I am Woman,er uh- KATE; Hear Me Roar!!!

I have been too lazy for months now, not keeping up the family blog. As my excuse, fabfrugalfood and everydaysouthwest - my two cooking blogs - take up all my blogging time.

I hereby rededicate myself to happyvalleykellys with this post I stole from Kate.

OK, I know it's cheating. But it was too good to pass up!

Kate Kelly: Feminist Law Student / Theme Party Planner Extraordinaire!



Here are Kate's reasons she loves being a woman:

1. We are our conversations.
A conversation can be THE activity.
Said conversation can last, and last and last...
and if I'm with other women, no one tires of it.

2. We wear skirts. Skirts are really the best clothing item imaginable...
like wearable cupcake paper sleeves that leave your legs so free!

3. We dress up. Dressing up is part of my daily routine
and glitter is a socially acceptable accessory.

4. We cry. Tears communicate so many things. Sadness, joy, empathy.
Sometimes tears are the only adequate reaction,
and I love being able to cry.

5. We are expected to be compassionate.
{if only it were expected of all humans!}

6. We are curious. We learn and grow and do so many things
and are so many roles in one lifetime.

7. We are courageous. So women pursue their path with quiet dignity
willing to be, in the words of Susan B., "anything or nothing in the
estimate of the world..."

8. We sing harmonies. There is really just nothing like the sound
made by two ladies and a guitar.

9. We are divine. In the glorious words of Sojourner Truth,
"Where did your Christ come from?
Where did your Christ come from?
From God and a woman!
Man had nothing to do with Him."

Quit Facebook for GOOD!!

May I highly recommend quitting Facebook. It is EEEe-vil. A tool of the DEVIL!

j/k but, it's nice to be free!

Journalists in History

Jim and I happened upon two exhibits at the "Newseum," a museum in D.C. that is all about history of news. Two exhibits were of great interest because WE WERE A PART OF HISTORY WHEN IT WAS BEING MADE!

I was a part of the "Arizona Project." Journalists from all over the country came to Phoenix to investigate mob activity in Arizona after a Phoenix reporter, Don Bolles, was blown up in his car while he was investigating the mob. (That's me pictured in front of his blown-up car.) We scored a victory for free press! Much corruption was brought to light and there were many indictments and convictions after our investigation.

And, the Newseum has pieces of the Berlin Wall. Jim went there in 1989 when the Wall was being torn down. He went there with a team of journalists to help start the free press in East Germany. Before that time, they only had one government-run newspaper and no outside media was allowed in the country. Jim was there for 6 weeks, and I was at home with FOUR little Kelly kids. I also had to do laundry for the first time in our marriage. Needless to say, everyone got new underwear regularly during those 6 weeks! (That's Jim standing in front of actual pieces of the Berlin Wall.)

Thanksgiving festivities!

Favorite pic from the trip: Lily learning from all of us how to be a couch potato.More picts/details over at {my blog}. {where you will also find some sweet christmas tunes!}

Amy Kelly Welsh's First Quarter Centruy!!!

Wow! News flash: EVERYONE GETS OLD! Even Amy!

Happy Birthday, sweetie! It has been a joy to have you in our family.

Amy has always been a sweetie. One day when she was a preschooler, she came and sat next to her mom and was trying to think of a compliment to give me. She often did that.

She thought for awhile and then said: "Mom, you have such pretty purple designs on your legs!"

We are blessed to have you in our family. For time and for all eternity!

Best Halloween ev-a!

Cap'n Hook & Tink




Apple bobbing


The Funkes


Ninja duo


Dia de los Muertos couple


Halloween fun


Donut on a string game on steroids

NOTE: THE ABOVE PHOTO SELECTION WAS BY KATE. HERE IS DONNA'S COMMENTARY:
Whenever Kate comes to town, we have to brace ourselves for non-stop partying. This was no exception! We had 6 parties in four days. Birthday bash, all-you-can-eat sushi lunch, baby shower, Pumpkin Fest, Halloween party, Cranium Tournament. Seriously, we didn't get to bed until 2 am most nights. Quite a feat for oldsters like us!!!

I LOVE KATE'S BIRTHDAY SEASON! MAY YOU LIVE FOR 100 YEARS!

Good times were had by all!!

Hatty Birthday to KATE!

Mom and Dad dubbed her "Little Miss Binkerton" as a Toddler. Matt just calls her "Big Fat Kate." Whatever you call her, she has always been a delight to have in our family. I mean, seriously, who else would have a hat-themed birthday party?

Fave Kate quotes:

"Mom, I'm not going to eat this even if you spank me."

"We need to have some rules. The first rule is I'm the only one who gets to make the rules."

"It's not very much fun to be naughty!"

Happy Birthday, Kate, and may you live to have 100 more!