Grateful & Blessed!

Ready or Not (not):  Here come the Holidays! 

I realized over the weekend that the holidays were really happening when I subconsciously began playing the Hallmark channel in the background while I did things like laundry and bill-paying, programmed a 24/7 Holiday music station in my car and noticed more and more Christmas lights and decorations popping up more frequently.  Ahhhh!

Well, it really is the MOST wonderful time of the year - at least in my book! 

This year has been so fulfilling as we have truly experienced the joy (and challenges) of parenthood and the incredible growing-up moments of our Lil' Lia. 

All we can say is...

Thank You, God!!! 

Thank You, Family!!

Thank You, Friends!

As we pause to celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones - you are in our hearts and minds and we wish you many continued blessings, peace and love!

*** Since it's been a little while between posts, here are many more photos of our ever-growing, ever-changing Lia....although these days I find myself calling her "Sassy Pants" more and more - hehe!

MAJOR UPDATE:  She's walking! - all over the place.  Right at about 14 months she took off and hasn't stopped since.  She's also talking - little words here and there.  Words like "Elllll-mo", "Up", "Get Down", "Shoes" and "Juice".  Or....at least that's what it sounds like to us.  :)

XOXO!

Happy Halloween 2012!

Our busy lil' bumble bee...



Daddy and Mommy think they're clever:

Big 'B', Baby 'B' and Little 'B'.

Mommy's tired lil' bee.

Time for some trick or treating!

Last year Katie and Lia were both Ladybugs,

this year it's all about the Bees. 

Our friend Happy has Lia's 1st piece of candy!

This lolly pop is soooo good!

Mom, why haven't I had this before???

Hey, I think I can get used to this asking for candy thing!

Whoo hoo!

So this is what they call a sugar high!

Getting ready for cooler weather and winter-time!

Some of Lia's very 1st steps!

Here I come...watch out!

This walking thing is pretty cool!

Big Cousin Noah and I are practicing for our holiday concert.

.tee hee.

Lia to Noah: I'll give you my fruit smoothie later if you let

me ride your tricycle, Noah.

Noah to Lia: Hmmm, is that all you've got? 

Lia belts out her favorite tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!

Lil' Nole Girl!  Just like Mommy!

Thanks for visiting and have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fall Joy!

Pumpkin Patch Playtime

Absolutely lovin' this time of year!  Sitting here watching one of my all-time favorite movies, You've Got Mail, and grinning from ear-to-ear.  It's one of my fall rituals and by now it just plays in the background as I attempt to quote different lines throughout the movie.  Ha!

If you know the film then you can probably appreciate this line...

"...Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies.  I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address..."

Last year's trip to the Pumpkin' Patch was totally sweet, but this year it was much more interactive and a different kind of fun getting to watch Lia explore and pick out her very own mini-punkin.  :)

Hope you are finding time to enjoy this time of year and breathing in the crisper, sweeter air.....ahhhh!

.XOXO.

10/27/12 - Pumpkins and Ponies @ Painted Oaks Academy

10/28/12 More Pumpkin Patch Fun with Cousin Noah!

See you real soon!!!

Edgewater High School 20-ish Year Reunion!

Hard to believe it's been 20 years since I walked the halls of my old high school.  Life was just getting ready to really begin then.  Such hope, promise, excitement and innocent joy!

While the words "high school" may send some running for the hills, I actually do have fond memories of my high school years and it was both nostalgic and sweet to have the opportunity to catch up with so many classmates this past weekend.  It was especially great to introduce Todd and Lia to many of them!  

I still remember some of the old cheers, chants and songs we used to sing - including our beloved Alma Mater:

All Hail, Edgewater High School
We sing our praise to thee; 
Your team shall never falter
Surge on to Victory! (VICTORY!)

All Hail, Edgewater High School
Long wave the red and white
And when we have gone 
You will hear our song
Hail, Edgewater Hail!

Here's to the Class of '92! (boy do I feel old!) - good times, great memories and a little trip down memory lane!

10/18/2012 - Homecoming Game

 

 

 

 

 Let's go Eagles, Let's go! 


 Great Alumni turnout at the Homecoming Football Game!
There's Melissa McCall, Eric Davis, Mason Riles, Nikki Brown, 
Lisa Matthews and Ruth Ann Lily if you see past the blur.

 

Lori & Ruth Ann - friends since 6th grade!

10/20/2012 Alumni Picnic at Dartmouth Park 

 

 

 The guys: 

Jay Ellington, Miguel Santana, Randy Chepenik & Ben Santana.

 Marishyl Casenas! 

 Omg! April Young.  That girl can DANCE! 

 Sweet Kathy Whitman! 

 Lori & Rudy again.

 Lil' Lia having a blast swinging away!

 Mr. Bias!  Our AP English Teacher! 

 The tan girl society: Marishyl, Mona Patel & Lori.  Ha!

 Marishyl, Mona, Lori & Rudy.

 Girly Girls

Back row: Kristy Thillmony, Marishyl, Mona, Lori & Rudy

Front row: April Niehl, Becky Bryant & Nifer Wilkening

 EHS Alumni

 Lil' Lia & Daddy slip sliding! Whee!

 I love this bouncy thingy!

 10/20/12, Alumni Reunion Night Out at Ember Downtown
 

Great excuse for hubby and I to experience 

some grown up time!

Some of the chicas:  

Charla Thomas, Natalie Rosario, Mona Patel, & April Young

 Mona and Charla ham it up

Julius John, Deirdre Wynn & Gerod Davis

Charla, Natalie, Dave Stewart, Mona, & April

Does this guy look familiar? So cool to see Howie D. again!

Mona, Lisa Matthews, & Ruth Ann

No, we're not twins.  But we are pretty much sisters! Ha!

Class of '92: VP and Mrs. President Tina Wood

It's Kristy Baylis!

More chicas: Mona, Cason Jones, & Sarah Wilson

...and here's to the next 20! Yikes!

XOXO