Lousy blogger

Kate and THE PILE

Sebastian (Jim & Trishelle's oldest)

Tyler trying out his bow and arrow at his B-day party

Kate and Maximillian (Jim & Trishelle's little guy)

Uncle Denny and Aunt Judy with Kate

Justin, Kate, Tyler, and Carrie on a horse drawn carriage

in Goldendale on the evening of the Holiday Parade

Our little family on the Christmas Trolley here in Yakima

We even hung out with Santa!

Kate and Grandma Shirley

Our tree (too many ornaments, I know, but I can never choose!)

This was the view out our front door on a mid-December evening.

Not bad, heh?

Kate and Ella on our trip to visit Den in Boise

Olivia and Kate on the same trip. Unfortunately, silly me didn't get any

pictures of Kate with Syd.

Andres, Adrian, and Kate at the hotel pool

Kate and Cinderella ready to go out for Halloween

Hmmm... he's going to KILL me for this, but it's so funny!

Kate on a hayride at the pumpkin patch

Dad and Mom at the pumpkin patch

Lousy, lazy... however you want to put it. I haven't blogged since October 10, 2009. Since then 85 days have passed, Dennis has lived in Boise AGAIN and come home AGAIN (for good), Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's have come and gone, and I have not written a word. Please forgive me.

Since I can't really update you on our entire lives since that point, I'll give you a synopsis. Dennis really was home the last time I blogged, but he soon got notice that there was no job anywhere near here, and if he wanted to continue working for Qwest, he'd better get his tush back to Boise. This stunk. He had pretty much decided to tell them to go to Satan's lair when a couple of the big guys over there called him and told him cryptically that it was in his best interest to go back for a while. Hmm... I don't trust them so much anymore, but my adorable husband found an ounce of faith, so he went. Fortunately, a sweet bachelor friend of his offered him a place to stay, so he went back to Ideeho for a few weeks. He was offered a voluntary severance package, signed his life away, and moved back home. What a mess. So, we have our hubby and daddy back. The house is back to it's messy normal when a man's around, and we are all happy (except the floors, which are screaming from the extra clothing weight as Den leaves his stuff next to his bed. I made a really good decision this move and put his side of the bed away from the door, where I cannot routinely see his pile of dirty clothing. This makes me slightly less insane than otherwise.)

We had a happy Thanksgiving in Goldendale with the entire Nygaard clan. If you all know them, then you're totally aware that I come by my kooky personality honestly. These are not normal people, but by golly, I sure love each and every one of them. It was especially fun to see my youngest cousin, Saylor, and my cousin Andy's daughter, Angelina. Saylor is getting to be a little lady, and I am so proud of who she is! Angelina is a beautiful 2 year old with impish dimples and only a hint of her daddy's wild side. I'm simply in love!

We spent Christmas with my family in Goldendale early and then came home for the real day. Dad and Mom came up on Christmas Eve, and we had a party with them, Mom Herreid, Uncle Denny and Aunt Judy, and Jim and Trishelle, her dad, and their boys.

Christmas morning was craziness as usual with lots of Kate spoiling. The kid positively reeks of rotteness, but she's so cute and sweet we can get past it. She has now had her two weeks off, mostly with Daddy since I was working, and she is ready to get back to school tomorrow. Since she wouldn't go to sleep tonight, I'm hoping she doesn't drive her teacher nuts tomorrow.

Den is getting things done around here... fixing our falling apart house, getting the car work done, and looking for a job. He may have some contract work coming up at Lockheed Martin soon, but he'll also be looking for something more permanent. This is the longest he's been off work in over 20 years, so he's enjoying his little vacation.

I, on the other hand, am getting nothing done at home. I started working nights on the 22nd, and I've decided that no woman should be allowed to have a baby after 10 pm. This 3 am stuff is more suited to an 18-year-old who has no business helping women deliver babies. Therefore, I think I'll take it up with Obama. He should have compassion on us poor old labor nurses who are nodding off while reading steamy novels in the wee hours of the morning between visits to their pained and weary patients. We must pass a bill about this! There are many better things to do during the night... like sleep. Thank goodness for sleeping pills, ear plugs, and eye shades is all I have to say.

Okay, enough of my silliness, and I really should go to bed. However, sleeping at 11:44 is not a habit at this point, so I should happily nod off around 7:30 am. Joy. Here are some pictures for your visual enjoyment (or not).

Happy New Year!!!

P.S. I cut off my hair again today and do solemnly swear never to grow it out again. I HATE my hair long. Please remind me of this the next time I mention it.