It was good...

It was really good...we spent Christmas Eve visiting with Daddy and Linda and going to church. We went back to the church we attended when we lived in Frederick. It was like going home!

Christmas was quiet. Jim and I went skiing on Christmas Day....and I'm still alive! It wasn't pretty but I made it down the 'bunny hill' a few times. Silly me believed Jim when he said I was ready for the next step. Let's just say I didn't ski down the entire way and let's also say it was a bit of a show...but I survived...more importantly Jim survived! Ha! Not sure if he'll ever be willing to take me again. ;)

The kids came later Christmas night...it was so good to see them! The day after Christmas was our Christmas Day! I laughed so much today. The kids and Mom and Jeff were all here. The house is a mess, things aren't in their place, laundry isn't done but it was fun! Now there's the occasional glimpse of Jake passing through in his ho, ho, ho boxers to retrieve more cookies and then back to his game, Julie's laid out on the couch surfing the net, Jon's giving a fashion show with all of his things from Santa and Jim's enjoying a Christmas cigar in the smoking room...ok, the garage!

Santa was good to all of us! But more important than any of that...it was good!

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas from our home to yours!

Enjoy!

Fifteen!

Happy Birthday Jacob! The baby is 15 today. In 9 short months he'll be able to get his driving permit...please say it isn't so! Hope you have the bestest day ever! Enjoy!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for! Today is a good reminder to stop and think of those people and things. We spent the day visiting with local family and had more than our share of great food! I have great parents...all four of them! I've been blessed four times over. They have each molded me in some way and made me who I am (they might not think that's a compliment ha! ;))

Daddy, me and Linda

Mom, me and Jeff

All in all, I'm a pretty lucky girl!

I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving too! One month 'til Christmas...just sayin'!

WE ARE....

Penn State played Indiana University at FedEx Field! Jim was fortunate enough to get tickets through his work. So, Jim, Jon and I headed to the game. While it was a home game for Indiana, you couldn't tell from the fans! There were far more folks cheering for Penn State!

We had great seats and perfect game day weather.

We even got to witness Joe Paterno in action...

And the game score wasn't bad either! =) A PSU win!

Hope you're having a great weekend too!

Happy Birthday Jim!

Today's your special day...your day to celebrate and look forward to another year! We hope that you're day is extra special and all of your wishes come true! ;)

The bus left...he's on his way

Matt (Julie's boyfriend) left for basic training today. He joined the Navy and has known for a while that this day was coming. Funny, I think Julie's been preparing for it in her own way. Knowing it's inevitable I've watched from a distance as she's made room between the two of them. Finding little things to bicker about and things that she doesn't 'like'. Took me a little bit to figure it out but truth is, that's her way of protecting herself from this....this day. But when the text came that read 'the bus just left..on his way to the airport', I know my Jules well enough to know it didn't work. There was too much emotion in those words.

She'll be fine and so will he! And no matter where the road leads them I know they'll be just fine! Whether it takes different paths for them or ends on the same, they're both good kids and will find their way. I'm sure I seem harsh when I say this but the reality is that he signed up for this. He did...no one made him and life's about choices. Even the really hard ones. So, Matt - no sympathy or extra points from me on that one (not that you wanted either)! :) But I'd be lying if I said when I told him goodbye on Sunday that there wasn't a part of me that felt a little sad. A little because I don't like to see Julie upset but mostly because he's someone's child, someone's brother, someone's friend, someone who's loved making a huge life decision! I can only imagine! We wish you the best Matt and know you'll do great! And remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Do good Matty and Jules - you know where I am if you need me! ;)

A few minutes of fame

The kids cousin Georgia sings in a band. We've seen them perform many times so this weekend when we heard they'd be playing at a local place, we thought we'd catch them one more time! They were great and even got Julie in the show. She was a little hesitant at first but with just a little coaxing, she was in the spotlight! I couldn't resist grabbing my phone to record her little moment of fame! ;) Good job Bugs....work it, work it! ;)

(don't forget to pause the music at the bottom of the page before you play the video...)

A different view

Jon was home for the weekend. Sad part about that is that an injured collar bone is going to keep him off the ice for a little while. (yes, again!) But since Jake's team was playing in a tournament this weekend, Jon got to see lots of games. At the last game, Jake's coach got ejected....so Jon got to spend a little time on the bench - just in a different role. He was offering a little coaching advice from his experience....and I think this picture is priceless!

Trick or treat!

I admit, I'm not a big fan of Halloween. But it is fun to see the little peeps dressed up in their costumes (even the furry peeps), going to the Mummer's Parade and handing out treats.

This year, Jake helped Julie with parade festivities. Each year her work participates and is always looking for volunteers to assist. Let's just say that Jake volunteered...with a little convincing. ;)

And instead of candy, Silly Bandz were in our basket this year. Thought it would be different and fun.

I think it was a hit but I admit that I'm missing sneaking a candy bar here and there....you know the one for them, one for me philosophy?! But guess my jeans won't be quite so tight. Ha!

So, Happy Halloween everyone!

His turn!

Hockey season has officially begun for Jacob too! Julie and I were there for opening night...and it was good to see him back out there. Lots of familiar kids...just a lot taller! A 3-1 win...great start! Good Luck this year to Tuscarora and Jake!

Her special day!

So hard to believe she's 20! But I love the person she's grown into. I'd like to think I'm her biggest fan, but that would be selfish. She touches so many people! To see her at work with all the little kids so excited to talk to Miss Julie - well...she's making a difference! And isn't that what it's all about? So, I'll settle for just being the president of her fan club! ;) She has so much to look forward to but in the meantime, I think she's doing just fine at finding her way and making things count! Her way!

She's not this little girl anymore...

She's this little girl!

Happy Birthday Bugs!

Lazy river day

We grabbed a blanket, some drinks and the ipod and headed to one of our favorite places....the river! Bright sunshine, crisp blue skies and calm water made for the perfect day.

Time passes so fast when we're there.

It's a little piece of heaven and I'm a happy girl when I'm there!

The weekend's winding down...we're watching some football and I'm searching for our Christmas cards...yep, that's right, Christmas! It'll be here way too fast!

Hope you had a great weekend too!

Say it isn't so!

We lived it up this summer...we hit the river most Saturdays and squeezed every drop we could out of it.

Rounded up the gear, kids and puppies and we were off! All in all we probably spent the most time there of any summer yet.

Finding the rope swing helped with that! We tied off most mornings while the kids jumped and we chillaxed!

But like all good things...it's coming to an end. Tonight was a big dose of reality...yep....winterized! The boat's done for the season.

..so on to pumpkins and spices and chilly nights and crisp mornings. But you best believe we'll all be anxiously awaiting the first hot day of Spring!

Brandywine in chocolate town!

So excited to see Jon play this weekend! It's been a while since I've seen him on the ice. Remember, earlier in the summer Jim went to New Jersey to watch him play in summer league, but I didn't go. So, when we were sure he'd be playing in Hershey, I knew I had to be there!

It's the little things that impress me too. Like when they played youth hockey, there weren't actual breaks between periods. They'd skate to the bench, talk to the coach for a little bit and then back at 'em. Not now! Now, they go to the locker room, zam the ice and have actual 20 minute breaks. Guess he's all grown up now (kinda, ha!).

The team's off to a great start. They won 7 - 2 and Jon had a great game! It was sooooo good to see him.

All day long

Today is my birthday! Can I just tell you that it has rained ALL day...no joke...like need an ark rain! White knuckles driving home rain! But, it's still my birthday and I love that! I love forgetting for a few minutes and then remembering...oh yeah, today's my birthday! :)

There's been so many wishes...people that I haven't heard from in waaaay too long...people I talk to every day...friends and family and friends that are practically family! And it's times like these that make me feel like I matter! Ha!

So, every Thursday night (well not every..but darn close to EVERY) we go to this local place...The Broad Axe! We like it there...it's a little like Cheers...where everybody knows your name. Well not quite, but you get the point. And it's Thursday, right? So, that's where we were. Dinner and drinks with Duffy and Julie...chats over the phone with Jon and Jake..my day is complete!

And yep, this is my last year to be 30 something. And don't think I'm not going to hold on tight and enjoy it! Because I am...and when it's next year at this time and I'm writing about being the big four oh...well that'll be ok too, but until then...I'm going to live it up...my way. ;) I can promise you this...when I say goodbye to the 30's I'm gonna say, now that was fun!

(not sure why it's sooo blurry...but it's the official b-day pic with Duffy!)

So on this very rainy night (I can hear it hitting the roof as I type and honestly, it's one of my most favorite sounds to hear when I'm laying quiet in bed) I say bring it on! I'm ready! Let the party begin....

It was great!

I have this streak thing going...see, I haven't missed a single year at the fair since I've been alive. Can't let that end...not if I can help it! So off we went...

To see the animals...love them!

This little one was born less than 12 hours earlier!

Oh and the little pigs! They were smaller than I've ever seen and really really cute!

And the food and rides...love this place! It makes me smile!

We had fun at the Great Frederick Fair!