She started teaching in 1972 and on Friday June 13, 2008 she said goodbye to the world of teaching. Over the past year I knew that I would want to make her last day special and as it approached we put a surprise night in motion. Dad took the day off and had earlier in the week warned Mom that she wouldn't be coming home that night. Not being spontaneous like the rest of us--she threw somewhat of a tantrum with Dad (I would have been dying with anticipation) when she was told of this unknown adventure. We all knew how much of a heel she would feel when she were to find out what we were really up to. So Dad picked her up and took her to CDA and they checked into the CDA Resort with dinner reservations at Beverly's at 7:15. In the meantime all her children were scrambling to get there! Marc and Katrina were driving about Mach 2 from Richland, I was racing home so Matt and Jen could pick me up and Matt drove straight from the shop--all trying to arrive to be seated at 7pm! So Matthew, Jen & I get to the restaurant and low and behold Marc and Katrina are already seated! YAY! They tell us immediately..WE SAW MOM AND DAD!! Thank the LORD they didn't see them! Matt arrived a few minutes after we did and we all sighed a heavy breath of relief we were in place. Mom and Dad arrived on cue at 7:15 and I have to say the look on Mom's face was priceless. After all the woman who does and has done so many special things for us actually got a surprise from us. She was beaming! All her beloved children before her there in her honor. As a true Grandma she did almost immediately mention only her Cade and Ellie were missing:) We had an AMAZING dinner..complete with numerous appetizers..exquisite dinners and to die for desserts. After opening her gifts and enjoying the smoothest wine I'd ever tasted it was time to return to reality. Matt and drove I back to Spokaloo to pick up the Cadester and gear up for Father's day:) It was another gathering of the incredible 5 that grew to the elite 8 that none of us will soon forget:) We love you Mom!

Up until the Cademan arrived Matt and I made it to Vegas once a year. (Many remember the last trip of me at 34 wks prego at NASCAR:) This year after a one year hiatus we decided it was time for a getaway. It was wonderful to have my Mom and Dad watch Cade so we could truly relax and know he was back home probably having more fun than if we WERE there. So we left the colder temps behind and hit some 80 degree weather. (Yes I wore my beloved flip flops and bermuda shorts)  Matt surprised me when we went to book the trip and said he wanted us to stay at the Venetian..HELLO OK..DONE:) Our room was amazing..as most of you know Matt is not a non-stop walk til ya drop kind of vacationer so to stay in a nice room and relax was A-OK with me. We arrived on Thursday and left on a Monday. We did some shopping..hanging out in the sun..FUN eats and yes partying:) One of my dearest former co-workers Tim Williams who now works at KCAL in L.A. was in town for his 30th birthday so we went out with him for his birthday and hit the road in some fandangled party bus that looked like a limo-bus..who knew! Good times forsure. It was truly wonderful to get away. I thought I would be dying to get home but honestly I could have stayed longer..it was so wonderful to have my husband to myself and get spoiled rotten for a few days:) Already looking forward to going next year-however we might have to have another one year hiatus:) Time will only tell:)

Ok ok ok back to the blogging. I figure what better time than Easter to get back in the mix. Easter Sunday was great family time as usual. Instead of the large family gathering it was the more immediate family gathering-which I love. Not that we don't love hanging out with 50 of our closest loved ones- but it is nice just to RELAX! Of course Marc and Katrina were unable to make the drive to Spokane from the Tri-Cities tending to their own church and loved ones..they were greatly missed but we look forward to seeing them soon as her family makes their way from back east Canada and we have a family baby shower in Spokane. Sunday morning began with Cade spying his Lightning McQueen Easter basket..of course the car in the basket was his favorite followed by his 3 little pigs book:) Cars and books..cars and books that is my son! Off to church we went! This was Cade's first time in church actually in the santuary..he loved it and was a very good boy..of COURSE we were late..so when he saw his Grandma and Papa..and surprise Nana he was overjoyed and suddenly I didn't exist-which is FINE by me! Mom and Dad took him back to their house-as if he'd even think of leaving with me and I headed home for a couple of hours to spend with Matt until it was time for the gathering. Dinner was wonderful! We were joined this year by Jen's Mom, sister and Step Dad John..such wonderful people it was truly wonderful to have them there. Cade and Ellie were of course spoiled by Grandma and Papa with Easter gifts and we ate like there were 50 people there. We had a relaxing afternoon and literally just ate and ate and ate. No easter egg hunt this year but Papa thinks next year is the year:)

First of all I am blessed. I am also spoiled:) After realizing that the Holiday Pops Concert at the Fox Theater was nearly sold out and only the 'spendier' seats were available I was astounded when my husband said oh go buy four tickets and dont worry about it:) So my Christmas date night was in play. Most of you know that Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Yes I love all your birthdays individually very much but Christmas, well I could start decorating the moment after Halloween if allowed!  I have been wanting to go the Fox Theatre and Matt and I discussed going to the grand re-opening but it never came to be. So when I heard about the Holiday Pops concert I instantly thought 'date night' with my Christmas loving partner in crime Jennifer. Thinking this was a wonderful idea you know how it came to be to get the tickets.  So date night it was to be with Jen and Matthew and Matt and myself. We also decided we should treat ourselves to a fancy dinner but oh where to go. I had been hearing rumblings about Wild Sage and when I mentioned it to Jen she too had heard great things. Jen and Matt are loving being here in Spokane but miss some of the 'high society' restaruants and venues that the west side has to offer. The Wild Sage did not dissapoint. Jen and I both ordered specialty drinks that were festive to say the least and we both could have had 4 or 5 of them easily but at the price they were..we stopped at one:) Upon it being highly recommended, we did the "breaking bread for 4" which is a combination of several dipping sauces and cheeses etc. VERY GOOD..we all continue the high recommendation. We all ordered something different and we were all pleased with our meals. We proceeded to the Fox..luckily we were just a few blocks away..it was a bit chilly but non of us are opposed to a brisk walk. I think we were all giddy to check out the Fox once we got there. Of course it was a little old shoe for Matt, Talisman did quite a bit of work over the years so he had been in there a lot. Not the rest of us! We just had enough time to check our overcoats and be seated before they shut the doors. I had no idea how good our seats were til we walked in. I didn't think they were 'that' close when I purchased them but it was a welcome surprise. You weren't allowed to take pictures while the concert was going-too bad because it was very impressive. The entire chorale group was in back-75 or so perhaps and the Symphony in front. The associate conductor Morihiko Nakahara was outstanding. He also has a great sense of humor, we were all very impressed with him. The special group brought in Five by Design was great as well. They changed into costume on a regular basis to fit the genre of the songs. At one point Jen and I were particulary pleased when 2 of the women came out to sing White Christmas and were dressed as Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen from the movie White Christmas-REALLY wanted to take a photo then. As all good thing come to an end the concert was over before it began but I can say the 4 of us had an INCREDIBLE time. I know that it really wasn't or isn't Matt's thing but as he said it..whatever makes you happy makes me happy. It's good to have him fall on the sword once in awhile right? Ahh he hummed carols the whole way home- he can't fool me:) We joked it would have been nice to have a nightcap at the Davenport but the Grandparents needed to be relieved. The Fox is incredible. It's worth going and a great way to introduce your family to a little bit of history as well. Celebrating the holidays with the ones you love..is there anything better? Merry Christmas:)

Well I am blogging a full week later than when this event occured, better late than never I guess-still trying to get used to this:)

This of course is Cade's 2nd winter however last year he was a bit small to know what was going on!  Of course I had to get the full get up- the cool jacket, snow pants, boots, gloves and a he has a million hats. Trying to keep gloves on a 20 month old is a feat, actually we were defeated. We took him out in the yard and let him walk around. There was probably 5" of snow on the ground and he had a hard time moving around.  Almost immediately he tripped and fell and got snow in his face. He panicked a little but I distracted him almost right away so we didn't sabotage the moment from the onset.  We took some pictures as you see to the right and made some snow balls- the snow wasn't right for a snowman unfortunately. We realized we were a bit unprepared for sledding so Matt the McGyver made a sled out of poly bad with some wood in it for Cade to slide on. Amazingly..it worked! Cade laughted and we gave that a few turns. He was getting cold and we both could tell this wasn't going to last for long. So to commemorate the day we took him over to our neighbors Earl and Trudy so they could take a look at their favorite neighbor in his snow gear (they don't have children of their own so Cade is a close grandson:))

So now we are just waiting for some new snow. The snow we had melted away and we have very little up here. We finally got a sled so I am excited to take him out again. Everyone knows he WILL learn to love the snow-Dad should have him skis by age 3:) Mom will see about that:)

Well I am blogging a full week later than when this event occured, better late than never I guess-still trying to get used to this:)

This of course is Cade's 2nd winter however last year he was a bit small to know what was going on!  Of course I had to get the full get up- the cool jacket, snow pants, boots, gloves and a he has a million hats. Trying to keep gloves on a 20 month old is a feat, actually we were defeated. We took him out in the yard and let him walk around. There was probably 5" of snow on the ground and he had a hard time moving around.  Almost immediately he tripped and fell and got snow in his face. He panicked a little but I distracted him almost right away so we didn't sabotage the moment from the onset.  We took some pictures as you see to the right and made some snow balls- the snow wasn't right for a snowman unfortunately. We realized we were a bit unprepared for sledding so Matt the McGyver made a sled out of poly bad with some wood in it for Cade to slide on. Amazingly..it worked! Cade laughted and we gave that a few turns. He was getting cold and we both could tell this wasn't going to last for long. So to commemorate the day we took him over to our neighbors Earl and Trudy so they could take a look at their favorite neighbor in his snow gear (they don't have children of their own so Cade is a close grandson:))

So now we are just waiting for some new snow. The snow we had melted away and we have very little up here. We finally got a sled so I am excited to take him out again. Everyone knows he WILL learn to love the snow-Dad should have him skis by age 3:) Mom will see about that:)

Every year since I can remember I have a Christmas baking day with my Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Janet . This year the tradition continued but with no Aunt or Grandma, but am so very happy to report my sister in law Jen was here to take part in the festivities. I wasn't the best at taking photos this year but I can tell you we all made the ever time consuming sugar cookies (yet to be frosted btw!), Russian Tea Cakes, Spritz Cookies, Fudge, and Chocolate covered pretzels. I still have to make my coveted Almond Roca and a couple other fun recipes that I found in Cooking Light. You will notice in the pictures that Cade only helped eat the pretzels-DARN being allergic to eggs has put a damper on things. Guess I need to find some recipes with no egg! The day was wonderful I mean after all I was with my Mom, my sister, my newest niece and Cade and I WASN'T AT WORK:)

The Henshaw/Spencer family had a great night the evening of our Dad's birthday. Matt and Jen were gracious and invited us all over to dinner at their house. We were fortunate, Dad is usually gone during the week but I think he stuck around for his birthday! Matthew made an awesome stew in the crockpot and Jen made a nummy salad and sodabread. For dessert I made a Pecan Tort with chocolate drizzled on it..can you say.. to die for! Good thing it was from Cooking Light:) Dad got some nice things for his big day as you will see in the pictures to your right. So another birthday in the books for Dad-Next up: The BIG "60!" Going to have to plan something extra special for that I think.

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone for 2007. It was the second year in a row where I didn't have to work so I was truly able to 'enjoy' the holiday with my family.  Normally Matt, Cade, and I share our time with our families but this year Matt's parents and Matt's brother and sister in law and their kids came over to my parent's house. Not having to work was great, but not having to drive around was SUPER! We had quite the feast and we were all able to enjoy each other's company. While it was Cade's 2nd Thanksgiving it was my sweet niece Ellie's very first. She wore an adorable pink and chocolate brown Winnie the Pooh dress (wonder who bought that for her:)) and wowed the crowd. It was great to have both my brothers there too. With Matt and Jen living here now I am truly blessed but get pretty excited when my brother Marc and my sis in law Katrina get to come up from Richland and spend time with us. I get so excited when all three of us are together..I can only imagine how pleased my Mom and Dad must feel. This Thanksgiving also marked the first time that Cade had both sets of Grandparents in the room at the same time. Seems amazing after 19 months that it hadn't happened yet but well it did. It was great to see him get so much attention from all his family..he was in heaven. As my Dad said before our prayer at dinner, we have so much to be thankful for. Life continues to get more and more amazing. Happy Turkey Day!