More pictures...

These are some more pictures from my sister's surprise party last weekend. My niece, Karen, has the most adorable children. Noah is rambunctious, just like a boy should be, and Olivia is so dainty and has the most adorable little voice. I just love watching her talk! Anyway, here are some pics..and, yes, karen and cindy, i will burn you each a cd if you want one.

whimp

Ramblings..from a 50th birthday party..

These pics were taken when we surprised my sister Cindy with her 50th bday party..

I love the look on everyone's faces as they were walking behind her in the restaurant! love it..I also threw in some extra pics of Karen's kiddos..so stinkin' cute! (the pic that looks like noah is kissing olivia..he is actually kissing grandma!lol..)

whimp

Pictures from Easter...

Sorry these are so late..i just downloaded pics from my camera. Goodness...i love this thing! lol...enjoy..

(p.s...danny absolutely refuses to stand still for a pic..please don't think i love him less! lol...)

whimp

Happy 50th Birthday Cindy!

My oldest (snort) sister turns 50 today! Yeah! I just wanted to shout out and wish her the happiest birthday in the world. The POB's (4 sisters and Brandy) planned a surprise sister breakfast for her this last saturday..WE ACTUALLY PULLED IT OFF! Without anyone slipping and telling her about it...AND...we actually kept the fact that her daughter, Karen, was coming home too! She was so surprised and I was so happy to witness it.
Love you sis..happy birthday gray hair! lol
wendy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!

My niece, Karen, turns 30 today! I hope your birthday is awesome! Welcome to the 30's club! Love ya!

whimp

Just an update..and stupid should hurt...
Thanks Brandy for letting me steal your favorite quote..well Troy actually turned himself in, and plead guilty to all his stupid endeavors, and received 27 years in prison. TWENTY SEVEN years! ...now we all know he won't actually serve all that, but if he does..MY son will be 37 years old when he is released..how sad is that? Thank GOD...Chris is here. Chris is here for Danny just like always...Danny is just concerned that everybody saw the news and everybody will know..(i.e..everybody would be kids at school...just an FYI of 10 year old boy language) He is embarrassed he said. Me too, I told him...me too. Thank God i have my boy. Thank God...
whimp

How do I put my past...
behind me, when I go to check the local weather and see this? http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/6926957.html
How do I explain it to Danny? What if something goes horribly wrong? Then what? Lord, when will this end?

By the way...Happy Easter.
whimp

More Layouts...

Here are some layouts I have gotten done so far this year..this is just some of them. Yes, I did use sketches or scraplift some of these layouts.

Happy Scrappin' friends! ETA: I submitted Danny's Xbox eXcitement layout so i had to remove it from my blog..sorry. It will be reposted June 1.

whimp

Why is it....

that several $1.00 bags of Army men can produce endless hours of fun for 10 year old boys??!!?? Why don't I buy more of them? Oh..I know..because of THIS....Danny sets up a mini battalion whenever he gets them out..and man do these suckers hurt when you step on them! lol..here are some fun pics i took when he was home sick..

Yippee!! I made it!

To spring break! Let's hope I can make it six more weeks until summer!

Chris and I just got back from a wonderful weekend away together. We went to the Amana Colonies (we go every year, just earlier this year) and we even went across the river to Illinois. I tried talking him into going on to Chicago, but frankly, even I was tired of riding by that time! We went to the John Deere Pavillion in Moline, IL. I was a little disappointed, but still had fun. We also went to a little village near Amana called Kalona. It is the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi River. I got to see some interesting stuff, and got to eat the most amazing food. I bought my ham for Easter in Amana..man I can't wait to bake that thing!
Riley spent her FIRST overnight with Grandpa Pat and Papa Blackie this weekend. I don't know who was more excited, or who had more fun. Grandma or Riles.

Danny spent the weekend with Grandma Val. He always has a blast when he spend the night at Grandma's. We are truly blessed to have grandmas and grandpas in our lives.

I am posting some pics of the kiddos bday party from last weekend. Enjoy..and I will think of everyone at work this week, as I am at home..or scrappin'!

Happy Birthday Dear Danny!

It is official. I am old. Danny informed me (not to long ago), "Mom, you have been a mom for almost a decade!" Thanks bud..i love you too! lol..Seriously. Today is Danny's tenth birthday. How cool is that? How cool is it to be 10? Danny is such an amazing person. He has a good heart, a smart brain, and a way about him that makes you want to sit down with him and talk to him for hours. He says some of the wackiest, weirdist things. But he is my little weirdo, and on this day I want to tell him I hope everyone of his dreams and wishes come true, because even though I was young when I wished for him, he has made all my wishes come true. I love you big guy.
Mom.

Seizures, Ambulance rides, and birthday girls...
Yep..that was my night last night. Danny came home from school yesterday with a high fever yesterday..didn't really think anything of it. We have had fevers before, i thought it was just a virus and he would be all better in a few hours. Boy was I wrong. Last night at about 11:oo he woke up, went to the bathroom, fell two times so dad helped him and then put him in bed. About 10 minutes later, we heard "I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS!!" we jumped up, turned on our bedroom light, and saw him in a full blown petite mal seizure. I have never been so scared in my entire life. I can't describe how it feels to see your child seriously ill, and not be able to help. So..we got to take an ambulance ride to Children's Hospital. Something I really do not ever want to do again! lol..He is home now. He has the influenza that has been going around, and he is reading his new dragon book, sitting in his new jammies, and mom is praying he will rest. I know this is not really going to happen, because MISS RILES turned FOUR today. So she is SOOOO excited about her gift..a dora magical castle, and a huge dragon fly balloon. Hopefully we will still be able to have their birthday party this saturday. Hopefully miss riles will not get this bug, because Chris and I leave next Friday for our trip!
Peaceful dreams,
whimp

Riley Turns 4 (FOUR!)

Riley will turn 4 (FOUR) tomorrow! How exciting, and incredibly sad for me. I love the new stages she is in right now(granted, I would LOVE if she would outgrow some of them!). However, her birthday is bittersweet. It reminds me I won't hold a newborn that is my own again, or cuddle up with sweet baby breath on my neck. It reminds me that time moves entirely too fast, and i need to enjoy my children as much as i can. It reminds me I need to make sure I do the things I want with them NOW, not tomorrow, because sometimes, tomorrow doesn't come.

Happy Birthday Miss Riles. I love you sweet girl!

Love,
Mommy

J.J. turns one...

My great-nephew Josh Jr.(it always makes me feel so old to type or say that!) turned one yesterday. Riles and I went to help him celebrate. He is such a cute little guy. It always amazes me at how great my nieces and nephews are as parents. The rotten stinkers that they were, are now amazing parents. I now have (umm...let me count them) i think ELEVEN great nieces and nephews. Anyay, Josh is such a happy lil guy and I am so lucky to get to see him everyday when i drop Riles off at daycare. Here are some pics of the special day.

Peace,

whimp

At what cost?
I am trying to let go of negativity in my life. It is not healthy. I cannot carry these burdens with me forever. However, I feel part of me, or my purpose, will be forgotten if I let go. If I let go of the hate I feel towards the town, well mostly school district, of where I grew up? If I let go of the anger, hurt, and hatred I feel for my first husband(i mean, come on, it has been almost 10 years). What will it cost me to let go of these things? Does this anger define who I am? Does it make me, me? Will I no longer have a purpose in life? What will this cost me? What? Some one please tell me...of course I have another question.. What will it cost me if I don't?
whimp

I remember...
My niece, Karen, posted about watching a documentary on the drug Meth. She posted how this program researched and discovered that once this drug chooses a victim (or should I say victim chooses a drug, anyway) that only 6% of recovering addicts fully recover. How sad. How sad for the families of these people. How sad for the lives that are disrupted. Unfortunately, I remember. I remember watching someone I used to (think) I loved throw his family, and life down the drain..all for this drug. The surprising thing about this statistic (Troy) ..he came from a good (i won't say stable) home, is fairly intelligent, and parents are still married. This drug knows no race, sex, age, or clas. This drug is nasty. It makes the user very violent and unsatisfied. They will do ANYTHING to get another hit. Unfortunately, it used to be fairly easy to acquire the ingredients used to make it. In a farming community, it is relatively simple. I remember the fear I had for the safety and well being of my son, and myself. Why did I stay? I stayed because I didn't want to be a statistic, I thought I could change him, and I actually believed the things he said to me. I constantly heard I was no good...no one would love me. I was stupid, I was fat, I wasn't a good mother. I was told I would never make anything of myself, and I wouldn't survive without him. I felt I had no one to turn to. At that time I wasn't very close to my sisters, or brothers for that matter. I felt I was truly alone. Until I called Dianne at work one day, and she said to pack danny up, and come on over. So I did. and ..guess what? I did make something of myself, I am a good (at least decent) mother, I finished my teaching degree, and am happily married to a wonderful person. and guess where he is...still hooked on this drug. Almost ten years later. He has 2 more children(who live with his mother). How sad to see a life who could have great promise (all he needed to do was apply himself, he could have had any occupation he wanted)...but instead, he made the choice to dance with the devil?
And Now..ten years later..
My greatest fear I have now...is how to educate my children (one of them being his son) on the dangers of drug use. How do I educate them on how peer pressure will feel, and it IS Ok to sayNO! The friends who would use, are the friends to lose? How..in a society like ours, HOW can I help them say NO?

Sometimes, I wonder and ask why?
I just discovered the wonderful song "I wonder" by Kellie Pickler. Kelli was a contestant on American Idol last year, and did pretty well. The song "I wonder" is about her mother. Her mother left her with her father when she was just a toddler and had very little contact with her after that. So...my question is..
HOW?
How can a mother (or father) walk away from a child? How can anyone be content with NEVER seeing their child again, or seeing their child every other weekend. ME..I couldn't live without my children and the chaos they provide. I love them. Sometimes, they are hard to like..but I love them. I always want them here, right here, with me. I know people who don't care. They don't care if their kids are provided for...it's an ALL ABOUT ME game with them. Poor, pitiful, me, and you know what? That sucks..it sucks for these kids. These kids are left wondering, "what did I do wrong? How can I be better? How can I change what was wrong?" When in all honesty..the fault/weakness lies with the adult. I just can't believe how irresponsible parents are these days. Oh some people will say "I have to give so and so credit, because at least they know they can't provide for the child." Ya know what? It still doesn't make it easier for a child to accept the hurt, anger, and pain of knowing you aren't wanted.
wendy

Got Snow??

Wow...we are in the middle of an almost blizzard. I live down the road from my mother and father in law..i can stand on my front porch and see their house. Here is a picture I took standing on my front porch looking at their house. We don't even live a 1/4 of a mile away from each other..It started snowing here at 6:00 a.m. It is now 9 a.m. and here is how much snow we had at 8:45 a.m. (2nd pic). It isn't supposed to stop until this afternoon. Needless to say, we have a snow day. YEEHAW! (Maybe i shouldn't have prayed to the snow gods quite so hard??)

ETA: The 3rd pic is how much snow we have as of 3:47 p.m. Wahoo!! We have another snow day tomorrow! (I guess I won't be saying that when we have to go to school until May 25 (instead of May 22nd). Oh well...gotta love the Midwest!

have a great day!

whimp

Whew!
Wow..we JUST got our power back after loosing it at 6 this morning. You never realize just exactly what you use power for, until you have to pee in the dark! Riles managed to play by herself until about 1ish and then we loaded up and went to visit Grandma in town..she had power! So much for roasting a chicken for supper.
This weekend has gone by super fast. Almost time to start figuring outfits for the week out for the kiddos..Friday night I went out with some wonderfully fun women to celebrate Fickel's birthday (some of you might know her as Husker from CKMB)..had a great dinner and lost some money at the casinos! Wonderful tho, to be out with women who love having a good time. Thanks ladies!
Yesterday we went to Chris' friend Robert's memorial service. It was hard watching his father and girls' grief. Of course, my attention was diverted a bit, because the man sitting next to Chris started having multiple seizures! I was sitting behind Chris ,because he was a honorary pallbear..Robert was cremated...and next to my SIL Michelle (who thank god is a nurse :) Let me tell you..it was kind of freaky..good thing the funeral home owner is also on the volunteer Rescue team! Today, we lost power, so Riles and I read, played games, went to grandma's..etc. I am tired!
Have a great week..
whimp

Happy Birthday Fickel!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Fickel, Happy Birthday to you...i got you a six pack (hee hee..so i already had two..i know you don't mind sharing!)

I just wanted you to know you are an amazing friend and woman. Your spirit in which you live, inspires me. You are such a great person and friend. I hope our friendship grows even stronger.

whimp

(I always joked with him about this pic, I couldn't tell who was the turkey).

Remembering Dan...

As many of you have heard, Chris' best friend (Robert) died Friday night. At this time, what it looks like, it was a heart attack. How sad..he was only 36. He leaves behind twin girls who are 8.

This has been an emotional roller coaster for me. I don't know how to help my husband with his grief, and brings back the pain of losing my best friend 14 years ago.

His name was Dan (hmmm..wonder who my son is named after...). He was a wonderful soul. (My Chris reminds me alot of Dan. Quiet, respectful, willing to help anyone who needs it.)

I met Dan when I was 13, and visiting my brother in Milford, KS. (My brother was stationed at Fort Riley). Dan was 15 when we met. I loved Milford. Everything about it. It is so small it only had 2 bars and a gas station. However, it had an enormous lake. Dan and I would take a shortcut, and be able to walk along the rocks around the lake. This walk would take us to many private beaches, where we had A LOT of evening BBQ's, and would lead us to an old tree where teenagers before us, had tied an old rope to a branch, and we could swing out and land in the water. We would sit on the rocks or beaches and talk for hours. He was truly my best friend. We wrote each other, not a lot of letters, but enough I have a shoe box full. I haven't looked at them in years. Until Saturday. Saturday brought back the pain, and memories, and the questions..I wonder what he would be doing now. Would we still be friends? What would he think of my children? Where would he live? I know what he would look like.. I remember his lake green eyes, his lopsided smile, his gentle touch, his funny little lisp, and his wavy brown hair.. He was an amazing friend. Sadly, he was taken from me in 1993. He worked at a construction site, and was killed in an accident. I will always feel guilty about when it happened. June 25, 1993. I was to have gone to Milford and spent a week with him at his parents house, and then he was going to bring me home on Friday and spend the next week with me and be in my senior pictures. I didn't have the money to go, and wouldn't let him pay for it. He was killed on the Friday he would have taken off to bring me home. I loved him. I miss him. He is eternally young. God Bless you Robert and Dan...wherever you may be.

whimp

Please say a prayer today....
Last night, Chris' best friend died. We are unsure of the circumstances surrounding his death. Please include this man's father in your prayers. In the last 3 years he has buried a daughter, a wife, and now his son. Please pray.
On another note, how do I help my husband through this? I know what it is like to lose a best friend( two actually) I know how I felt, but how do I help him? Chris is so angry about this..how do I help?
Hug your family today, I am hugging mine.
wendy

I have been tagged....5 quirky things about me....
1. I eat goldfish crackers, hot tamales, and mini marshmallows together (think trail mix). Yummo!
2. I have to unplug all the appliances that do not need to be plugged in before I leave my house(can we say OCD?)
3. I sleep with socks on...(well except..)
4. Absolutely NOONE can eat or drink from my utensils (plate, bowl, cup, etc)..including my hubby and children. Yucko!
5. I only get 4 pages done at an overnight crop..HAHA!!

I tag..Karen and Jen. Happy blogging!
whimp

WELCOME HOME SNATCH (er...ZACH!!)

I just want to give a warm welcome home to my brother's weird, wacky, and wonderful friend..snatcheriah..uh...i mean Zach. Welcome home zach! We worried about you, and I am so glad to hear you made it home safe and sound. On behalf of my family, I want to salute you (and all other military personnel) on the job you do for our country. Thank you for fighting for us. job well done.
Welcome home, buddy, welcome home.
whimp

I make a difference....

What Teachers Make......
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest;"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)"Then, when people, like you, try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"
Just got this in an email from a fellow teacher. I guess I never thought of my self this way. But we do. We make a difference everyday. Sometimes we are the ONLY safe place a student has. Sometimes we are the ONLY ones who make them feel good about themselves, sometimes we are the ONLY people who will help THEM make a difference in their lives. You know what? It is all worth it. I know I am blessed as a teacher when Ihave been gone for a day (or two) and when those wonderful faces walk through my door in the morning and say, "Miss Wendy! You're back! I missed you!" Yes..I am blessed.
whimp

Hello friends!
No, I have not been abducted by aliens. I am just super busy. I have been so busy, that I do not have any new pictures of my children. Well, I do have a picture of Danny's city he made out of broken chalk pieces, (but i will wait to post that when I have some new pics of mr. man). Wait till riles wakes up and discovers her chalk is broken..aye aye aye! The wonderful joys of motherhood.
Nothing new here, except I am scrapping this weekend at the store. Can't wait for that, and just trying to make it to the end of this school year with my sanity intact. Chris has been begging me to resign, but i love those kids! I just don't like one CERTAIN adult in the room! lol...more of that later.
Have a great week everyone!
wendy

I hope i have not offended anyone with my previous post..
I know karen is a wonderful, kind, patient, mother. I DID NOT think for a minute she didn't want her children. NEVER did i think that..i could tell by her post that she was having a hard day. She feels like she lost herself to this role of motherhood. I think we all feel like that sometimes. w
EDITED TO ADD: Karen, i remember how you were in high school, full of life, loving everything about living. I have watched you grow along side of me, and blossom into a wonderful, beautiful young woman, who loves her children, husband, and family. You have such an amazing spirit within you..sometimes when we first become mothers we lose sight of that spirit..sometimes misplace it. We have to remember to find it, hold on tight, and enjoy just being. I know we hear that a lot, enjoy just being. You will find all these things again. Sometimes you have to have a little power struggle with yourself on what you are willing to change, for the sake of sanity. Usually, when you do this, they are the little things that used to matter, but no longer do. You will know what i am talking about. I think it is time to take a well deserved break. Come home and scrap for awhile! love ya w

What would it be like??
My niece, Karen, posted this on her blog. I can totally relate to how she feels. I think at one time or other, ALL moms can relate. If you say you have never felt this way, well...i will call you a liar. (I know this post wasn't JUST about being a mother, but this is what spoke to me..it will speak differently to each person reading it..)
what is it like?
to be full of life, to have confidence, to be passionate, to feel loved, to be motivated, what does it feel like to have a life? a life other than my own? to have a good meal with fruits and vegetables that don't come from a can, to not get peed on, to not be so damn tired, to live in civilization, to be talented, to have a passion and be able to completely embrace that passion, to run, to feel beautiful, to not hurt, to not question, to dream, to follow those dreams, to put your thoughts into print in front of your eyes, rather than behind, to live in CA or NYC, to get a FULL nights rest gosh,
what is it like?
Having felt like this before, and when I was a single mom, I often asked myself "what would i do if i didn't have a child?" Would I travel? Would I have different dreams? Would I get to sleep till noon? Would I be the remote queen? Would I be rich? Would I be pretty? (ok...that is a kid's song..sorry) Would i still party like a rock star?Would i still be in the same rinky dink town i grew up in? Would i....?
I know this... if i DIDN'T have children....my life wouldn't be as enjoyable, i wouldn't be so understanding, i wouldn't get to sit on the sidewalk and watch ants build a colony, i wouldn't get to squirt shaving cream on the table and write my name in it, (works with pudding too...on a side note..if you try this..introduce shaving cream FIRST..cause if you lick your hands with shaving cream on them..it sucks)..
I wouldn't get to lay in the grass on a nice spring day, eating an ice cream cone, and trying to guess what the clouds looked like. I wouldn't get to buy sidewalk chalk, bubbles, hot wheel cars, tricycles, helmets, Dora or Batman bandaids, cute little animal shaped paper plates, would i even watch wonder pets, dora, diego, blues clues, cartoon network, or play cake mania? Probably not..believe it or not, my son changed my life. Suddenly it was no longer about me. I had to grow up..be responsible, and watch my heart walk around outside my body. I am stilll on the bench about riles.. snort...love you karen, we will live through this..just be sure to pass on the curse..(i hope you have a child who acts just like you)..lol..

Also..WARM your plate in the micro for about 3 minutes..leave it there, fix your kids plates, get them situated, fix your plate, help the kids with whatever, start eating and your food will still at least, be tepid. :)

Kynnedi Update

Remember this beautiful girl? I posted on my blog (September I think) about a benefit/fundraiser to help Kynnedi receive cochlear implants. Kynnedi was born deaf and insurance would only pay for ONE cochlear implant. Good News!

Well...on December 11, 2006 Kynnedi underwent the operation to receive TWO cochlear implants. She is doing well. It is my understanding that she will start speech and other types of therapy in the future to help her associate the sounds with objects. She is truly blessed. How wonderful is it to live in a time where we can bring sound to the deaf?

Hello friends. Did you miss me?
Things have been busy here in dead cornfield land. Lots of stuff going on with school and stuff. Sorry I haven't had time to blog.
We started back to school on Monday, and then had a four day weekend. It was wonderful...except...i have caught a cold! I feel yucky and blechy. I ache all over and my nose won't quit running. To top it all off, I have run out of puffs plus tissues. Ugh..nothing quite does the trick accept puffs.
Of course, i could be feeling yucky because I had to get a MMR shot...yes, you heard me, I had to have an immunization! Why? BECAUSE.....
I am now an official member of the student body for UNO. Yep..going back to start (and hopefully finish) my masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Not so bad for a child whose third grade teacher told me I wouldn't make anything of myself huh? Enough with the horrors of growing up as a student in the MSD....
Kids are doing good...both got their haircuts last week. Danny still does his same old haircut..something he doesn't have to comb, and riles' got hers cut just above her shoulders. She really does look like a tomboy now! lol...just as ornery too.
Well, I hate to say i do not have any pictures to upload..well..i do, but my house is an absolute PIT in them, so I can't share. sorry..i am not THAT rednecked!
OH...to all those scrapbookers out there..I did buy Opposites Attract AND Zooballoo for the cricut machine yesterday..needless to say, i won't be having any fun for the next week, cause i blew all my spending money! Oh well, chris will float me a loan..lol..he really is such a good man. love him.
see you soon,
whimp

Snow Raspberries...



Finally..got this picture scrapped! I was so impatient to get this picture scrapped, that i worked around riles all night to get it done. Whew! Here it is...i am going to add something to the right side of the picture..just can't decide if i want a word there or some ribbon.

cheers,

whimp

Sing it sister!

A fun time was had by all....


We had such a wonderful Christmas. We are truly blessed to belong to such great families. We celebrated Christmas with my Mom on Saturday (23) and danny got sick..poor guy, so we had to leave early. Christmas Eve was pretty boring..we stayed home and got ready for Christmas! Christmas morning is always a rush..we open presents, then start the wonderful process for going to Grandma Pat's and Grandpa Blackie's (Chris' mom and dad). I truly love going to my in-laws for christmas. Pat is such a wonderful person. She makes sure everyone is so taken care of. She is constantly asking if we are ok..always asking us..would you like something??..love her tremendously! (not to mention she makes jello poke cake at christmas..one of my FAVES!) Anyway, this year she got me an awesome bracelet that has hearts that danlge from it. The kids in my class are gonna love it! I know I do! She also got me a new wallet (will love this for my crops..I can put everything i need in it and take it instead of my purse). I also got a gift certificate to the Avenue..a fluffy person's store (this means i am disproportioned). This is one of my favorite stores..isn't it great she knows me so well?? The kids got more presents than they truly deserve...the little monsters anyway. Santa was definitely good this year. Riles' favorite gifts include her desk, her teaset, tinkertoys, and most importantly, her Curious George stuffed animal(he makes noise). Danno's include his X-BOX, his mp3 player, his Bass Pro Shop gift certificate, and his foot locker..complete with his name (thanks to uncle kenny for purchasing it, and grandpa blackie for painting the goodies on top!). All in all...we were truly blessed this year..me definitely. Look at everyone i get to call family! (I think my sister michelle has the BEST photo frame..it says Remember, everyone thinks we are a NORMAL family!)...love it. Here are some more pics of the wonderful monsters that invade my home.

Peace
whimp

and last, but not least...the one and only...true fruit loop of the family..Uncle Kenny (Chris' btother, aka..the man who had danny convinced he had a pink elephant with yellow running shoes in Pat and Blackie's Basement).

Making a Snowman....

First you have to have SNOW..and we got lots of it yesterday. I bet we got at least 6 inches of snow. Riles has been waiting for snow since July. At least once a week she asks us when the snow will come. "Will it be one more sleep, mommy?" Is what she always asks. Well, yesterday morning it started to snow. She was so excited, she was constantly asking when she could go outside. This morning Daddy and I dressed her in her snowpants, gloves, hats, boots, and winter coat(none of which match by the way!) and played outside. She tried so hard to build a snowman, but decided it was too much work! So she just played instead. Here are some pictures of what she did.
(Danny was at grandma's (of course) and didn't want to come home to play).
whimp