4 words

We have a Wii!!!

Given to us by my parents as a very surprising Christmas gift. Along with the Wii system, we got Wiiplay, Guitar Hero III and WiiFit! We've hooked it up here in Pittsburgh and have been enjoying every last minute of it. Dave, Rob and I have become quite good at Guitar Hero III (ok, on the easy setting but you have to start somewhere, right?). I am waiting till we get home to break open the WiiFit but am very excited and have been reading all about it.

We are having a nice Grandparents tour (VA for a few days and now PA) and are ready to ring in the New Year tonight with Georgeanne and Joel at Mad Mex (my favorite Mexican place!!!!).

Pictures will follow when we get home but just wanted to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Years! Last post of the 2008 and I look forward to what 2009 will bring us!

So from all of us in Team Engel, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! See ya on the flip side :)

A look into our Christmas

First I want to send warm wishes to everyone on this very happy and merry Christmas Day. I hope you are enjoying your day and making tons of wonderful memories with the ones you love!

We started our Christmas festivities last night (of course) with a fabulous Christmas Eve meal...roast chicken, roasted brussel sprouts, out of this world mashed potatoes and a yummy celery salad. After dinner we packed our little elves into the car to go to Bubby Knotts farm (a.k.a the Christmas Farm...according to Zachary) to see the wondeful Christmas light display. After a quick drive through at the farm, we headed home, kids all snug in their jammies and ready for bed. Zachary spread the magic reindeer dust all over the front yard to insure Santas sleigh would find its way here.

We got the kids to bed, enjoyed a few glasses of wine and went to bed ourselves (not before 2 hours of Santa toy assembly, however ;) ).

This morning we woke to Zachary whispering "Mom, wake up, it's baby Jesus' birthday and we have to make him breakfast" (HOW CUTE IS THAT!?!?!?)

Then we crept down the hallway to see if Santa had visited...and guess what, HE DID! Some little children in our house must have been good all year long :). It all went a little something like this...

Z: Oh my, what is all this?

A: Looks like some new toys

Z: Oh, thank you Mommy!

A: Oh, don't thank me, honey, Santa left these for you

Z: WOW!

Madeline is a little under the weather so we let her sleep but when she woke up, she was very excited to see the toys that were left for her and has been playing "mommy" to her new babies all morning!

Now, on to the pictures....

Madeline putting her new baby to bed
Z rockin' out with his new microphone

Dave and Z trying out Z's new binoculars

(Thanks Aunt Sarah and Uncle Sean!!!)

All wrapped up in her new blanket

Our tree

And now, while the kiddies sleep, I am updating the blog, Dave is hanging out. We've got wine mulling on the stove and our friends and neighbors, the Wolfe's (Scott, Mary, Natalie and David) will be over in a few hours for our Christmas feast (lamb chops, roasted root veggies, sausage stuffing, scalloped potatoes and pumpkin crisp for dessert...YUM!). Hope you all have a great day and I'll post more when we are back from our Christmas tour! :)

Until then...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Zachary's Christmas Show

Zachary's preschool class had their Christmas party today which included a little Christmas show for all the parents. Nothing like watching 30 3 year olds sing their little hearts out. Of course Zachary stole the show (ok, not really but that is what mom's are supposed to say, right?!). We were so proud of him. Here is the video of our little superstar in action :).

***(a couple of things to remember: 1. the little one fussing in the background is NOT Madeline, 2. this is just about 6 minutes long but so worth it!, and 3. I know I put Jungle Bells in the credits..my bad...we just finished reading the Jungle Book so that was on my mind.)***

Family Christmas Gathering

I love the holidays...have I mentioned that before? Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Anything that gets family and friends together is top notch in my book. Last weekend we got together with the DiSantos (well some of them) for a family Christmas gathering. Tons of food, lots of yummy beverages and great company. What a perfect way to celebrate the season!

Way to much garlic bread + goofy cousins = funny picture

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

CHEERS!!!

School pictures

I can't get over how big my little baby boy has gotten. Man...i feel all weepy but where did the time go? Almost 4 with the independence and attitude of a 14 year old. I know I am his mommy but I just have to say, isn't he handsome?!?!?!?

16 months

Little Maddie Sue will be 16 months old (can you believe it?!?!?!) on the 19th!! She had her check-up with the Dr.'s yesterday. She is weighing in at 27.6 pounds and is 33 inches tall and doing great. She had to get 3 shots yesterday :( and was unhappy about that but seemed to bounce back pretty quickly after a marathon sleep session last night (14.5 hours!!!!) She is such a joy and we love her dearly! :)

Somewhat wordless Wednesday

Z and his favorite Gal Pal, Molly reading books in his room!

Can anyone say "Dawson and Joey"??

Starting him young...and another food added to Z's diet!!!

So here is a picture of young Zachary making scrambled eggs for the very first time! Now, I thought we er..uh.. I mean he was just making them for Madeline but then we er..uh I mean he came up with a great idea to make "egg dilla's" the breakfast version of our er...uh I mean their favorite lunch "cheese dilla" (as in quesadilla people). Anyway..he scrambled and I assembled and BOTH Madeline and Zachary ate this for breakfast!

This is huge as we can add eggs back into the list of things Zachary likes to eat. We eat a lot of eggs in our house so this is a super big deal. Plus, this was just a fun bonding moment!

(please notice Madeline in the bottom corner trying to get up on the chair to help and stop looking at the mess on the counter!!!)

And I thought the teen years would be bad......

I have a confession...a few days ago, our friends Zack and Jean posted a very funny story on their blog. It seems their 4 1/2 year old son was asking all about how babies come out. Hop over there to read it...its pretty funny stuff! Anyway, I laughed and laughed and laughed my head off and thought to myself how lucky I am that we don't have tween age questions coming from our 3 3/4 year old.

And then yesterday, we had our own tween moment...

Zach: Why do we have to be quiet?

Me: Well because Madeline is sleeping and we don't want her to wake up

Zach: But I want to scream and shout

Me: Sorry buddy, we can do that when Madeline gets up

Zach: Well....I am moving out!!!

Me: Oh you are, huh? And where are you moving too?

Zach: Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house

Me: well, we will miss you. But for now we have to stay quiet while Madeline is sleeping.

"I'm moving out"...from a 3 almost 4 year old....WHAT THE?!?!?!?!

BFF's

Like Mother's like Daughters....

Amelia & Madeline

BFF's (I hope :) )

We are back from our Thanksgiving adventures...I've got pictures galore...Lou's 40th, Thanksgiving, and a whole litney of other things to write about. But, after a day of driving and then decorating, this blogging mommy is TIRED! And will be going to bed now :). More soon....

I am so excited....

for Thanksgiving. The cooks holiday. Seriously. I mean, I am not joking. And here is how we are preparing our turkey this year. Not in an oven, not deep fried but..wait for it....smoked! Oh yes, Dave and I have been researching and preparing for our smoked turkey adventure and have finalized exactly what we need to do. It is going to be fantastically yummy.

thats all, i have turkey on the brain.

In the words of Rachael Ray...

YUM-O!

So, I have really been experimenting in the kitchen again (you know with my new appliances, it makes life so much easier and organized :) ) and coming up with wonderful yummy recipes to try out on my poor family.

Last weekend Dave and I made ribs..yummy yummy ribs and I made a coleslaw of sorts. Have had it on my brain all week because I totally made it up and I thought I would share!!

1/2 head of red cabbage chopped
2 honey crisp apples peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 sweet onion thinly sliced
3/4 cup raisins
2 carrots peeled into ribbons with my fancy new vegetable peeler
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons honey

Mix the first five ingredients together. In separate bowl mix last 3 ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well with the cabbage mixture and refrigerate for 2- 3 hours (even better over night!) Enjoy!!!

Last night, I walked into the living room while Zachary and Dave were watching Jeopardy (who knows why). I sat down with them and started answering the questions one right after another...I mean, I was on fire. Then...well, it went a little something like this...

Me: I am awesome at Jeopardy

Dave: You think, huh?

Me: Didn't you hear me just answer all of those questions in a row, I would so win this!

Dave: Well we will have to be sure we sign you up to try out for "Teen Jeopardy" the next time they are in town.

Me: (glaring look)

Dave: Just call it like I see it, just call it like I see it

I didn't realize that Teen Jeopardy was what was being played!!!

Feelin' a little old...

So, I had my "girly" annual check-up yesterday. I love going to my OB-GYN's office because she has pictures all over the place of all the babies that she has delivered since owning her own practice (and yes, both of my precious babes are up on the wall). Having not been there for a year, I got to catch up on all the cute babies born in the last year. And I don't know about the rest of you but when in the office, looking at baby pictures, watching the pregnant women filter in and out, my mind starts to wander to the "I would love another baby" land. It is no surprise that I would love to have another baby, everyone knows that. And the fate of that is still unknown. Maybe someday, maybe not.

Anyway, I got called back and was talking with my CNRP, Anne about the last year and such and she hit me with 2 big wooza's...that left me feeling, well, a little old. The first, if I am going to have another baby, I should think about it sooner than later...I am pushing 35 which in baby making terms is "Advanced Maternal Age"...yikes. And then she told me she wants me to get a mammogram. What?!?!?! I thought women in their 40's...50's get mammograms but not 34 year old me.

So, she explained that because I have a history of breast cancer in my family, they would like to get a baseline now just to see how things are going. Ok, I'll give 'em that. I am a little nervous about it, having never had one but I do think it is best to be proactive when it comes to "the girls".

So, I am reflecting on this today and I have to say that my "almost advanced maternal age, mammogram gettin'" self is feeling a little old. *sigh*

Off to get Zachary from school!

Yummy recipe

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to cook! I mean, love to cook. I love to take old recipes and revamp them. I love to make up my own and occasionally, I find a recipe I love just the way it is. This week I found this yummy dream and thought I would share. Delicious, quick and super super easy! Try it out and let me know what you think. Perfect for a fall evening. And super kids friendly! Without furthur ado....

Cheesy Tortilla Soup

1 envelope chicken taco season mix (I used the hot stuff)
1 pound of boneless chicken breasts, diced
2 tablespoons of begetable oil
1 large chopped onion
1/4 cup of butter
1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
1 box (quart) of chicken stock
2 cans of chopped green chilies
1 cup of Velveeta (i know..sounds weird but it is really good!!)
1 1/2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese (divided)
1 1/2 cups of half and half
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
torilla chipa

* prepare taco mix according to pakcage directions; add to diced chicken to marinate;in large skillet, cook chiecken in oil until juices run clear and set aside

* In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until soft; stir in flour until well mixed. Slowly add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Cook and stirl for 2-4 miutes until thick and bubbly. Add the chiles, Velveeta and 1 cup of Monterey Jack; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Stril in cream and the chicken and heat through..make sure not to boil, though. Garnish with cheddar cheese, remaining Monterey Jack and Tortilla chips. Enjoy!! :)

Iowa...really?

So, although I was on a Penn State 9-0 high and feeling invincible, I was realistic and knew that we did have a chance of losing to someone...but did it have to be Iowa??? I mean, really? They soooo....stunk it up last night and are now 9-1 which means that the stars have to align in some celestial non human understanding alien kinda way for them to ever make it to compete for the National Championship...there goes their hope for the Rose Bowl and for those out there that had hopes of Joepa retiring if they won the NC this year, ha! that ain't gonna happen now.

And this is how I feel, and I didn't even go to Penn State. Imagine how my husband feels. If only you could have been a fly on the wall in our house yesterday. Those of you who know him can totally sympathize with me, especially those of you who went to Penn State with him and have enjoyed many games with him. I love that my husband is such a huge Penn State fan and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

So, here we are picking up the pieces today and hoping that the Steelers do a little better. Thank God the Redskins have the week off!!

Stay tuned for pictures of my NEW APPLIANCES!! I love love love love them!!!!

Took the day off....

from my computer/cell phone that is. Yep, yesterday I decided to turn off the computer, turn off the phone and I have to say, it was actually really nice. Sometimes I get so swept up on this silly computer and it was so nice to just take a break :)! Try it sometime, it is actually very refreshing!

Why I voted the way I did...

Although I am sad that the man I voted for did not win yesterday, I am reminded of what a humble and great man he truely is when reading the words of his concession speech. I knew whatever the outcome of yesterday's election, our country would be on the road to recovery and even though the man I voted for won't be leading us, I am proud to have followed him and to have voted the way that I did. Yes, this is lengthy, but take the time to read it and maybe you will see in John McCain what I have seen for a very very long time now.

Text of McCain's concession speech
By The Associated Press – 8 hours ago
Text of Republican John McCain's concession speech Tuesday in Phoenix, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions.
___
Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.
My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him.
To congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too.
But we both recognize that, though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters.
America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States.

Let there be no reason now ... Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer him my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day. Though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.

These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

It is natural. It's natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again.
We fought — we fought as hard as we could. And though we feel short, the failure is mine, not yours. I am so... I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset, but your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I'm especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother ... my dear mother and all my family, and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign.

I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign.

All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

I am also — I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I've ever seen ... one of the best campaigners I have ever seen, and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength ... her husband Todd and their five beautiful children ... for their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough and tumble of a presidential campaign.

We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.

To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly, month after month, in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don't know — I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life, and my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years. I would not — I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone, and I thank the people of Arizona for it. Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama — whether they supported me or Senator Obama.

I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender.

We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much.

Before you read anymore of my blog.....

GO VOTE!!!!!

Dilemma....

So...here we are, Monday, November 3...the night that the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Washington Redskins. A night that Dave and I have been looking forward to for months now. But the dilemma you see...who do I root for? I mean, I was born and raised a Redskins fan and would be going against all I know if I root for the Steelers but I have been a "Steeler Wife" for 6 years now (and a Steeler girlfriend for 5 before that). Ugh..I just don't know. I guess I'll figure it out tonight :).

And if I am having this hard of a time trying to figure out what team to cheer for...imagine how I will be tomorrow ;)! Happy Monday All!!

Spooktacular night!

Happy Halloween to all of our friends, family and blog readers far and wide! We had an exceptional night last night! As the kids get older, Halloween becomes more and more fun! Zachary really embraced his costume this year (unlike last year when we had to bribe him to wear his costume) and he certainly got in to trick or treating! Our Halloween tradition is dinner (always chili) with friends (we swap houses every year) and trick-or-treating afterward. And, for the first time in my adult life, I carved pumpkins!!! And I must say, I am quite proud of myself! Who knew I could be so crafty....

Oooooo...scary pumpkins

ladybug Maddie

Train Conductor Zachary

Butterfly Molly & Train Conductor Zachary

SO CUTE!!!!!

More to come....

I know, I know, I have certainly been a slacker on my blog the past few days! This week I have been solo as Dave is on travel for work so I haven't really had much time to blog. But..I promise i've got some fun things lined up when I get a little more free time! :) For now I will leave you with this...

WE ARE.....PENN STATE!!!!

8-0!!!

(I realize it I didn't go to PSU but hey, my hubby did so that's gotta count for something, right?)

I'm Yours

October 26, 2002

Dear David,

It's hard to believe that this Sunday will be our 6th wedding anniversary. The day that I became Mrs. David Engel was one of the happiest days of my life. I remember it as if it were yesterday and still get butterflies when I think about seeing you for the first time that day. The years have brought us many wonderful things. We've travelled, we've brought 2 beautiful children into this world, we've tried new things, we've done the same ole same ole, we've made plans for our future and we've lived in the now. All the while, we've remained the best of friends that we have been since the beginning.

Thank you for being a wondeful husband, friend, father to our children, provider, shoulder to cry on, mentor, cheerleader and coach! My life changed that day we met and I wouldn't go back for a second. You are my soulmate, my companion and my best friend. So today I say, Happy Anniversary, my love!

Yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever

I'm Yours,

Alexis :)

Look who's walking!!

In a matter of minutes, Madeline went from thinking about walking farther than 3 steps to walking all over the house. Yes folks, Maddie Sue is a walking diva!! Look at her go!!

Sprouting those wings

I knew that one day I would be commenting to someone about how my little boy, Zachary, had done something on his own and insisted that he do it all by himself. I never imagined it would be when he was 3 1/2.

Tonight, Zach and I went grocery shopping...a little mommy/son bonding time which I always enjoy. When we walked out to the car, this is what happened...

Me: Here let me help you get up into your seat

Z: No thanks, I do it all by myself

And he proceeded to climb up into his seat while I stood there realizing that my baby boy, has in fact turned into that little boy who has begun to sprout his wings.

Sniff Sniff

Where did the time go???

Not me! Monday

I missed last week because we were away but I am faithfully back into the swing of what is becoming wildly popular....Not me! Monday... theraputic fessing up in a denial sort of way :).

Here goes...

I did not forget to tell Dave that the dishwasher was spewing bubbles out of the bottom. I certainly did not forget and let him find out on his own and when he asked me about it, I did not say "what do you mean". Hee hee...

I did not get rear-ended on the way to the Urgent Care last week. And when I didn't get rear-ended, I most certainly didn't yell at the woman when she said "did i hit you?". I didn't reply "Uh, ya you hit me, I can't believe you hit me, this is so not what I needed right now, I can't believe you hit me, what is your deal, lady, seriously, you hit me." And when her husband said, "doesn't look like there is any damage, we can probably go". I didn't reply "Oh no friend, I am calling my husband and then the police!!!" And when it was all said and done, I didn't apologize for being abrasive.

I don't have a baby girl who cut 3 molars in a 29 hour period, nope, not me. And I certainly wasn't up all night long with her on Friday because she was in pain. Now why would I do that?

I didn't hang out in Pittsburgh's strip district with Dave and his brother on Saturday and I most definately didn't enjoy being without my kids. I love to be with them 24/7, why would I ever need a break??? :)

Ok, now it is your turn...post what you didn't do and link it back to Mckmama's site!

Have a good week...and don't do anything I wouldn't do :)

Keep it rollin'

Nothing like watching the Penn State game on a cold day in Pittsburgh with family! And what is better is that they pulled it out, beat Michigan, and upped their record to 8-0!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! Doesn't get better than this...well, a win next week would be awesome! And they said Joepa should retire! PAH! :)



WE ARE....PENN STATE!!!!!

A room with a view

I was just looking through the pictures I took over the weekend and realized that I forgot to post this amazing picture...can you guess what it is?

This is the view from the back of my parents house in Fort Valley, VA. The leaves are changing and after a few trees that were removed, this is what they wake up to every single morning. Ahhh...talk about a room with a view!!

Pumpkin Patch

Today was Zachary's very first field trip with his school. We headed to a local pumpkin patch with all of his classmates and spent the morning going through the corn maze, playing in the pumpkin patch and all of their way cool toys and we even went on a hayride! Everyone had a great time and we can't wait to go back!!!Mommy and Z
Team Engel
Z and his friend Aidan

I feel like I'm fallin' for fall....

Mt Jackson Apple Harvest Festival
Grandmommy, Zachary and Granddaddy on the hayride
Big Girl Maddie on the hayride
covered bridge
River that the covered bridge goes over

...if you are a fan of Noggin like we are here in the Engel family then the title of this post puts a smile on your face. :) We certainly are ready for the weather to cool down just a bit so we can pack away our shorts and have our long pants here to stay (for a while).

So, in order to embrace some true fall fun, we headed to my parents house in the mountains this weekend. We took in the beautiful scenic landscape and the changing leaves. We visited a Apple Harvest Festival and a Covered Bridge. We watched football, read a little and had a great time...

WE ARE....

PENN STATE

7-0 BABY!!!!

We want the funk.....

i get a good giggle or two out of this commercial! In the era of Tivo, it is rare that we ever see commercials. But boy am I glad we watched something in real time because this is the cutest commercial!!!

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Want a good chuckle...

then watch this....
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I have laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed when watching this....too too funny!!!

We love Fall!

The weather has been so nice, we've been enjoying our lunches on the deck! The kids love it and it is great for me because Madeline is in a "throw everything on the floor" phase and this makes for easy clean up! Not to mention the birds and squirrels patiently wait until we are done to clean up her messes for me :)

Our weekend.....

early Saturday morning at Dulles waiting for the McBrides






sometime after 2Am and they finally made it! Couldn't be happier that they are home!!!









Saturday afternoon at Aunt Barb's park














Zachary and Daddy at the swings









John and Maddie dancing at the wine fest...can you flashforward to prom :)








Clair and I







Zach, Molly and John BFF's

Dave and Lou

Clair, Molly and Zach

Awww........so cute! They had a great time together!

Zachary got his face painted! One cheek a fish, the other a snake!

And Maddie got a snail on her little arm!!

Not me! Monday

Week 3 of this very fun exercise in theraputic fessing up :)

Lets see...

1. I did not plan the ultimate surprise for my BFF
2. I did not stay at the airport until 3 in the morning Saturday to make sure said surprise went off without a hitch
3. I did not feel that it was totally worth it and I certainly didn't leave the airport with warm fuzzies :)
4. I didn't enjoy the facial and pedicure that my sister-in-law treated me to on Saturday...why would I enjoy me time??
5. I really didn't enjoy shopping for outfits for our pictures this coming weekend and I hated every minute of the fondue meal we had afterwards.
6. I didn't chuckle that my son fell out of bed on Saturday night....that would be mean of course. He WAS FINE....
7. I didn't drink any wine at the wine fest yesterday!

Now, what didn't you do??!!?!

Safe and Sound

Well, after a looooong night, operation SURPRISE went off without much of a hitch!  The McBrides came through the customs door at 1:45 am this morning...poor Amelia with pink eye and all of them frazzled and tired.  

Seans face was priceless....as I stood there with my sign (will post pictures later), he looked at me with the "hey, I know her, no, that can't be her, wait, it is her" and then was followed by a vocal "What are you doing here?"  and then Sarah saw us and...well...we became that really sappy movie with the long embrace and the chatter and the giggling!  It was great.  I am so glad we were there to help them get on their way.  

Crazies that they are...they drove to Norfolk at 2:45 in the morning...i tried to get them to come to Barbs but they wouldn't and went on their way.  So I am hoping that they made it safely.

But, all in all, it was a really great night er uh I mean morning and I am so happy!  A woman in the airport asked if we were waiting for family...and without hesitation I replied, "yep, we sure are!"

WELCOME HOME McBRIDES!!!!!

A Sad Day, A Happy Day

interesting title, no? Well, today is a day filled with lots of different emotions. Waking up this morning, I was flooded with memories of waking up on October 3, 1997, 11 long but short years ago. 11 years ago today, my hero, my confidante, my grandmother lost her battle with breast cancer. 11 years ago, I got out of the shower to a ringing phone that I let ring over and over and over again because I knew what was waiting on the other end. 11 years ago, I thought my world had ended and everything in my life changed. 11 years ago, I felt more pain in my heart than I have ever felt...ever.

But a funny thing happens over 11 years. Although sometimes the pain is still so raw, I have been able to weed through the yucky feelings and embrace all the really great feelings that surround my grandmother. I share all my great memories with anyone that will listen and I am reminded everyday in little ways that she is still very much a part of my life. A lot has happened in the last 11 years...

2 week after her death, I met Dave
4 years later Dave and I were planning a wedding
5 years later we were married
8 years later we welcomed our son into the world
10 years later we welcomed our daughter into the world

All really great things and I know that she was with me every step of the way. So, today, Dave the kids and I are headed to Arlington National Cemetary to put some flowers on her grave. Yellow roses, her favorite.

And now onto the Happy part of the day!!! I think it is safe for me to post this without ruining the surprise that I've had in the makings for the last month!! You see, as I posted a few weeks ago, today is the day that my BFF Sarah and her family are returning to the States, from Spain, after 3 years!!! And I, BFF extroidonaire (j/k), am planning to surprise her at the airport tonight! After hearing about all the stress she has been under, I figured she could use some familar faces and tons of love when she steps off that plane to begin a new journey in her life. So, we've got our sign ready, a bag full of goodies to welcome them home and I can honestly say I AM SO EXCITED, I can hardly stand it! I hope all goes well. I nosed around with enough questions to get all of their flight information without her knowing what I was doing. I haven't seen her since Christmas Day and I am so anxious for tonight!

***UPDATE***  So things haven't gone according to plan so far.  The McBrides flight was delayed by over 5 hours and they aren't due in until 12:30AM :(.  But, that isn't gonna stop me!  It is 11:15 pm, we are at Barbs...kids are sleeping (dave too) and I am getting ready to head back out to the airport for round two of my big surprise!  Lets hope that this time I really get to see them!  I hope for their sake that things in the air went smoother than things on the ground.  I will be sure and post the reason for their delay as soon as I know but I am sure that being stuck in an airport or on an airplane for 5 hours with a 14 month old must have been a nightmare!!  And now I am off.......

So, as you can see, a sad day, a happy day but all in all, a good day! :)

I'll post pictures later!!! :)

One Step, Two Step, Three Step, Four

So, looks like our littlest girl (our only girl of course but I think littlest is a cute word ;) ) has decided to give this walking thing a try...last night she took 4 steps!! And again today, she frankensteined it over to me from across the room (small room but hey, ya gotta start somewhere). She is so proud of herself and we are right there with her.

And as much as I would love to post video showing this monumentous occassion in our littlest ones life, everytime I try to video, she falls down before ever taking a step...stage fright maybe? who knows but hopefully soon, I'll get it on film for all the world to see. In the meantime just know that one little girl in a small town in Maryland is starting to gain independence :). Look out world..here she comes!!!

Here's for you mom.....

My mom complained today that I have too much writing and not enough pictures on my blog so this post is just for her.