Find the Pickle!

Apparently we have all been missing out on this tradition - I'm hoping to add this to our family Christmas tree someday...

"The glass pickle ornaments are the oddest German ornaments of all. For those who know the pickle story and for those who participate in hanging the pickle, it has become a welcomed addition to the present unwrapping dilemma of who is first. The glass pickle ornament is always the last one to be hung on the tree. The parents would carefully hide the pickle in the tree among the other decorations. When the children were allowed to view the Christmas tree decorated, they would begin gleefully searching the tree for the Pickle ornament. The children knew that whoever found the pickle first would receive an extra little gift and would begin the unwrapping of the Christmas gifts. The pickle and other German glass ornaments have become keepsakes that will be handed down to future generations."

Much to be thankful for...

My sister recently spread the news that she is having another baby! My nieces couldn't be happier to be expecting a new baby sister or brother. They are very into their "babies" right now (any and all dolls and stuffed animals that they can dress up) and we spent many hours throughout the weekend watching them play "mommy" to all of them. Needless to say, they are going to be a big help when the newest member of the Darnold family comes along this summer...maybe even TOO much help sometimes!
The boys had plenty of "manly" time over the break, including watching and trying to help my brother shoot a deer in the field on Friday (it was like play by play between a cell phone and 3 sets of binoculars in the living room) and going pheasant hunting on Saturday. They brought home 7 birds and we cooked them into a stir fry that night. I have to admit that I didn't eat any, but I have to give props to Lorie for trying a bite! I am very lucky to have found a husband that fits in SO well with my dad and brothers. They are like the 4 amigos - you'll find the same goofy sense of humor and love of camouflage in all of them :)
My parents celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary last Saturday! They were married on November 24, 1979 in Colville, Washigton at the Free Methodist Church. Their wedding colors were brown, orange and yellow (true fall wedding) and their wedding song was "We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenters. I wish I had a wedding picture of them to share, but I think they will be thankful enough that I shared this photo with you all :) Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. Thank you for being such a wonderful example for us. I love you. PS- We were a pretty good lookin' bunch if I do say so myself!

the girlies

My nieces, Adysen & Bayleigh, are 3 years old and are the funniest, craziest, smartest, silliest, most loving little girls I could ever imagine to have in my life. They keep my sister very busy and tend to test her patience :) but she is the most amazing mother and they are extremely lucky to have her and her husband as their parents. Ryan and I have learned so much from them and are thank ful that we are surrounded by so many good examples of what it means to be a great parent. We are going to be in good shape when it comes time for us to start a family!

My mother, sister and the girls were able to come visit us last weekend and it was SO nice to see them. The girls have such amazing imaginations and they care so much about each other. It is incredible to see how much they are alike, but so different at the same time. They have developed their own personalities and I love watching them grow and learn about life. They are very into playing with their "babies" and name every stuffed animal they own. You should hear some of the names they come up with. They even like to name each other sometimes and ask us to call them by thoses names...Bayleigh was "Larry" for one afternoon :) Here are a few pictures of what they have been up to!

Best friends! Helping clean up the day after our wedding. They look so grown up!

Hello Kitty for Halloween this year. Their costumes were so cute - they trick or treated at our house when they came down last weekend so we could see their outfits.
My sister's little "mini-me". It's amazing how much Adysen looks like her. Look at that amazing smile!
Bayleigh Louise - trying her long underwear on her head. I love her goofiness...I think she might get that from her Auntie :)

Happy Birthday Lorie

I want to dedicate this post to my friend Lorie. Today is her birthday and I have been missing her and thinking about her a lot lately. Lorie came into my family’s life more than ten years ago and her and her children are a special part of our family.

One of my favorite things about Lorie is that she always encourages her kids to do exactly what they want to do and to be who they are. I have always appreciated this about my parents and know that Tannar, Chase, Ty and Mia will appreciate their individualities as they grow older.

One of my favorite things about Lorie is that she is always learning - even though she is one of the most intelligent people I know. No matter the situation, she finds a way to learn from it and share her thoughts and feelings with others. I always look forward to reading her blog. She has taken what is usually a negative experience and allowed it to affect her life in many positive ways. I know their are good days and bad and I am proud of her for focusing on the good days.

One of my favorite things about Lorie is her determination. I think that this is one of the strongest traits that she shares with my mother and I am very proud of her for everything she has overcome in the last few years.

Lorie - I wish I could be there for your birthday dinner tomorrow, but you know I am always there for you anytime you need me. I Love you. Happy birthday

Where's My Toast

I found this story and I thought it was so cute...
A couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair.
"Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?" he asks.
"Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?"
"Sure."
"Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" she asks.
"No, I can remember it."
"Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so's not to forget it?"
He says, "I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries."
"I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?" she asks.
Irritated, he says, "I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!"
Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment.
"Where's my toast ?"