Happy Holiday's

Our Christmas pics this year... I figured out how to use Picasa and edit the pics....how easy and FREE... gotta love that. I still don't know how to use the Photoshop I have, so this works for now.

We Miss You

Christine McBride

1/18/49-10/12/09

All I can say is that my blogging is pathetic... really, I kind of just left it behind this Fall & Winter. It is quite a shame actually because Fall is my favorite time of year... this year, though it was rough on our family. We lost a loved one, a friend, a mother.... a grandmother. I don't know if a death in the family is what put me into hiding on my blogging... I know she loved to read my updates, and will probably have a notice in her inbox tonight showing that I finally updated my blog. I hope she can still open her "email" in heaven.... I hope she can see how she was missed this holiday season....I hope she knows how much we miss her. We love you Grandma Chris.

Pink

Wow...you would think that I am the new Mom with the lack of postings here! On 070809 my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Brooke Ryann. I was lucky enough to be there for the birth. I missed my older niece, Paige, being born...because I was 36 weeks pregnant and couldn't get to Japan!! So, being in the room for Brooke's birth was more than a gift. I feel a special connection to Brooke. I miss her after a few days, I want to hold her, cuddle her, love her. Maybe it is because this might be the last baby in our family for awhile?!?! Or maybe it is because I witnessed her coming into this world. Whatever it is...I love this little girl, and all the PINKness that she brings into this world.

Proud to be an American

What a FUN 4th of July! It was a busy one, but well worth the bags under my eyes this morning. The weekend started out at Jazz in the Park on Friday evening. We got home and our friends (The Holme's) from Jackson Hole arrived for the weekend. They brought their beautiful baby boy. My boys loved having a baby in the house. They thought it was so fun to bring him toys and make him laugh... I know what you are all thinking, maybe another baby for us? NOPE.... I love having them around, but I have my hands full with the 2 I already have!

I knew it was going to be a great weekend when I woke up to a bright sky on Saturday. It would be sacreligous (is that a word?) if it was cloudy on the 4th! After a breakfast of Soyrizo Burrito's and fresh squeezed OJ, we headed to my parents pool for some pool time. We swam, ate hot dogs & watermelon, and were sooo tired...but we mustered up the energy to head on over to the Engelman's for the 4th of July bike parade & BBQ. I made a trifle...yum yum....


We played with sparklers, and had a mini fireworks show. My kids stayed up way too late, 2 nights in a row...but they are troopers. It made for a 3 hour nap on Sunday after a morning of slip n sliding & gardening... and then off we went again...to the beach this time, with friends to listen to music & catch the last rays of sun from a glorious weekend.

Thank you Summer for arriving! We are loving you right now!

Dad's Rock

My kids are the luckiest kids out there. They have an amazing Father who has found a wonderful balance between being a kid and being a Dad. They trust him, they honor him, they admire him, and most of all...they LOVE him! I always knew that my husband would be a great Dad. I knew this before I knew he would make a great Father. Yes, my kids are lucky...and so am I!

Gift to Daddy from the Boys

For Father's Day, we spent the day at my parents house, celebrating with my Dad, Mom, my sister and her family, and my Grandma. The sun finally came out, it was a perfect day of swimming, BBQing, whipping up cocktails, and just RELAXING.

Even Grandpa John made it in the Dad shot!



Dad's and their Kids

Family Tradition.....Trifle

Tomatoes

I planted 9 tomato plants awhile back... Today was the 1st of our harvest. I have to admit that I haven't been the best tomato mama. I sometimes forget to water them, I haven't continued to stake them as they grow, and sometimes the kids run into them while they ride their bikes on the path where they grow. But guess what?!?! They are still bearing fruit! Mason actually picked 3 tomatoes today and ate them all...within minutes.

Now, if only Miller would taste them!! I am pretty sure that by the end of summer, we will have OD'd on these beautifully sweet & juicy fruits.... or are they vegetables?

A Spot of Tea

I am about to be an "Auntie" again to another baby GIRL! I figured it was (most likely) my last shot at throwing a baby shower. I have been to a few "teas" before and thought it would be a perfect way to celebrate my sister and her baby to be.
I never realized how much work goes into a tea. I couldn't have done it without my super talented Mom, who insisted on the fine china, silverware, and pressed table cloths. On the Menu...Tea Sandwiches, Scones from a local bakery, Fennel & Goat Cheese Salad, Fruit Salad, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Lemon Berry Angel Food Cake, TEA (of course), and quite a few bottles of Champagne. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful Mother. I am planning on blogging more about the food on my "New" blog... http://nanasdrawer.blogspot.com
For now, here are a few pics of the day.

Name the Famous Baby Mama... Stef won, she knew all the Famous Mom's and their kids names (First and Middle Names!)... I think she reads US Weekly.

Tea Sandwiches

Cake and decor



My Mother and her girls...