I WANT MY RENTAL LIFE

Rental weather. 

It's really been lovely. 

Rental palm trees. 

Such a fun looking tree. 

Golf cart parking at the grocery store!

Seriously?

Golf carts?

Rental car

So totally hot!

And lemons, tangelos and oranges. 

So delicious!

Freshly picked by me!

Who knew lemons grew on trees?

I thought they came from the produce section. 

I understand there has been 6 inches of snow at home. 

Not missing it. 

I'll enjoy my rental life for a few more days. 

EXTRA GUESTS

We still have family with us. 

And I love it. 

But I was unaware of this one.

Upon closer inspection .....

(Lexi redecorated again )

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

ENOUGH

After reading this article I decided that I would use the word ENOUGH as the word and
attitude I wanted to focus on this year.

I feel that when we always get what we want, we want more.
It's hard to feel satisfied with our stuff when we are not without.

Stuff owns us.

We have to work for it,
be away from family for it,
pay for it,
move it,
dust it,
store it.

It doesn't satisfy.

When we are always at a frenetic pace, we don't know how to enjoy the calm or the quiet.

I have enough stuff.
I want to enjoy the calm.

Enough looking back at yesterday.
It steals my today.

Enough questioning if I could have done more.
If I could have done better.

Enough.

It is enough.

THE FACES OF 2013

Faces of the year. 

Note the brown-eyed Jessica hiding. 

She is something else!


Josh my rock star grandson

Jaren my other rock star grandson.

Krew and Kendrix and ?

Lexi the pilgrim

Lexi and Kendrix, fun cousins.

Teddy, Mr Ham

Kendrix, A+ preschooler!

Justin, always ready for fun. 

Proud parentals with awesome son. 

Lexi an angel?

(With her future husband, it's been decided)

Jessica, the oldest granddaughter and only brown-eyed beauty.

Granddaughters are a rare species in The Garden of Egan. 

There are only two granddaughters.  

Six grandsons!

Because going to bed with a hair covering from the ER is normal when mommy and grandma are nurses.

Kendrix rock star of 1st grade.

Favorite day of the year.

Favorite sunrise of the year.

Favorite icy frosty picture of favorite place of the year.

Favorite old photo of the year with my favorite old guy of the year. 

2014 already?????

BRING IT ON!!!!

Especially the favorite parts. 

BREATH OF WINTER

The winter has been stunning.

I'm not one to brag about winter.

But I am now.
For about a week the trees were just like artwork.

It stayed and stayed.

Watching the snowblower from the warmth of the fire.

And it was cold!

And Christmas came.

With family.

Look at those grandsons!!!  Josh, Jaren, Justin, Krew and Kendrix.

We are missing one grandson.
(Teddy isn't here)

Or are we missing two grandsons?
Yup Krew and Kendrix are getting a sibling in July!
(Will it be another grandson or a granddaughter???)
We are thrilled!

So we had six of the eight grandchildren here.
They are growing so fast!
They need to STOP IT!

We missed having Lexi here.

And Teddy.

What a little ham!

Why is this the only posed photo I took?

The grands are all enthralled with Josh's guitar.
He's a patient cousin/teacher.

Another Christmas over.
They come so fast!

And this is my 500th post.
It's taken 5 years.
It's been fun to go through the old books I've had printed.
Blogging is easier than scrapbooking any day.

And the winners of the chocolate giveaway for checking out Zaycon.

Kerin
Jen
Julia
Marlene
Email me your address.

RAISING THE WHITE FLAG

I surrender.

It isn't going to get done.

Everything will be after Christmas.

I'm not sure where the days and weeks went.
But they did.
And they did it without me.

It may be without boxes and ribbons and bags.
Or cookies and candies and presents with tags.
But it's fine.
I've enjoyed some awesome moments.
And we are healthy.
And happy.
And family.

OFFICER EGAN

We made a quick trip to Boise yesterday.
We wanted to be there for Nate's graduation from POST.

Peace Officer Standards & Training.

After 2 1/2 years in North Dakota away from family for weeks at a time.
Then 10 weeks at POST...
They can finally be together!
All the time.

Woohoo for that!

It was a very nice ceremony.

We are pretty proud of that kid!