Updated Family Photos

I've been reluctant to change our family photo on our blog or on my Facebook page until Austin returns home from his mission and we have a truly updated family photo with all of us in it.

However, I was determined to get a photo of Riley before he headed out the door to college once again.  We didn't ever really have Senior year photos taken, nor did we have a nice pre-mission photo done either.  Our kids grow and change whether we want them to or not.  I want to remember the kids at all phases of life and photos are the one way to do just that.

So, thank you, Mickisha Glen for coming on Dec. 31, 2011 late in the afternoon and taking a few casual photos of the kids and the rest of us to document this moment in time.

Riley

Parker

Macey

The kids and me.

Silly kids having a good time.  Love the laughter.

TOFW = Time Out For Women

I got to have a great weekend with some great women.  I have only been to one other TOFW event probably 9 years ago.  I was so glad to go again.

The theme for this year's event was - Seek the Good!  What a great thought to consider and apply in one's life.  The speakers and the music used this to base their remarks around.  It was very uplifting and inspiring.  It is good to feed one's soul!  There's so much I could share about the talks given and what I felt.  I think I will save it for a future post.

We got to start the weekend at the Orlando temple.  The traffic was outrageous - add to that construction zones and an accident.  It took us an hour longer to arrive.  We didn't get to do all we had planned at the temple but still was grateful for the short time we spent there.

 

 We had dinner that night at TGIF's.  I had the Parmesan Crusted Chicken - A sautéed chicken breast basted with Caesar Vinaigrette dressing, then finished with a Parmesan crust topping. Served with three-cheese tortelloni tossed in spinach Alfredo sauce and a side of our fresh tomato mozzarella salad. Wouldn't be complete without a little Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie - Chocolate ganache layered with peanut butter mousse in a peanut butter graham cracker crust. Topped with whipped cream and a peanut butter cup. 

 

 Great food.  Great women.  Great friends.

 Here's Dana Shaw trying to figure out how to upload our photo to the TOFW on Facebook.

 

 Here's Marji Winder trying to do the same.

 Here they both are trying to help each other. 

Me, Nicole Prime, Dana Shaw, Marji Winder

 I was taking these few pictures and then a lady behind us in the line for lunch offered to take our picture with us all together.  Thank you Nicole for lending me your black flip flops to wear since I forgot to pack mine.

Mickisha Glen

On our way home.

Macey & Me

Our Stake had a first annual Mother/Daughter Day Out!  So guess what Macey & I did?  We went. 

 Macey and I might butt heads about a lot of things but she seems to love it when we get to do things 'just the two of us'!  She's always asking, "when can just you and I . . .?"  I am grateful she wants to do things with me.  I hope this will always be!

We missed the scout garage sale (darn! only 2nd one in 10yrs I've missed and longest one ever!).  We got to take our friends the Rice's with us to the 'girl' activity and met some other friends there.  It was held about an hour away.  It didn't take as long to get there as we thought (we had planned for 90 minutes).  It was held at Caloosahatchee Regional Park in Alva, FL.  (Basically out in the boon docks - but boon docks with some really nice houses along the way).

They took our picture and had a portable printer to print them on the spot.  We made picture frames and hung them on string with clothespins to dry and display - cute!

We made flower rings, pins or barrets out of pipe cleaners (courtesy of Martha Stewart, I'm told).  They were the most awesome creations!

We painted nails - Macey chose a deep bright red.  It actually was a pretty color.

We also got to put 'temporary' tatoos on the girls and the girls on their moms.  Thank goodness Macey chose 3 small glittery flowers for me since they were still there the next day at church.  (I noticed them after I had sat down from speaking).

 

We did a relay race where the girls had to be the mom and the mom got to be the girl.

We took a little hike but got a great picture of all the girls we had.  I had a great time spending time with my favorite gal - my daughter, Macey.

Not quite over the hill - #43!

I'm not quite over the hill yet! Thank goodness. Every year after 40 seems to bring some new ache with it. Scares me to think of 20 yrs. from now. I'm attempting to exercise more so we'll see if this improves things overall.

I slept in this morning - a real treat! And for breakfast McDonald's delivered a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit minus the egg w/a large diet coke in bed nonetheless. Thanks Riley!

I went and had a manicure/pedicure this afternoon. Using my Christmas gift from John & the kids finally. I really enjoyed it. It's something I could get used to. It's funny how 'pretty' you feel after getting your hair or nails done! Can't remember the last time I had my nails done so it was the perfect thing to do on your bday!

We had cheesecake & candles at 4:30p for my bday celebration - just between Riley coming home from work and Austin leaving for work. It's been a good day.

Grandma Swensen's Visit for our Momentous Moments of Life

Grandma Swensen visited for Austin's graduation Fri., 5/29 and Macey's baptism Sat., 5/30. We always wish she could stay and play longer. The last couple years her visits seem to revolve around an 'event' and so we don't get the fun time and productive project time she is so good at helping with. One of these years.