Grandparents Day: Hugging Hands

So for Grandparents Day this year I........comPLETEly forgot about it!!  Sheesh.  We had family visiting from the east coast plus trying to get ready to start school.  It just has been a crazy couple weeks and so the holiday just got pushed to the black hole that is my memory.

So today's post is a repeat if you've been reading for a while.  This is the project we did two years ago for Grandparents Day.  It was an idea I found on Pinterest.  Oh, Pinterest, how I love thee...

This project needs very little explanation, and that is a beautiful thing.  It is so easy and such a cute idea.  I know the grandparents in our family really enjoyed them!  

1. Trace your child's hand onto scrapbook paper.

2. Cut out two of them.

3. Cut out a 12" by 1" strip of scrapbook paper.

4. Fold like an accordion into 1" squares.

5. Use sticker letters to spell out "this much"

6. Glue the ends of the accordion paper to each hand, making sure to put the thumbs on the correct side. (If you have trouble with this, fold your hands in prayer in front of you, then open them like a book to see which way the hands should go.  I *might* know someone who had to do that.  Don't judge.)

So, if you're looking for a project for next year, pin this baby, and don't forget about it like I did!

memorial day

I'm a little late with this, but wanted to show what my hubby did for us last Monday! He grilled steaks and potatoes! Oh, and these were the most amazing steaks EVER!! They were huge, juicy, and perfect! It was pouring down rain, so we couldn't eat outside, but he set up this cute little spread between the house and the garage. So we watched the rain while we chewed on the meaty goodness.

my valentine

I love these self-portraits, b/c it reminds of that time that we shared that special moment, just us, not even the photographer. This is my love, my partner, my friend, my husband. I love you, Josh Canady!!

You are SO



and I am so thankful that you are



I am so grateful that the man who is



actually wanted to



To you I will ever



I love to hear your voice when you



You ARE



You are the coolest



EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we are not together, I



SOO much!!!

You and



are my true love, my very



Words can never express how much



Nothing makes me happier (not even ice cream) than to know that I will grow old with you, for as long as we are on this earth!!!

Like the Google couple:



I LOVE YOU!!!

Love,
Your PG

canady christmas, 2007

Backtracking a bit since I'm behind. These pictures were taken over Christmas vacation. Josh and I flew to Maryland to be with the Canady family. Josh could only stay the weekend through Christmas Day since he didn't have any vacation days to take off yet, but I had the opportunity to stay the week. It was great to be able to spend some extra time with them! I love the way Gracie is looking at Josh in these...


I like this picture of us...I don't know why, I just do.


Josh has started a tradition since we've been married of giving me new pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year he said he went with the ones that made him laugh. Don't know if you can tell, but they're covered with sock monkeys doing various chores. It's pretty funny...


Zeke in his new Spongebob pjs Christmas morning..(seriously this was around 7:30ish am. The Canadys don't mess around!

This is the best picture I got of Eden's Spongebob pjs. I have always loved Christmas, but kids make it even more fun!


Zeke was so fun to watch that morning. He got his own Gibson guitar. To see a video of him trying it out, click here. It's so cute! Josh even enjoyed trying it out.


These are the fleece blankets I made for the Haneman kids (Josh's oldest sister Jenny's kids):




I think it's obvious why I had to post this picture:
This baby brings many smiles everywhere she goes! This is Gracie; she's Josh's youngest older sister, Missy's baby. If you think this picture is cute, check this out.

good sport

I bought this necktie for Yahtzee for our "family" Christmas photo. Doesn't he look like he just loves it? =)

thanksgiving in 'pah' part iv: cookies/buck

The first day of hunting season was always a fun day for me growing up. My dad and brothers would go hunting, and I would stay in and make Christmas cookies! We always had the day off from school b/c, well, it was the first day of buck season! Hel-lo! This year I had fun making cookies with Dreama and Kimmy while Robbie Jr went out with my brother and dad. Congratulations to my growing-up-way-too-fast nephew, Robbie, on his first buck!!



The girls were pros in the kitchen.




Well, ok, so the first batch we made from the wrong recipe and ended up with a sticky mess that wouldn't roll out, then when we found the right recipe we were out of butter b/c we used it in the first recipe.





After a few phone calls to my mom who had gone to work, we finally were able to whip up a tasty treat!



These are a few of my favorites from my batch....

thanksgiving in 'pah' part iii: cute kiddos

I am so thankful that I was able to travel with my mom across the state to see my brother Daniel and his family. Josh's parents had picked him up on their way through from NY and took him to MD to see friends and family since he will only be able to be there for a short weekend over Christmas. So, to get him back we met at Daniel's in Leesport. Somehow, after I've come away from a visit there, I always have a million pictures of their kids, and not any of Daniel and Kate. It's not that I don't love Daniel and Kate, it's just that their kids are so darn cute! =) I mean, check this out:

a profile shot; a little distracted by sesame street




The kids LOVED uncle Josh! Madelyn went through a phase where he kind of scared her, but now both of them couldn't love him more!~




Elijah is two years old. Him and I were "fighting" over Josh. We were going back and forth: "My Josh!" "No, MY Josh!". After doing this a few times he got this pitiful look on his face and he said to me, "But I love him!" Speaking for Josh, if that doesn't boost your ego I'm not sure what will! =)

and how could I forget, buddies, Sampson and Simon...



Unfortunately, no pictures of my brother and Kate, but like I said, their kids are so darn cute!!! Sorry, Daniel and Kate, you know I love you though. ;)

thanksgiving in 'pah' part 1

I LOVE flying! I am always excited to get on a plane and take off flying high above the clouds. There is just something about it, being up and surrounded by a part of God's creation that you aren't normally surrounded by on a regular basis. This picture was snapped from our seats somewhere between Nashville and Pittsburgh, PA. Home! We had an awesome time with my family during this special holiday. We were able to see my brother, Robbie, and his family, my parents, my aunt Reba, my very amazing friend Amanda, and numerous other family and church friends that I have not seen in a very long time!We had our Thanksgiving dinner a day late, on Friday. My dad had to work on Thanksgiving, and my brother and his wife have her family over to their house on Thanksgiving Day, so this just worked out best for us. In this pic is hubby Josh, dad (Vern), mom (Lois), niece (Dreama), niece (Kimmy), nephew (Robbie jr), brother (Robbie sr), sis in law (Donna). I am so very thankful for my family! Josh, I am thankful for you b/c you fill my life to overflowing and I am happy just being with you. You make me want to follow God and be a better person. Dad, I am thankful for you b/c you have shown me what it means to love unconditionally, to work hard, and to stand strong on my faith and beliefs. Mom, I am thankful for you b/c you have shown me what it means to be determined, to never give up, and to know where my strength truly comes from. Dreama, I am thankful for you b/c you demonstrate what it means to truly care for all of God's creatures, and also what it means to put your whole heart into something. Kimmy, I am thankful for you b/c you remind me of the importance of laughter. Your giggle can make anyone smile. Robbie jr, I am thankful for you b/c you show what it means to care for family. Most big brothers would write off the younger ones, but the way you obviously love and treat your sisters is something those other big brothers should take note of. Robbie sr, I am thankful for you b/c you have always loved me, even when I was a brat to you, you still treated me with gentleness and kindness. Now with a family of your own I see that love and gentleness come out in different and stronger ways. Donna, I am thankful for you b/c you not only put up with this crazy family, but you have also graciously become a part of it, and have brought such great happiness to my brother, giving him a beautiful and amazing family! I am also, of course, VERY thankful for those of my family who are not pictured here. I would not be what I am today if it weren't for all of my family. I love you all very much!!!!

a lifeway thanksgiving

Ok, so I didn't quite make it for posting before the end of the week like I said before. Now that I've got my pictures downloaded and edited on my computer, posting blogs won't be such a chore. I won't post them all at once as there are a few I want to show. There are several from Thanksgiving so bear with me as I know we are mere days away from Christmas now! Actually, it's my blog and you chose to read it, so deal with it. Heh heh.

In this picture are most of the people I work with in our Telesales department at LifeWay. I am very thankful for these people! When Josh and I moved here back in April, I had no idea what I was walking into. These are some of the most caring people I've ever met and they truly made me feel at home and like I belong there. God has blessed me beyond what I could have imagined in giving me a job here....and now Josh works here too! He works in a different department, but we are very blessed and thankful to God for how He is providing for us!

Our department is split into two teams, and before we had our meal, there was a contest held to see who could come up with the best version of some sort of Thanksgiving mascot. My team just happens to have a myriad of talent, I must say. When you put that many creative minds in one room, the results are well, rather amazing. My team held our own version of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our mascot was...drumroll please...the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turkey. Here's a picture, but if you are just dying to see some live footage, click here. Yes, we really are that crazy...but we sure do have fun!
The other team played the song, "Baby Got Back" and changed the words to be relevant to our job...it was so funny! The picture will have to do it justice b/c I couldn't get the video to work for me.

christmas card worthy?

Josh and I took a walk on the pedestrian bridge and took a few shots for our Christmas cards. I can't decide which one to use.