December Doings... Needles or bust!

A few days before Christmas, the kids and I made an excursion to my birthplace, Needles CA, to visit Grandpa Teddy and Grandma Kathy.  We had a super fun day.  Zach and Rae especially enjoyed crusin around town in Grandpa Teddy's cool effecient Gem Car.  I opted for a full size truck with a heater.

We hit Burger Hut for lunch, aka Irene's back in my day.  I made myself sick on a combo burrito and taquitos.  Yumm, my mouth waters just thinking about it..  I especially enjoyed catching up with my sisters and getting a city update with my dad.  It really is a shame we don't get down there more often.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

Grandpa Teddy and Raegan

Zachary and Grandpa Teddy

Me and my youngest sibling Frannie 14 years old

Rae, Zach and Gpa T

Frannie, Me and Rainie my college student sister... you go gurl!

Dad and his girls, we are responsible for all the gray hair that makes him so distinguished.

Also a big thank you and love you to Grandma Kathy for all of her thoughtfulness and love, she really made Christmas special in the Crabtree household.  

BTW you can click on these picks and save them to your desktop if you want any printed out.

December Doings.. Let it snow?... not so much

So its old news now but it snowed in Vegas.  And I was one of the many who were stuck on the unprepared roads.  I had been up since 3 am.  We wrapped early at the Encore, and I was looking forward to some rest and relaxation with the kids and I had no idea what the weather had been up to.  Well.... boy howdy!

Well after going the the mall for a few hours because of backed up traffic and getting diverted off the freeway again and finally making a final attempt to get home, I was stuck for another 3 hours!  I didn't get home until 1 am. I was soooo not a happy camper..  can you tell?  Not knowing why we weren't moving was very frustrating, I mean people all over the country drive under these conditions, right?  Being that Clark County only has 6 snow plows and desert rats have no clue as to how to drive in snow, wrecks were abundant.  The Boulder City pass had a blanket of fog as well as snow causing zero visibility.  I didn't believe it until I drove through it.  Still wasn't happy, severe lack of sleep, exhaustion and cranky crabbies will do this too you when your stuck 3 miles away from home.

December Doings... Christmas Choir

Okay so I am really behind on the blogging.  New computer and a Mac learning curve is my only excuse aside from being so busy, as you shall see...

First we have Zach's Christmas Choir performance.  It was great, other than a few technical difficulties forcing the kids to sing acapella, (which sounded awesome too).  Zach's Choir instructor Mrs. Barlow is a favorite among the kids.  And as Zach says, "The best thing about choir is NO HOMEWORK!"

Photoshoot starring Zach and Rae

My friend Jessica is an amazing family photographer.  And I must say her work has really developed and grown in the last few years.  See for yourself... CLICK HERE  and see Zachary and Raegan's photoshoot Without a Place, Wandering Photography.  I am sure you'll appreciate it as much as I do.  

Thank you Jessica!!  We are soooo happy!

Season Stuff

Tis the season for Christmas Carols and parades.  Here are a few shots of the happenings lately.

Zachary is in choir this year.  Garrett Jr. High Choir sang at the annual Boulder City tree lighting.  Who says choirboys arent tough?

Raegan managed a photo op with the man in red and BC's own Jingle Cat.

A few days later is the annual Christmas Parade.  Raegan and her cheer squad were excited to march along in the fun.

We sipped on hot cocoa and enjoyed the parade as well as the not so cold weather.  Isn't Christmastime fun?

First days of Christmas..

Well we did it!! We put up the christmas tree! What a feat it is to assemble this tree. As much as I love this tree, I also hate to assemble it. But the results are always worth it. This is a lucky find tree, I got it at a garage sale for $20. Is that a steal or what?

Our tree is extra beautiful this year thanks to my friend of Christmas decor Rachelle. She's a bit of a Christmas tree a-holic. Currently she has 3 trees in her home and one somewhere in Arizona...? Anyway she handed all of her ornaments from her "white christmas" themed tree to our family. Over the years, slowly but surely I have been going designer on our tree. Purchasing ornaments bit by bit each year. Well Rachelle made it happen this year, as my tree's theme is blue, green, white.... like my home.. we are full blown designer tree... I love it... the kids like the excessive ornaments because there are so many, it doesn't matter where they put them. Mike.. has no comment.

So, it seems the Christmas season is upon us... happy holidays everyone!

Halloween Happenings!

Haunted days of 2008 have come and gone. Well not completely, my house now looks as if Halloween came by and threw up, I have stuff all over my garage, in my car, outside, in my living room, bedrooms kitchen... etc... I have big plans of a Halloween cleanse this week.

Thursday night we had a wonderful surprise... Mike came home early!! Yay.. we were so happy he could be with us for trick or treat. Here is another look at the kids in their costumes. Slash from Guitar Hero.. or Guns N Roses for us old folks.

Wednesday Addams and Thing.

Rae had a great time trick or treating with her wiggly hand. Since she refused to remove any of her doll's heads, we were so happy to find this "thing" at Kmart 50% off.

Mike and I were Beetlejuice and Lydia for our Halloween Bash.

I was sewing up to the last minute and praying my dress would hold through the night. Mike's costume was a thrift store suit and after painting two stripes with fabric paint, I realized it would take me forever to stripe this suit, so I resorted to duct tape and spray paint, and it worked beautifully. Believe it or not, Mike's wig was three times this size when I got it, not so authentic. And it looked like a star fish. My hair worked out all except my bangs, I ran out of time and the spiky bang extension wasn't cooperating and I was already 5 minutes late to my own party. So I chucked them. Mike was my best accessory anyway. No one knew who I was until I was standing next to him, but I expected that much. I have to say, doing the thriller in this get up was tough, I was having flashbacks to my wedding day trying to do the electric slide. All in all it was worth it! Being able to dance, laugh and act nutty at least once a year...? I'm down with that!

Visit www.crabtobhux.com later this week to see all of the fun and craziness of the big party.

Thanksgiving here we come..