My New Eagle Scout

8:55 pm on November 23rd, 2009 Jared Mathews Linney earned the highest rank in scouting-Eagle. Congratulations Jared, I'm so proud of perseverance and dedication over the years it takes to achieve this Nationally Recognized Level of Honor. 1st photo...receiving rank 2nd photo...your current & previous Scout Masters give you a parking lot celebration from the trunk of their cars...it's a Troop 35 tradition!

Louis' 50th (and my bday too...)

DISNEYLAND

Did ya know you get in FREE on your birthday this year? A Little side note~Nov. 18th is Mickey Mouse's Bday too! Anyhow, It was a biggie for Louis, and this was a super way to feel young & enjoy our family together in a place where everyone has a perpetual smile on their face. The weather was warm & wonderful...the lines were unbelievably short...and we all acted like kids, racing around from ride to ride until we had gone on our favorites twice. We stayed until it was dark & getting cold...but not long enough for the ending fireworks show??? Weird, huh...considering what Louis does for a living.

What a great way to celebrate his turning 50... ...and I got to wear my 'vintage ears'! Fun, Fun, Fun

Update on our home's exterior re-do project

Before...

After...

More Before~

& After~ The project is coming right along... still no rain gutters or awnings yet... (because, of course, it's raining today) but the paint, siding, lighting & shutters are all done!

November Crafting

My Good Things Girls group got together to create wreaths from inexpensive ornaments... We shared laughs as the ball popped off, flew around the room & eventually stayed where they belonged with the help of lots from super glue.... Good Times made for a Good Evening!

THE big project around here...

BEFORE~ Termite damage, stained & broken siding, peeling paint ...you name it, it needs a make over ~ SERIOUSLY!

AFTER~

Ahhhh...much better! We've still got trim work, rain gutter, shutters, awnings & lighting to finish up ....but it's getting there

My Little Goblins...

A Hula Girl?

& One Sweet Little China Town Gal

Even though they aren't so scary this year... some people might call a teenage BOY, dressed as a Hula GIRL, a bit creepy? (& he likes the dance moves too...)

SJM's Jr. Class Ring Ceremony

Jared is called up during the Mass to receive his Class ring that has now been Blessed.

My Sweet Boy!

Buddies: Nick & Jared show off their new rings...

Jared's special cousin, Alex celebrates with us this evening... which ends with a trip to The Cheesecake Factory!

Baking Carrot Bread

'No Knead' Bread with Carrots, Currants & Pecans Yummy! ...and Fun & Easy to make too.

Shaver Lake Hike Party

Audra spent this past Sunday in the mountains above Shaver Lake, along with a dozen of her 6th grade girlfriends. They traveled up in an RV for the nearly 2 hour long drive, Which proved to be part of the party fun, Grilled burgers before the hike, and roasted up S'mores after.

Audra says that the long day with friends in the Beautiful Mountain Wilderness was definitely worth being tired at school on Monday.

Tea Time

A Fun Fall Tea Party with my Good Things Girlfriends :o)

The Big Fresno Fair

The Horse Races, Soft Tacos & Beer! A Fun Day at the Fair...with my very favorite people: Mr. Happy, Lil' Miss Sunshine & My Very Own Sweetheart too. I even won a couple of the races :o)

The Ghoul Gala

Audra is ready for her 1st Cotillion Dance Night.

But 1st there is a stop to pick up Claire...

Then, there is the Pre-Party...

Where the parents take lots of pictures of these cute 6th graders.

Finally, it was off to the dance! What a fun time she had, with an added stop for ice cream on the way home, Audra was positively 'GIDDY' when she walked back into the house to tell us all about it.

Audra's 1st Volleyball Game of 6th Grade

You Go Girl...Way to get that ball! Season Record: 2-0 (hee-hee)

Anaheim Water Polo Weekend

Our Guys took 2nd Place in the Tournament this weekend ...such FUN TIMES!!!

Jared was the 2nd highest goal scorer on his team this weekend....

and the top player at stealing the ball...

Way to Go! Jared!!!

September's Good Thing

Suzelle & I are taking a turn at co-hosting our 'Good Things' meeting this month. This Fun Fall Banner is the project... I just couldn't wait for the meeting to create mine! Besides...(now here comes the excuse) Won't it be better to have a couple of 'examples' ready?

I really don't know why playing with paper is SO MUCH FUN for me?!

Cleaning out the kitchen cupboards...

This one corner of my kitchen cabinetry is now cleaned out of all the 'stuff I never use'!

Where did I get all this unnecessary stuff anyhow? And Now, I've got to find boxes or bags big enough to get it off the floor & outta here, and it's already time to go pick up the kids from school. The time has flown by & the job is not nearly done~

Next stop...the storage under the island and ALL the OTHER cabinets???!!! I guess I'll have to save that part for another day...

Audra gets her BRACES!!!

Before~

During~

After~

Tin Grin! Brace Face! Metal Mouth!

She's mighty happy about finally getting them, I only wonder how she'll handle it once they start to hurt?

FIG GELATO

Fresh Figs

Cooked down & mashed up with a bit of sugar...

Add honey, cointreau, mascarpone, milk & a pinch of salt & chill...

The cooled, pretty, pinkish cream goes into the ice cream freezer...

and Voila! We had Homemade Gelato for dessert!

Now I'll admit that it was good... but we all really LOVE Vanilla Bean THE BEST here in our house, So, I guess that's on tap for next week now.