Wedding dress news...

I am so excited! This last weekend, my daughters, Tara, Erin and I met Heather and Jennifer in Queen Creek for some wedding dress shopping. My daughters were so excited, I on the other hand was very anxious. I think that I have put so many expectations on myself with my upcoming marriage to Elmo, that I thought that this would be very difficult for me. My girls made it so much fun! We arrived at the bridal shop and was greeted by a very sweet girl named Tami, who by the way, knew Jennifer. She showed us a row of wedding dresses and my girls started pulling dresses for mom to try on. Into the dressing room I went, with four wedding dresses and Tara. At first I was very overwelmed, but as I stepped out of the dressing room with each dress, I became more comfortable and more excited. My girls were so awesome. Tara & Jennifer picked out four more dresses, Heather & Erin had something to say about each dress. No one liked me in the dress that was strapless, (sorry, Elmo), I didn't much care for it either, nothing like those D's popping out.... the ivory dress was a no go... it made me look a little yellow... some dresses were to young, some were too tight, some too loose, but it was so much fun. My daughters laughed at me and at each other, and Tara said afterwards that it was more fun then picking out her own dress when she married Will. The final dress I tried on was the one. You can go to Tara & Heather's blogs if you are interested in the final outcome. They picked out crowns & veils, none of them impressed me. I was so excited after paying for the dress that I couldn't eat my lunch. And I kept telling my girls... "I bought my wedding dress", they think I am a lunatic. I am dedicating this post to my girls, Tara, Heather, Jennifer & Erin, thank you so much for taking your weekend and spending it with me. I will always cherish these memories, your laughter and your love. You made it a very, very special day for me. I love you all. Mom

Happy 32nd Birthday Mindi!

Dear Mindi,
Happy 32nd Birthday. During this last weekend as you allowed Shawn & I to celebrate this birthday with you and your family, I thought a lot about you. I asked your father about you and he told me with his eyes, (you know how he does that, don't you?) how very excited he was about you, the day you were born. Whenever he speaks of you, he speaks of you with such love and joy. He is very proud of you, proud of all of your accomplishments.... You are a strong woman, much stronger then I was at your age. I think back when I first met you, you were so lost & lonely without Ara. As she was lost without you. And look what you accomplished! In the past 2 years, I have seen you grow into a beautiful, strong woman. Look at all you have done... you have taken your love for music and turned it into a career, you have taken the love you have for your daughter, Ara, and made her a strong, independent 3 year old, and you have taken the love you have for your family and grown & blossomed with it. So, Happy Birthday, keep up the good work. All my love, Ann

Kudos to Emily!

We have formally inducted Emily as the "Greatest Holiday Cheesecake maker" of the family. She will be expected to make her "homemade" raspberry cheesecake every Christmas. This announcement is made this day, by her father & I.

You know, Emily... we can be forced to eat your cheesecake anytime of the year, but we will expect it.... every Christmas....

Mount Lemon Snow!

Who would have thunk it? Snow in Tucson, Arizona.... yep, I have the pictures to prove it. Elmo & I took the kids up to Mount Lemon on January 2nd. They had a great time, but the next day, we had a lot of sore tushes..... Emily, Josh, Victor, Callie & Shawn thought flying through the air on a snowboard was great fun. Don't worry, Elmo & I doled out the ibuprofen and they all recovered. I think the kids will agree that it was worth it though.

A very Merry Trezise Christmas

A trip to Snowflake for Christmas this year was a great joy for all who attended. Landon, Tristan & Avery enjoyed quite a load from Santa Claus, while Grandma Ann, Mom, Dad & Auntie Jenny looked on. Tara prepared a wonderful dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, Mom's sweet potatoes, corn, stuffing and a relish tray. Will added his touch to the dinner with prime rib and we must not forget Brent, who burned the rolls.... Erin & Brent showed up with more gifts for all... It was coooold.... in Snowflake... which made Auntie Jenny & Grandma grateful that they don't live there. New pajamas were given to all, although we all missed Uncle Preston, Auntie Heather & Baby J, Shane & Shawn.... they were never far from our thoughts.....

Happy Birthday Preston!

Happy Birthday to my son-in-law, Preston. These are some of the reasons I love you.

Preston, you love my daughter, Heather. Through all of the ups and downs of your married life with her, you have stayed strong for her. I have seen you grow & flourish in your marriage. Marriage is not easy, as you know, but you've hung in there and I am proud to call you my son. You are the hardest working young man, I know. You take the responsibilites of your family very seriously. You work hard and constantly strive to make your home life more financially stable for your little family. You, not only work an eight hour day but you head to school in the evenings, often missing those precious times of bathing & eating with Jaxon, to do so. Jaxon thinks you are the bomb. I believe little children, who are close to our Father in Heaven, and know better then we do, when someone is good. Jaxon knows this about his daddy and he adores you. You've come so far, Preston and you have so much to offer those around you. I think back to when you and Heather were first married, and I have watched you grow into a wonderful husband and father. Don't give up your dreams and stay true to yourself & your beliefs. Love my daughter with your whole heart and soul, love your son the same, and know that this side of your family loves you too. Happy Birthday, Preston. Love, Mom

Thanksgiving 2008

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner was had by all. I entertained 21, yes... 21 people at the old plantation. Along with Elmo, we had... (are you ready?), Victor, Emily, Joey, Josh, Sam, Shane, Shawn, Tara, Will, Landon, Tristan, Avery, Preston, Heather, Jaxon, Nan, Pop, Jennifer & Erin. When I say we ate a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, what I mean is a traditional dinner by our new standards. Turkey, ham & stuffing (donated by Nan & Pop), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, relish tray, (yes, I remembered the olives for Tara), rolls and a little Filipino flavor thrown in there for good measure, Lumpia & ham fried rice. And my girls, Tara brought homemade pecan pies & banana - carmel - pecan birthday cake, and Heather brought cherry-cheese cake & pumpkin pies. It was sooo good! Emily, Tara, Heather, Preston, Jennifer, Erin, Josh & I stole a few hours to ourselves & made it to the movies to see "Twilight". I was a little worried leaving Elmo, Will, Shane & Shawn home to watch the wee ones, but we came home to find the Thanksgiving dinner ready and all 5 children still alive & kicking! I have several pictures of T-bird eyeing the pecan pie, which makes me laugh as he had a full dinner and was already for desert before we were cleaned up! We ended the evening with a birthday party for Jaxon, who turned 2 on November 11th, Tara whose birthday was November 7th & me, whose birthday was on the 28th. I honestly can say, fun was had by all, but when my four daughters left that evening to head home, I was relieved. I believe everyone left here at the plantation was sound asleep by nine.

Although, I do admit by midnight, there were several people milling around in the kitchen in search of leftovers.....