Less TV this year

So a couple weeks ago I thought of a new years resolution for myself- No TV in 2010. I told Rick about it and he thought it sounded like a good idea too. Originally the plan was no TV at all, but we have changed it to a more realistic version- no TV Monday through Friday. I don't think we are going to watch TV shows on weekends still... just movies to relax and snuggle to. Oh and by the way our new year doesn't begin until next Monday because Rick has this week off school- therefore we can do whatever we want this week:)

Why would we make such a resolution? I'm beginning to wonder why myself because there are indeed a lot of shows I will miss...

My favorites include:

LOST- Rick and I have been big fans from the start- although Rick has sadly lost interest, not me though!

Project Runway- I love love love Tim Gunn! Who doesn't though?!

Glee- my guilty pleasure. I wish I owned Emma's wardrobe.

The Office- no explanation necessary.

Community- I didn't think this looked that funny but I was pleasantly surprised.

Boston Legal- Alan Shore and Denny Crane are my heroes! ( I realize this show had its final season a couple years ago... but honestly I could watch reruns until the day I die-- LOVE this show.)

The View- this is extremely embarrassing... it is a show I love to hate- I can't stand Whoopi and I disagree with over 80% of the things said- I really wish I could sit at that table and give America my take! But I highly doubt the corporate sponsors would like that... And let's face it- no one else would be interested either... I guess I just like to hear myself talk, as my family knows all too well:)

Rick doesn't really watch a lot of TV, mostly movies... so he will only miss this:

Instead of watching all of these wonderful shows I will do things that I find more worthwhile.... cooking, designing jewelry, keeping in touch with family and friends, scrapbooking, sight-seeing, working out, or reading. This year I plan to read A LOT and if you have any book suggestions please share!

Good bye TV shows until 2011- maybe then we can catch up over DVD?

All we need is just a little patience

I came home to Rick standing up in the living room holding a smiling and happy Adelaide.

Rick "Shhh... Emily watch this!"

Rick sits down on the couch and Adelaide begins to whimper and scream.

Me "What am I supposed to be watching?"

Rick "Every time I sit down she screams and when I stand up she is happy again"

Me "Yes I know... she does that a lot"

Rick "Well it is driving me crazy"

Me "I thought you pride yourself on being patient"

Rick "Patience is one thing... but I don't like being taken advantage of!"

There you have it... our little girl already knows how to manipulate us into getting what she wants, and Daddy does not like it!

Thanks!

And finally our last destination was the bay area to be with the Walton clan for Thanksgiving! It was so fun to be all together, and once again we all camped out on air mattresses for giant sleepovers every night. We were busy busy busy with lots of family traditions to do... The boys started out Thanksgiving with their annual Turkey Bowl by the Walton's house. Later we had Thanksgiving at the Keesling house with our family, the Dugans, the Holts, and my grandparents. The next morning we chopped down our Christmas tree in the mountains. When we got back we were all so tired that all 12 of us took enormously long naps at the same time... I have never experienced anything like it, AMAZING! Saturday we headed up to San Francisco for our annual cable car experience which gets us all into the Christmas spirit! Good times had by all.

James and Rick are quite good friends:)

It was great to see some Holts for the holidays!

Abigail was so funny because I went around the room and took pictures on Thanksgiving, and she popped her cute little face in almost every single one... Like this one with Eric, Kev and Rach.

It was great to see Mary:) Jess, Mary, me and Jamie.

We were so blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa Holt come all the way from Idaho!

Steve and Eric met Adelaide for the first time this trip.

Some of the girls after the trolley ride, Britt, Adelaide, Jamie, Jess, Gracie and me.

Grandma holds Adelaide while Grandpa makes her laugh.

Four generations!

In keeping with tradition, James encouraged us to play MANY Jenga games... FUN!

Our family wouldn't be complete without it's newest member, Pom. Pom is Kent and Tinkers cousin.

Simi Valley

After San Diego Jess, Rick, Adelaide and I road tripped north to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving. We thought it would be nice to stop and visit some of Rick's family on the way up who live in Simi Valley.

Rick, Adelaide, (Great) Grandpa.

Aunt Sue with Adelaide

Great Grandpa with his first Great Grandchild.

Jim, Maddi and Adelaide.

Adelaide's Blessing

After Arizona Adelaide and I met up with Rick in San Diego for Adelaide's blessing. We wanted to do the blessing in San Diego where some of our friends are and it was a location where both of our families could travel somewhat easily to. It was so great to have so many people come that all love Adelaide- all her grandparents, some aunts and uncles and other extended family like the Whitemans. This is probably the last time that so many people from her familly will be all together- I figure the next time will be in eight years at her baptism.

I don't have all the pictures yet ( I'm missing some from Rick's Mom's side of the family, but we'll hopefully have them soon)-- so I will update this post later, but this is a start:

Dad and Grandpa getting Adelaide ready for the day.

Here are all the men that were involved in Adelaide's blessing. Jeff (great uncle?), Richard(grandpa), Nick(uncle), Rick(dad), Gerry(grandpa) and Curt(grandpa).

The Walton's: Curt, Michelle, Rick, Adelaide, Emily and Jessica.

Our little family.

Adelaide with Grandpa Walton.

Adelaide with Grandpa.

Meg, Janet, Richard, Adelaide, Rick and Emily.

Mimi Janet and Grandpa with Adelaide.

And Freddy of course!

Winter Treat

There is nothing better than homemade snow ice cream on a winter afternoon! I sent Rick out to fetch some freshly fallen snow for our treat. It reminded me of trips to Tahoe when I was younger... After a long day of sledding and playing in the snow with my cousins outside our grandparents cabin, my grandma would instruct some of us to find some clean snow, and to especially beware of yellow spots. After we completed our mission and passed her inspection, Grandma would make a big batch of delicious ice cream.

I don't have her exact recipe, but the one I made today tasted pretty similar:

1 big bowl of snow

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

I love winter and the beautiful, yummy snow!

Trip to Arizona

Adelaide and I have been away from our home in Colorado for the last three weeks! Our trip started out in Arizona where I watched cute little Nathan and Lanie (Rick's younger siblings) for a week while their parents, Nicole and Gerry, had a getaway for their anniversary. The week went smoothly and Nick was there a lot of the time helping which made things easy. After Nicole and Gerry got back, we still stayed and visited with them for another week and had a fun time together hanging out and I even got Nick and Nicole into 'Project Runway.' We were all very disappointed in the final decision and wish that Carol Hannah would have won! Oh well.

Adelaide is so happy to be in Arizona! She became a lot more relaxed during this trip because for the first time in her life she had to share me with other kids.

The girls: Adelaide, Grandma Nicole, Lanie and Gram Cooney.

Adelaide and her great Gram:)

Adelaide with her Grandma Nicole... and they are matching!

Nicole had this great swing that Adelaide loved... most of the time.

Adelaide and her second cousin? Nick.

She just LOVES being the center of attention! Holly, Chloe and Lanie.

Uncle Nathan made Adelaide smile and giggle all week long.

Lanie loved to hold Adelaide... so cute! They are going to be good friends:)