Blizzzzard

They predicted 16 inches which would have been great if we didn't have 40 mph plus winds! Some areas were a few feet and others you could see the lawn. So we headed up to the kids school to hit the slope! 

 The wind there was BRUTAL too! But we had a fun time sledding down the steep hill. 

 Are ya in there Mike?

 GO Xander GO!

 Hold tight to your tube Alyssa!

Another one bites the dust!

Christmas 2010

 C'mon Mom we've had our moment of love! Now we're ready to rock n' roll! Let's get to those presents!

 Grandma Barbara is so happy to share in the festivities!

 The snowboards were a hit! Now bring on the snow!

Yay- plastic baggies wow that is exciting Mom!  

Uncle Michael eating a warhead candy. So nice of you to share Xander!

Cuteness...

Her saving grace! Why couldn't she do this for the family Christmas photo?

Picking up where we left off

Liz and I have been friends since 1st grade! Yes, that is a very LONG time! 

It is always so much fun to see her and Bob!

I love how we catch up on family, life and just enjoy one anothers company. Picking up where we left off and never missing a beat. 

 

 

This visit we even got some adult time when the 4 of us got to go for an overnighter in Boston. We spent a festive night in the city where we laughed A LOT, ate good food and more great memories were made! 

Photo take 1, 2...oh I give up!

This year we attempted our annual Christmas family photo on Thanksgiving morning and then again in the afternoon. 

Here are the not so "picture perfect" results

Lola wanted nothing to do with the pictures!

And it didn't help that I looked down!

 Let's try this inside...well maybe NOT!

Okay how about on my sister's porch?

Lola over here!

This one is my favorite of the boys! Too bad Alyssa was looking down.

So we didn't get one great picture, but we had MANY 

merry moments laughing our way through attempts!

Instead of trying for a third time I decided to make everyone's lives easier and crop their best photos and place them in single pictures that make up 

a "family photo" all together!

Paintball!

Xander was so excited to be able to finally go paintballing

 with Dad and Uncle David. 

 He had a blast!

(No injuries which makes mom happy!)

 Playing hard with the big boys calls

 for a little snooze on the way home. 

Life is good!

I got to sleep in this morning

We ate pie for breakfast

(which entitles me to the best mom award for the day)

Let the kids watch tv all morning

Christmas cards done

And best of all my most favorite sandwich of the year for lunch!

it is almost 1 and I am still in my pj's

~a GREAT day~

Thanksgiving Daily- I love this!

Service with a smile!

This morning, after feeding the dog, I came upstairs to find this!

Thank you Lissy! I love you!

Passing on the title

My job and title as "exterior illumination artist assistant" has been passed down to Xander! 

Can’t you see the joy on his face? 

Not quite the most exciting job. I am so grateful that he is old enough to take my place and apprentice under the Master exterior illumination artist! Paul said he was very helpful!

Mr. Funky Fresh

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Funky Fresh

I got Xander some new dress shirts yesterday that came with this cute tie, 

but not quite appropriate for church. 

So he decide to wear in with his t-shirt and turn into Mr. Funky Fresh. Love it!

My new little friend

Paul got a new little gadget. 

He won this ipad in a contest at work. I tried to convince him to wait and give it to the kids for Christmas. Yah, like that was gonna happen! He was just as excited about it as they were.

He downloaded a new app and I am in love with this cute little guy! 

He cracks me up! You can type words and he will say it out loud, he copies what you say, when you laugh and you can pet him and he responds with a sweet little gesture. 

Too much fun!

Must buy!

This stuff rocks! 

If you have anything stainless steel that you need to clean BUY IT! 

  I absolutely love how smooth and clean my sink is after I use it! There is absolutely no food scum residue after using it. Smooth as a babies bottom. LOVE IT!

This makes me laugh!

One of the kids clogged the toilet and instead of telling us right away left a note. Thankfully Paul was the one who found it! :-) 

Last game

Sadly Xander's team did not progress any further in the playoffs. 

Today was their last hard fought game. 

I am not sure which I will miss more... watching the games and cheering and encouraging from the sidelines or my prefootball walks with Alyssa and Lola. 

The last bits of fall were present today. 

Some on the trees, 

but mostly on the ground

 ~ JOY pure unadulterated JOY~ 

 Along with 2 swans who were happily eating 

and wouldn't cooperate for pictures. 

Bottoms up!

Goodbye football, fall and fabulous walks. 

I will be eagerly awaiting this time once again next year.