365::365

Tonight.....

Ringing in the new Year with best friends and their kids and a sleepover. Laser Tag played by kids (and grownups), good food, fun, laughs, and debates over cedar siding vs. vinyl. Good Times. Some of us made it until midnight. Oh, My....it's 2011! Happy New year, here's wishing you and your loved one's a healthy and joyful year full of wonderful memory-making:)

365 Days.

Good Bye 2010!

(excerpts from our Christmas letter)

I t’s hard to believe we are finding ourselves here again at the end of another year where we have grown taller, wiser and made some wonderful family memories.

2010 has flown by because we are never without something fun to do in wonderful New England. With the kids the ages they are (and finally out of diapers!), it is getting easier to get out and do, see and explore. Even though we did not get a ton of snow, last winter brought skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and building snow forts. Spring was all about Lucas’ third birthday, baseball, Trevor graduating for elementary school, and Breanna from preschool. We were so proud of Josh as he finished his first Marathon (the Boston Marathon) on April 19^th. It was definitely an emotional moment as Trevor and I watched him cross that finish line, and I’ll never forget it.

We spent another summer soaking up everything good Maine has to offer, walks along the oceanside, days spent a water parks, Sea Dogs games, backyard camping, barbequing and hanging out at the campfire with good friends and neighbors. We had a fantastic time at Storyland in New Hampshire as well; it was so nice that everyone could go on all the rides this year together. Summer this year was also all about getting away and unplugging. Our highlight vacation was one where we rented a small cabin on a Quimby Pond in the middle of the Rangeley lakes region of Maine. We traveled in June and then loved it so much we went back again in August. Even though the weather wasn’t perfect, we enjoyed hiking, fishing, kayaking on the misty morning lake with coffee in hand, and cooking outside every day. We even tried geocaching for the first time-so fun! In the evenings we loved our relaxing kayak (Trevor learned to kayak on his own) rides and sitting around the campfire watching the stars come out. It is trips like these that make for the best childhood memories. Jeff and Irene also visited and it was so nice to have all the cousins together (including their newest addition Ryan Jeffrey who was born on July 31^st). I’ll never forget the times we spent together, all the cousins up at the lake, the older kids doing cannonballs off the dock and making s’mores in the evenings around the campfire. We certainly were the spectacle at the hotel we stayed at for Jess and Jason’s wedding weekend walking around with 9 kids ages eight and under. My only wish is that the cousins could be together more. It was a fabulous weekend, and Congrats to Jess and Jason!

This fall, Trevor started third grade in a new school where he is in a classroom with a mixture of third and 4^th graders. He loves school, his friends, has his most of his big teeth now and refuses to cut his hair. He still plays with his two best friends from Kindergarten at recess, and at home hangs out with the neighborhood gang, building forts in the woods and playing soccer after school. He also plays basketball, soccer and baseball on teams through our town. Gammie introduced him to Harry Potter and he is hooked as well as to the Percy Jackson Lightning Thief series of books. In the evenings you will find him listening to a Harry Potter book on tape, maybe doing a little homework or trying to convince anyone (even Lucas) to play chess with him. Honestly, he is getting hard to beat! If you asked him today what his greatest wish was it would be to watch a PG-13 movie so he could see the whole Harry Potter series, and build a tree house in our back woods. Trevor inspires me every day with his absolute sense of wonder. There is nothing that is not fun as long as we are doing it together. Eight is a really great age. Most of all, he is a kind and patient big brother.

This fall, Breanna started Kindergarten! The transition couldn’t have gone more smoothly. The amazing group of teachers, bus driver and kids at our little Elementary school have just embraced her. I never would have thought that Breanna would be riding the regular bus and reading and writing her name. Just the other day, the kids were making gingerbread people. The kids each had to give theirs a name and there were 10 out of 13 “Breanna” gingerbread people. It is amazing to see how Breanna seems to touch everyone she meets, from the librarian, to the gym teacher, the kids in the school, therapists, bus driver, etc, etc.....she is such a blessing. This smallest Kindergarten child just has the capacity to bring out the best in people. Everywhere we go, everyone "knows" Bre. The highlight of my day is when she smiles and waves goodbye from the bus window each morning. This past fall, Breanna also started ballet, and she loves dressing up in her little pink leotard and ballet slippers every week (and I love seeing her in it!). I think if you asked her what her dreams were she would say that she would either want to meet Thomas the train or live on a farm (she loves animals!) She truly is an inspiration to us all.

This fall, Lucas started preschool two days a week. He loves it and I can’t wait to see his bright smiling face every morning where he asks me “Do I go to school on this day?” They make so many wonderful things at his preschool and he can’t wait to show me when I pick him up at the end of the day. He loves playing with trucks and legos and everything “boy”. I’m so happy that we still have the next two years together filled with days at home cooking, playing, going for walks and taking him to swimming lessons at a local pool. He just wants to do EVERYTHING himself (don’t you dare try and help him!) that his big brother does, including riding a big bike where his feet barely touch the pedals. We can’t wait for Lucas to go skiing for the first time this year! He is our little helper, eager to do any chore he is asked (for now!).

Josh continues to work from home as an IT manager. As challenging as the times have been for the industry in this economy and with a new president’s agenda, he is thankful that he has a job. He is also thankful that he gets to spend all his days with the kids, and when he get a small break from work he gets to wrestle, help build forts, get his butt kicked by Trevor in Chess or Sorry and help with homework. He built an amazing new deck off the back of our house last summer and he constantly amazes me with the do-it-yourself skills I never knew he had! Last but not least, he finished three marathons this year (including Boston and New York), and while the training was long and sometimes grueling, I’m sure he’ll never forget what a major accomplishment this has been in his life.

As for me, I’m in my 10^th year as a part time pharmacist at the hospital. My job there is constantly changing and filled with challenges. I’m also lucky to be at home so many days, to go on playdates, volunteer in the school and church, and follow my heart’s creative pursuits, photography, blogging and scrapbooking. I’m also learning to “like” running and finished my first 10K road race last summer. As every new school year begins, it is a challenge to find our daily rhythm, juggling the demands of work, activities, home and three small kids. It is always a surprise what the next day brings. We always seem to make it, however, and we are thankful to find the joy in all of it. We just don’t want these days with our precious little ones to end but, they will grow up, and they are growing up, and I am so happy that I get to be a part of it. So here’s to another wonderful year!

I'm about to begin my 4th year blogging a picture a day and I can say I have learned so much from this process. I have seen my life in a different way and counted my blessings so much more because of it. Anyone want to join me for 2011? See Becky's blog for more inspiration. EVERYONE, young and old, with kids, without kids etc....has a story to tell. Everyone does something everyday. I know when I look back, my favorite photos are going to be ones of Lucas at the grocery store, us reading together, brushing our teeth or ones of me cooking with the kids in the kitchen. This everyday stuff is the stuff that makes up OUR life, not the big trips or birthdays, or special events. This is the good stuff. And you never know who you might inspire by doing it....maybe even yourself:)

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Today,on the second to last day of 2010 we had a ton of errands to do, a doctor's appointment for a little girl's sinus infection, another trip to Lowe's to return leftover materials and get the last ingredients for our backsplash, some pendant lights and a great new faucet, the library and grocery shopping. We ended up here for lunch....at the "Pizza cave" as the kids call it (Pat's pizza). It's their favorite place, and we have had many a family outing (and Dad and kids outing) here (plus....it's cheap and the kids love the Caesar salad).

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Our newest little home improvement project. A tile backsplash in the kitchen. I LOVE it:)

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And this game is our eight year olds new favorite. Lucas likes to be the "banker" and pass out the $200 dollars for whoever passes go. I'm glad he is happy in that role. The only problem is the length of time each game takes. Hello Monopoly, Good Bye laundry, making breakfast, doing the dishes, or any other chore etc........

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The Blizzard of 2010:

I think they got snow in South Carolina, maybe even Georgia.
I couldn't even imagine what it must be like for them, all that snow and no plows.

Here, we're pretty un-phased by it all. We have super plows that clean even the smallest side street, and the roads were fine. Up here, We all have four wheel drives. I made it back and forth to work just fine. The wind and cold is horrible and still howling outside. The kids (even Breanna) are so into the outdoors and snow this year, it's going to be fun. It's time to dust off the skiis. Hello winter.

Joy. (365:358-360)

Joy is......

• cutting down our own Christmas Tree and decorating it (and having an adventure doing it)
• passing down all the traditions from my own childhood to my children and the comfort and joy all of our traditions bring.
• visiting Santa
• doing nothing
• playing in the snow and sledding in our own front yard
• baking cookies, making candy canes and gingerbread houses
• Making Nanny's cinnamon rolls (I think I sense she's watching over me every year when I'm kneading that dough by hand)
• Eight, Six and three
• boots, snowpants, hats and mittens on the floor by the door
• Eggs and grits
• all snug in our beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads....
• Taking all day to enjoy each gift and each other
• opening a book a night and reading it together
• listening to the Polar express book on tape and watching the movie on Christmas eve
• Red sweaters and Sweater dresses
• The candlelight service and Children's pageant at St. Nicks
• Family and Children
• Sprinking our reindeer food and leaving cookies and milk and carrots for Santa and the
  Reindeer
• Smiles, excitement and anticipation (grownups and kids!)
• Believing in Santa
• Christmas Jammies
• Trevor and I belting out Christmas Carols in the car while waiting for out take out food on Christmas Eve
• Warm fires and Warm drinks
• Being loved for who you are
• Watching Christmas Movies
  
• cloth tablecloths, napkins and using the good china
• Playing games together
• Handmade gifts
• Christmas Music
• The mirror and the journal
• The beef Wellington dinner, toasting with Gammie and Grampa
• "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings, Love Clarence."~
• Vacations from school and work
• Mom's cheesecake and silver top cookies
• Playing chess
• Lucas and Bre holding hands during the family pictures
• Twinkle lights, inside and out
• How Breanna says "Merry Christmas"

A child is the

greatest gift of all

That our lives

bestow.

A child brings the

most exquisite joy

That we shall ever

know.

And so we thank

you for the gifts,

Both those you

brought and are,

That celebrate this

rich, full life

The life of a

shining star!

Author Unknown

Today

On the Eve of the Eve.....We did everything that one should on a first day of Christmas Vacation. We got some Doctor's appointments out of the way, played out in the snow for three hours, read, wrestled, played games, watched it's a Wonderful Life and drank hot chocolate. I am Thankful for all the blessings that fill this great life. I am blessed to be surrounded by and loved by my family. Merry Christmas and happy memory making..

For Fun

Pause the music at the bottom.

Long story.

Wednesday Morning, in the softly falling snow, we (J, Me and Lucas) found ourselves at L.L. Bean because we needed to emergently exchange a broken Backpack and a broken coat. We came home with a pretty good backpack (gray, with lots of pockets and back padding), but the coat we ended up with was very cute but it didn't work out well at all. The zipper was weird, and it got stuck every time I tried to use it. After all that, this wonderful company is overnighting me a new coat so my darling daughter doesn't go without on these cold winter days. And....to make a long story short, there was a really cool photo booth in the store in the kids department (I've always wanted my picture taken in a photo booth.), AND we left with a FREE wreath (they were giving them out at the door).

I'm amazed

at this original poem and painting by one eight year old boy made during their celebration week at school this week. Of course, he didn't think it was a big deal at all....It's already framed and up on my wall:)

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And on the solstice day and Eve of December 21st, we have snow! Snow, and a snowman, and an excited little three year old who has to go outside in his PJ's first thing in the morning to play (and help shovel a little). Thanks to Lucas and a little candle making they did at preschool, we have a new Tradition. At dinner, on the Solstice Eve we light one homemade beesewax candle and read The Shortest Day (which Trevor proudly exclaimed that it wasn't really the shortest day b/c all our days have 24 hours, but it was the shortest day of light). And the snow, while it is not really a novelty around these parts (especailly come April) is just purely magical and mood changing this time of year. And even better now that we are ALL on vacation. A white Christmas it is.

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Ethan Our Christmas Elf.

He arrives on Thanksgiving Day and hides in a new place each morning. The kids have so much fun finding him and whispering their wishes into his ears!

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Then

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "Means a little bit more."

mas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

SHHH! I'm making a secret Christmas book for my little sister.....

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Just a little (fun) chore that we were starting on the other night -complete with a bottle of our favorite wine. SHHHH, no peeking!

A Christmas Brunch

Yummy and wonderful comfort food to FILL our bellies.

Cousins playing inside and out and pushing each other in the walker

grownups catching up (and loving the kids playing)

How one special little girl just climbed right up into Grandpa's lap and held his hand and made him smile.

Celebrating all the birthdays-Happy Birthday Mom!

Playing and watching football

Having just one more bite of Michelle's peppermint whoopie pies.

the group photo

Can't wait to do it all again next year!

being together.....it's what Christmas is all about.

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Just about one of my favorite teary eye moments of all time. Breanna truly does have a higher sense about people (and animals) than the rest of us (you were right Helen)....

Around the House Today.

Counting Down!

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Cookie making Day!

and I LOVE how Josh is getting all gourmet with our chocolate dipped peanut butter Ritz. and I LOVE how everyone is into helping and that making a BIG mess is a really fun part of the process:)

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You guys are loving (and I am loving) listening to your own tape player and following along in the books. Trevor: Harry Potter and Lucas: The Polar express.

(now if I could only find that Fisher Price Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates that we listened to over and over when we were kids.)

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And Our everyday Christmas:

the bus

eating breakfast

cooking dinner

cleaning up

swimming lessons

brushing teeth

playing in the snow dustings that we keep getting

listening to stories and music

errands

meltdowns

playdates

baking and making

parties

making beds

playing games

folding laundry

Let Dog in

making lunches

appointments

school meetings

homework

Taking out trash

eating pistacios

hugs

tucking in to bed at night

reading books

I love yous

work

life.

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Shhhhh! I'm making my secret Santa gift for school!

Happy Birthday Dad.

Thanks Dad......

For Letting me have the bedroom with the bathroom

For working so hard so we could have everything

For giving me a love for music and jazz

For letting me play in a pile of dirt, make forts in the woods and taking me camping

For taking me to visit my grandparents often

For teaching me how to change a tire

For making me "bring in wood" when I was fighting with my brothers

For walking me down the isle

For not letting me watch TV on school nights

For freezing your butt off to watch me in all those Marching Band Shows

For fixing my cars when I broke them

For taking me out to a special dinner for getting good grades

For giving us an extra spin on our sleds in the back of the tractor

For teaching me how to ride a bike

For getting the best parking spot when you moved me and all my "stuff" into college

For making the holidays special

For giving me chores

For letting me sit on your shoulders while you did pushups

For telling me that no dream was too big

For our Christmas Shopping trips

for waiting outside the hospital room into the middle of the night until Trevor was born

For helping us move into three houses and all the projects that came with them

For helping me with my physics homework

For loving Mom

For making the best breakfasts

For teaching me how to give and get "good customer service"

For teaching me the value of hard work

For getting me (and Josh) summer "jobs"

For loving me even when I wasn't so loveable

For being there.

For believing in me.

Happy Birthday!

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and in this busy season of going here and there, making and doing, I'm glad we can still pull off a lazy afternoon (because it gets dark so darn early!)

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Us, Right now.

Loving taking turns unwrapping a book each night and reading it as a family. It just forces us all to come together for this small moment of time from the million different directions that we are constantly running in. I love it.

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Our annual date night Christmas shopping trip. This year we had a babysitter for 7 hours, we got ALL our shopping totally done and had lots of spare time to go to Seadog Brew Pub and watch the Pats game! Fun!

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Letters to Santa:

Bre: did well copying the I want and then lost interest. Liked erasing.

Lucas: Wrote a couple marks and then lost interest. Getting good at writing the letters of his name, though.

Trevor: Had to be well planned out, AND written in cursive. He wanted to add some points on how he had been a good boy this year but then lost interest and didn't feel like adding that part.

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At the annual CASA Christmas party. A room full of adorable kids with special needs, their special helpers, Santa presents and cookies......what could be better?

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• The wind is biting cold now ripping across my cheeks, frozen nostrils, aching lungs
• loving some new music on my iPod (Bon Jovi- It's my life... It's now or never... Cause I ain't gonna live forever... I just wanna live while I'm alive)
• layering, fleece, and then mittens and then peeling them away along the way
• Winter running, I'm determined to keep up with it two days a week because it feels darn good (when it's over!)

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Just another ordinary grocery shopping day!

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Our Annual Christmas dinner with the Days....

HE cooked up a feast (and a gourmet mac and cheese for the kids)and kept our glasses full with yummy whiskey sours

The kids played Twister, did puzzles, played the Wii, and Watched Charlie Brown Christmas

The kids all received their "perfect" gift including a little lock box that will not leave one little three year olds hand-EVER.

We laughed, we talked, we laughed some more. and then we decided to do it on New Years too:)

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Our Happy little gingerbread house....the story:

Every year since Breanna was 2 we have attended the Gingerbread House workshop at the children's Museum. They put together a great house ahead of time and all we have to do is decorate (and we don't have to clean up the mess!) and usually read a story and have refreshments for the kids. This year, no story, no hot chocolate, and one VERY small bag of candy to decorate the houses with (I guess a sign of the times and economy), so we got creative with the sprinkles. The kids really wanted to get fancy (and we were wishing we had at least one Necoo wafer). So, we decided to retire that tradition (as sad as it is), and next year, try making our house at home.

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Breakfast with Santa:

Trevor: couldn't wait to see Santa (no fears or shyness at all). Even helped out Lucas with his fears a little by saying that he would let him sit next to him. Told Santa that he wanted A Wii and Laser tag.

Breanna: excited about seeing Santa: no fears, climbed right up on his lap. Lucas told Santa that Bre would like a Thomas Train

Lucas: Was scared at first, but comforted when he got to sit up there with Bre and Trevor. Told Santa in his "big" voice that he would like a big digger truck for Christmas.

They were thrilled by the fact that Santa gave them each a book to bring home (and that Mrs. Claus was there, which afterward we decided that was the reason that Santa was less grumpy this year.

And we bribed them afterward to smile for a picture by the big stone fireplace in their Christmas outfits (love those boots Bre!) Good Times.

AND Later in the day: Gingerbread house workshop and Christmas dinner party with the Days....stay tuned for pictures.

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Today.......

making our very own candy canes

doing the Hokey Pokey at the library story hour

Dad and Daughter night out

and...the boys went to a a roller skating birthday party!

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Love this.

the story:

Liana plays games with the kids every night she is here with Breanna, so now Breanna LOVES playing games (and is getting really independent with even some of the harder ones). Tonight, she said, "Liana game" and went downstairs and fetched one of her favorites from the game closet. Then the kids all gathered around and played together (with only a little bit of fighting). SO cute!

loved this.

read here.

Dec 2

December 2 Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

somedays, when I think of what I want to write, and then don't write it down right away b/c I'm caught up in daily chores, I forget and lose important stuff. I need to keep paper nearby so I can capture that stuff. I also don't write b/c I have a hard time finding the right words to perfectly express how I feel.

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Our lights!

Dec 1

For more info on this project: go here.

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

One word for 2010: Inspired...Inspired by books, blogs, my family, friends, neighbors, my kids. Inspired by those who are facing struggles and those who have left this earth. Inspired to think of new ideas every day to make my house a better home, be a better mom, friend, wife, and daughter.

2011: I'm thinking........

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This Moment.

we get a new Christmas book under the tree every Christmas eve and every year we get them out with our tree. We have built up quite a collection and this year we may even try wrapping 25 of the books and opening and reading one a night until Christmas. Hello December.