Finally!

So I know I haven't been keeping up on my blog, but I feel like I am sinking with things to do to get ready for Christmas...we FINALLY got our tree decorated...it has been up for awhile...but we didn't have enough lights to reach the top, and our plan was to get some the next day...but as you know...we took a trip to my beautiful Grandmas funeral...and so everything got put off...but last night we got it done...the girls did a great job...I will only show you this side of the tree, cause for some reason the girls didn't think the other sides needed many decorations...but really you need to come see it in person to appreciate it...ever since our first Christmas I make or buy some sort of frame ornaments to put pictures from our family picture that year, and of each kid that year too...that is my favorite part...Anyway, there is is...our beautiful tree.

My Wonderful Grandma

My beautiful, wonderful, amazing Grandma passed away yesterday morning. She was an amazing person who showed love to everyone, she was the hardest worker I have ever known. She was feisty and knew how she wanted things done. She made it to 97 1/2 years old. It was really neat, she died on the same day as her mother did many years ago, which also happened to be her mother, Elsie Warner's, birthday too.
I wish everyone could have known this wonderful woman. She always had a smile, and even until the end wouldn't let you play rummy cube by any other rules but hers!!! I love my grandma and I aspire to be like her. I have such mixed feelings, she is where she needs to be now, life was getting so hard for her toward the end, but I just wish my kids could know her the way I did...but I guess that is up to me to keep her memories alive.
I remember when I would go to her house to help with irragation, or just yard work, she would always get mad at me for running everywhere, she always said that I had time and I didn't have to run...and also I remember her always making me a get clip to clip my bangs out of my face...I remember interveiwing her one time for school about living during the depression, and all the stories she told. I love the one where she talks about Grnadpa bringing home the house they bought in like 10 different peices...I am not sure if that is the right amount, but something like that, and how she cried all night...well, that is the same house she has lived in for many years, and it is a beautiful house. I remember her teaching me how to use her rug loom, which is so neat...she couldn't understand why a young person like me would care anything about something as old as that...She always had the best surprised look...with Christmas presents, birthday presents...she would open it up and have the most genuine thankfulness...then she would get mad that you went to such trouble to give her something nice....I remember her always wanting canned milk as a present! I will never forget her beautiful smile. I loved to play with her hands when I was little because she had big veins that you could push around and they would wiggle on her hand...and now I am blessed with those same hands!
I will post pictures of her when I get back in town. I am so thankful to have had such a wonderful woman and role model in my life. I will always remember my Grandma.

Husband Tag

I got tagged again, but I am very excited about this one cause I get to answer questions about my favorite person in the world...my hubby! So here goes...

1. What is his name? Brent Eugene Matthews...funny story about his name...I had no idea what his name was the first few dates we went on...I was introduced to him as Brent, but on the dates we went on, we usually went with friends he grew up with and they all called him Benji...so I had no idea what to call him...when he was born his nephew was about 1 year old and when he would say Brent Eugene, it sounded like Benji...so the name stuck...so I wasn't sure what to call him, everyone who knew him growing up knew him as Benji, but anyone since he started College calls him Brent...anyway, kinda a funny story!

2. How long have you been married? It will be 8 years in January, can you believe it!

3. How long did you date? Ummm...two 1/2 months from first date to "I Do"

4. Who eats more? I do, by far...always have...he isn't a big eater...but I think I could beat anyone in an eating contest.

5. Who said 'I love you' first? He did...I didn't want to say it until he said it...

6. Who sings better? Brent doesn't ever sing...but I am not a great singer...so I guess neither of us...

7. Who is taller? Brent and I love it...I love my tall dark and handsome man.

8. Whose temper is worse? Well it depends...what do you think is worse? Ignoring the other person when they get mad (Brent)...or yelling and slamming doors and kicking stuff (Me)... But really we don't get mad very much...

9. Who does the laundry? Me...but I am not very good at it! One whole day to wash, one whole day to fold, and one whole day to put away...then I am sick of it for a week...so that is why it takes another whole day to wash, cause there is so much...it is an ugly little cycle!

10. Who does the dishes? I have a great husband, my house would be a disaster if not for him... we both do the dishes, but really, he does it more than me.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Brent does...it has always been like that...I am not gonna change now!

12. Who does the cooking? Again, Brent is the one who can cook...if it is mac & cheese and fish sticks that you want, I am your gal!

13. Who is more stubborn? I would have to say me...I get my way, ALOT!

14. Who proposed? My sweet hubby did...he was TERRIFIED!!!

15. Who is more likely to admit when they are wrong? I think we both do that...of course after the ignoring and yelling and kicking ......

16. Whose parents do you see the most? We always visit each side when we go to visit...they live about 1 1/2 hours away form each other...but they are both 5 hours form us...so we always split our trips...

17. Who pays the bills? Bills...what bills

18. Who wears the pants in the family? Brent wears the pants...maybe sometimes I pick them out for him... ;)

19. Why do you love your husband? We are perfect for each other...he is what I need and I am what he needs. I love how I fit in his arms. I melt when he says my name. I love how much he loves our kids...and they think he is the world. I love how we work as a team with everything we do. I love him for all he does to put up with me...I love him cause I know he would give me the world if he could. He knows when I need a hug. He is just my man, that's why I love him!!!

Now I have to tag people... Heather, Annie, Alesha, Stephanie, Michelle, and Sheryl...have fun guys!

Reflections Update

Madi got recognized in her school assembly today for her reflections painting.

Her painting gets to move on to Nationals...she is so excited...but A little embarressed that I had to take pictures...Congrats Madi, you are awesome!

Here is a picture of it to remind you all how awesome she is!!! The theme was "I can make a difference by...(and she finished with)...not making fun of people who are different"
She was so nervous to get up in front of everyone!
She got a ribbon and they gave her a sketch book and colored pencils and some other fun stuff.

She looks a little unsure, huh.

Here is another one I like...now which one out of the three?

My amazing friend Alesha and I swapped pictures on Saturday. I did her picts and she did mine...so here are the picts we got...I think they turned out awesome!

In need your input...which of these two family ones do you like better???

Our beautiful girls
My hubby and I
Madi in the rays
My little poser
Sweet Elsie Rose...she looks bald, but the sun just makes her hair disappear...

Little Cassi...
Brent and I (and my pokey out butt...)
Brent was glad when it was all over, but he did much better this year than he usually does.
Pretty Cassi
Elsie was worn out-it takes a lot out of you to smile the way she does!!!!

So what do you think???

I decided to make a new blog for the photography pictures I do. It is at http://www.kimmatthewsphotography.blogspot.com/

Tell me what you think.

More with George

Just a couple more with George...Tonight we played UNO, made cookies, he helped Madi with homework...then he climbed a tree...

I was just playing and thought these looked kinda cool

Playing UNO...(Oh, by the way, I won!)

Thanks for 'hangin' with us George!

Weekend with Curious George

Madi got to bring home Curious George for the weekend from her class...and lucky for George we already had a fun sleepover planned with Madi's best friends!!! He got to do some fun stuff with her...we did forget to take him when we got our family pictures taken...dang-it!!! Oh well...and I am sure we will be playing a game with him later on today...so I will post those later...But for now...here are a few fun picts.

George at dinner time.

All dressed up...poor George had to wear a dress!

In order: Cassi, Braelyn, Aubree, George in a dress, Madi and Kara

Snack before bed.
Getting in bed

Cassi and Aubree

Poor Baby Bear had to share Madi for the night...

Ummm....WHAT???

So I took Madi out to the bus this morning...and what did I find peeking out of the snow???

Daffodil or Tulip sprouts!!! What??? Anyone know why those sprung up now???

Triplet Shoot

Well, we made an attempt to take the 'Triplets' pictures again...as you can see, they weren't very into it this time!

This isn't in focus...but I thought it was cute...it looks like she has tons of hair!

My new favorite part of the day

The best part of the day lately has been after dinner...the clean-up...I know...am I crazy!!!

No, my girls have become such good helpers...they clear the table...Cass pulls the chairs out of the kitchen so Madi can sweep...Madi rinses off the dishes so I can put them in the dishwasher...

They both pitch in and put the left-overs, drinks...all the extra stuff away...and Elsie gets to have some alone time with Dad...today he taught her to touch your nose when you ask her to...big step!!! Anyway, isn't this what life is all about?

Playing again

So I have some awesome friends who are Photographers and they are so kind to let me come and play with them and help me to decide what I need in my search for my own studio lights. I have learned so much from them...thanks so much Rachel, Michelle and Alesha...I think you guys are great...Each one of them has helped me in deciding what I like and don't like...I think the thing I learned the most....MAKE MY KIDS CUTE WHEN I PLAN TO TAKE THEIR PICTURES!!!!! Once again they are scroungy...oh well...they are still cute...but could be so much cuter!!! The pictures of Cassi are at Michelle's house and Elsie's are at Rachel's house...and that is little Easton at the end...Rachel's little boy who was so good and obviously completely trained for his mom...she asked him to sit, he sat, she asked him to smile...he smiled...he was so cute...so thanks again guys...you are great!!! Thanks for all your help...I can't wait to get my own!