It's been 258 days.....

It's been so long since my last post....I've thought about it but it's been a pretty tough year for me and I couldn't get to my happy place!!! If you can't say something nice than don't say anything at all! I didn't want to be one of those people that complains and can't find anything positive to say. Instead of blogging about it, I called my close friends and let them listen to me!!! (I'd like to give a shout-out to my friends for listening to all my issues!!!!)

Here are some updates of what has gone on with our family... in no particular order--

• We've moved again and again! (can you say GYPSY?!)

The situation we were in last year was not good which is why I have been in such a funk! So Josh told me to find a place to move--I found the first place that was for sale and I jumped on it. It was so much better than our situation we were in currently that I didn't see it for what it really was and it was a HUGE mistake! I've learned my lesson and I am not even going to discuss the place that we moved into for a month and half since it was such a bad situation. Needless to say we moved out to a home and we LOVE it. All the kids have their own rooms. So after all this time I'm finally getting my groove back and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

• I'm a Nanny!!

I started watching my friends three kids at her house. I LOVE it. I actually watched her little girl, McCoy, years ago when Jessica was a baby so it really feels like I've come full circle. Jessica and McCoy are best friends and we've missed her!! It also great that I can still be with my kids and not have to send them to daycare. All the kids all get along so well and being around kids all day it's hard not to have fun. I have Karson (7), Jessica (7), McCoy (6), Tori (3) and Ryker (1). This really has saved my sanity (as crazy as it seems) and I love doing it! My new nickname is Nanny Annie!

• Jessica started first grade

She started a new school and has made new friends. Her new teacher is Mrs. Alozian, she really focuses on having fun while learning. Jessica really loves school and oh course her favorite subject is LUNCH! She wasn't even nervous about starting a new school and having to make new friends....she is such a well adapted kid and can find the positive in every situation. I'm so thankful for her! She also turned 7 and had a spa party! It was so much fun and she and all her friends got makeovers! She also got her ears pierced--she's getting too old for my liking!

• Jayden started high school

Being in the house we're at now we're also closer to his mom's so the commute is easier and he spends a week with us and a week with her. His school is right down the street from us. He's taking french, guitar, and all the other normal classes.

• Tori is off the bottle and potty trained

I admit it was all due to my HATRED of public bathrooms that I put it off for as long as I did. Tori brings so much joy to our lives and seriously is the funniest kid.

• We a new kitty and a new puppy!

This is by far something me and the girls needed so bad!!! Josh did not want a cat (he's just not a cat person) so I did what I knew was best and hid it from him until Tori and I were so attached he would've had to break our hearts getting rid of him!! (I know, that wasn't the right thing to do but he was such a cute kitty!!) I can't tell you how many times I've done this to Josh in the 14 years I've been with him....I think 5 different times!!! I was honestly surprised he didn't see it coming but I can tell he loves the cat (not really--but he loves how much Tori loves the cat) Josh even named the cat, Lincoln, after his favorite car!!!

Jessica got a 6 week old Basset Hound for her birthday. We named him Gus after Josh's dad. He is the CUTEST thing I've seen. We are all absolutely obsessed with him. Potty training hasn't been the funnest thing but his cuteness makes up for it. I'll apologize in advance for how many pictures you'll see of him!

So Lincoln the cat is Tori's and Gus the dog is Jessica's! We love both of them so much.

A few other highlights.....

• Josh and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary
• Josh and I both had birthdays! I know they come around every year!
• Josh and I got a weekend to ourselves in Las Vegas--We did the zip line on Fremont St. and visited the Hoover Dam. (I told so many dam jokes it was pretty dam funny!!!)
• I'm no longer blonde....I'm dark brown and I LURVE it. I might never go back!

In closing I would like to thank all my friends that listened to my problems and gave me the support and patience that I needed! We are a much happier family than this time last year. We are still planning on building our house on our property in the mountains but we realize how important being happy is. If anyone needs or wants my address email me (annelucas577@hotmail.com) and I'll send it to ya! I will also be posting more pictures on this blog so look for regular updates.

I am also going to be working on the Richards Blog and posting some recipes on there. So in the next week or so look for that!

Much Love--Anne

My Little Flower Girls!!

Here are pictures from my sister's wedding in no particular order!!!

Tori made a friend and was running all over the reception holding his hand. It was cute!

One of my FAVORITE cousins--Leslie. It's ALWAYS great to see her!

Doesn't Andrew look so presidential?!

It was so great to see my Aunt Darlene, Aunt Marlys and my Uncle Keith!

Hugging to stay warm!

My Uncle Russel, Leslie and Aunt Darlene

My sister Ashley and her hubby Steve!

My Cute Flower Girls

Steve and Josh

The Christmas Letter! (and my 100th Post!!!!!)

This year has been all about making adjustments in our family. All I'm hoping this next year is that everything will be calm and uneventful!! (or strong medication!) It's been quite the "adjustment" living with a 2 and 6 year old in a 37 ft. trailer. I have downsized everything we own and I've quickly realized what we can and can't live without. I can say with 1000% certainty that I will NEVER EVER EVER go camping again. EVER! EV-ER! (The last one was for dramatic effect!!!)

Josh has been working in Vegas so the time we do have with him we are normally smothering him!! (With hugs and kisses not a pillow)

Jayden is in 9th grade. He's now living with us full time, it's been nice to get to see him more and get to know him. I know that Jessica and Tori love to have him around and play with him!

Jessica is in kindergarten and loves it! She comes home and teaches what she learned with Tori. She is OBSESSED with everything Koala Bear!

Tori is a typical 2 year old that loves to get into everything! She LOVES her big sister and follows her everywhere.

Overall it's been quite the year and we're looking forward to a calm 2011!!!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Anne, Josh, Jayden, Jessica and Toribelle!

Cookbook Cover

Here's the cover for the Richards Cookbook that I put together--I'm so happy with how it turned out! I can't wait to see the final product!!!!

Woot-woo!

Rich Lucas 1957-2010

This week has been a very hard week for our family. My father-in-law passed away last Sunday unexpectedly. It will be a diffult adjustment for all of us, thankfully we are with Josh's mom and we can all get through it together.

We will forever miss him! I will miss his sense of humor, his love for nature and his love for his grand kids. I loved watching Josh and Rich talk about cars or how to best build something.

This was the last thing that he made and it hangs in our trailer.

We love you Papa Rich!

The Official Richards Family Blog

This is something that I'm so excited about. When I first started doing the Richards Cookbook I didn't expect the positive response that I would get from everyone. It's been so long since everyone has gotten together that I felt something should be done! So done it shall.....A Blog! (It made sense in my head until I said it out loud and I'm not taking it back) Who doesn't like a good blog now and then?!? I dare you to tell me who!

Announcing the First Ever Richards Family Blog!

What I'm hoping is that the Richards Family can keep more in contact with each other or at least keep an undated address! That's not to much is it?!? If nothing more it can give people a fun trip down Memory Lane.

We're a crazy bunch that like to have fun!

Some of us are normal....but we still don't have an accurate count!

I hope that everyone enjoys this as much as I enjoyed putting it together!