Grace at the door

I keep finding little Grace at my door. 

She has been the runner for Jenny and I lately as we borrow sugar and other things.

She loves Charlie and Portis very much and she loves a chance to get to see them.

I love seeing her too! 

Don't you love her little purse!

Today she came to get baggies for her mom. 

I proclaimed to Jenny a few weeks ago that I was going to be walking barefoot until at least December 1st to her house. I refused to give into winter. Mike commented to me today that I could still walk over barefoot if I wanted. 

The next think I know there is little Gracie at my door...barefoot.

A girl after my own heart!

Yes, it really is that nice out. You don't need a coat or hats or mittens or even shoes. 

Seriously people...this is not common in Minnesota. Last year at this time it would have taken her longer to get ready to go outside than she would have been outside.

Ahhhhhhhh! Toes! 

Best winter ever:-)

The Willits children wish you a Merry Christmas!

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The official Gingerbread Build off of 2011

 House #1

This one is mobile. It probably is only edible if you are a beaver but we were lax on the rules this year.

 This one is driven by a snowman 

 It even has a front and back bumper that match

House #2 is one that really considers it's audience(can you say...votes?) 

who could they possibly be playing in purple helmets???

Super bowl winners already???

Even autographed by the beloved new quarterback? Wow!!!

Hmmm...how will those McCutcheon's ever decide what one to vote for?

House #3 is a sign of the times...simplistic

House #4

The Church

personally, I think this one is pretty well done(no it is not mine) 

House #5 "The Barn"

This one was also very well thought out.

Simple and yet very cute

That is a duck and a pig out front. 

Let the voting begin!

I will be adding a poll to the right side for all of you to place your votes. 

Matt and the G-parents band!

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Merry Christmas

May your day celebrating the birthday of Jesus be as wonderful as the magic you felt when you were a child.

The Willits wish you all a Merry Christmas

Frisbee Golf in December?

 Normally when Grandma and Grandpa come visit we have 5-8 feet of snow! This year in Minnesota we  have NO snow! Mike and I love it. Matthew, not so much. We were hoping for a chance to cross country ski again but we settled for Frisbee Golf.

 Such a handsome group of men!

 The wind up...

The throw

This is when Cheryl and I ducked out to go finish the Christmas shopping!

What happens when you leave the boys alone at home

Mike's parents are here for Christmas. Cheryl and I went to do some last minute shopping. Grandpa wen't to get his hair cut. Mike and Matthew...well they made these.

They begged me not to blog them...but there is just no way I can't share these. 

I can just hear Grandma Dot laughing! 

More photos to come from our visit.

We have our Gingerbread House build off here after the Denver Bronco's game.

Unlocking a mystery...

Tonight I was looking for some photos on my computer.

 This photo of a very boney bride caught my attention...I save a lot of photos I like from photographers that inspire me. I was sure I did not remember this one. Then I noticed that there was a bunch of them.

I started looking at all of them...

 This one of her resting on the chair made me stop breathing for a second. 

 This breast cancer ribbon was next to them so I am thinking it was part of them and it is maybe her story. I don't know...I know that I have never seen these photos before. I KNOW I have never seen these photos before. I pulled up the file information and would you believe these photos were saved on my computer in June of 2009. I did not own my computer until October of 2009. 

Now...I need to know. Who is this woman? Is she okay? What is her story? 

This...This is why I love photography. 

I don't want to take pictures to make money. I want to tell stories like this one.

I want to give people like this girl thumbprint on this earth...long after they are gone.

If you have ever seen these pictures, please let me know.

I really want to know more.

Jenny's Birthday

A few weeks ago my fiend Jenny celebrated her birthday. No, I did not forget it! It was just not a day to post about it. You see Jenny spent the day at a funeral for a 12 year old boy. It was and still is horrific. 

As kind and giving as Jenny is her day was made his day. She spent the day serving a family that would not celebrate any more birthdays with a child they loved so dear. Jenny was given the gift of thankfulness for her birthday. I could not put into words how wonderful she was on such a day. 

Jenny gives without expecting anything in return, she listens without end when I need her too, she is all the things I try to be. I am so glad she is in my life...even if I had to fight to be her neighbor yet anther year! Oh, and she still loves me even though I sent her an email while she was in Florida that read..."Jenny, this sucks we are moving to Montana and we leave in two days" ~Monica

For someone who is so good at talking sometimes I am horrible at wording things.

Did I mention that she had I dream we would move while she was on vacation and she would return to an empty Willits house.

In case you are wondering about the photo...Jenny is one of my biggest fans(along with Shana) who believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. Therefore she always says yes when I beg her to let me photograph her family. This includes her and Mark.

Mark and Jenny probably have more sexy photos than most models do!

Thank you Jenny, I am sure I would be crazyville if you were not holding my hand all of last year(figuratively). No matter what life throws at me, I just hope you are next door. 

~Monica

How to make a Bayblade stadium Part 1

Matthew has been really into these new toys called Bayblades. They are basically glorified tops. They spin and battle just like the ones from years back. The cool thing is that you can take them apart and build them differently. Each one has different speeds, and attacks..etc. 

Well the tops cost as much as the cheap plastic stadium to battle them in?????There was no way I was going to pay $10.00 for a cheap plastic tub. Seriously? So I asked Mike to make something with Matthew. Lucky for Matt he has a crafty dad.

 Mike and Matt started it right after school. Oh, I should mention that Mike also loves Bayblades. He and Matt have been battling each other. Mike even had to get his own Bayblade.

 This is the secret of the stadium. The center has to be sloped down so the tops will eventually battle. Mom scoured the store searching for any ideas and I finally found this plastic Christmas plate.

The boys have a good start on the stadium. I will post more pictures to come. I will even post pictures of them battling once it is all done.

A weekend with friends

 Most of you know that I became pretty close to Matt's second grade teacher. I could never put in words how much I adore her. She is one of the many women who make me stop and think "why couldn't I have a mom like that". If you think that she is special you should meet her adoring husband. Mike and Steve have a lot in common. Becky and Steve invited us up for a weekend at their cabin. This was the view from the house when we got there. 

 Becky asked Matt to bring a friend from school so he would not be alone. Matt was super excited about teaching his new friend John how to fly fish...Mike was worried that this was a pretty high hope going into winter.

 Saturday morning bright and early he set out with the boys to give it a try...just as the temperature decided to drop. 

 Matt was really excited to share his favorite hobby with his friend.

 John, like Matt was a very quick learner. 

 forward...back..pause..forward...

 John was actually picking it up quite fast

 Then I looked over at Matt..Can I just pause to tell you that he has inherited his dad's cast. It was poetic. I was so impressed. I actually decided to run up to the cabin and get a different lens to film it for all of you to see...

Problem with fly fishing in the cold is that your hands get wet and you start to shiver. Mom returned just in time for them to be walking back up to the cabin. 

 Mike and Steve got a little work done too. I think this leaf business is never ending. Becky and I went out to razz them but just as we did...the weather really changed and we flew back inside to sit by the fire. 

 Yep, the first snow storm of the season! Just to get out of the cabin we took the boys to the bait shop in town. 

 The lady laughed at us when we asked were the flies were. Um...it is winter???Everyone here is deer hunting until the ice freezes enough to haul the ice fishing huts out. HA! 

This was the view this morning before we left. Amazing still right!

Okay, the cabin was wonderful and being able to relax was great. However, I think I would enjoy being in a cardboard box with this family. 

Thank you so much Steve and Becky for inviting us. We are so greatful. The boys had a blast and they did not want to leave this morning. 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!