"It's An Honor Just Being Nominated..."

Since we have not left the house in nearly a week and a half, I decided I would be "Fun Mom" today and take the kids to the mall after we picked up Jack from school. A little Food Court Pizza (my favorite), run a few errands, "get the stink blowed off" - you get the drift. Just so happened the train was still up. And since I never let my kids ride it ($2 x 3 - you do the math) and since I was being "Fun Mom" today...I said what the heck!


If you can't tell, Brooke is SCREAMING in this picture. Not happy. But I knew she would enjoy it once it started. So what did I do?

I turned to the "Conductor" and simply said:

"Hurry and lock the door. She will be fine."

At which point, he did as I said and then knocked on the window and said:

"Hey! Little boy! Hold on to your sister so she doesn't fall when it starts."
(For Liability Purposes, I'm sure...and a kind heart)


And for the record, I was right. She loved it. And even told Mr. Conductor "Thank You" when it was over.

My first nomination in 2010 for
MOTHER OF THE YEAR.
And it is only January 4th.

I can already tell it's going to be a good year...

Happiness Is...

Sharing your seat and a treat with someone you love.

Christmas 2009

Yes, I know it is already 2010. Happy New Year!
But I left my camera at my Mom's so I had to wait for the snail mail to return it.
That also means I have no pictures of our final Christmas celebration, which was with The Goshorns (sorry Goshorn Family). Here are our highlights:


After a family meeting to discuss the best way to get Santa to stop by our house...


we left Reindeer Food outside to lure the sleigh our way
(thanks, Aunt Julie!!).


Plus milk and cookies for the big guy.


Guess it all worked...he left a few presents for The Goshorn kids!
He also gave Brutus, our Elf, a lift back to The North Pole. We will see him again next year!


Santa did not disappoint, as Jack got his Transformer Trading Cards...


Brooke got a fancy purse...


And, because the real thing could not be transported (nor kept alive), an "alternate" whale was delivered for Will. When he opened it he screamed "My Orca!" He knows his whales at 4...I just learned which one was an Orca this holiday season.


Jack even had a special present for Mommy and Daddy...


A beautiful hand-painted ornament! Something we will always treasure!


Once we arrived in Yoder, Uncle Jon helped the kids throw a fabulous birthday party for Jesus, including re-lighting candles!


I think our family had a great Christmas. Hope yours did too!

What A Difference A Year Makes...or 10!

Yes, we have been incognito. I will blog about our Christmas soon. In a word - FUN!


Here we are last NYE...
Having fun playing with Aunt Julie and Aunt "Gloria" Laura.

We will be in the same place tonight, yet with a much sassier 1.5 yr old and the same crazy boys. What a difference a year makes!

Wish I had a picture from 10 years ago...remember ringin' in 2000 and thinking your money would be gone and your computer would crash?! Andy and I were in Vail, Colorado for our first (and my only) ski adventure. What a difference 10 years make!

Happy 2010 and be safe!

From Our Family To Yours

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas, filled with family and friends. Hoping your loved ones celebrate the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus' Birthday!

After our morning together, we will head to Grandparents Goshorn for lunch and off to Yoder and the Sorg Family til' Sunday. Then back to the Goshorn Family. Whew! We will have pictures to post of our birthday party - Jesus is getting a Texas Sheet Cake this year - yum!

Merry Christmas!

Festival of Lights

We made our annual trek to The Festival of Lights at The Zoo with The Markarian Family last night. It was a cold one, to say the least, but all the kids did great. Gettin' home to a warm bath and a hot pizza hit the spot!

Tuesdays with Jack

Here is Jack with one of his favorite people, Grandma Goshorn.
Too cute not to post.
Love you, Grandma!
And Happy Anniversary to you and Grandpa!