Nora Jane DePriest has entered the building.....

     We have waited for her arrival and she did not disappoint us - and Elizabeth and Billy have much to be thankful for, as do all of us that love her at first sight, she is a keeper.

     I could have told you, and actually did tell Steve, that if you give Elizabeth any challenge in life, she will rise to the occasion.  Well, I guess that is pretty much what you could say happened as Elizabeth went to her Doctor appointment at 39 weeks and was told that the baby just wasn't ready yet.  These words are not what you want to hear when you have waited for long enough for your little one, and I believe Elizabeth took it upon herself to prove that Doctor wrong.  Approximately 24 hours later, on October 14, 2011 Nora Jane DePriest - 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 19 inches long, entered this world.  Nora Jane is the first grandchild of Chuck and Patti DePriest (Billy's parents) for Debi Kingston (Liz's mom) and my brother Mark, who would have loved the experience of being her grandfather.  The stories of our lives, with my brother in them, have become so much more important to me since his passing and Nora Jane is one of those reasons why.  She will need to be told the stories of "fitty pish" being "born ready" and knowing exactly what "hands over head" are going to mean in her life, but there are so many that are up for that challenge.  Nora is the first great grandchild for my parents, Don and Carol Ann Chambers, and from all indications she is healthy and ready to begin her life, and we are all thrilled to have her as the newest addition to our family.

60th Birthday Bash

     It turned out EXACTLY as I had hoped it would, and Steve was surprised more than just once.  I had been planning this party for a year and at the end of the weekend I lay my head down at night and SMILED.

The Birthday Boy - the big 60!

When I picked up the kids are the airport on Friday and took them to the ranch I could not believe the look on his face when he saw Macee.  He knew something was going on, but wasn't sure.  Step 1 - I had pulled it off and he was smiling.

Dylan, Macee and Christine enjoyed the surprise!

We had friends from as far as Riverside, San Diego and the kids from Colorado.  We had family, parents, Uncles and nieces and nephews - it was the BEST.  Friends old and new, some we hadn't seen in years showed up - we all had one thing in common, we loved this man.  For one entire weekend, Steve was the center of attention and he so deserved that.  Steven is a good and honorable man - a friend to everyone and  as he said numerous times during the weekend shiiiiiiiiiiit it was great to see everyone and spend the time together. I really appreciated everyone keeping the secret and then being there to enjoy the fruits of my labors - I'd do it again in a minute and I smile every time I think of the entire process.  A GREAT time was had by all.....

Mimi, Timber and Papa

The two men in my life.....

Lib and Doug - so glad they joined us.

Makenzie #2 :)

Aly, Kevin, Christine, Sue, Brian & Carter, Rob and Makenzie, Timber, Steve, Macee, Carrie and Dylan - the crew.....

 The P-A-R-T-Y planner of the year!!!

A SURPRISE is a coming......

     Steve will be 60 in a few days - I keep saying that over and over because it really doesn't seem true.  If you know my husband at all, you know that a surprise isn't something that is in his vocabulary, and certainly nothing that would also include numerous friends and family telling stories about him.
     So - that is exactly why I planned a huge surprise camping trip for the weekend to Lake Cachuma group area, with just 50 or 60 of his friends coming.  I am having Macee and family fly in from Colorado, the other kids will come and still to this day, I don't think he has ANY idea.
     He really has no idea what so ever, yet right under his nose I have been shopping and packing and ordering and planning, texting and figuring and oh, we must not forget - spending money.  I have been sneaking away to get liquor, which by the way you can order online from BevMo and they will have it boxed and ready to put in your car - just so you can minimize the time you have stolen away from your "normal" life :)  I have ordered camping gear and sleeping bags and pop up tents and I have them stashed in the back of the Blue truck in the yard, right under his nose.  I have food for days, and liquor for weeks and party supplies that could start a small party shop - I have had a BLAST!  I have gotten RSVP by phone and text and in person (in code) right while he sits beside me.  There have been times that I was so excited that someone was coming that I started to say something and then had to completely make up another story because I almost told the secret.  It has been fun.
     So in a few days we will have been planning to go away on a camping weekend with our friends the Nooneys and then in the mean time I will sneak away to pick up the kids are the airport in Santa Barbara.  I want it to be fun - I want it to be relaxed and I don't want him to be angry.....  We will see :)