Family Pictures

Wow, the last month and a half have been so busy. One of these days I'll actually catch up with posts. For now, I wanted to share some pictures of my kiddos. We took our family picture for Christmas a couple of weeks ago. It just gets easier the more kids you have - NOT. Jack refused to have his picture taken. He also insisted on sitting on a stool like mom and dad. Can we say bribe, bribe, bribe? Liam didn't want to sit still. Maggie - she's still young and did a great job.

All of our eyes are open!

My big four-year-old.

A rare picture of Liam sitting still. He looks like such a little big man.

My precious princess.

Her eyes and smiles will melt your heart.

Welcome Alexander!

My brother Doug and his wife are proud parents of a baby boy. They delivered their precious bundle of joy last week. Congratulations Doug and JeNae!

Busy Fun Weekend

"It's just a matter of time before pigs fly...or at least one drops from the sky."

We headed to see our folks this weekend. I needed to shoot video at a local railroad track for an upcoming promotion. Unfortunately, the ties and depot were gone. Only the rails remained and the grass had grown thick along them. So, it looks like I'll get an "A" for creativity on this project but a poor grade for realism. My silent movie tribute will look a little more hokey but this isn't Hollywood baby. A big thanks to my mom who was a wonderful assistant and also helped with the boys.

My uncle Joe came over to help mom and dad till their garden. Dad is supervising. :)

In the end, they decided to burn, baby burn the top and bottom garden. It was mom's turn to supervise.

We also saw Mike's family this weekend. Here, Liam checks out Grandpa Pete.

Hello Grandma Judy. Do you have any bling that's worth chewing on?

Liam has such a beautiful smile. Mike was rolling him around in this walker like a car and Liam was having a blast. You can see the pure joy on his face.

Cousin Allie who is a month older than Liam is already walking!

Liam decided he was a big boy too so he grabbed onto one of Allie's toys and began walking with it. Notice his tongue is stuck out in concentration. Liam is pulling up on everything now. Before you know it, he'll be walking without the help of a toy.

"I'm so proud of me!"

Goodbye Uncle Buck

One of my uncles passed away last week. He was 78-years-old. The fondest memory I have of my uncle dates back to when he and a couple of other uncles were helping my father with our roof. My Uncle Francis, or Uncle Buck as we all called him, had candy and threw it down at us from the roof. My brother and I were young and LOVED candy so we scrambled for it and as we did my Uncle Buck would make chicken noises. It's an unusual memory but it's the one I associated with him. My uncle also made amazing wine and was excellent with his hands whether in the garden or with carpentry. I know this has not been easy on my father. It is never easy to lose a loved one even though you know that heaven is winning a soul. We know he is at peace and with his wife who passed away two years ago. Still, their physical presence is missing from our lives and that is difficult.

It is not easy to explain death to a 3-year-old. As we headed to my Uncle Buck's funeral yesterday, I told Jack that when a person dies, they are no longer here. We cannot visit them anymore. They are in heaven. Jack said, "But the doctors can make him feel better." Sometimes, even the best medicine is not enough when it is time to go home.

I found comfort in today's reading from Ephesians 5: 8 - 14

For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light."

Uncle Buck is no longer asleep but alive and in the presence of God and Christ. His love continues to shine in the hearts of those who will always love and remember him.

Brothers!

Getting Out of the House

Okay, I really don't like adjusting to Daylight Saving, but I am enjoying the extra light at the end of the day. We took a walk tonight. It was a little chilly but we were happy to get out.

Jack pointed out a plane to me.

Liam enjoyed the ride. Look at those two toothers!

Jack looks like he's boogying, but he's really running. He's like Forrest Gump. If he's going anywhere, he's running! Mike? Well, he regretted that he didn't wear a jacket. It was nice but not that nice.

Spring Fever

"I'm not freaking out now. This is fun!" Jack insisted on us pushing him higher and higher. We were informed that we need to buy him wings so he can fly.

Hello beautiful. Swinging is so much fun!

Helmet Head

I'm not a Super Bowl watcher, not even for the commercials, but I am enjoying being in a nice, warm house with family as they watch it. I had Mike buy me a beer just because. I mean it is Super Bowl Sunday. Whether I actually end up drinking the beer tonight remains to be seen. Poor Mike. He wasn't carded at the grocery store. Oh, well. Old man looks good on him.

Uncle Bob's Retirement Party

I'm trying to play catch-up with my posts. These pictures are from my Uncle Bob's retirement party. After 42 years with the postal service, he decided to retire.

Jack made some new friends at the get-together. They played bus.

Then Jack decided to run, run, run. Every time he came around to me, he'd pause, raise his arms and start again.

Congratulations Uncle Bob!

One Last Holiday Party

"The Spirit of Christmas."

We have had a wonderful weekend. We kicked it off by going to Jack's Aunt Jay's basketball game on Saturday. Her team won against its opponent in the tournament. On Sunday, we attended a family Christmas/New Years get-together. The day kicked off with a delicious brunch followed by wine tasting and later, the infamous white elephant gift exchange. Thirty-two people participated in the exchange. It was crazy and fun. Jack ended up with a small fishing pole - totally cute and perfect. Mike received Elvis mugs, hot chocolate and mini Elvis sunglasses. I received an adorable metallic deer, perfect for decorating. 

We stayed home today, waiting fot the ice/rain that never came. Ha, ha. It was a nice day off thanks to the wonderful man known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Back to the old grindstone tomorrow.

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Weekend in Review

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. Jack and I made pancakes on Thursday morning, just like the pilgrims. :) That afternoon, we went to my mom's house for the annual feast.

My brother Steven and niece, Meaghan.

Nephew Christopher.

Miss Meaghan and her one-of-a-kind artwork.

Blame that "d" in the first gobble on me. She asked me for the letters and didn't understand my first mumbled "b".

Eventually mom and I got around to the annual wish bone pulling. Unfortunately, it had been cooking in soup, so the tug-of-war was a little tough.

I can't believe that I actually won this year. Mom was a good sport about it.

We visited Jack's birth family yesterday. I took very few pictures. I was too busy talking. Here's Jack playing train with his friend, cousin Chris.

Then we went to my mom's side of the family's annual Thanksgiving/Christmas get-together. Below, Jack is teaching cousin Abigail the finer points of BINGO. Yes, we play BINGO during the get-together. Why not?

In the background, Jesus seems to be saying, "If you have a gambling problem, please call 1-800 BETS-OFF."

Weekend in Review

All in all, last weekend was beautiful, probably the last decent one weather wise that we'll have for a while, unless my mother's dream comes true and Missouri turns into Hawaii.

On Saturday, I rang the bell for Salvation Army. On Sunday, we headed to mom and dad's house. Jack and I took a walk down to Brush Creek and he enjoyed throwing rocks in the water.

Check out that arm!

He looks like a little hick with his shirt undone but it made him feel more comfortable.

We're looking forward to a four day weekend. Whoo-hoo!

Happy Birthday Meaghan!

Our niece is turning 7 this week. We celebrated her birthday on Saturday. Poor thing. She was sick last week. Everyone seems to be getting the same thing: fever with no other symptoms. Although her spirits were up, she didn't feel good enough to eat cake and ice cream.

On the other hand, Garrett couldn't wait to get some of that cake and ice cream action.

Our nephew, Christopher.

My dad and brother, Billy.

Poor Meaghan. I hope she feels much better soon.



The Real Nightmare Before Christmas?

Trying to take a family photo with an uncooperative 3-year-old. It was horrible. What happened to the little boy who used to smile at the camera?

More Halloween Pics

Miss Meaghan as an Asian girl.

Mr. Garrett as Me-Mouse (Mickey Mouse).