Tonight.....(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
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
This fall, Trevor started third grade in a new school where he is in a classroom with a mixture of third and 4th 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
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,
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
As for me, I’m in my 10th year as a part time pharmacist at the h
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:)
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).
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........
The Blizzard of 2010:
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..
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).
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:)
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.
Ethan Our Christmas Elf.
Just a little (fun) chore that we were starting on the other night -complete with a bottle of our favorite wine. SHHHH, no peeking!
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)....
