Mom's 70th & Oxborrow Family Christmas Party

My mom turned 70 on December 30. What an amazing lady! We had a party for her and a post Christmas celebration with my family.

Four years ago, when my dad turned 70, my siblings and I created a tribute to him - 70 things we loved about him. My oldest brother Marc created a poster we had framed for him. We had so much fun doing it and Dad quite enjoyed it. When my grandma turned 95 in 2009, we did the same. So of course we had to make one for my mom too. My siblings and I sent MANY emails back and forth sharing our ideas. In the end, we came up with 101 things we love about her. And truthfully, we could have kept going. I can only hope to be half the woman she is. The older I get, the more I recognize all the sacrifices she made for her family. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her!!
Here's the party:
This is Candice, Aaron's "friend," wearing the apron Mom made her for Christmas. I really like this girl. I hope she stays around a long time.
My little Bubba with his Christmas present.

(I'm almost to 2011...)

Bowling with the Lloyds

One of the Lloyd family's favorite activities: BOWLING!
This was our pre-New Years Eve activity.
Fun, fun, fun!

And finally...life beyond Christmas is revealed...

Yes, there is life after Christmas at the Lloyds. It began the Monday morning after Christmas with a road trip to Las Vegas. We stayed at the beautiful Monte Carlo Resort.
Our first night we had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.
We loved looking at all the cool memorabilia there.
After dinner we walked up the Strip to the Bellagio and enjoyed the fountains. I LOVE THE FOUNTAINS!

We stayed for several shows.
The next day started with some rides at
Circus Circus.
Next we went to the Stratosphere. Because John had his gun with him, they would not let him go to the top with us, even with his police ID and badge. Argh. You would think they wouldn't mind a little extra protection. So, I went up with the boys.
This is the Big Shot ride: "Prepare to be shot 160 feet in the air at 45 miles per hour from the 921-foot high platform up the Tower's mast to a height of 1,081 feet and back down again."This is Insanity: "A massive mechanical arm extending out 64 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower at a height of over 900 feet, this Vegas ride will spin you and several other passengers in the open air at speeds of up to three 'G's." Here they are waiting for the green arm to dangle them over the edge...
Great view of the Strip.
From there we went to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. So cool. We met a few friends there:






This has to be my favorite picture. "Don't mind me President Obama, I need to borrow your phone."
We went back to the fountains after that. Did I mention that I LOVE THE FOUNTAINS?!
The next morning we headed home. Whatever else we did in Vegas, stays in Vegas...

Christmas Day

Our Christmas Day started about 2:00 after we had picked up the kids. No bedheads this year.
Jyson
Jake
McKelle (big things come in small packages)
The bowling ball & shoes were a surprise for John. He loved 'em.
2 words: BIG CAMERA!!! I can't wait to learn about all the cool stuff it can do.
We so enjoyed the time together.
Merry Christmas to us!

Merry Christmas 2010!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas cards - especially ones with photos.
Thanks once again to my friend Natalie for helping me design this year's card!
If you're not on my list, just send me your address for next year.
Did I mention how much I LOVE Christmas cards?!!

2nd Annual Cousins Gingerbread House Party

Remember last year's event? Well, time for the 2nd annual. Let the frosting begin...
So, the houses were pretty similar to last year's, but really, it's all about candy & fun.
Year 2 - success!

My NOVA officer

This photo was taken after John's NOVA graduation. NOVA is a program similar-to-but-better-than the DARE program. He teaches 6th grade students about making good choices, being accountable for their choices, & the consequences of bad choices. He loves it and the students LOVE him.

As most of you know, I first met John 17 years ago when he was the DARE officer at the school where I taught. I would give anything (well...within reason) to have a photo of us at that time. Still, I'm a firm believer in the DARE & now NOVA programs. After all, they brought me him.