Birthdays!!

The beginning of the year is a busy time for us with birthdays! Shawn turned 25 this year, Sam turned 23, my mom turned 50 and I will be 24!! I called my Mom on her birthday and she told me know that she is officially getting old, she wants to take a mid afternoon nap. I just laughed becuase I am sure she did! :) Happy birthday!!

January so far...

Not a bad start of the year so far. Although things can change in the blink of an eye, as of today, things are good. Shawn started working on January 4th at a factory in Wright City, not his ideal job but is income right now. He works third shift with Nathan and likes the hours so far.

I have fallen into an adventure of Photography! I love it and its a great feeling when people ask me to do their family or children's pictures becuase they love MY work! I have decided to start J. Graeler Photography and I am currently working on the website, packages, prices, etc. I will post when it is all complete!

Charlie (our dog) has been limping a lot the last few days and we are not exactly sure what is going on. At some points its better then others. If he does not improve in a few days then its vet time.

A look at neices and nephews this year!

I wanted to share a few pictures of our neices and nephews! We have welcomed 3 new neices/nephews in the year 2009 and are very happy to show them off!!

Jake and Tyler Christmas 2009


Avery at Christmas 2009! Born summer 2009 to Karen and Kevin


Peyton! Jamie and Anthony's baby girl born December 2009


Lily! Sam and Andys baby girl who is growing very fast!


Last but not least... Evan! Born just a few days before Christmas is Sam and Andys latest addition!

Birthday and one year all in the same week.

January 3rd is my dads birthday, January 4th is my Grandma Starks birthday and January 5th is Shawns birthday, Felicias birthday and one year from Dad passing away. Here is to thinking of all the good memories with my dad and being thankful I have good things to celebrate on a day that can be very bad for me. I love all my friends and family and am amazed by the kinds words I received today!

Long time no blog

It has been a while since I have been on here. I cannot say enough that I am so ready for this year to be over with. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year, this year however seemed to just be another weekend with a few extra days on it. It has been a hard year and even harder holidays without my dad.

Shawn has got the job at Grief in Wright City working 2nd shift at a factory. He has not started this job however but we will hopefully get a start date soon. It should be in the first few weeks of the new year.

I have been taking pictures for friends and family lately and having a blast. This has been my own get a way from things and I enjoy it very much. I decided to open a business for photography. I plan on getting an LLC set up and to start doing what I enjoy to get extra money! Anyone who knows me, photos have always been a huge part of my life with scrapbooking and old family albums so this is perfect for me.

We have a new nephew!! He was born 12/22/09. His name is Evan Joseph Tuley and the little brother of Lily Jane. Everyone is doing well and he is adorable! He looks like his uncle Shawn's baby picture to a T.

Unfornitatly, also on 12/22/09, my uncle passed away. He lived in Tulsa OK with his wife Lisa and son Robert. My heart hurts for his wife and children during this holiday season. This is the second son my grandmother has lost in under a year. This is another huge tragagy for our family, and only god can give us the streght to get through these things. My Uncle Richard was a man I looked up to very much and will miss. I just visited with him over the thanksgiving holiday and he was very pround to show me his new place and the deer they feed and tons of video! I enjoy very much hanging out with the Starks side of the family, yet it is very hard since they are all so much like my dad.

On a lighter note, I am so excited for new years. We are having friends at our house for poker and rock band! I hope 2010 is a much better year then this year, but only time will tell.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching!

I have been looking at ads for next week and making my shopping list! Usually I have most everything done by the time black friday comes along so I am more or less shopping for Shawn and I!

Shawn had an interview this week with a factory in Wright City and they called him back for a background check but nothing more yet. Keep your fingers crossed that he will get this! If so, he will be working nights which will be a huge adjustment but nothing we cannot work around!

Halloween, Lily's Birthday and Johnny coming home!

So Halloween was fun, not as much fun as last year :( Shawn was not feeling well and the amount of trick or treaters were not as high as usual. We had a little fire outside and hung out for awhile and then packed it up early to go inside and watch scary movies. Overall it was a nice relaxing halloween which is unusual for us!

Sunday November 1st was our neice's second birthday! We went over to Laura and Pauls to have dinner and cake and let her open presents. She is so cute and spoiled! This will be her holiday as an only child!

Monday November 2nd my brother Johnny came home!! I had to work so I had to wait wait wait all day to go see him after work. I have to admit I was so excited on my way out there I was jamming out in the car while singing and dancing! It is so nice that he is home now!

This next weekend we have my Grandma's halloween party and Lily's birthday party so I will post pictures then!