Christmas Cheer

The kids singing Jingle Bells.


Cole singing Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.


Jack singing Christmas is Coming.


Lily singing Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2008

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. We went on a road trip with Matt's parents to visit Gettysburg, Hershey, and Lancaster Country. Gettysburg would have been MUCH more enjoyable if the kids weren't around, but the kids had fun at Hershey World and Lancaster. Santa made an appearance at Hershey World. Only Lily and Jack would sit on his lamp. I guess that means Cole doesn't get any Christmas gifts. We ate Thanksgiving dinner at a really nice hotel in Lancaster County. Have you ever been to Lancaster County? It's so charming. We took a buggy ride, went in way cute shops, ate good treats and food. I needed at least 3 more says there without my kids.
Here are some pictures of our trip.

In the hotel where we ate Thanksgiving dinner

Winter Has Officially Arrived

We've already had our second big snow storm of the year. Lily's school has been delayed once and canceled once, the snow blower is in full use, and our new winter coats and jackets are already looking worn. We had a sunny day between storms, so we headed out to play in the fluffy white stuff. It's deep enough to make our own small sledding hill in our front yard, build a snow fort, and throw Jack into the air so he can land in the middle of it all. Fun stuff!

My Handsome Boys

I decided I needed some updated pictures of my boys that I can frame. We've had unbelievably beautiful weather here in the Northeast, so we headed to the park for pictures and fun. Jack and Cole are great posers...when they want to be, and we got a few good pictures of them. Aren't they handsome kids?

Halloween 2008

Another successful Halloween. We had a great time trick-o-treating with some of our best friends here in Erie. The weather was great, the kids looked cute as ever, and they came home with a whole loot of goodies.

My Life With Power Rangers and Yummy Raspberry Jam

Mimi is in town and we found a great deal on Raspberries, so we decided to make some jam. This is the second time I have made jam. It's so fun and so easy. We made 10 jars of jam in just over an hour.




Mimi bought these AWESOME Power Ranger costumes for the boys. They are actually for "dress up "so that they will have "boy" dress ups instead of Lily dressing them up as princesses or girls. They had so much fun in these. I bought them other Halloween costumes, but I won't be surprised if they decide to wear these instead. Here they are doing a few kung fu power ranger moves and being fearless catching HUGE grasshoppers.

Happy Fall!

Just wanted to post a few fall pictures. I love this time of year. Watching the leaves change color, visiting pumpkin patches with the kids, and anticipating the holidays is so much fun for me. The leaves are in full autumn color. Those of you who have been or lived in the northeast at this time of the year know just how beautiful it is. Happy fall!

P.S. I admit, I didn't do my kid's hair this day. I just had to comment on this because Matt was making fun of their hair in these pictures, and me not doing it.

Completed Marathon...Check

One more thing to check off my list of things to do before I die. The marathon was AWESOME. It rained the entire time I ran, but I can't complain. I hoped and prayed for a cold day to run in. I run much better in the cold than in the heat. My time was slow (4:39:58) which averages out to about a 10 minute 40 second mile, but I finished. I started out doing around 8-9 minute miles, but when the pain set in around mile 20, I slowed to about 12 minute miles. Matt of course killed it again. Another Boston qualifying time of 3:15:40. Matt's sisters Heather and Joanna also ran and kicked butt! You girls are awesome! The day after the race I hobbled around like a little old lady, but it was worth it. Would I do it again? 100% yes...BUT, I need a running group. I'm tired of doing long runs all by my self.

The rest of the St. George trip was fun as well. We were not stop with fun, fun, and more fun. The kids loved hanging out with my mom's horses, swimming in my grandma's pool (Omi, as the kids call her), fishing, and and visiting with good friends. We were able to get together with Matt and Haley Hammons. We didn't get any pictures with them, dang it! And then we saw Laurie for our annual visit to the Olive Garden for Millie's birthday.




We also got to see and visit my grandpa. He is 86 years old and lives in an assisted living. He has dementia pretty bad and doesn't remember me too well, but we love him and enjoyed seeing him. Jack took a particular liking to him, and had no problem sitting on papa's lap. I know my grandpa enjoyed seeing the kids. As the adults talked, Lily, Jack, and Cole found entertainment with my grandpa's walkers We had to put a stop to it when they started taking other old folk's walkers as well!

Here are just a couple of pictures of Jack and Cole on our trip that I liked.

Fun times and good memories.