He's fourteen today!

Jacob is 14 today! In some ways he seems older and in others I don't know where the time has gone. He's a thoughtful kid and can always make you smile! He's naturally funny and outgoing and I couldn't be prouder to be his Godmother!

So Jacob, we're wishing you the happiest of birthdays! You deserve nothing less than everything! We LOVE you! Enjoy your day!

Christmas traditions

Christmas traditions around here include getting the decorations out early! It's not unusual for lights to be twinkling early in November. BUT, once Christmas day is over...they're coming down! :) No joke, 2 days after and they're packed away waiting for next year. Funny, it becomes messy once the holiday has passed (at least that's how I feel).


Here's a peek at this year's tree (I'll share more in a couple of weeks when The Nester hosts The Christmas Tour of Homes ;)).



No matter my great intentions, it always seems I'm finishing up gathering presents and getting wrapping done all the way up to the last minute...please say I'm not alone!


We typically spend Christmas eve with Daddy and Linda - opening presents and spending time together. Mom and Jeff arrive Christmas morning and stay until around lunch time. Then it's off to Daddy and Linda's to visit with family before heading off to dinner. Guess this year will start new traditions - dinner's always been at Grandma's. When a door closes, a new one opens, right?


Merry Christmas!


What are your traditions?

So thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I'm thankful - thankful for my health, for a home that's comfortable. Thankful for my family - for parents who are supportive and loving a husband who puts up with me (ha!) . Thankful for Godchildren who have been so very special in my life. Thankful for friends - each and every one of you! Thankful for my pets who truly do give unconditional love. Thankful for a job that while is very challenging has been a blessing. I'm thankful for each of you who are reading this! May you have a blessed holiday season!

Our furry family

Oh how I love them! Seriously, I do...I've always had a pet, every since I was little. I really can't imagine not having any. Chelsea, our devil cat (said with love!) of nearly 17 years passed away 2 years ago in July and we were 'petless' for 7 L O N G weeks. I tried, ok! Ha! I have this really special place in my heart for animals.

So, this week as we tell y'all about our pets hosted by Kelly's Korner well....I'm sooo 'cited to!

If you've followed us you might remember that I've mentioned that our furry family's grown but wasn't necessarily planned. Here's a little more about that -

This is Molly!

We adopted her from a local shelter. When I called to ask about her, I was told that she was surrendered in May by a family who had a member who'd developed allergies. (It was September when she came home with us...that's a long time to wait, huh?!) They went on to tell me that while I was welcome to adopt 'just her', she was surrendered with a friend who'd she been with the entire time - including their stay in the shelter. Well, in case you couldn't guess, there's not a chance that I would leave him behind! So, I introduce you to Max....

Kinda funny but they were adopted based on a small picture of each of them. I have neither the courage or willpower to actually go 'in the back' to see their little faces in cages waiting for a home! (I'm sure some of you are thinking I have serious issues at this point...you're probably right but hey - it's who I am!) So, needless to say it was a surprise to see how big Max actually is. He has the longest legs I think I've ever seen on a cat. But he's as sweet as he is tall!

Together, they're quite a pair! Molly is most definitely the queen of the house. She's so gentle and welcoming but doesn't hesitate to let you know who's in charge!

Then there's Mason! Let me start by saying that I never thought we'd have a dog...seriously! While I love them, being committed to taking him out and training him and having to be home, well...I didn't see us doing that. That's until Mason man! A birthday present a year ago, he is without a doubt a joy! He's a mix of a shih-tzu and poodle and is the tiniest little man. 'All grown up' at 5 1/2 pounds he's found his place here. Even when I'm out late at night or up waaay to early in the morning so he can go potty, the good still outweighs the chores that come along with him.

Lastly but most certainly not least...there's Titan. He's Julieanne's and moved in with her earlier this year. Coming from the same breeder as Mason (really the reason Mason was adopted...T is just so darn cute!) they are best friends! They're great company for each other and are for certain partners in crime most days! Only 1 month older but twice as big, Titan has the best personality and is very loving (as long as he knows you...if not, well let's just say it's going to be a show!). And please take special notice of those teeth...aren't they just the best?

So that sums them up. Probably two more than I'd set out to have but if you think I could pick which two that'd be, then you haven't paid attention! =) I LOVE THEM!

“You’re not 40, you’re eighteen with 22 years experience.”

Today we're celebrating....Duffy's 40! Life begins at 40, right? So, here's to another 40 years of water skiing,

another 40 years of snow skiing,

of golf,

another 40 years of great cigars and even better beverages!

But most importantly, here's to another 40 years of good health, good times and happiness Duffy!

Nostalgia

Tonight Duffy and I met Daddy downtown Frederick for dinner. We do that from time to time, but this time we decided to visit a restaurant that's pretty new to the area.

The food was great but the building...well the building has special meaning - at least to me. You see, when I was a little girl that building belonged to my Uncle Donald. This is where his radiator repair shop was. In the summer, my Grandma and I would walk downtown and many times would stop in to see him. I remember going there with my Pap-Pap to see what he was working on. In the front windows you'd often find plants being carefully cared for and his cat who lived there. It's funny sitting there tonight enjoying time with Daddy to think that this was once so very different. I love that kinda stuff!

Yep, it's true, it's starting to look a lot like Christmas around here.

I definitely didn't plan to decorate today, that's for sure, but let's say the house was screaming for a little attention so why not! I mean if I was going to clean, why not go ahead and go for it.

It's usually a work in progress so I'm sure I'll add more over the next couple of days/weeks but all of the main things are out. I'll admit that I'm feeling a little bah humbug this year so I'm hoping the glow of the lights make me feel a little more festive.

I'll share pictures of our decorations on December 14th when The Nester hosts the Christmas tour of homes!

It's beautiful outside today too! I mean it's one of those days that you know won't happen many more times this year. So between sneaking in a peek at football, Duffy's trying to get the yard cleaned up a little. Of course he has lots of help!

So back to finishing up laundry, maybe squeeze in washing my car and then off to watch the boys play hockey this evening. Hope y'all are having a good weekend!

It's Duffy's birthday week!

It's not just any ordinary birthday either...Duffy's turning the big four-oh! Tonight we met up with the Jenn, Jim and the kids at Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Let the celebrating begin....

It's a special day!

Today we're celebrating 2 very special birthdays!

Still spunky and on the go go go Grandma is celebrating her 90th!

AND a very HaPpY BiRtHdAy to Jeremy! We hope you have the best birthday ever!

Special birthday wishes to two very special people!

High Rock

After a weekend packed full of hockey - 4 games in 3 days, we decided to go for a little ride before football. We've been hearing about High Rock for a while from Julie and her friends so we thought that'd be a good quick spot to visit on this perfectly beautiful fall day. I have no question why it's named that. Wow...heights usually don't bother me but it took me a second to get comfortable up there. But the views were amazing!

Guess lots of people had the same idea. It was a popular place today!

On the way home, we stopped by our local orchard to pick up some fresh cider and pies. It's one of my favorite places!

It's been a busy weekend...but lots of fun!

Rock the red!

Julieanne had tickets to tonight's Capitals game and she invited me to go (I won't go into the story of how I was at least 5th on the list ha!). So, of course I did and we had a great time! We had unbelievably good seats - 10 rows from the glass right behind the net...wow!

It was a great game! They started off slow in the 1st and 2nd periods but came out on fire in the 3rd! Before we knew it the score was 7 - 4! Woo hoo....rock the red....Let's go Caps!

Much thanks to Bugs for taking me along...I had tons of fun! =)

He shoots, he scores!

Jonathan's hockey team is participating in a high school tournament this weekend. Their first game was tonight and since the rink is literally a stones throw from my office, I was able to go right after work. Even though the score didn't end up in our favor, Jon scored his first goal of the season, from the blue line (ok, if you're not a hockey guru, that's good stuff). Here a picture I took right after he took the shot.

His team has at least 2 more games this weekend. Good luck Bears!

A time for thanks!

This week we're sharing Thanksgiving traditions at Kelly's Korner. Sorry, but there's no pictures to share, more just my thoughts and memories. As a child and for a lot of my adult life, Thanksgiving's were spent at Grandma's. She was a great cook and we always joked that she made enough food to feed a small army! Always with the kitchen a disaster of dishes and food. And by the time dinner was on the table, she would be full from sampling all day! And this feast was prepared in her small apartment kitchen! Honestly, when I think back, I'm not sure how she did it, but she always did. Some of my best memories are from there. But if you remember, she left this life in June.

Over the past few years, we've started new 'traditions'. My step-mom Linda is kitchen wizard! Not only does EVERYTHING she makes taste delicious, you would never believe how organized and clean things are. No evidence of the effort that it obviously takes to pull it all together! She's amazing at it.

From one great dinner to another...Mom took over dinner duty from Grandma a few years back. She's a lot like her (not sure she'd want to hear that she's like her Mother...ha! but in this case, it's a compliment). She spends the day preparing more food that we can eat in 4 days! Believe me, we try! Always good and we always eat waaaaaay too much! Guess that's what it's all about.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have dinner here, at home. I'm so tempted but wow...it's a lot to take on. Especially considering I'm not exactly a chef. The first year we were married, I declared Thanksgiving would be at our house! Thank God for Grandma Herrmann and the Mom's. Shew....I think I've blocked a lot of that day for sanity sake! =) Think I could really pull it off again? I'm not so sure.

And, for the record...the concept of Thanksgiving sends me crazy! I say it every year but we should be thankful every day! I guess the holiday is a good reminder but PLEASE find something every day to be thankful for!

Good bye summer!

I know it's November and that summer's been gone for a while but when we change the clocks it really hits me! The beautiful leaves are slowly disappearing and it's feeling more and more like the holiday season. So, this week as we walk down memory lane, I can't help but look back at one of my favorite things about summer! Saturday's at the river....peaceful, huh?

Happy Birthday Brit*b!

Thanks for letting me steal and crop pics Luanne! =)

OK Brit*b, I'm not going to go on and on embarrassing you with how I can't believe you're 21 today...about how I can remember like it was yesterday when you were a little girl...about how you were probably only 7 when I first met you. Nope, not going to wonder where the time has gone! =) But I will go on and on about the beautiful women you've grown into! (OK, I'll stop!) But seriously, Happy 21st Birthday Brit*b!