Christmas 2009

We had a fabulous Christmas this year! The best present of all was that Wally made it home in time to celebrate the holiday with us! As in years past, Christmas Day was a non-stop adventure starting at Natalie and Alan's house in the early morning, then to my dad's house for a late breakfast, over to Wally's sister's house for a family gathering, and finally back home for a visit from his daughter, Erica. Needless to say, we both slept very well that night! Here are some pics from the day:

Wally and his daughter, Erica

Christmas morning at Nat's

Happy Lovebirds

Natalie and Alan celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on 12/27

Annual Christmas breakfast at Dad & Janet's house

Happy Holiday Hosts

Wally's sister, Lori, and her husband, Jason

Long Time, No Post

I have been neglecting the blog in a really bad way lately! No particular reason for doing so, just that I haven't been much in the blogging mood. Apparently, I haven’t been in a picture taking mood either because the only pictures I have to post with this update were taken by someone else. Here are a few of the latest happenings in the Powell household:

Wally is now gainfully employed, albeit never home, but working like crazy and loving it. After eight months of job searching with no luck, he started driving for Central Refrigeration. He says he has found his niche! Of course, he misses me like crazy (ha!) and it gets a little too quiet at home sometimes with just me and the cat, but we are all adjusting and feel very grateful he was able to find a job. My fingers (and toes) are crossed that he makes it home for Christmas!

My dad and stepmom arranged for our family to attend a Christmas concert of sorts at Abravanel Hall—a group called Voice Male. I knew they were going to sing Christmas songs, but I had no idea they were going to be so funny with their antics and mannerisms. Given the opportunity, I would definitely go again!

Parties, Parties, Parties!! I have been to more parties in the past two weeks than I have been to during the entire year! We had a fun get together at my mom’s house this past Saturday. I wish I would have taken pictures, especially since my 91 year old grandpa was there. Not unlike Thanksgiving, I’m hoping to steal some of the pictures Natalie took at the party from her blog when she posts them (hint, hint). Here are a few that my mom took with her camera.

I am definitely celebrating the season, seeing a lot of family and friends, and enjoying every minute of it! I’m a big fan of the holidays and everything associated with it. It’s been a little different this year without Wally around as much, but I’m lucky to have family close by to keep me smiling and festive.

Thankful...

We had a whirlwind of a Thanksgiving this year! On Thanksgiving Day, we went with my mom’s side of the family to her cousin Sharalyn’s house for a delicious feast. Thanks, Sharalyn, for having us over this year! Unfortunately, I didn’t take my camera and therefore have no pictures to post from that gathering. Maybe I can steal some from Natalie’s blog when she does her Thanksgiving post. :)

Later that day, I did have my camera with me when we stopped by my dad’s house for a quick visit. Thanks for the yummy gingerbread, Janet!

Mel, Dad & Wally

Janet and the pups

The day after Thanksgiving we had a second dinner at my mother-in-law’s house with Wally’s side of the family. His niece, Sammy, was sweet enough to take some pics with my camera to document the day for me.

Sammy's brother, Rob

Wally's Uncle Joe

Chef Sammy

Little Sammy

Melanie & Rob

Wally's cousin, Lonnie

Official Turkey Carver, Leo

Sammy's homemade rolls--yummy!

We had a busy couple of days spent with lots of FAMILY, which is what I am most thankful for!!

All I want for Christmas is...

...a warm garage so I don't have to scrape my car windows every morning:)

I LOVE a snowy winter, but it is brrr cold preparing for my commute to work!

Check this one off my list...

If I had a bucket list, this one would be near the top:

KATHY GRIFFIN LIVE IN CONCERT!

Natalie and I went to see Kathy Griffin's concert last night at Abravanel Hall. She is one of my absolute favorite comedians and I have wanted to see her live show for years, but her tour has never stopped in Salt Lake...until last night!!! If you can't tell, I was just a little bit excited to go and she didn't disappoint!

Thanks for going with me, Nat!

The Streak is Over

St. Louis Rams 17
Detroit Lions 10

After a 17-game losing streak, finally, a win for Wally’s beloved Rams!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Where do I even begin to start to writing this post? My eyes instantly tear up with the love and admiration I have for my mom. She is an amazing woman in so many ways, those of which I have grown to appreciate more and more as the years go by. My mom is the sweetest, most giving person I know. She has worked very hard to get where she is in her life today. When my sister and I were younger, she sacrificed so much of what she wanted or needed so that we could have what we wanted and needed. She is one of my best friends and confidants. She is a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, wife, and friend to many. She has helped me in so many ways throughout my life I couldn't even begin to count. She is reliable, responsible, smart, hard-working, forgiving, calming, caring, thoughtful, social, a talented piano player and teacher, a great cook, an even greater scrapbooker, a lover of animals (especially little Chimi), sensitive, and always considerate to those in need. She is my frequent travel partner to the dentist, my care taker after a rough trip to the dentist, my shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen when I've had a bad day, my voice of wisdom and reason when I'm struggling with a decision, my biggest and best advocate no matter the situation, an amazing caregiver and support to my grandpa, and most of all my sweet mother who I adore and love more than anything else in this world. I can't imagine who I would be today without her influence in my life. I love you, MOM!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Birthday, Zachary and Sammy!

We have SO MANY birthdays to celebrate in our family during the month of October (almost as many as June, which is hard to beat!)

Wally's oldest son, Zachary, and niece, Sammy both share the same birthday of October 30th, so this is a post times two!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZACHARY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMMY!!

Happy HEART Day, Dad!

Today marks ONE YEAR since our dad had emergency OPEN HEART SURGERY to repair a torn heart valve. I remember how scared and concerned we all were at this very time last year, hoping and praying that our dad was going to be OK. What a difference a year makes! This is now a truly HAPPY DAY for us to celebrate and reflect on how grateful we are that he is still here with us, fully recovered and back to the father we need and love so much!!