I sound a little bit excited don’t I?  I AM!  My birthday (we won’t mention the age) was back in February and I told Andy I really wanted the iPad, but it wasn’t due to come out til April.  He was all ready to pre-order it when I told him to just forget it and we’d look into getting it later.  I hadn’t really thought about it since.  I mean sure, I read about it, googled it and stared at Apple’s website each day, but i wasn’t thinking about it.    So Saturday morning I was gloriously taking advantage of sleeping in and letting my husband do breakfast with the kids that I never knew they left!  Sure I was aware in the back of my mind somewhere that I was sleeping peacefully for once…but no clue they were gone.  When they got home I was washing my face in the bathroom.  The kids all came running in with their Chick-Fil-A breakfast and Walmart sacks in hand.  Still, no idea.  Andy throws down the sack yakking away about something (I can’t remember what exactly) while I start brushing my teeth.  When he throws down the bag a box drops out and he just smiles.  I looked at what fell out and there it was….my new baby!  Ben took a bet that I’d scream when I saw it, and he would have won if it weren’t for the Colgate in my mouth. 

Translation for image above:  my mom thinks this is her’s.  But it’s Mine!

Last summer we bought one of those five dollar water camera’s for Ben to use.  He took it with him each time we went to White Water and our area pool.  I really didn’t expect much from it, with it being five bucks and all.  I figured we’d get the pictures back and see bits and pieces of us that were blurry and dark.  I was kinda right.    I mean they are very grainy images, but what can you expect from an 800 ISO water camera right?  What I didn’t expect is that they weren’t really dark and there were even a few that looked good!  And if you haven’t figured it out by now it took us this long to get it developed.

After looking through these I’m really wanting summer to get here.  That feel of sunlight hitting your face poolside and the smell of fresh cut grass…okay, I could do without the allergy reaction from the cut grass.  You get the picture right? 

So here is to summertime.  May it come quickly and last a while.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Of course we had to do a fast [very fast due to freezing temps] photo shoot.  I’m lucky I got what I did with my parents.  The whole time complaining that they were cold…bah!  I said ‘come on pops I take kids outside in the snow and they love it…what’s wrong with ya?!’  I’m such a lovely daughter don’t you think? 

I’ve got more pictures than usual so bare with me.

My folks with half of the grandkids…one day I’ll get one with all of them.

xoxo

Really right now I want to run into my living room, cuddle up on the couch and watch Dexter [which I had to TIVO], but instead I’m putting up this blog.  Why?  Because I’ve been home less than 24 hours and my mother is already asking for pictures to see. 

Going home [to PA] has a strange feeling to it for me.  I love getting to see my family and for my kids to spend quality time with them, but as the years go on my hometown [ironically actually named Hometown] seems more like a distant memory.  I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but I guess it’s just the natural progression of life.

So many of our friends have family relatively close by, but for us it’s more like 18 hours in the car [if we don't stop to pee].    So, when we visit or when they come here a Thanksgiving day is more like a Thanksgiving week for us.  I’m so bad about not pulling my camera out and getting those snapshots.  I know!  What’s wrong with me?!  I guess it’s just so nice to sit back and enjoy the moments that I forget to shoot them.  This visit I forced myself to do it…and I’m glad I did.  [although my dad and youngest brother seemed to escape most of the shots...shame on you both!]

Ben got a BMX trick bike for his 9th birthday just the week before so of course we had to take it with us.  AND before anyone gets all freaked out…yes that is my 2 year old on the trick bike…no he was barely moving and I was right there outside the frame. 

This shot of Sophie the cat is especially for my dad, who is having a difficult time with what the groomers did to ‘his cat’.  Sophie the Persian is now Sophie the lioness.  hahaha!  Don’t worry dad I’m sure it will grow back…eventually. 

My daughter…Jekyl & Hyde

My husband took this shot [hence the glass glare...okay I'll stop teasing him].  This is Betty.  She is 96?  This lady has known me since I was born…and still likes me! 

Hope your happy mother.  I’ll have part 2 up tomorrow…I’m going to watch some tivo before bed. 

xoxo