How to Eat a Cupcake, by Lilly and Jade

Words cannot express these images.  They tell their own story.  Look at the reactions, the gestures, the pure joy of eating....it's all about the cupcake!

(Thank you Jacque for capturing such happy moments!)

Make-Up Tradtion a Must!

One of the best traditions a girl could ask for was started over 30 years ago when Grammy took her girls to the store for their own pick of make-up.  With a set budget, we would set off for the best deals, so excited that we got to pick our own stuff!
The tradition continues into the next generation.  My mom still takes her girls to Ulta, gives us a budget, and we scour the store for the best deals on our favorite brands.  Sometimes, we end up with one very expensive brush, and other times we splurge on different styles.  I am not one for much make-up, but this is one of my favorite traditions and I couldn't wait to start this with my own girls.  We now have a few more that join in, but it is always a fun hour at the make-up store!  We met up at Ulta, a budget was given, and the fun began.  Even Jade and Lilly wanted their own bags with lip gloss!  Girls just know what they need!

 

 

Happy Birthday Jade

Our adorable, sweet Jade turned 4!  She is one smart cookie!  I wish I had a book of all the Jade-isms that are sweet, hilarious, and very inquisitive - sometimes all at the same time.  No one can melt a Grammy's heart quite like this beautiful grand-daughter of ours.  I love how she asks so many questions and really tries to understand and remember your explanation.  Did you know that she is memorizing all the Articles of Faith?  At FOUR???  She recites them with her Mom and Dad for "scripture time".  Amazing!

 

We had our first grand-daughter tradition this Christmas Season - a cookie date.  It was one of my happy Christmas memories of 2013.  There are so many happy memories, but this was a great way to start the season.

 

J - Jubilant as she enters the door every single time she comes to visit Grammy and Grandpa.  Hands down the best part of our day!

A - Able to remember everything you say and do.  If you are sick, she remembers.  If you promise her something...she remembers!

D - Delightful as she expresses love to all her family.  There is nothing better than a hello from Jade on the phone and a "Wanna go to lunch?"

E - Energetic.  Loves to play, loves to dance, loves to be active!

How we love Jade!  Happy Birthday!!

Fluffing the Tree

Fluffing the tree is a very tedious task which takes talent and patience.  Years and years of practice to perfect the art of "fluffing".  That is until you have grand-children and then, it's more fun watching them work on each section of the tree trying to get it to "fluff" just right.  Jade and Lilly were serious about this task and took it very seriously.  Maybe it was climbing up the ladder that they loved.  Either way, fluffing this year was memorable and just fun!!

Christmas Light Traditions

Some traditions change through-out time.  Some don't.  They are part of our happiest memories.  Putting up Christmas lights is a family tradition.  It has changed over time.  It began with Brad and the boys putting up lights on our first little home.  (Notice where Jacque is). 

Now, it's Jacque putting up lights on a very large home (no Brad).  We were able to recruit some helpers for this project, but SOME were more helpful than others!  Thanks to Eric, Ashley Goodman, Jade, Lilly, and Kade for helping!!

I'm sure Kade is watching over Jacque!

Lilly "holding" the lights

Eric doing the dreaded - lots of squats- driveway lights

Ashley helping where-ever needed

Jade helping Grammy stretch the lights

This helper cracks me up!!

 

Our Christmas has officially begun!

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was packed with activities, laughter, new traditions, and delicious food.  It was a wonderful, happy day.  We started our week with the arrival of Aaron and Savannah.  Such a blessing to have them share a few days with us.  We planned our Holiday Festivities with the "utmost" care!

 

We started the day before with a quick birthday celebration for Jenny.  We went to the park for some much needed relaxation and then had a fun family dinner with a very "original" gift for Jenny!

 

Our new tradition was participating in the Gilbert Turkey Trot - ALL of US!!  Some of the ambitious family members ran the 10K - Jacque and Eric, I ran the 5K with Carolyn, and the rest of the family participated in the 1 mile FUN-Run! 

We went home to a delicious brunch and enjoyed some much needed relaxation.  Aaron continued to help me with the turkey, which we had started the day before.  Good thing he was there to help with the brining and care of those TWO turkeys we cooked!

We were planning on family and friends arriving in the late afternoon and had plenty of delicious foods to share with everyone.  I love sharing of family traditional recipes and infusing those classics with new recipes!

 

Appetizers consisted of:

Stuffed Jalepeno Peppers http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-live/joes-screaming-stuffed-jalapeno-poppers-recipe/index.html

Stuffed Tomatoes - Jacque's own concoction

Sausage and Spinach Phyllo Cups - Jacque's own concoction

Carmelized Onion Dip http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pan-fried-onion-dip-recipe/index.html

Candied Nuts

 

 

Dinner was fabulous!  The traditional food was present:  turkey, Grampy's famous noodle gravy, mashed and sweet potatoes, stuffing, green-bean casserole, and delicious rolls.  The new recipes were present with appetizers and Roasted Brussels Sprouts (from Alexandra Guarnaschelli's cookbook), and two turkeys cooked quite differently.

 

 

The best part was not the food.  It was everything before, during, and after.  All types of helpers, family, casual dining at its best, laughter, and memories.  So much to be grateful for!

 

 

 

 

Sisters, cousins, best friends - it's all the same!

Aunt Sue, Carolyn, Dena, and Grammy

 

Joe and Samantha traveled from Tucson

So glad cousin Mike comes!

 

 

AND...a few laughs in-between!

 

 

 

 

Gratitude fills my heart for the blessing we can see, feel, and know that are eternally ours!