it. Thank you for your cooperation.

OC 2010

After we got back from the West, we went straight to OC for a long weekend. Jake finally got to spend some fun time with Sara. They are cute together - can I say that? I just did!










Here is a bunch of our crew just laying around. We did a lot of people watching that day - I wonder if anyone was watching us?












Okay, yes - people were watching us. I know this because who wouldn't watch a grown man get a MANicure and pedicure. He was a good sport and let the girls do each nail a different color. He so craaaaazy.

Summer 2010

While we were in CA visiting Jake for his graduation, we took a day and went to Old Town San Diego. Here are Sean and Jeff posing in front of, maybe, a Post Office or something. Posing is the thing they like to do.















This is my favorite picture. Sean spotted these very large, green beetles eating their full of rotten fruit. It doesn't get any better than this.











We got to walk around an old house/yard where some important person once lived. I guess this was his outdoor stove. Maybe the servants cooked his very expensive dinners here. Who knows - who cares?











I suppose this is where the very important home owner would eat important meals with important guests. Usually I love history and old timey ways, but this is just......yawn......sorry.









Sean is gazing at this fountain, probably wondering when we were going to get him the hell out of there.


















This is the sign that sucks you in and makes you think you will see something interesting. Don't believe it!

More Jake

In case you can't tell, my camera is super crappy. I took this action shot of Blur-Jake after he accepted his diploma. Just pretend you're drunk and it will become suddenly clear.










Here is Blur-Jake being handed his diploma
(I really am sorry - I need a good camera).













Jake is a tracks mechanic - I would like to say that this is the type of vehicle he is trained to work on. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me and I will edit this post. It's cool either way.











The Shave Ice stand was closed the day we visited the beach. Serious downer.












This is another beach view. At left are the restrooms/showers. I'm glad Jake was in such a nice place for his training.

Jake - Summer 2010

Did I mention that I was behind on my postings? Well, it's now December, but we actually did some stuff in July that I must mention. We went out to the West Coast to see Jake graduate from MOS school. At left are the graduates. Jake is in the 3rd row back, 2nd from right (the one with the long hair). There were some very good speakers before the ceremony.



Jake was living in a room that was just a short walk away from this awesome beach.













Here is a picture of Jake and Sean making their most important decision of the day.














Newly graduated!!!!

Cats and Dog

Since energy costs are so high, we have been keeping our house FREEZING cold. As a result, I found Scarlet and Pooey snuggled up together asleep. They were obviously exhausted from living the high life all day.










So later, I caught an interesting cat standoff in the kitchen. Xander and Pooey were not fighting, more like sparing. Maybe Xander was teaching the new kid the ropes - who knows. "So kid, you start with a jab with the right paw, see"









"That's right, a scary growl will shake em up."















"Now, if you think you're going down for the count, just act disinterested."

"This concludes our lesson."

Belated Jake Pics

So sorry for not posting about Jake becoming a Marine. His graduation from Parris Island happened in March and a bunch of us jumped in the van and headed down to witness the occasion.

This is where he lived for 3 1/2 months.














He had a lot of texting to catch up on since he was denied phone and computer access the entire time he was down there.






















Here is a picture of Jeff pretending to be a new recruit. Thank goodness it was only pretend.

Here is Jake on Grad day - gotta love that uniform.

This was early in the day on the 3 mile "motivational" run. Jake is 3rd from the left. They were given pretty nice running shoes - I'm jealous.

It rained - all day - non stop! However, the weather did not diminish our glee. (Sean's not pictured here, I assume he is behind the camera).

Jake is currently at Camp Pendleton finishing up his training. We will go see him soon and come home with a whole new crop of photos and news. Hopefully it won't take me 4 months to post them.

-amy

Scarlet

In case you didn't know, Scarlet was diagnosed with Cushings disease a few months ago. I'm happy to report that she is on meds and doing very well. Her fur is starting to grow back (she is a natural red head you know) her appetite has decreased and she's back to old squirrel chasing ways.

Rainbow

Move along, nothing to see here....just an innocent rainbow cake minding it's own business. Go on now, get outta here you.

Let someone eat cake!

This morning started off with a quick trip to the post office to mail Jake a package. Thank goodness for flat rate shipping boxes.

I then moved on to fondant rolling. This stuff just doesn't like me - we battled and the fight ended in a draw.








I was able to wrestle it onto the cakes but it stretched and cracked........













in retaliation, I airbrushed it. That shut it up for good.


















This is what I ended up with. Cake is good.
-amy