The Reason....

Sorry I haven't posted this past week, as you can imagine life has been full of distractions and borderline hectic. Today was the beginning of our long Christmas weekend and as I was out and about I realized how easy it can be to get caught up in the chaos that surrounds us. Thankfully, I completed my holiday shopping over a week ago and R's daily baking has kept me in a constant sugar high! I was amazed at how many people were anything but cheerful as I went into town today, where has all the Holiday Cheer gone?

P.S. -- Im not talking about the kind that comes in a bottle!

While surfing for "all things Christmas" tonight I came across this Nativity scene (copyright Somerset House Publishing 2000) and was immediately reminded that although it is nice to exchange gifts and spend time with family that is not what we are Celebrating. So I encourage you to take a moment while you reflect on this picture and Thank God for all He has done and remember: He is the Reason for the Season.

Merry Christmas

Bribe taken!!!!

As I said the other night Alex had a second tooth that was ready to come out, so after a short game of "Let's make a Deal" he finally caved in and took the bribe. Now don't get upset with me you need to know that he was complaining constantly that it was hurting him and he was having a hard time eating - and as most of you know Alex is always eating - he is after all a growing boy.
So with very little effort the little tooth came right out and all was well in the world again. I love the little whistle that comes out now when he talks, now I just have to teach him all the lyrics to the song "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"! Here are a couple pictures of Alex showing off his Redneck smile and posing with his new Transformer which was his "Price" for letting me extract his loose tooth.

Winter Wonderland in the North Wood

Here are a few pictures of our white winter wonderland. I love snow but this storm was a real "Pain in the you know what"! I was working on the CT/NY line the morning of the storm and what is usually a 2 hour ride home turned into an almost 8 hour drive - actually there was very little driving involved I sat parked on I84 most of the day due to the major highways all getting closed due to the storm. I finally got home and thought I would finally be able to relax - boy was I wrong!

My friend, Jayson came up to plow the driveway (turns out we got 13" of snow at the house) and his 4 wheel drive broke and his truck was sliding all over trying to get back up the driveway, eventually it was stuck, at this point I tried to pull him out as I had 4 wheel drive but in no time at all my truck was stuck as well. Thankfully my neighbor was home and was able to pull out both of our vehicles but in the process his 4X4 tractor got stuck but thankfully we were able to get it free. While the plow truck was getting pulled out the rear tire got stuck on my boat trailer tongue and popped the tire with no spare available. Needless to say it was a long day and night but we were able to get things back to normal by bedtime yesterday.

So with all of that behind us I want to make sure I say thank you to Jayson for helping out - this one time might have seemed to go all wrong; but just think about all the uneventful storms you took care of us during the past 2 years. You have been a life, not to mention a back saver on more occasions than I can mention.
Thank you Tim for pulling us both out of the snow banks - I think your tractor has done as much work on our property as it has on yours!
Thank you Rebecca, Ariel, and Alex for the shoveling y'all did while I sat in traffic, and putting up with me during my grumpy headache times - you mean the world to me and I am grateful to have such a wonderful family.

Now that things are back to normal - albeit for a short time as we are getting another storm tonight - here are some pictures of the house lit up and the kids and Navarre enjoying the snow.

Snow Balls -- EAT THAT!

Short lived rule as King of the Hill!
What goes up-must come down
Pride goes before the fall....

Ahh... the fall!

All I want for Christmas is........

Ah... the childhood memories. After much torture and teasing I finally convinced Alex that it was time to take his loose tooth out. What a trooper, after checking out his bloody hole he posed for his celebration picture above and agreed that I was right and it was ready to make room for his big boy tooth! Due to a long term power outage the tooth fairy was able to drop off the $$$ for the tooth but was delayed 24 hours with his card. Alex was excited to show me last night how loose his bottom tooth was - so I anticipate Alex will be changing his tune to... "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" before the end of the week.

Crazy Cousins

I never realized how crazy I must have drove my parent's growing up - I mean when it comes to being a perfect child I think I came pretty close, or at least I did! I have SO MUCH respect for the photographers who go around to the schools for class pictures, They must make some serious $$$. Here are a few pictures taken as we attempted to get some nice pictures for showing friends and family.

GOING......

GOING........


GONE !!!!!!!

OH CHRISTMAS TREE...

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree; I love the fact that we have a family tradition of going out to cut down our tree every year. This year wasn't quite the national lampoons moment like last year - no glorious light shining down from the heavens with a chorus of heavenly sound when we saw the tree - but it was still fun.



We went to Wagon Shed Nursery in East Windsor. Last year we found a variety of tree we really like, so much so we are going to purchase some for the yard, It is called a Concolor Fir and when you crush any of the needles or clip the branches it smells like fresh peeled citrus. The branches are strong enough to hold ornaments but the needles don't hurt you when you are decorating. I think Rebecca and I have just as much fun, if not more than the kids as we run through the rows of trees looking for the "perfect" one.




Every year we make sure to take pictures of the kids in front of the tree we have all selected but now that they are getting older and can use a camera we made sure that we have a picture of us in front of the tree. At least this way when the kids get a older and don't want to go cut down the tree with us I can tell them they don't have a choice-we need them to take the pictures!



It was a great morning together as a family and the kids decided that they wanted to carry the tree back to the truck, and they did an awesome job - this truly was a year of firsts. During the next month we will all have different thoughts flood our minds as we gaze upon our Christmas Tree. Memories of family and friends, holiday's past, food and presents - both given and received, but most of all we will focus our thoughts on God as He is the reason for the Season.

The Performing Art's

The kids had their school Christmas play on Friday night (11-30-07). Ariel had a speaking part as the Announcer as well as in the main chorus with Alex. All the kids did a great job performing for a packed house. There was so many people that the entire back of the stadium was full of standing people. The kids were very excited when they saw that Grammy and Grampy as well as Nonnie and Grandpa Roger, Uncle Luke, Aunt Jackie, Noah and Lilly were in attendance. After a wonderful performance we went out for Friendly's Ice Cream. I am very proud of both of the kids as it is not easy to get in front of all those people, Great job Kids.