Twinkling Into 2011

Happy New Year! I'm not sure where 2010 went, but my Yo Gabba Gabba calendar is history. (This year it's Yoga Cats...thanks to Gma and Gpa!)

Santa brought a Cotton Candy Machine this Christmas, so we busted it out the other day while playing, "Fair." Yes, nothing brings back the memories of hot summer days spent at the pool and the State Fair like homemade cotton candy.

Yesterday, she used that fake snow material to make pretend cotton candy. It involved a lot of markers on fleece and cutting. (Which was a ginormous mess) But, it looks real and is better for teeth:)

This picture depicts 2 cherished gifts...Devin's Twinkle Toes and my new lens!

Apparently, there's a bit of a learning curve. I chose this lens: Canon 85 mm f/1.8 It's a medium telephoto lens, ideal for portraits and low-light indoor shots. (I never, ever use the flash)

This was gymnastics class yesterday...she was moving super-fast and I thought it did a good job of stopping the action and her face is crisp. (The lens has an ultrasonic motor and is lighting fast)

We spent last week with Gma and Gpa and the whole family! Everyone. In one house. For those of you keeping score at home:

We had 11 humans (8 adults and 3 children), 2 dogs (100 lbs. each) and 3 cats. So, there weren't too many dull moments.

Her cousins painted pirate treasure boxes.

The basement poles made for some excellent twirling.

For posterity, I captured Gpa performing his last act as an attorney. (Helping a family friend with his Will) After 30 years, Ray gets to be a stay-at-home Gpa! We expect lots of baking, Sudoku solving, Scrabbling and Rosetta-Stoning!

Uncle Carson:)

Carson and Catherine's beautiful, 'Winnie."

And, finally...the Hostess with the Mostest! This lady cranked out a full Ham dinner for 15, Turkey dinner the next night and then hosted a party for 50+ folks.

NO paper plates, NO plastic cups and NO caterer.

Take that, Martha Stewart.

(See how my new lens perfectly blurs my husband stuffing his face with caramel corn)

66 Pictures

Where do I start? My camera took 66 awesome pictures this weekend, before it stopped working reliably. The worst part is, various lenses won't work. I'm afraid the camera body itself is broken. I'm taking it back to the camera shop tomorrow:(

We went on a "nature walk" a few mornings ago. We try to get out before the thermometer hits 97 degrees.

(Note her embellishment...the sunflower pin she found from my wedding memory box)

I planted several extra tomato plants in large pots for the deck. (The regular plants are ginormous on the side of the house) The potted plants force the fruit much sooner and they're quick to ripen.

And, yummy.

My zinnia obsession continues.

We made the trek to Papa and Grandma's this weekend. Dev was over the moon excited and asked us 75 times, "Are we there yet?"

Devin requested goggles, which Papa found on a trip to Wally World. The Williams/Dickson head size curse, means Dev's got quite a melon. (Plus the hair) Grandma came to the rescue and combined the 2 goggles into one. (very MacGuyver)




The bubbles were a huge hit for everyone!

Dev wore the goggles at the dinner table. I actually squirted hot corn juice in her face, when I placed the corn holders in the cob. She said, "Good thing I was wearing my goggles!"

We went to the river to see the replicas of Columbus' ships. Very cool indeed.

We always make a trip to UFS. (Unclaimed Freight Service) It's a crazy store of random stuff that people don't claim. You never know what you'll find at UFS....but the savings are for real!

I bought skewers, a beach chair for Devin, some garden ornaments, Diet Squirt (unavailable in Kentucky), champagne....you get the picture.

Matt was checking out some bar stools, when I noticed the coffin for sale.

It's "Amish."

I sooooooo wanted to ask the manager, what warranted this sign.

We had a great visit, but Devin's really missing her Papa and Grandma. We Skyped, which helped.