Christmas Day 2009

Christmas day as always was a wonderful day. The girls, Jim and I all opened gifts in the morning and then my mom and step dad came out for dinner and a gift exchange. This year Megan wanted a new digital camera and Ashley wanted a ipod touch. In addition they got some new cloths, and new purses. It was a little sad this year, I didn't buy one toy for them this year, guess my babies are growing up!! :)

Baby Charlie

Our newest addition to the family is little Charlie, born on October 30th in just 45 minutes. This is my cousin Keith's 2nd boy, he is so sweet!!

Christmas Eve 2009

As part of our annual tradition we go to my mom's house were are family gathers to celebrate the holiday all together, usually there are 30 plus people this year we were down a few due to the ice storm that we had some were nervous to travel. It is a wonderful time eating, laughing and opening gifts. My family is awesome!!!

Christmas Tree Hunt 2009

I posted some photos on face book of our annual tree hunt but wanted to put them on the blog too for those of you who don't have face book.

I love these photos because it was such a fun day and the girls were so excited to get the tree.

cookie exchange 2009

Every year about 8 of our family members gather for our annual cookie exchange. This year makes our 3rd year. It's a wonderful way to get a nice verity of cookies to munch on during Christmas! This year I only had one day to pick a cookie and bake 8 dozen of them so I picked the kiss cookies our family loves, usually I make something a little more fancy but with finals this had to do for this year! :)

opps!

This photo was supposed to be there to!

My Buds

Some of my good friends at work! We have all worked together for the past 3 years when I moved up to 3rd thru 5th grade. We work in a very challenging room with many autistic kids and kids with learning disability's but we love what we do and have a great time together teaching.

Ashley's Class Party

I helped to organize Ashley's class party the other day for Christmas, and the kids had a great time! It was bitter sweet because this will be the last party she will have this year and in the middle school (next year) they don't have party's! :( my babies are growing up way to fast!! :)

So behind!!

OK, so I know that I am totally behind on updating my blog, but I have been just a little busy with working part time and studying nonstop for 2 weeks getting ready for finals. Anyway.... I will be putting on new photos and getting all caught up now that I am done with my class, at least until January. Check back soon! :)

How sweet is this??

When I arrived home tonight from taking my final the girls (with my mom's help) had a pan of frosted brownies waiting for me with the message "We R proud of U" wrote on them. How sweet is that? I love them so much, and am so thankful for there support!

Ollie

Halloween Night 2009

The girls had a good Halloween even though it was freezing cold. Megan was a Basketball head, Ashley a clown, Jim was a old man (not to far from the truth lol :) even Ollie was decked out in his Halloween tee.

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, everywhere!

Pumpkin Patch Trip 2009

We are really late getting our pumpkins this year, because everyone has been so ill around here. Yesterday was a beautiful day so we loaded up and headed out in search of the perfect pumpkin. We went to our usual location complete with a horse drawn hay ride and a corn maze which was awesome this year! Great day!! :)

Indiana Fall 2009

Fall is my favorite time of year, and while I don't love the cold weather that will follow I absolutely love all the beautiful trees. This photo is one reason why I love Indiana!

HAPPY FALL!!

Fall Photos 2009

I took advantage of the pretty weather and the lovely trees and got the girls photos done by a friend a few weeks ago. She took the girls to St. Mary's campus it is so pretty and we had a great day for it. When we got the pictures back I just could not believe how much the girls have grown and how old they look, where does time go? They are the joy of my life!!!

Megan's Fall Photos 2009

Megan 13 years old

Ashley's Fall Photos 2009

Ashley 10 years old

My Cousin, My Friend

My cousin and I are not just related she is also one of my best friends. We have been through a lot together and I can always count on her. We make each other laugh and have a blast together!!

Girls Night Out

It was a great girls night out!! The girls and I along with my mom, aunt, and cousins went out to dinner and to paint pottery. This is a favorite of ours and we try to do it a few times a year. This time the girls made bowls and I made a mug. It was a wonderful night laughing and sharing time together!! :)

Are we going for a walk or what???

This is one pug that loves to go for walks everyday and this day was no exception. Ollie is almost a year and a half and the sweetest dog ever!! :)

The Gang

Jimmy, Megan, Katie, Chelsie, Jakob, Ashley, Henry, Chelsey

We had all our family over last weekend for a cookout and I tried my best to get a good picture of all the kids looking at me at the same time, I almost did it!! :)

"The Sleepover"

Megan had her Birthday sleepover last night with 6 of her friends. They had a great time and between the Mt.Dew and the fun dips were up until 3:00am. needless to say Meg's a little tired today but not to grouchy!! :) It's all about the FUN though and they had that for sure!!

Happy 13th Birthday Megan!!

It's hard for me to sit here and think that Megan is 13 years old already, it seems like just yesterday I was holding her in my arms as a newborn. She is growing into a wonderful young lady and I love her with all my heart!!!

We celebrated today with NaNa and PaPa by opening gifts and going to dinner at Olive Garden, yummy! It was a great day!! Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!

Bye Bye Braces!! :)

Megan got her braces off today and her teeth look so pretty! It has been a work in progress for nearly 3 years complete with headgear, braces, rubber bands and now the retainer. I think that Megan agrees with me it was well worth it!!

With braces and without!!

Garden goodness

We all had lots of fun taking care of our garden this year and picking and eating the veggies it produced! YUMMY!!!

My ND Fans!!

The girls had a fun time at their first game!

2009 Notre Dame Players Enter the Stadium

One of my favorite parts is when the players run out onto the field and all the fans cheer. We were pretty far up but I was still able to get a picture!

The Notre Dame Band

We waited for over an hour so that we could be right on the path of the band when they passed by to go into the stadium, well worth the wait!

GO IRISH!!

We were so lucky to get tickets to the first Notre Dame game. This was the girls first college game so we went early to watch the band and see the players going into the stadium. We all had a fun day and best of all Notre Dame won the game 35 to 0. Go Irish!!

Ollie...... our pug/sports fan!

Ollie is getting ready for football season to start. We are all fans of Notre Dame and the Colts!

Jim wants to get a Colts Jersey for Ollie to wear on game day! This helmet is off of Meg's build a bear.