Holidays make me miss family.......

This is a picture of my only living grandparent. The other one is of my parents, myself and my dad's parents. My dad's father passed away November 4th, 2006. It is so crazy because every year my aunt would make my grandparents an Anniv. cake, (their anniv. was on Nov. 4th) and they would always get their pictures taken with it on that day, Nov. 4th. Well, in 2006, my grandma was in a nursing home, so they had celebrated on Nov. 3rd, so the picture was taken on Nov. 3rd, but the cake still said Nov. 4, 2006. It just happened that my grandfather passed away that next day, on their 64th wedding anniv. How crazy and sad is that?
Anyway, growing up I had 8 cousins on my dad's side of the family and we spend EVERY Christmas Eve together. I miss those days. Now its just my grandma and we never get to spend the holidays with her. It makes me sad.
I am sharing these pictures because I think they are really good of them, my grandma was actually smiling. I know my grandfather will be there with her this Christmas.

Izzy Bizzy.......

So, we decided that Izzy needed more freedom & attention than what we could give her. Also, ever since I(Jen) found out I am allergic to cats.....Izzy just has so much hair, she would cause me to cough & sneeze. We can shave "Meow Meow" but not Izzy. Izzy's hair is what makes her so beautiful.
So, we advertised for her online to find a new home. Which we have done before but so far hadn't found anyone that we felt would be best for Izzy. We didn't want to just give her to anyone.
Then we got this email from a couple in Wine country. They live on an acre, Izzy would be an indoor/outdoor cat(which she had been when we first got her) and would be the sister of a four year old German Shepard. Seemed to be perfect. Yesterday we drove her to their house. What a pretty area. When we got there, they were just the sweetest couple. Both have been teachers, she is still teaching, he has retired. They have the biggest, most awesome tree in their back yard.........and gophers. Izzy can hunt to her heart's content. We think once she gets settled in she will love it. We felt very good about leaving her, as heartbreaking as giving a pet up can be.
Anyway, I just wanted to take this time to honor our pet "Izzy". We hope they will enjoy her as much as we did. We love you Izzy. Oh, and I almost forgot the best part. They said we could have parental visitation rights, we can come visit anytime we want. We can bring Corey, we can bring Addison, they said just stop by anytime. How great is that?
Well, I must go to help Michelle decorate the Christmas tree.