Irene and Decking the Halls

The beauties had a nice surprise last Saturday when Cousin Irene made an unexpected visit to see us. It was an equally big surprise that the first snow came on Sunday. I'm not sure who was more excited the beauties or Irene. It wasn't a big snowstorm but there was enough to take out the flying saucers and hit the hill in the back yard.

After Irene left on Tuesday we finally finished decorating for Christmas. The inside decorating when a lot better than the outside. Anthony has been in Jap*an on business so Christopher and I decided we would put up the lights outside. After what seemed like hours we discovered that almost NONE of the lights work. We managed to put up a line of light up candy canes and a half lit reindeer before we called it "DONE."

The inside decorations went a little easier and we're all pretty happy with how it looks.

Now we wait for Santa and hope we all stay off the Naughty List! Ho ho ho!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2008 is now a memory and a good one at that. We shared our turkey with friends and family. We had 17 people at our house this year and it was nice to share the holiday with others. The kids had a great time outside building a fort. I don't think I've ever seen Christopher so tired.



Christopher enjoyed a feast at school and made himself a vest and hat. During the preparation for the feast we made butter out of heavy cream. I had no idea that was possible. I shook and shook my jar and lo and behold I made butter. I was very impressed with myself.



We have much to be thankful for this year. We are especially grateful for our family and friends. I am ever thankful for the beauties. It doesn't get much better than this.

Birthdays and Getting Old

I can't believe another year has already passed. I can't believe I'm another year older. I've now celebrated too many anniversaries of my 39th birthday. I know it's just a number, but it's a number I'm not too fond of! The beauties were so great today. Christopher boxed up his own presents for me. He presented me this morning with two boxes...one contained a rock and the other assorted change and a Han*nah Mont*ana pencil sharpener right out his sister's room. Julia created her own pop-up birthday card. We then went out to dinner and had b-day cake. It was nice.

October

October found the beauties enjoying beautiful fall weather. We had a great time apple picking. The orchard was at the top of a mountain and I made it to the top much to my beautiful family's surprise! Halloween was great! We have enough candy to last us a year. Our backyard is really pretty this time of year. The colors are beautiful, but it takes several weekends to clean it all up once they all fall. School is in full swing and the beauties are enjoying every minute. Julia and I went to see the O*lympic Gymnasti*c Supe*rstars and it was GREAT! Julia proudly wears her Nas*tia Liu*kin shirt every where! Now on to November....

Catching Up...if that's possible!

I'm sitting in the bonus room watching the beauties play Wi*i F*it and thinking that this is the last weekend of September. One month of school is already done and I never even posted our summer vacation pictures. So here goes a little blog catch up. The beautiful sunflower was grown from a seed by Julia over the summer. I love, love, love sunflowers.

July found the beauties in Georgia visiting Yellow, Uncle Frank and Irene. We had fun, fun, fun. The thought of the long drive had us a little nervous, but we had a fabulous time. We had a lot of laughs along the highway and three of the four of us would do it again next summer. One who shall remain nameless, his initials are AKM has to think about it. What a spoiled sport.

We enjoyed Southern hospitality at it's best at Yellow's house. We ate delish food, swam in their luxurious pool and enjoyed great company.






Then we drove on the Orl*ando Florida to enjoy S*ea W*orld,Universa*l Studios and U*niversal I*lands of Ad*venture. We had a great time! On the drive we ran out of gas and met some interesting homeless men who were very helpful getting us back on our way. We're still arguing over whose fault it was that we ran out of gas in the first place.Despite some people's opinions,I believe that the person who is driving should take full responsibility.






We had a great time at Univ*ersal. Julia discovered she loved the Tw*ister Attraction and all thrill rides. Christopher was not convinced. He's not ready for the real scary stuff yet. He did however like the J*aws boat ride.


Okay August went quickly with some time spent swimming and hanging out. Then on August 28th we started school.

Our Lovely Loretta

On August 7, we lost our Loretta. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Sister, Mother-in-law and Friend. Despite her tiny size she was larger than life and she leaves a giant hole in the hearts of all who knew her. Until we meet again...

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day my friends. I feel very blessed that my "beauties" call me "Mom." This is truly the hardest, best job in the world.



It was quiet around here today. My beauties showered me with gifts this morning which was lovely. Julia wrote a story about when she was a baby and drew pictures. Christopher made me a flower pin and drew a portrait of me. We ran some errands, went to church, looked for new outdoor furniture, worked in the yard and then grilled our dinner.

Christopher's classroom hosted a Mother's Day Tea on Friday and it was a lot of fun. His class sang songs and told a story and shared snacks and lemonade. It was great and he was very proud.




Julia's school celebrated its 40th birthday and as part of the celebration they were asked to dress in another decade...can you guess what decade we chose???




The 80s of course! She made a great 80s girl. She wouldn't let me make her hair that big but I did my best.

H*ilton He*ad Vaca*tion

This past week found the beauties in Hilton Head, South Carolina crashing Daddy's golf trip! We had a great time. Thank you Daddy for letting us tag along with you. Our trip started early on Friday when Grandpa picked us up to go to the airport. Mommy was a little freaked out by the tiny (only 12 rows and we were in row 11) airplane! I knew it was a smaller plane but I had no idea it would be that small. A lady sitting behind me asked me "did you know this plane was so small?" She might possibly have been more afraid than me. The flight was uneventful and we arrived happy and ready to enjoy the warm weather. It was beautiful. We all got sunburned. For those who know me that is unheard of--I do not do SUN. The beach was so nice. I love the beach so much. The beauties enjoyed both the beach and the indoor pool. The outside pool was a little too chilly to swim in this early in the season. The beauties loved their strawberry smoothies every afternoon on the pool deck while we waited for Daddy to come back from his golf game. We played mini golf, went up in a light house and spent a lot of time enjoying each other's company. The beauties found a restaurant that they loved. I think they both just liked saying it's name--One Hot Mama's. Julia also found out that she enjoys a big breakfast buffet. She was so funny cruising around the buffet table. It was a really nice getaway. We're already trying to talk Daddy into taking us on his next golf trip :)

My Gymnast

Today was my beauty's first gymnastics "meet." It was an exhibition during a big invitational meet hosted by Julia's gym. Julia's team is the Shooting Stars and this was their first time performing in front of people. They wore their team leotards and scrunchies and had gel and glitter in their hair just like the "big" girls. They showed off their skills on beam, uneven bars, vault and floor exercises. I was so proud of Julia for her performance. She was very nervous about the beam because it seemed so much higher at the meet than it does during practice. During practice there are so many more mats which brings down the height of the beam. During the meet there is only one mat which makes it look so much higher. Julia did great! At the end her team was presented with their first "official" gymnastics trophy. The look on their faces was priceless when the assistants came out with their trophys. Aunt Carol, Uncle Jim, Grandpa, Leslie and Megan came to support her and after we went out to dinner to celebrate. It was a great day!

Easter

Happy Easter every one. Our holiday was quiet but fun. The Beauties left carrots out for the Big Bunny and went to bed early. When we went downstairs this morning the carrots were eaten!!!!

The Beauties found that the Bunny had left jelly bean filled eggs all over our family room and living room. He also left baskets full of goodies including two new Wii games. Julia is enjoying High School Musical Sing Along and Christopher thinks Raging Rabbids is great fun!

Anthony's father joined us for dinner and we had way too much! I'm stuffed.

I hope every one had a great holiday.

Today's the Day!

After a lot of "no ways" and "maybe when I'm a teenager," Julia finally decided to get her ears pierced. Today was the day! We drove to Piercing Pagoda and two lovely ladies helped her choose DIAMOND earrings!!! I'm the only one in the world who spends $100 on free ear piercing.

This was seconds after the piercing!



Beautiful earrings....



And a big thumbs up!



There was a flicker of doubt as she sat in the chair. The two girls in store said quietly "one, two, three" and it was done before Julia could change her mind. As you can imagine she is thrilled with her new earrings. Thankfully, Christopher has not asked to have his ears pierced :)