I can see clearly now. . . .

So I finally got it done. Went to Hoopes Vision last Tuesday and had my eyes fixed through the miracle of LASIK. I was so nervous before I went in I thought I would be sick! But the doctors and nurses there are SOOO nice and just put you right at ease (the valium the offered me didn't hurt either).

I was there about 2 hours, but I think the entire procedure took about 5 minutes total. And at my follow up 18 hours later . . . I had 20/20 vision! WITHOUT contacts or glasses!! It is so amazing.

Of course, after 32 years of contacts and glasses, old habits die hard. I still wake up looking for my glasses, even though everything is crystal clear. I still go into the bathroom looking to take out my contacts at least 3 times before I go to bed every night! But it is great. Kind of a pain right now because I have to put drops in my eyes every hour for the next three month! But it will be well worth it.

And those nice people at Hoopes even gave me a VIDEO of my surgery! Cool huh! If I had seen this video before surgery, I never would have gone through with it. It kinda freaked me out.

So for your Halloween viewing pleasure. . . here is my video!!

From here, they laser correct my cornea and then put the little flap back. This is only a small portion of my video because that is all that would fit for upload. If you are really DYING to see it, come on over!! =]

Sweet Sixteen

Ok. Everyone get out your hankies.

Oh. . . maybe that's just me!

Beauty and the Beast

Oh what a BEAST. Lindsie played in Cyprus' powder puff homecoming football game. Seniors vs Juniors and Sophmores. The Seniors won (I think it's rigged) but Lindsie was out there playing for all she was worth. Here she is lined up. She was a lineman (linewoman), both offense and defense. She only sat out maybe three plays all game.

Doesn't that look like a tough face? I'd run the other way if I was on the other team.

Lindsie, Coach Eddie and BFF Destiny

And now, the transformation into BEAUTY . . .

Doing makeup . . .

And hair . . . (thanks Kimi for being the beautician for the day)

And here is the beauty. Oh my goodness isn't she beautiful?!?! Sniff, sniff. .

Pinning the flower on her date. Well, actually mom had to do the actual pinning. First date jitters I suppose.

Whew!! A wrist corsage. Now I didn't have to keep a close eye on hands that were pinning a flower to her chest! hee hee : )

The most beautiful homecoming couple ever. Out the door they went, and down flow the tears! How did my baby girl get so grown up?? I had to go for ice cream to distract myself! Just wait my sisters, the day is coming sooner than you think!!

I love fall!!

Went camping with Grandma and Grandpa last weekend. We've been looking forward to doing that for a long time! And fall is totally the best time for camping. I love all the color in the canyon in the fall. Here is just one view of all the color.

Trying to get a picture of the leaves and I had a little help. He is such a poser.

Making ice cream with our cousins.

Fishing. For the first time all year, we didn't catch a single fish.

Hmmm. . . Who is she going after with that log.

AAAHHH!!!

Lindsie just came home and told me she has been asked to homecoming next month. AAAHHH!!! It begins. Can I just lock her in the closet? I'm trying to be happy for her - FIRST DATE and all, but I'm just scared to death. : )

Grandpa, if you still want to be her first date, you better get on it.

THEY'RE HOME!!!!!

Well after two long, but also short in some ways, years, Mom and Dad are back from Mongolia. What an emotional and exciting day this has been!

Here are 13 very excited grandchildren making a Welcome Home banner to take to the airport.

This banner says Welcome Home in Mongolian. We think.

Waiting. . . and waiting . . . and waiting. It was only about 30 minutes, but it felt like an eternity.

First glimpse. You can see Dad at the very top of the stairs to the left. Mom is just behind.

Coming down the stairs. Man those were long stairs!

And finally reunited! Lots of hugs and tears of joy. Can't believe they are really here. I keep pinching myself to make sure it is real!

Mom and Dad and their four children.

And all 13 grandchildren. Leave it to Jarod to stick his hand right in front of Lexi's face. Sorry Lex. Jarod lives for the camera!

First thing Dad wanted? A glass of real milk. They haven't had any real milk for two years, just powdered. Good thing Becky and Amy bought three gallons! That should get them through till morning! (And of course . . . an American donut!)

Welcome home! It's great to have you back.

$$$

Ok. So here we go again. This time Jarod has found a way to really make some money.

He's quite the salesman. He sits out there yelling "Lemonade! Get your ice cold lemonade here!" I kid you not. And he is making a killing - he raked in $10.00 in just under 2 hours.

Who needs to do chores and get only 3 dollars a week?