Empty Nest......

....after all the grandparents have gone, we're down to just 5. What a busy but fun holiday it was.....and we're just enjoying a breather with the kids before the girls head back to school next week. Holiday garb is down, the Christmas tree "crumbs" have been swept....and the house actually feels kind of empty. So anyone looking for a vacation destination....our guest room is once again available!

A little date night to The Tractor Room (one of my favs)!!!

Hey! Why's that big ole wine glass....EMPTY!?!?Me & my 2 favorite Girls!A beautiful day on Coronado....

.....at the Hotel Del!Oops! We may have ordered too much pizza....

waaaaaaaaaaay too much pizza!Grandie, Macy and the Lite Brite...

(thanks for ALL those little Lite Brite pieces Aunt Hill)!!!

Some crazy girls....who let them in!?!?!Thanks for our cool new digs Aunt Hill...

we love 'em!The "Grands" and the girls before they headed back to Florida.Hard to believe '09 is just around the corner!

Have a safe and happy New Years!!!

Merry Christmas 2008!

What a wonderful Christmas we had in our house this year......the kids are at the age of peak excitement so we began Christmas in our house at 4:45am! Macy flipped on the lights in our bedroom yelling "SANTA CAME!" So we were a few mimosas deep by only 7am! Santa was surely good to us this year with the biggest gift~having us all together. Mike's parents joined us for the holidays and my parents will be with us shortly after Christmas upon returning from their cruise on the 27th. It's hard to believe the holidays have come and gone in a blink of an eye. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends and continue to be surrounded by all things good now and into the New Year!

'Twas the night before Christmas.....

Look what Santa brought you Coop.....a stocking full!

.....here I come!

Weeeee!!! Look how fast this thing goes!AnnMaMa & Poppa Steve were all smiles on Christmas morning! An egg pocher...what I've always wanted....or what Mike wants for breakfast! A doll house must come with some wheels...pink of course!
Look at this cool Soccer Barbie....thanks Aunt Melis & Uncle Dan!

The whole fam!

Check out my cool Little Man Chair!All cleaned up for Christmas dinner...

Mike grilled a delish standing rib roast...

it was so much fun to have Ann help make the sides....

oh and let's not forget our dish washer extraordinaire....Steve!

Look what we got in our poppers!Mort just taking it all in!

The kids LOVED their new puppy dog sleeping bags!

Our little snow ballerina!

Our crazy tapper!

...check out this move!

...on our way into the recitalIt was a great holiday show....

and most importantly the girls had so mcuh fun! ....see you in 2009!

"Mom, is Santa a girl?"

...that's what Macy asked after sitting with Santa at the kids Christmas party at the squadron. Santa flew in on a helicopter and the girls were beside themselves jumping up and down and waving frantically. Macy was the first to run to Santa for a hug (much different than last year)...but then she made me hug Santa and seemed a little unsure about who was under the big red suit. We told her that Santa just had a little cold and that's why HIS voice sounded a little funny! The girls waited in line to sit on Santa's lap....holding hands the whole time and telling eachother they were going to get the one baby under the Christmas tree and share it (they had unwrapped toys under the tree to give each child). Cooper wanted nothing to do with Santa until the girls asked for a ball for him, which he got, and then he waved bye! The "elves" pointed to the one doll under the tree and said...."are you sure?"...I said yes, they just love babies :)

So much excitement as we wait for Santa's helicopter to taxi in!A California snow ball fight!Some serious bubble popping!Can't smile now, busy focusing on my donut! Pink sprinkle donuts for the girls....is there anything better?!?!
Emmy all snug in bed with "Baby Schwanda"

I jokingly helped the girls choose the new baby's name (yes, this is in fact my maiden name)....which has some funny family jokes as to the origin.....don't be fooled...it's originally Czeckoslovakian. Needless to say, even after I encouraged them to give her a name of their own, they both really liked Schwanda...so baby Schwanda it is!Macy with old faithful...."Baby Hannah"Making our first gingerbread house...

...the finished product!!! 11 days until Santa comes...the real Santa!!!

Go VT Beat BC!

We had a good time watching the game with some friends that went to BC down at Bub's Dive Bar in Pacific Beach on Saturday. It was an unbelievable 72 degree day here in SD in the middle of December....flip flops, football, beer and friends.....is there anything better?!?!

The Rivals

Just here to lend support and have a bevie...or 2!Sisters Right???

Ok, Aunt & Niece but you can't tell!!!'da Boyzzzzz! We are clearly getting ready for a little Alaskan hunting trip here.... Irish Car Bombs.....
had to happily pass on these shots....

still have 3 kids to go home to! I was only a Hokie fan for the day because the Seminoles weren't playing!
Cool hat Coop.....is that your idea of dress up!

Old Mortimar.....still kickin it after almost 12 years.Advent Calendar Fun!

Taking over for Dad...

making homemade pita for our Mediterranean dinner!

Such a good helper...

these kids love to help in the kitchen!Vacuuming up the "Christmas Tree Crumbs!"

18 Days till Santa comes...hope you're being good!!!!