Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

My extended Family has always gotten together on Christmas Eve and taken family pictures by the tree. Well, there were only 4 of us but we kept the tradition alive!

I mean 6 of us

Trace amount of snow- A Christmas miracle :)

Blazing Fire

Beautiful gifts

Well, one was tacky!

Maybe Santa didn't bring me anything!

Who wraps money?

Snow shoes from Chris!

What is he trying to say?

Discount double check!

If you don't know- don't ask!

Christmas Dinner- Lasagna

The hat didn't come off all day :)

Desert- Ghirardelli  brownies with a layer of Peppermint patty backed in 

and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Pre Christmas-Christmas!

Unfortunately we could not convince the entire family to come to MA for a quaint New England Christmas so we celebrated early.

 We traveled to Mansfield to see Danielle graduate on Dec 15th. 

So, we decided to converge on Heather & Andy in the Rochester area for the night & gather everyone together for our Christmas celebration the following morning.

Benny, loving Derek the Dinosaur Train dino.

Kenny, loving his Despicable Me minions. hummm?

Oh and the Sleepy Little Kittens book :)

Heather gave us this picture she took at Ken's Pinning. Ken & Benny are walking through a C-5 compartment. It's amazing!

Andy reading a letter from Chris (he had to work)

Christmas is more fun when there's kids around. 

Especially GRANDCHILDREN !!!

Oh and by the way, 

If you missed Heathers announcement- #2 is on the way 7-13-13, can't wait!

Danielle Graduates from Mansfield University!

We are so proud of Danielle who just completed her Bachelors degree in Music Education and Performance from Mansfield University, PA.

On Dec 15th, 2012 we traveled to Mansfield to watch her walk across the stage to receive her diploma. She was fortunate to graduate with several close friends and have more attending. She just completed her student teaching in the State College area of PA and will be heading back for some awesome substitute teaching experience this Spring. 

Danielle hopes to find a teaching position by next Fall- we'd all appreciate your prayers :)

Sorry To See You Go

Reilly was a really great dog but we found some issues that we were  unable to overcome.

Our biggest impasse was his love for digging. He was born to dig and we happen to be renting a home. Not a good mix! We tried tiring him out (not possible), limiting time spent in yard (he'd go straight for digging), watching him in the yard (turn your back & new hole). After about 3 weeks of high stress we decided he needed a home where he could dig. The shelter made us feel like crap. I guess you could say we learned a few lessons about adopting. I guess you can't always teach a young dog new tricks :(

 

Christopher will miss him most. They were buddies. The cats have come back out of the basement. But, we will try again- maybe in the Spring!

Christmas Magic

Sometimes we forget that Christmas' magical moments don't just appear. They come with a price. 

For instance, Brightly decorated sweet sugar cookies- a delicious symbol of the holiday!

Price-

The Christmas MESS!

Price-

The Christmas BLOCKADE!

from a canine raider.

Christmas MAYHEM- after the raid!

Giving Thanks For My Family

I think Ken was loosing

Massive Parchessi blockaid

By the way- I won :)

We missed you Heather, Andy, Benny, Justin & Katie!!!

Meet Reilly or Riely

Our new dog. 

We are having a disagreement as to how to spell it.

 In either case, we kind of stole Katie's dog's name. (unknowingly) 

Why get a dog?, you ask.

We all wanted one (especially Chris)

Look how cute he is, those beautiful markings. 

At one year old he will be so playful & fun. 

He is part Lab he loves everyone!

He is part Border collie he will be so smart!

He needs a home- the poor little stray from rural Tennessee.

What I didn't realize about this little boy...

At one, he is still a puppy. Sooo much energy, needs to learn some manners about jumping up and chewing you when you play.

Labs like to DIG (we are renting) nightmare!

Border collies like to herd.......CATS. He is so excited to see a cat he can hardly contain himself. 

This does not bode well with our reserved calico's.

He is non-stop getting into everything: logs by the fireplace, dishtowels, chair pads, couch cushions, throws, cat toys, etc...

Did I mention he loves to chew on toes.

Yes, it's like having a toddler- except I can chain him in the yard. Although he will dig holes.

Am I sorry, not when he is doing this :)

Oh YAH!!!

Happiness is....

A pile of wood!!!

It seems like we have either not had a fireplace or 

have been in a home that is in a non-friendly climate for having one (i.e.,South Carolina) 

This pile of wood makes me so happy because it means warm cozy fires on cold winter nights here in the often COLD New England States.

Come visit me :)

Keeping Warm

I looked out my bathroom window this week and saw this little squirrel sunning himself. So cute,

The Best Thing About Fall

Snuggling

Long Awaited Pics

I guess it's about time I show you our new home. 

At this rate we'll be moving again before I get these pictures up:)

Come on in, I'll give you a tour!

 When you walk in the door, 

to the left is the door to the 2 car garage and straight on is the basement stairs. 

It's a split level ranch so it's a few steps up and the living room is on the right.

The kitties love the sunny bay window.

I love the fireplace- can't wait for snow!

Next you walk into the kitchen counter area (from the left)

Here is the dining area.

And another favorite place of mine and the kitties- the sun porch.

It's a nice size, I'm looking forward to getting some patio furniture for it by this Spring.

Up a few steps to the hallway and the bathroom is to the right.

Spare bedroom to the left.

The boys call it my bed & breakfast room 

because I have a some antique furniture and chotchkies around.

It's the spare room until one of our sweet girls need/want  to come home :) 

Our bedroom is next on the left with two nice sunny windows. 

I was able to fit the chase in my room- a great place to read.

Chris's room is across from ours- no pictures available :)

Come and visit us!!!