Grateful Gourd 2012

This year, the Grateful Gourd is still physically packed away in one of the many boxes...patiently waiting for its new home. However, even without the GG present there is still plenty to be grateful for. 

As with every year, this list is a sampling of just a short time frame and in no particular order. 

My Savior, Jesus Christ, his Atonement, his constant love and empathy
The moving crew that successfully got me packed and moved from PA to ID 
My bed...still the best investment! 
My rice bags...lifesavers on a daily basis 
The Perrys visiting (and the much anticipated return in Dec!)
The Cheungs' visit 
The Christensens' visit 
KW coming to Idaho
Loving parents that sacrifice their time and energy to help me (seriously these folks are saints)
Non-coin laundry 
My heating pad 
Temples
Joshy serving a LDS mission
Spending more time with Poncho and Senorita Erickson 
Craft fair shopping with Mama Berry (who knew I'd come to enjoy this) 
My little girls, our constant girl parties, their funny sayings, and their cute faces
The Book of Mormon
Working with my parents and brother again 
65 inches of love 
Stretchy pants 
New boots (thanks Uncle Rod)
My Canadian family 
Phone calls with JP
Rides home from church
Being able to attend Sammy P's and MP's wedding
Having the Richards family and Carlston family living closer to me 
Botox injections 
Amie putting eye drops in my eyes during the dreaded pink eye experience 
Occipital nerve block injections 
My new home to be (very soon)
Emails and phone calls from my CA friends and family (miss you all)
My new office chair
Tithing 
Redneck living
Especially grateful this year for all the many wonderful years spent in Palo Alto with amazing people and for the opportunity to return to Idaho. 

Past GG posts:
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

Pampered...YES

Within a 24 hr period, Brown Eyes, Averina, Moco, and Sam Jam all gave me hand and foot massages. Sam Jam painted my toenails and Mama Berry painted my fingernails. AND Mama Berry and I gave our hands a hot wax bath...so nice! 

Sunny Idaho...

I miss California, especially the weather. Did I mention I've forgotten how to drive in the snow? Yikes!

Miracles Do Happen..

I successfully bathed this wiggle worm with my one good arm and no one was injured. No crying. No soap in baby's eyes. Hair washed too. Like I said...miracles do happen.  

The Goofballs Playing Dress-up

Cannot help but love these girls! 

Thanksgiving in Idaho

It has been six years since I've spent Thanksgiving in Idaho. I was slightly nervous that I'd be in shock most of the day with the large crowd but to my surprise I attended the smallest Erickson family Thanksgiving on record. 13 adults and only four children...it was almost like I was in California again. Our pie to person ratio would have made the Richards family proud! 

And as you can Mattie Faye was in a food coma afterward. And as a tribute to my love of pie that's all I documented in photo form.  

I'm grateful I was able to spend this special day with family again. Also, I'm grateful I was to reflect on the many things/people I have in my life to be thankful for. 

A Delicious And Unique Dining Experience

Chiz's...our favorite place, especially Dadio's favorite. It is a small and cozy place, diner bar setting (seats around 17). If you're not there when they open at 5pm you will be like us in this particular visit. Standing behind those eating, just waiting for them to finish, then grabbing their bar-stool before the plates are cleared. Like I said: cozy. Did I mention, delicious?

Shrimp dinner...my staple choice. 

Did I mention that Chiz's also caters? And that they catered our company party the night after we ate at Chiz's? Like I said: Dadio's FAVORITE!

Visitors will be taken here when they come. 

The Little Berry Ladies Unpacking

Or packing themselves up! ;)  

Their house is finished and they are loving their purple room, their secret doorway, and especially they love the boxes. 

 It was a great cage for Mattie Faye too! 

House Update: Tiled Tub, Shower, And The Fireplace!

This Kid Is Easily Entertained!

Fashion Statement: California Meets Idaho

House Update: Tile, Kitchen Back-splash, And Exterior Rock

Best Find Of The Craft Fair

Prepping For Winter!

Life is a lot colder in Idaho than California...

Enjoying one last warm day together before the snow overtook us (this was taken last Saturday and the snow flew on the following Friday). 

New Bosch For Mama Berry!

Mutt And Jeff: The Basketball Refs

Most comical event of the week watching these two...and watching the shorter ref being shorter than most of the 7th grade girls. 

KW Came To Idaho!!!

KW came to Idaho for the weekend. She was able to meet the rest of the Berry clan and enjoy Mama Berry's homemade rolls and her homemade raspberry jam. It was so awesome to see her...in my Idaho environment. She was freaking out about how small Tetonia is...I quote: "my graduating class was twice the size of your town". And she finally realized what all those country songs were written about...dirt roads and tractors. 

The little girls loved her as well...especially Mattie Faye! 

Thanks for coming KW!!! Love you! 

The Beauty Of Night And Day