Welcome to Honey Night

What would a room full of Beekeepers do for fun... have a Honey Tasting Party of course! Papa Smurf and company, the Winwards and the Harker's joined us for an evening of Bee-utiful food and some really sweet company. We started the evening with a honey tasting... including honey from all parts of the world. As the votes were tallied we learned that Paris has terrible honey and Steve the Queen's honey was the favorite. A special thank you to Leisa for helping with the picture taking

The bowls are all lined up for the tasting.

We used homemade rolls, Dave's wheat bread, and breadsticks to do the tasting.

This was serious business.

Camber and Riley were good sports... both were probably wondering when they were going to get real food to eat for dinner.

Bob looks like he's refereeing a shouting match here. Relax guys... it's just a friendly neighborhood honey tasting party.

After the tasting we dined on Honey and Lime Glazed Salmon on a bed of sauteed corn, black bean, and Spinach. Dave grilled up a batch of his famous smoked ribs with honey. We also enjoyed a harvest green salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, and don't forget the homemade Honey Rolls...are you noticing a trend yet?

Dave's famous ribs otherwise known as meat candy!

I look like I'm whispering in Dean's ear at this point...

And if we weren't already completely stuffed, for desert we enjoyed warm Apple Pie with Honey Ice Cream. Do you realize how many bees it took to prepare this meal? Thank you to our little bee friends in the backyard. The bees are all tucked in for winter...see you next year girls, and thanks for a great dinner!

It's The Caribbean Man...

We ran away to the Caribbean for a week and it was awesome! I hope you enjoy a few pics from the vacay. We stayed on the island of St Thomas which is 13 miles long by 4 miles wide. Although a US territory they drive on the left-hand side of the road in regular American cars. And that's just where the adventure starts. Upon arrival you immediately slip into "island time" and find yourself easily just chilling and soaking up the sun. The Caribbean was just perfect for Dean and I.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Every Day Should Be Her Birthday

There is no one who loves a birthday more than my first-born child. She once convinced her newlywed husband that her family always celebrates half-birthdays and so must they. Cass just loves presents. He fell for her trickery that first year...but not again.

Yup... that's what we paid for baby Cass...99 cents.

A vintage Cassandra photo. At the age of 2 she taught herself to read and hasn't stopped since. The book poised on her sleeping face is Dr. Seuss's ABC. You know the story...Aunt Annie's alligator AAA. Yes, she actually fell asleep like this.

So many fun things about this pic... Huge bangs, smiles, glasses,and don't forget those matching dresses.

Cassandra was such a fabulous teenager. You never knew what fun she had in store. Ask her some time about all those salads she ate at LHS.

The Olympics! We got in trouble for taking this one. Apparently you were not supposed to jump out of a moving vehicle and run over to the picture spot. Woops!

Happy Birthday to the blond one. You are surpassing all the hopes and dreams I had for you when I was a new, young mother. I can't wait to see what's next.

Return of The Pink Panther

And she's back.

A big thank you to my techno-fabulous hubby

for restoring my favorite Pink laptop!

Dum spiro... spero

It has been exactly a year since the dedication of Jocie's monument and our celebration at the top of Beaver Mountain. The family decided to return for a mini celebration. We enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch complete with red velvet cupcakes...only this time I made food for 7 instead of 400. We each took a moment to reflect and say something they missed about our girl. Chet remembered how he would hear Jocie's friends in the upstairs linen closet just outside his room. They would each take a shelf as if they were bunk beds and lay there texting each other. Great memory Chet. We also released some balloons aloft sending our thoughts and love to Jocie. The setting is still magnificent and the site is still so peaceful.

Here is my most amazing family...I love these peeps!

Siblings...

Here is what a little apple beer at high altitude in the

middle of the afternoon will do to you.

My niece Katie throwing down a cupcake.

Although it was exactly a year to the day, the Aspen leaves for this year had already peaked that stunning golden yellow and many had already found their way to the ground. The air was just a bit chillier. One of our balloons even popped as the wind carried it into a tree. What took place that day a year ago, was magical. It was as if all the elements aligned to create the perfect moment in time. I reflect back on that amazing day with such sweet and happy memories. I will never forget the many hands and support it took to make it happen and I am so grateful.

Watching as the balloons disappear into the heavens...

Together we are...

Cass holding her baby doodun!

It is tradition... the last family picture is always a goofy one.

And finally, a picture with all the dooduns!

I continue to be amazed with each member of this family. We all have a unique journey that our grief takes us through. Some days are more difficult than others. And some days I have to tell myself "Dum spiro... spero" from the Latin: As I breathe... I hope.