How handsome are my big brothers?

I have four older brothers. Bob is the oldest, then John, Jim, and Andy. I'm by far the baby of the family--Bob is 17 years older than me & Andy is 8 years older than me. I grew up loving having big brothers! They were so fun & taught me so much...like the time when we were living in Germany that John taught me to fly paper airplanes that we lit on fire out the attic windows...

My brothers are all married with families now & spread throughout the country. Between the four of them, I have 20 nieces and nephews, some of whom are now starting their own families(no, I'm not old! I was really little when they started having kids!!) We don't get to spend very much time together, but I was thinking about family today & how much I love my brothers. I'm grateful to be a part of the family I have. As much as they're still sometimes a pain in my butt, I love my brothers and am thankful for them. I love seeing John's name come up on my caller ID & know that he's calling to talk about work(we have the same profession) or just to chat because he's traveling for work. He makes me laugh. I love seeing the pictures & updates about the family that Bob puts on Facebook. I love my 2 minute conversations with Andy because he hates talking on the phone & love, love his sweet wife! I love each of their children very much.

2009 New Ornament

I bought our new ornament for the year today! I wasn't looking for it, but when I saw it, I knew we needed to add it to our collection. This guy is dedicated to the soccer boys in my life! He's currently the only ornament on the tree, but tomorrow's project is to finish decorating.

Christmas is underway

Christmas decorating got underway around here last night. I love the house at Christmas! It's so pretty! We always have two trees--the silver bell tree and the fun tree. Josh put up the big tree & I got the little tree. The little tree is pre-lit and was super, super easy to put up! The big tree, on the other hand, is not so easy. Josh and that tree have a love hate relationship. Josh hates that tree--actually, maybe there's no love involved after all!



The tree is up, but it's not yet fluffed and doesn't have lights. This tree always gets blue lights & I completely forgot that we didn't have enough blue lights for it, so I have to pick some up when I'm shopping this week.

I did get a few decorations up, but not a whole lot. This week though, the goal is to be done with it this week!

I think these little guys are so cute! I love finding a fun place for them to peek from!

This Santa is one of my favorites! I love fun decorations.

I started the mantel the other night. I'm not really happy with it, so I know it's not finished. I just haven't decided what else to do to it.

Oh yeah, and I found a picture from Thanksgiving. This is Josh, Spencer,and James.

Happy birthday Mom!

Oh, I am a terrible daughter! My mom's birthday was actually last Friday, the 27th. I meant to write her a birthday post, but then got caught up in whatever I was doing that day & didn't get it done. Sorry mom! It wasn't because I don't love ya!

I have the best mom. She's super strong & I hope that I can have that kind of strength one day. Mom raised my older brothers on her own a lot because my dad's Navy career took him away from the family for long periods of time. I was little when my dad retired, but I remember my mom saying--we're a Navy family--it's what we do. Mom has deep, deep New England roots, but when Dad got a job in Idaho, mom was so strong about it. She knew it was what was best for our family, so it was what we did. When she was far too young, mom lost her soul mate and Eternal companion, my dad. I know how much it hurt her and how much she misses him still, but she always, always stayed strong for me, who was a fairly young teenager at the time. She knew I needed her and she was always there for me when I needed her and when I needed to grieve. Mom's taken every punch that was thrown at her and has rolled with it. I so admire her for that. She never wavers in her strength, her courage, or her faith. I look up to my mom a lot!

I love you mom! I hope it was a good day for you & that you enjoyed your New England Clam Chowder for your birthday dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy your time with your family, friends, or whoever you are spending your day with. I hope your meal is delicious and your pies are scrumptious. But more importantly, I hope you take the time to remember the good things in your life and express gratitude for your blessings.

I have so much to be thankful for and I know that I don't take the time to really appreciate the many, many good things in my life very often. I am thankful for my family. I have an awesome, amazing family. I was blessed with an amazing father who I know still loves me and watches over me. My mom is so strong and is always there for me. James and Josh are amazing kids who I am so lucky and blessed to have in my life! They make me happy and they make me proud every day. I have terrific extended family, with four brothers and sisters in law & 18 nieces and nephews. I love every single one of them very much. My nieces and nephews make me proud--they are such strong people! I'm thankful for my home. I'm thankful for a job that I love that I am able to provide for my family with.

I am thankful for a wonderful guy that has come into my life. Dwight has brought so much into my life. He's reminded me of who I am and that I am important. He has reminded me of how important it is to be loved and to be able to give love. He has been this huge blessing in my life. I am thankful for my amazing friends. They mean so much to me. I am fortunate enough to count as close friends today some of the girls who were my best friends in high school. They are amazing women & I'm so thankful that we've found each other again and I have my best friends again!

Bring on Turkey Day!

I am ready for Turkey Day tomorrow! This morning was spent making pies. I have two pumpkin, one apple, one cherry, and 6 turnovers. Josh was awesome, making the pumpkin pie filling for me and keeping the kitchen clean and the dishes done.

Cute Kids

How cute is this picture from the Buddy Dance that Josh went to with Hayley? Josh had told me about it, but I couldn't quite picture it in my head--he brought the picture home from school today & I thought it was way cute! Hayley has become quite a fixture around here since the dance--Josh has become quite a fan of hers! She's a really terrific girl & I like her a lot.

I sure love these boys!!

After a date last night, Josh brought Emmett home with him to spend the night. Emmett said he couldn't let the week go by without coming home to his other house at least one night. So, after fixing them a delicious breakfast of French Toast and bacon, Emmett went off to church with us today. When we went into church, everything was brown & fall-ish. When we came out of the church, we were greeted with this:


Hello! Not that anyone asked me or really even cares, but I am so not ready for this! I know it's November & I should be ready, but I'm not. And I have to admit that it felt like winter today. I think I knew it when I got dressed this morning & wore my thick hoodie sweater. That's a winter sweater, not fall. My mind & psyche better hurry up and catch up with Mother Nature, I think!

Josh & Emmett found these trench coats in the front hall closet. I had totally forgotten that they were in there! They thought they were just the coolest & wore them all day long! I think they look so cute in them!

Josh Rocking the trench

Emm thinks he's cool enough to pull off the Red Sox gear. Hmmm, not sure about this one! But he is cute!

Josh's Second Dance Date--The Buddy Dance

So I didn't think I'd have photos from Josh's date last night, because they are sitting in my camera, which I have yet to get back from Josh! But, one of the girls on the date uploaded her pics to Facebook, so I lifted them. How cute are they?

Brandon, Laura, Hayley, and Josh

CJ, Eden, Brandon, Laura, Josh, Alexa, and Chad

Snowy Saturday Morning

This is what I woke up to this morning! I am not all happy about this! I'm not ready for winter!


How cute are these two guys? Emmett decided the best way to get his blankets and pillow to the car would be to bundle up in them because it was so dang cold out! I love having Emm here every weekend & think he & Josh are just the best kids in the whole world!


Josh has his second date tonight. He was asked to girl ask guy dance at the school. Apparently, this dance has a western theme & if you know Josh at all, you know that he really doesn't do cowboy! So called a friend who's family is really cowboy & the Carter's got him set up! He makes a pretty cute cowboy, I think!