Emily's First Concert In Pre-K

I have fallen way behind with my postings and layouts. We have been quite busy with renovations to the house, getting ready for the Holidays and grandchildren, of course. Papa and I could not believe the transition in Em since she started Pre-K at Our Lady of Victory School. It was so wonderful watching Em sing and sway to the music on stage with her classmates for their Thanksgiving show. Last year at this time she would never have done any of it. She would have covered her eyes and just stood there. That is, if Mom and Dad could have gotten her on the stage. Emily is growing up and it is so fun watching her do it:~)

Hugs and kisses,

Kara Cheerleading

Kara had a great time this year cheering for Brunswick's Bulldogs. I just wish they played games a little closer to home. As you all know, I am not a morning person. But there is one thing I was so thankful for this season - no games in the rain. Last year I got to sit under an umbrella for the entire game; not fun. Our cheerleader seems to enjoy each new season a little better than the last. That's what it's all about.

Hugs and kisses,

Our Play Days with Alex and Emily

Our Tuesday's used to be spent with just Alex. We built fire houses, garages and all kinds of "boy things." And we loved every moment of it. Our Alex is full of life, love and laughter. He brings such joy to our lives. Then there is that tough "I will not give in" side of him. And Papa thinks nothing of putting him in Time Out, something Nana has never or almost never done. We are watching Alex develop into a great little boy; one who totally enjoys his days.

Now our Tuesday's are spent with Alex and Emily playing together. It is too funny seeing them interact. One minute they are building a fire house. The next they are enjoying a tea party. We love every precious day we share with them.

Hugs and kisses,

Happy Halloween 2009

Halloween was lots of fun, as always. Aunt Shell made her delicious chili for dinner. You guys trick or treated in the pouring rain. But you came in laughing, so the night was a success. We're looking forward to seeing what you will be next year. There is always something to look forward to with our four. And we love it.
Hugs and kisses,

Emily - Halloween 2009

Here is our Emily all dressed up as Snow White for Halloween. I really had a great time doing this layout. In the picture I started with, Emily was sitting on the very large green ottoman in my living room. It took me quite awhile, but I finally got her cut out and looking good.
Hugs and kisses,

Fun at Cape Cod

How cute does Alex look? He loved the water and had a great time. His smile was on his sweet face for the entire time we were at the Cape.

Hugs and kisses,

Reflection on the Summer

The summer was great with you guys. The pictures above show a few of my favorite times with you this summer. It would take more room than AOL offers me to post every picture that is my "favorite." Papa and I would never have had so much fun this summer without you. I could just go on and on forever:~)
Hugs and kisses,

Emily's New Bed

Emily got her big girl's bed for her fourth birthday. She is so excited to have a big bed like Sissy Kara. I just love her room - it is so bright and cheery. It's not totally decorated yet. Mommy said they have to wait a bit to see if that is where the bed will stay. Oh, it also has a pull out where another person can sleep. Wait till those sleepovers start!

Hugs and kisses,

Emily's 4th Birthday!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Well, I am now all caught up on my darling grandchildren's birthday slide shows. This summer has been very hectic and the chaos only seems to continue. But that's a good thing for Ken and me. We hope it continues for a long time.

Emily had a wonderful pool party at her Grandma's and Grandpa's. They seem to get some awesome new yard toy to play with or on every time Ken and I visit. That in itself makes for a great party. Then the inground pool is heated and so inviting. It was really so great watching all these cousins and good friends playing together. They have a ball. Turning four was a wonderful treat for Em. And I totally enjoyed spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa.
Hugs and kisses,

Alex's 3rd Birthday

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Alex's third birthday was great. It was so much fun to see all the kids together having fun. His Mom came up with great ideas for favors, which doubled as table center pieces. Then there was the white sheet where everyone could leave Alex a note. The entire day was wonderful.
Hugs and kisses,

Zack's Tenth Birthday

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Zack had a party with his immediate family for his 10th birthday. His real celebration was an overnight trip to New York City where he had a great time with his family. Hard to believe nine years have passed so quickly; nine of the best years of my life!
Hugs and kisses,

Words of Wisdom

I read these three quotes on the Yahoo group I am a member of for families who adopted children from WuWie and want to share them with you:

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." -Mahatma Ghandi

"Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead, where there is no path and leave a trail."
-Anonymous

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." -Mother Teresa
Hugs and kisses,

Kara's Special Day

This layout is not only to remember Kara's First Communion as a kind of "Dream Land Day." I am trying to learn how to cut figures from pictures. This one is not perfect, but I'm getting there. Some day, Kara, you will look at it and smile. Hopefully you will be saying, "My Nana made this for me."

Hugs and kisses,

Alex is a Big Boy Now

I almost forgot to post pictures of Alex in his big boy's bed. He is such a happy little boy, almost always smiling. As soon as he saw his new bed, he jumped right in and made himself at home. I had to include the picture of him with the alligator Papa brought back for him from Florida. Boys love the strangest things! Alex, you have the face of such a happy little boy.
Hugs and kisses,

A Great Quote

I have a friend who sent me this quote she read some where. I want to share it with you. I know it won't mean much to you now, but I hope someday all four of you will read it and think deeply about each phrase. These four short phrases can form the way you choose to live your lives.


ONLY AS HIGH AS I REACH...CAN I GROW.....
ONLY AS FAR AS I SEEK....CAN I GO...............
ONLY AS DEEP AS I LOOK....CAN I SEE........
ONLY AS MUCH AS I DREAM.....CAN I BE..

Hugs and kisses,

And Now for the Rest of the Story . . .

Papa, Corey and Don went upstairs for their nightly card game. Kris, Kara and Emily went to bed. Zack was putting together a new lego set his parents bought him. I was on the computer. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see something moving. I screamed for Shelley to kill it. After that fiasco, Shelley and Zack decided to leave.

That creepy crab had decided to have babies in the time she was in our room. I killed two more before going to bed. I was not a happy Cape Codder.

And that is the rest of the story.
Hugs and kisses,

The Infamous Four

We have been wanting a picture of these four darlings together. Finally, we got one. I just love them all. I could have posted, and probably will, at least four more:~) We are all together here at the Cape having a great time. I really hate to see it end. But then, it never does. The fun just continues on when we get home.

And we get to celebrate Kristen's birthday today. She won't let me write here which one.

Love you guys lots and lots.

Hugs and kisses,

Late Night Find

It is tradition on each trip we make to the Cape to search for starfish, sand dollars and LIVE crabs. The search this year started late in the evening. It was already dark. We had so much fun. The infamous four found sand dollars and starfish.

Most of us returned to Nana and Papa's room. Corey and Zack continued searching for crabs. Low and behold, they returned with a LIVE one. When they brought this creature into our room, I almost had a stroke. Zack handed it to his Mom. She immediately dropped it!! Here is a picture of our visitor.

Hugs and kisses,

A Day Like No Other

This morning I was cleaning out the closet in my computer room. I have thousands of pictures of four of my five most favorite people on one of the shelves. Of course, I had to stop and take time to reminisce and peek into at least ten groups of pictures.

I found myself in Emily's group and looking at these two pictures I realized something. Emily is my only grandchild I actually got to see one of my daughters meet for the very first time, other than in a picture. It is a moment I will never forget.

The anticipation of meeting each of our grandchildren was happiness beyond belief. Waiting for that door to open and see our daughters and son-in-laws walk through with their new bundle of joy are moments so special in my life.

Papa and I have truly been blessed. Just a little something I had to share and probably will at least ten more times on this blog (only because I will forget I already did it):~)
Hugs and kisses,

Zack Recruited His Younger Brother

Somehow or other, Alex found Zack's Fireman gear and has been wearing it ever since. Michelle has tried to buy him a new one, but she has been unable to find one as well made and realistic as Zack's. It really doesn't matter. He looks so adorable in it. He and Emily spent today with Papa and Nana. We had a great time, as always.

This is actually my first attempt at cutting someone out of a picture. It is far from perfect, but it is a start. Having five grandchildren has encouraged me to learn many things. Blogging is my very favorite:~)

Hugs and kisses,

Kara Michelle's Special Day

May 17, 2009 was a very special day for Kara. She received the Body of Christ for the first time. You could see that she was excited, anxious, nervous; experiencing so many feelings. At one point I wasn't sure Kara would actually walk down the aisle to Father Patterson. But our girl found the courage. She looked so beautiful in her white dress and veil. Kara, you wore a beautiful white dress for your Baptism. Now one for your First Communion. Next will be your wedding day, if you choose to be married. And, if so, I plan on being around to see it:~)
Hugs and kisses,

Alex Did Not Gain Points With Nina Today

Today was a normal Monday when Papa drives to The Baldwins', puts Zack on the school bus, waits for Alex to wake up and then proceeds to our house for the day. Well, on the drive over Papa told Alex he was having bacon and pancakes for breakfast. Alex proceeded to say, "Nina (he prefers it to Nana) sit down. Papa cook." OK, it's true, but I am amazed a not yet three year old would notice it and then verbalize it. Alex, that is NOT the way you butter up Nina:~) My boy is much too smart for his own good.
Hugs and kisses,

Sorry I haven't written more . . . .

but you know how vacations are - fun, fun, fun. Aunt Ginny, Uncle Timmy, Papa and I have been having a wonderful time. We have been swimming in the ocean every day and then back to the pool.

Aunt Sue and Uncle Wesley came to stay for a few days. It was great to see them. We had lots of fun together. I have pictures to post, but don't have time right now.

There is just one I have to share with you right now. I know you will all love it. I, on the other hand, did not enjoy this creature being at our pool.
Hugs and kisses,