new tramp

trampoline - that is!!!

the days after

grammies

after opening a few things
and stuffing ourselves
we headed up to grammies
where more goodies awaited

briley's new american girl doll














marina's new mini-trampoline

off to stacie's...

we ventured over
before lunch
and checked out all the goodies
we had a great time
3 new babies in 2007
makes for great fun!!!

morning fun

melissa, honey, marilyn and fran
all made it in!!
we had a blast

wake up wake up

they actually slept a bit longer than i expected
it was a bit before 7
i showered
and then left them escape
so much fun!

magical christmas eve

ah
the sweetness that comes with a 9 and 6 yo
and christmas eve
of course they were up at the crack of dawn
all excited that santa would be coming tonight
the day was spent cooking, wrapping and cooking again
(yeah - spilled the sweet potatoes in the driveway - stupid broken crockpot)
went to the weis 3 times
yes 3 x's
1st time - easy
2nd time - no parking
3rd time - survivable
so anyway
got the sweet potatoes cooked again
breakfast casserole ready
and was able to get organized
sue picked up the girls mid-afternoon
SWEET!!!
finished up the job
had everything ready
and then spilled the potatoes
so anyway
here are some pics
after our return from the 7pm
children's service
they found a package on the back porch
from santa's elves
it held new jammies
they also had to leave reindeer food
and milk and cookies for the dude
they each wrote a note
rather cute!

the right one

we waited till the bitter end
to get our tree
the living room is not finished
so we cleaned up the dust
broke out some decorations
and headed to mcclures
for the perfect tree
took 2 minutes to spot!













we brought it home
i put it up
and the girls went to town!!

school program

yeah i'm behind
lol
here are a few shot of the program
briley's class
singing oh christmas tree














marina's class
singing toyland

raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

well hardly
but
we did visit santa today!
santa was making an appearance
at
family house
and instead of heading
to the mall
as we've done in the past
i ran the girls out
for a quick dinner
and a visit
with the dude

how cool is this???

i saw this on elsie's blog
and had this racket downstairs
tucked behind
the
piano
so i brought it upstairs
tied on a black bow
pounded a nail in the wall
and
tada
earring heaven...

indoor session one

tonight was playoff night for u10 girls
at the lion's den
the orange crush
won game 1
lost game 2
and were
eliminated
but briley has enjoyed the last 9 weeks
so much
that she
wanted to sign up
for
session 2
so we continue on...
here are some shots from tonight
go team
(she's #12)













after a big kick
she's got a great foot













she enjoys the view from here














beans
likes to socialize














soccer friends
and defensive
teammates













my friend jodi
and her
lovely
son
patrick

crafts and bakin'

fun times
now that drexel is coming to an end
i'm going to enjoy the next few weeks
before Christmas
here are a few things i've gotten done














a vintage button wreath
only cost me a few bucks
and a few blisters
ouch














how about these cookies??
they are pretty neat
just green sugar cookies
with the special hershey candy cane kisses
yummy

more to follow
over the next few weeks

basketball...what a hoot or is that hoop

the 2 little m's are funny
malin and marina have been playing bball at the y
their coaches are great
and very patient
it is a coed team for k-2
here are a few shots from this past sunday

perhaps one for a card...

here are a few shots we took on the front porch the other day
i'm going to work on a few or one
and hopefully create our card!
although i have 2 cards for sure - lol

work work work

no black friday shopping for me!
dad and I ripped down the living room ceiling
the girls cleaned up the plaster
after it was all down
dad's now working on getting it back
in order
i'm calling in the big guns for
dry wall

traditions

we have stuck to the same jobs
over the last few years
mee-maw is the overseer
butch and terry do potatoes
and the turkey
i watched the oven
this year was the first that the
girls
actually went and played
and i didn't have to
follow them
around
(someone else did - lol)
the cabin is great fun
that hopefully
lasts forever!

the cabin

what fun we have
each year
packing up
and heading back to the cabin
it seems like hours away
but really it's just minutes
briley asked coming home
if it'd take an hour lol

Gettysburg - Remembrance Day

this poem is on plaques
throughout the cemetery

Bivouac of the Dead
by Theodore O'Hara
1820-1867

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.

On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread;
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
No troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind.

No vision of the morrow's strife
the warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed;
Their haughty banner, trailed with dust,
Is now their martial shroud.

And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow;
And the proud forms, by battle gashed,
Are free from anguish now.

'Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to many a martyr's grave;
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.

been awhile

we've been busy here lately
i've got some updating to do!
only 2 more weeks left with drexel
long live the dragons lol
can't wait till this is done
yee-haw
so the girls are busy athletes
briley is still doing indoor
hope to have some pics next week
marina has started ymca bball
it is fantastic
her coaches are the best!
it's coed so that makes it even more interesting
she is on the same team as malin
it makes for much easier travel
they are really a hoot
will get pics at their next game!
stacie and i spent the day before thanksgiving
baking
watching the boys
and moving the living room
into the dining room!!!
the ceiling's coming down on black friday
plans are to get the electric done
followed by dry wall
then paint - sherwin williams latte
perhaps
or just something plain
i really can't decide
i am liking the living room in this location
we may just keep it like this
happy thanksgiving!!

halloween party fun at fermanagh

the girls had a blast today
i was lucky enough to go help
marina's room
and it was a beautiful day!!!