Birthday Girl (Me)

Ashlee and Lace helped me celebrate my birthday yesterday...we had planned on going to a movie, but it was packed.  Then we didn't have a clue what to do and wandered around...and around...and around Merced as each decision led to a closed store, multicultural center or a roadblock (literally).  It was Monday and a lot of places close on Monday.  We finally did most of our shopping at Pier 1.  Lace and I modeled cute aprons.  Then we went out for dinner where Cliff joined us later.  I got sung to (the girls thought it would embarrass me...NOT!), and a free chocolate mousse.  Can you believe in all of my 56 years I had never had a chocolate mousse before?  It was heavenly!  Perfect way to end my special day!

(Photos courtesy of Ashlee)

Christmas Evening 2010

Balloons help fill up the time until dinner!

The grillmaster had steak on the new grill and the shrimp on the old.

Zelma, Velma and Fred joined us...only one casualty!

Opening gifts...Gilbert trying on Margo's chef's outfit.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Christmas Time is Here!

Christmas time is here...Lacee doin' her annual Christmas Cookie making (and eating)...the house and outside reflecting the season.

The Yokley Family wishes you a VERY Merry CHRISTMAS!

Two Weeks of Life

My last water polo game of the season...



Grandkiddos Trick or Treating (Mummy Mayc and Raider's Fan Margo)

Ashlee's Trash Bags Open House...she had it set up in her office/sewing room much like a little trendy chic boutique!

I had a family shoot the same afternoon as the Trash Bags Open House...21 family members showed up.  It was a very long shoot, but fun!

...and then there was the women's day retreat in which the ladies spurred me on to lie across their knees when the photo was taken (on timer so we could all be in the photo).  There was a bit of resistance on my part, "but I'm too heavy...I only have 10 seconds..."  I lost the argument!  Right after the flash, I rolled off their knees and onto the floor and we all laughed again!

Last, but not least, I found out today that I have a new grandpuppy, Buster!  He is a purebred Basset Hound...12 weeks old and by his paws, he's going to be a big boy!

It's been a very full two weeks!!!

Pumpkin Patch with the Punkins!

It was a wonderful time!

Atwater High Water Polo (in blue caps)

Above, Daniel (#5) actually dunks this guy!

But I have to say, the girls are in it to win too!!

Lots Goin' On...

Maycin's (Center) first flag football game Wednesday night (Gilbert is the coach for his team).  It was hilarious at times, but Maycin's got his game face on.  The little girl (and only girl on team) on right made 2 touchdowns!

My first Water Polo game on Thursday afternoon with Daniel (#5 and our pastor's son) reaching for the ball.  I have a lot to learn about water polo and taking photos at water polo games!  But it was fun.

Corry left California Tuesday, spent Wednesday night in Baltimore and was in Germany Thursday.  He is part of a medical logistics team in charge of medical supplies in the hospital on base.  He and his comrades will be caring for our wounded soldiers.  It will be all business once he gets to work.  But, he took advantage of some time off before he starts and toured the Heidelberg Castle pictured below.

It was a good full week with everyone safe and everyone in good health!  That's a big thank you, God!!

10/10/10 Once in a Life Time

It's a once in a life time to experience 10/10/10 (won't happen again for a thousand years) and on this day Cliff and I celebrated it by giving each other a 10 second kiss at 10:10 a.m.  We would have tried for 10:10 p.m. too, but I went to bed early!  =o)   We also spent some time together and traveled to Lake McSwain to have an out of this world burger (very yummy) at the don't blink or you'll miss it, marina!  But, on the way to the lake, we like to stop at one of the dairyman's exotic ranch in the Snelling area.  This fellow got rather close to us and the poor lad had flies flying all around him (along with all the other animals)!!  But, my favorite part are his lips!  They make me smile. 

Yep, it was a pleasure to spend 10/10/10  with my best friend eating our out of this world burger, and relaxing by the still water with a cool breeze!

Priorities

Have I no shame to publicly display our poor ol' Rockwood, as it seems to be put out to pasture? I guess I could at least sweep those fang dangled, arthropod arachnids out from under the tires. I'm sure the neighbors are talking!! But, I can't seem to get myself to do it. Beside it being very hard labor (in which I'm not ambitiously drawn to), I'm not too keen on finding the different species...in particular, the black widow. This dilemma would vanish if we'd just go on a little weekend camping trip. Cliff would clean up ol' Rockwood all spiffy and the neighbors would stop talking! Where is that dang husband of mine anyway? Oh yeah, with Odessa!

Signs of Fall

It seems every morning now, we hear several flocks of Canadian Geese fly overhead to a nearby lake. I was waiting for them this morning with my camera near by. It still was a scrabble to get these shots. We will soon begin to see flocks of Ross Geese as well, but they will be too high to get a shot other than their "V" formation. Yes, Fall is coming!!

911...9/11/10 I will NEVER forget!

Prayer walk...up with the sun!
Garbage day since Monday was a holiday...stinky...

...but the flowers were very lovely...

...met a sweet little calico...

...and was terrorized by "Princess"...more like devil dog!

Many remembered...I will NEVER forget!

Mom & Welch Kids

It has been over 2 weeks since Dad's Life Celebration. I can honestly say that is was wonderful. Dad would have really enjoyed it and I'm sure it's exactly what he would have wanted. The sadness of his passing was present, but his life celebration was foremost. There was a lot of laughter, and when we gather as a family it seems there always is. I can hear Dad's laugh as I type this...I hope I never forget it.