Last post of 2010

I just looked through all my posts from 2010! It was so much fun! All the good times... and memories! I am grateful for a place to share them with you!

Anyway... as I was going through them, I realized that I had a lot of anniversaries and "firsts" this year... or things I started doing seriously! And lots and lots of moments that I just want to remember forever! There was something pretty much EVERY MONTH...

I though that I would share some of those anniversaries and firsts with you... 

JANUARY: 

1/8/10... the second anniversary of coming home form the Colorado Denver North Mission.

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/01/2-years-ago.html

FEBRUARY:

I started baking! Now I love to bake! I love to try new recipes and share them with family and friends! A new found love!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/02/look-what-i-did.html

MARCH:

Andrew turned 24!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-birthday-andrew.html

APRIL:

I went to Time Out For Women in Pennsylvania with my Mom and some Amazing women from Church!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/tofw.html

MAY:

I got SERIOUS about couponing!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/ok.html

JUNE:

We bought our first house!!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/ours.html

JULY:

I went to MAC'S Drive-In for the first time! LOVED IT!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-love-macs.html

AUGUST:

We bought our first gaming system... a Wii :)

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-hubby.html

SEPTEMBER:

I made applesauce and canned for the first time!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/09/applesauce.html

OCTOBER:

Went to my first Campbell Jam (that I can remember!)

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/campbell-jam.html

NOVEMBER:

We took Sophie to see her first 3D movie... Tangled!

I also turned 26...

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-stinkin-cute-is-she-yesterday-mom.html

DECEMBER:

We got our first pet as a married couple! Lily!

http://asdupuisfamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/meet-lily.html

Not only these things, but I spent much needed time with my family! They are my world! I love them so much!

2010 sure has been a GREAT YEAR!

Here is to 2011 being EVEN BETTER!!!

Tradition?

This morning Andrew and I got up to go and watch the last sunrise of 2010. I had previously selected this spot, thinking it was the perfect overlook to watch the sunrise!

We got up and ready. It was supposed to rise at 6:37, so we got there between 6:15 and 6:20.

Then we waited... and waited... and waited...

Th sun rose behind the clouds this morning... and so there was nothing to see...

I had high hopes of a BEAUTIFUL picture of this, the last sunrise of 2010... but no, this is all I got...

A beautiful picture... if I do say so... but not what I had imagined.

Oh well, maybe it should be a tradition... getting up to watch the last sunrise of the year... who knows!

Talent

My dad is SO TALENTED!

For Christmas, I asked my Dad if he would make me a rolling pin...

and HE DID!!!

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL!! 

 Such nice handles...

 And my favorite... a sweet little "I love you"

That is my favorite part!

This will be a cherished piece in my kitchen for ever... to be passed down for generations I am sure!

I am SO GRATEFUL for the skills and talents that my dad has! Especially when he uses them to bless our lives!

THANK YOU DAD!

I LOVE YOU!

(By the way... a little bird told me that he was going to make some to sell... so get in line!!!... and be jealous.. cause I got the 1st!)

Neighbors...

 My parents have such amazing neighbors! Seriously! The other day my dad said that the neighbors stopped by and asked if they would be home Tuesday night, that they wanted to come down and do some caroling! Of course my dad said yes! Then Dad invited us to come out and be there when they came. I was expecting just their neighbors, but when we came out on the porch this is what we saw....

There had to be at least 45 or 50 people. You cannot see them all in this picture. I am pretty sure their whole congregation came! Even the kids were singing!

(the second from the left is my parents neighbor!)

What a neat experience. No one has ever come and caroled to us before, and then to have so many! They had the voices of angels! I am not kidding! There was just such a sweet spirit there as they stood to sing Christmas Carols to us! 

I loved EVERY MINUET of it! 

When they were finished dad passed around a bowl full of caramels he had made earlier in the day! 

They even brought a plate of cookies!!!

So nice to have such GREAT neighbors!

pictures?

Is anyone else having trouble seeing the pictures I post? My mom said she cannot see them anymore...? The last 3 posts have been pics from my cell phone... that is why I wonder?

PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

Lily

Horrible picture...I took it with my phone...

I think Lily is finally starting to like Andrew...

Look what she left on his pillow!!!

Hahahahahaha!

It's her toy mouse.

That's right... cause we have NO REAL ONES!!!

Pissed

Yeah... so... the other night I was at Sarah's helping set up for our Holiday Open House. I drove up there because it was like
-115 degrees... and parked on the side of the road. Andrew called and wanted me to come get him for his dinner break. So, I ran down to the Hospital and picked him up. Then he left me back at Sarah's to finish what we were doing.Then I got a call from Andrew...

"What happened to the mirror?"

"I don't know... what are you talking about"

"The mirror. The drivers side mirror is smashed"

"That's not funny"

"I know"

"Are you being serious"

"yes"

"COME ON!!!"

So, I had my first experience filing a police report.

LAME. There is no other damage to the car... so the cop filed it as "criminal mischief"... I was SO PISSED. When I got back to Sarah's I looked where I was parked and there was pieces of my mirror all over the ground. 

So... whoever you are. 

You SUCK.

Thanks a lot.

Merry Christmas jerk.

Meet Lily!

So... as many of you know Andrew has been BEGGING me for the last 2 years to get a kitten. 2 years! I decided that I was going to surprise him for Christmas! I was going to get a litter box and cat food to give to him under the tree, and then let him pick a kitten from a shelter.

Well, yesterday we were out and about. We went to Michaels in Canandaigua to get some Christmas things. As I was parking Andrew says, "let's go look at the cats and dogs at Petco"

me: "they don't sell cats and dogs at Petco"

Andrew: "yes they do..."

me: "no they don't..."

pause...

me: "fine, we'll go in and I'll show you that they don't see cats and dogs at Petco"

In we go, and immediately to our right there is a thing that holds 6 cats. The Wayne County Animal Shelter was there with cats for adoption...

(for the record: I WAS RIGHT... Petco does NOT sell cats and dogs :) )

We looked at the 3 cats that were there and both IMMEDIATELY fell in love with this cat!

We spent a long time there petting her and talking to Debbie, the volunteer.

Lily's previous owners could not afford to take care of her. She was just 3 months when she was dropped off at the shelter. She is now 7 months old. She is healthy and beautiful!

This is Lily!

We are so excited to have her as part of our family!!

Welcome Home Lily!

Ridiculous

I am feeling pretty ridiculous. This morning Andrew woke me up and told me he wanted to take me to the Water St. Cafe for breakfast. (It is our anniversary, and we both took the day off!) So we got up and went! I was looking forward for a wonderful morning with Andrew.
Neither of us had ever been to the Water St. Cafe so we were excited for a new adventure. We got there and sat ourselves. Our waitress came out and took our drink orders... OJ... of course! As we were waiting the phone rang and the lady who took our order gave it to the owner. She took the call in the back of the restaurant. All of a sudden she was jumping up and down, and crying. All eyes were on her. When she got off the phone she started screaming... "we are having a baby! we are having a baby! I'm going to be a grandmother! we are having a baby." Everyone in the whole place was so happy for her... except me. What is wrong with me???? It was ridiculous. I wanted to get up and leave. Seriously... not because I was mad, I was just upset and I didn't want anyone to notice. The tears started to come... and I told Andrew to change the subject. I started digging in my purse... for nothing. I just had to keep my head down and let it pass. It was horrible. I was so embarrassed. I didn't know what to do. I feel like such a jerk.. why can't I just be happy for this complete stranger!

I am starting to worry that this will be my life. Forever longing...

Tangled

HOW STINKIN CUTE IS SHE!!!!

Yesterday Mom & Dad took Sophie to see Tangled for her birthday! They let me tag along!!! We had a blast!! We all loved the movie! Even Dad said it was really good, but at the end his eyes watered a little bit... but it was "from the 3D glasses" ... uh huh!

I cannot believe how big Sophie is getting, and how grown up she is!

I love you Sophie!

Happy 4th Birthday!!

Sweet!

 My Aunt ROCKS!!!

I had such a sweet surprise today! My Aunt Lynda called and said she had "a little something" for me! It "wasn't much" she said... She came in to deliver my "little something" and this is what it was....

Everything I need to make German Pecan Drop Cookies

This is more than "a little something" and the PERFECT gift for me!!

 Here is everything that was in it... Right down to the cookie sheet!

What is that little red box you ask?? It is "1 dozen home made German Pecan Drop Cookies to enjoy until you have time to bake your own" 

Oh yeah... that's what I'm talking about!!

What a TREAT!! Thank you SO MUCH Aunt Lynda!!

You MADE MY DAY!!!

Kiddos

Oh, how time flies...

This picture was taken September 15, 2009

This picture was taken September 23, 2010

Almost exactly a year apart... they GROW SO FAST!

Sedum

We had sedum plants across the front of our house...

I didn't like them at all...

They were big and bushy and attracted tons of bees and bugs to the point that I didn't want to use my front door. Granted these are beautiful plants, they are just not something that I like...

SO... AWAY THEY WENT!

 Dad came over and helped Andrew dig them up. They are going to go live at my parents house! Then they pulled up the plastic and worked the ground to prepare it for next year.

One step closer in our "home improvements!"

Thanks again Dad! You were a HUGE HELP!!!

Going, Going...

GONE!

Your voices have been heard!

My Playlist is...

GONE!

Thank you all for your input! I was pleasantly surprised that people actually stop by and check on my blog! I actually didn't really care about the music. I often found myself shutting it off for the same reasons as most of you!

Thank you everyone!

Stay or Go??

My dearest followers... hahaha... just kidding... I don't even know if anyone follows me! BUT... if you are out there... LET ME KNOW!!!!

Stay or Go?

No... I am not talking about my blog... I am talking about the music that plays automatically when you visit me. 

Stay or Go?

Is it fun? Annoying? What?

Do you just scroll down and turn it off as I often find myself doing? 

Stay or Go?

(CONFESSION: I also kind of want to see if anyone even reads my blog)

GUTTED

So... Last Wednesday, October 27, I was GUTTED...

I had surgery to remove both my gallbladder and my appendix.

They both had STONES in them.

Recovery is going well. I have been doing my best to get up and be moving... which has helped. I still feel like someone picked me up and shook me as hard as they could, displacing all my organs...and I guess removing some too! I have 7 holes in my abdomen...

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/images/ei_1901.gif

http://www.porthuronhospital.org/diw/images/ei_1902.gif

I have been SO LUCKY to have such AMAZING people around that care SO MUCH! My Mom stayed by my side practically from 6:30 Wednesday morning until 6:30 Saturday night. She was the one who made sure I got up and moved, and took my pain meds (which I HATE)... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I have also had so many people call and check on my, come visit, bring dinner, and their babies to make me smile! 

All in all, surgery sucks... but I have people around who make it ok!

THANK YOU!

Lucky 13!

We had SO MUCH FUN this weekend! 

Saturday was Justin's birthday and we wanted to do something fun to celebrate! Joe & Jodi came with us last year to Long Acre Farms... and that is what we decided to do! 

TRADITION!

So... here is a picture of this years maze!

LUCKY 13

From the website: "The Amazing Maize Maze is much more than a walk through the corn.  It is a 5 acre game with 2 1/2 miles of paths, music piped throughout, 2 bridges, a tower, 12 hidden mailboxes, 12 "Kernels of Knowledge", and of course groups of people having fun."

TEAM WINNERS!

 TEAM LOSERS!

Yes... the boys decided to cheat again this year! We were in the middle of the maze when we got a phone call from the boys saying "we accidently found the end... but we didn't collect all the pieces..." Well... they wanted to be done. Granted it was dark and raining... but still! We collected more pieces to the map, this making us, the girls, the WINNERS!!!

SO MUCH FUN!

Justin, I hope you had a GREAT!

Happy Birthday!

Love

I LOVE this little girl!

This was nap time at my house yesterday!

 How CUTE is this little BUM!!

And my FAVORITE... look at her little FEET!

I LOVE YOU BEAN!

Spice Rack...

So... when i was registering for our wedding, I decided we just couldn't live without this SPICE RACK! I really like it! It spins and everything!

Well, we got it!! And it immediately took place on the kitchen counter!

There it sat... and sat... and sat... I NEVER used it!

(ok... that is not true... I used it a couple of times)

I was heart broken... I love this thing, and my cousin paid good money for it... I couldn't get rid of it or give it away...

SO... I decided to give it a little lift!

 

I took all the jars out. Emptied their contents... washed and sanitized them and their lids... and got them ready for their new life!

You all know I love to bake... so I made it into a

SPRINKLE RACK!!!

Getting everything ready...

 my funnel would not have fit... so i just cut a paper cup, which ended up being really nice because I could then squeeze it and pour the rest in!

 Side view!

LOOK AT THESE COLORS!!!!

Ahhh... I just can't wait to make something!!

 My SPRINKLES... Colored sugar, hearts, polka dots, black cats, regular sprinkles, metallic sprinkles, pearly white sprinkles!!!

And here is the finished product!!!

From SPICE RACK to SPRINKLE RACK!!!

I LOVE IT!!!

now, I just need to make cute labels for the tops!

DUM DUM DUMB

This is me...

I am SO DUMB!

Yes.... I am feeling pretty stupid tonight.

Last year I surprised Andrew with a MEMORY FOAM Mattress for our bed. I was so excited and wanted to get it on the bed really fast before he got home to surprise him!

My mom helped me get the cover on in and set it up!

Ok, I have to admit... I thought it was pretty comfortable! Really... I was impressed! It was a great improvement from what we were sleeping on.

So... time passes... life gets busy.

We move. I roll up the Memory Foam and take it. I set it up in our new hose. Bed continues to be comfortable.

Today I came home from the Women's Conference in the mood to clean. I stripped the bed and threw the sheets in the wash. Then I decided I could probably handle pulling that cover off and washing it. (please don't think I am nasty... i never thought to take it off before... it was always covered with a sheet... ugh.) 

As I pull the cover off I noticed something interesting. The mattress is 1/2 yellow & 1/2 blue. YES... it is 1/2 FOAM and 1/2 MEMORY FOAM! ... 

FOLKS: WE HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON THE FOAM.

That nice blue memory foam has been sweetly cushioning our mattress... not our bodies...

can you believe it?

WOW!

So here is the direction we are facing now... MEMORY FOAM UP!

I CANNOT WAIT TO SLEEP IN IT TONIGHT!!!

It will be our FIRST NIGHT on MEMORY FOAM!!!