Christmas photo time . . .

I love receiving photos from friends at Christmas so I feel obligated to make the effort as well. I must say that the task becomes a bit more complicated with each new family member; but thankfully, Aunt Diane was a willing photographer and continued to take pictures as I continued to shout orders at everyone . . . and I was rather pleased with the results.

Christmas photo time!

2, 4, 6, 8 . . . Who do we appreciate? . . . MOM!

This is the chant that I taught my kids on Sam's birthday! Shameful, isn't it? Whatever it takes to feel appreciated!

How about this cake! The kids and I still like to make "Funfetti" cupcakes for their school treats, but who can beat the Giant Eagle Bakery when it comes to fun cakes! Trucks and dirt! Does it get any better than that for a 4 year old boy who likes to call himself "a big man!" (That was the influence of the high school boys at the preschool last spring!)

Marney turns 8!

Eight! Next week, Sam turns 4 and my kids will be 2, 4, 6, and 8! Eight! Where is that baby I brought home from China in 2000! When I asked Marney she said, "I am right here in front of you, Mom!" You know, it is not easy being retired and staying home with my babies, but oh my! they won't be babies long. I am so grateful for opportunity.

WE LOVE HALLOWEEN!

My kids, like most kids their age, love to dress up. This fact makes Halloween rank way up their in holiday status pretty darn close to Christmas!We started the evening visiting Grandma in the hospital and then stopping at a few of our friends homes. Then it was to our house for dinner in the foyer--we did not want to miss anything--and passing out the candy. It was a very raining night in Western Pennsylvania and as I watched the drenched parents accompanying their kiddos, I felt very blessed to have such easy to please kids. I think that they enjoy seeing all the kids show up at our doorstep as much as they do collecting candy.

Pumpkins become Jack-O-Lanterns

Pre-Halloween fun--the making of the Jack-O-Lanterns. Jack's first experience, but Marney is really an old pro. It used to be an event that I saved for Halloween night. We would order pizza for dinner and welcome the Trick-or-Treaters to our home, of course, all dressed in costume. I knew that was too easy to last. So, here we are a week before Halloween creating our Jack-O-Lanterns. I hate the mess, but love the fun.

Does it get any better than this?

One night recently Marney said as I was tucking her into bed, "It was kind of a bad day wasn't it?" I cannot even remember what had happened to make her say that, but I remember my reply. It was, "You know, as long as I end my day with you, Tracy, Sam and Jack, it doesn't matter what kind of day it was--I'm happy!"

Jack just couldn't keep those pj pants on tonight; he kept crawling out of them so I finally put them on his head. He thought that was a riot and then everyone needed to get in on the act. Except Tracy, she preferred a picture with her new Halloween teeth! Oh, and Sam does not have "5 o'clock shadow" above his lip; just a grape gatorade mustache!