Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....some more and some more and some more

A winter wonderland! . There is almost two feet of snow outside. We actually had to hire someone to plow the driveway. The snow was so thick and heavy that we couldn't come close to getting it ourselves; even with the help of our upstairs neighbor. It took us 1 hour just to finish the sidewalk and walkway. The driveway is so long, the task was impossible. We were hoping for some young whippersnappers to come by with their shovels wanting to make a bit of extra money. But, to no avail, we had to hire a professional. Steve is eyeing the bobcat now wondering how much money he could make this winter with one of those. People are willing to pay any amount to have their driveways plowed. Of course, Melissa stopped him dead in his thought. No money to buy the bobcat, remember? Oh, yeah right.......

Enjoy the pictures! We sure are enjoying the snow. Megan and Michael have played out in the snow for hours! We have all made snow angels, lots of snowmen and snow balls have flown all around. Looks like we will have a white Christmas this year!!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Oh boy! Open Now Presents!!!!!!!

When Melissa was a little girl, her Neenee and Papaw would send Christmas presents. But, these weren't just to be opened on Christmas day. There were, "Open Now" presents. She looked forward to those presents every year. She loved the homemade Christmas cookies and other fun prizes. The spirit of giving would always fill her heart. Of course, it only made the anticipation of Christmas morning only more real!

So, Grandma Brenda has passed that tradition down to our kids. We all received the Christmas box and opened it up to find several, "Open Now" presents. This was not limited to just the kids. Grandma Brenda knows how much Melissa is still a kid inside. She had big round eyes as big as Michael and Megan's.

Here are the pictures of the kids with their gifts. Notice Megan starring intently at one of the presents. Grandma Brenda sure knows what it takes to get her attention!









And, the wonderful present that Grandma Brenda gave to us was this beautiful ornament. We love getting ornaments to fill our Christmas Tree. Every one of them has a story and we love remembering them every time we put it on the tree. This one will be remembered for having received it while living in Boston and receiving one of the biggest snow storms in years!

Introducing the Official Brownie...............MEGAN

This is Megan's very favorite friend. Before this picture was taken, Megan asked her if she could give her a hug. Her friend said yes. Megan started to hug her and proceeded to not let go. She told her she loved her and said she couldn't have done it without her. As the hug continued going past the point of no return, I could see her friend wasn't sure how to exit Megan's continueing embrace. So, I asked if I could take a picture of them. Megan looks like she is choking Olivia. I don't know why she had her hand like that, maybe it is a comfort thing.

Michael and I pinned Megan with her Brownie pin introducing her as an official Brownie Girl Scout. We could not have been more pleased. She is really having a great time with all of her friends. When I went to the ceremony yesterday, Megan was very upset that I wasn't leaving. She is used to going to Brownies' without me. She did not want me there. Once she realized other parents were staying, she accepted me being there.

It is so amazing to see her transformation and her ability to socialize with peers her age. She is working so hard and we couldn't be more proud of her.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.......

Michael couldn't wait to make his snowman. The minute school was out and he was home he was working on his creation. He did it all by himself. What do you think? Who does it remind you of?

When Megan got home, she added the carrot nose that had been lost in the snow.

He is so proud......

Thanksgiving.....is it really that time of year?????

We had a wonderful thanksgiving this year. We invited a some friends over, John and Marissa Overson, to help us eat our gigantic dinner. Melissa baked all day on Wednesday and Thursday and created one delicious spread! We will have left overs until Christmas. I don't think she planned on making quite so much food. It is still a challenge to cater recipes to just 4 people......
The kids made place mats for everyone and then decorated the table with their beautiful artistic drawings of things that they are thankful for or pictures that remind them of Thanksgiving. Michael did a beautiful turkey, but, Megan spilled her chocolate milk and ruined the picture. Very sad, I know.....

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When we all woke up on Friday, Megan came out and the first thing she said was, "Time to decorate for Christmas. Thanksgiving is over, Pal!" So, we did. We were planning on doing it later in the day, but she would have nothing to do with that schedule. So, at 8:00 AM, in our PJ's, we decorated our humble abode. Michael and Megan decorated the whole Christmas tree all by themselves!!! It is beautiful! They did a fantastic job! We are now full of the Christmas spirit, complete with the homemade stockings Michael and I made.
We are truly blessed. We have a beautiful family filled with lots of love and laughter. We are really doing well and trying to make the very best out of the cold New England weather....Burrrrrrrrrrrrr. We snuggled up to a warm fire last night and listened to Christmas music. It was a wonderful night and a memory that we will remember forever.

Introducing the new master viola player.......

Michael had his very first concert this last week, "Stringerama". He was so nervous! He had practiced so hard and knew all his songs; Hot Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little Lamb and Juba. He dressed to the nines, with his suit jacket, red tie and nice slacks. He wanted to look his very best. He was so sick though. But, as usual, he was trooper and went anyway. When he came out on stage and saw the mass of parents, you could see his eyes get bigger and bigger. I don't think he expected so many people. But, he composed himself and went to his chair. Megan and I were in his cheering section, waving frantically to get his attention. But, to no avail....

All of the kids did such a great job! No mistakes! I apologize for the pictures. The auditorium we were in did not allow for great photos. Hopefully, at his next concert, I can get some better ones. So, without further ado, here is Michael........

The Princess celebrates her 7th Birthday!

On a cold, blustery, wet Saturday afternoon, Megan celebrated her seventh birthday with her best friends, Olivia, Hana and Sara. She wanted to have a princess party complete with a castle cake. As a novice cake decorator this was one challenge that may have got the best of me. If any of you have ever worked with fondant, then you know what I am talking about. But, in the end, Megan liked it and it tasted good, so what more can you ask for, right? Megan took her friends to the movie theater where they enjoyed the brand new movie, "The Bee Movie". They all thoroughly enjoyed it and filled their bellies with sour patches, popcorn and recess pieces. An interesting concoction that makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it. After cake and ice cream, we opened presents. Her present from us was an art table that Melissa made for her, complete with every art supply known to man....Megan had such a great birthday and was anxious to play with her new toys. She quickly gave her friends a hug, told them "Thank you," and went to draw a picture on her new table. The many late nights finally paid off. I found a present she will actually use. AMAZING! Only 364 more days until her next birthday. She was already telling me what kind of cake she wants. Hopefully it is one a bit simpler.....

Halloween!!

For 364 days, Megan has told us, almost on a daily basis, she wanted to be a witch for Halloween. I think the anticipation of last night was almost too much for her to bear. I can only imagine how slow the day went in her mind. At 2:00, she told me the sun was going down. I think if she could have wished it hard enough, it would have happened. Michael, and his imaginary Special Forces unit, patrolled the house to make sure all of the ghouls and goblins were within a safe distance. He marched up and down the street, making sure all was well. I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Only 364 more days until the next Halloween. I wonder what Megan and Michael will be next year?

We went to a farm in New Hampshire to pick apples to make homemade applie pie and our Halloween pumpkins. It was lots and lots of fun. We had our faces painted, ate cider donuts (YUMMY) and went on a hay ride. The fall leaves were AMAZING! I absolutely had to stop and get pictures of the red, yellow and orange trees. God's creations are magnificient! And then, of course, I had to get pictures of the kids. I had this great vision of the kids sitting in pile of orange, yellow and red leaves holding each other and smiling like angels. Well, that was not the case. It was like pulling teeth to get them to stay still. We were able to get a few good ones to show. They are so funny!!!! Life is good.