Christmas in New Jersey

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas. Ours was not "White" but we enjoyed it anyway. The kids spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with me this year, so that was nice. I was so happy I got to have Andrew here to wake up with all his Santa gifts. That little guy was up at 6:00, running down the stairs to see what he got. I heard him exclaim with sheer joy "Santa came" when he saw, and so I jumped out of bed to go see him. He was flabbergasted. There is nothing like seeing the joy on your child's face Christmas morning. Nothing like it. I really missed that having with the older boys. So glad I get to enjoy this with Drew Drew a few more years, although rotating holidays with their dad means I won't have him Christmas morning next year. We had our nice dinner Christmas Eve. I made a nice ham, potato casserole, salad, bread, etc. I had apple pie, but we never got to it. We were all too stuffed. Christmas morning I made eggs and bacon and Tina made cinnamon rolls, while kids and Ruthi tried to put Drew's toys together. Brady finally managed on his own. I took the boys to their dad at noon, and they (lucky devils) got to do it all again. It was a good holiday. It was nice to have family here for once. Family is so important. It's sad, it usually takes a holiday to remind us of that fact. I am so grateful for my family, my sweet boys, and everyone else in my life who lifts and sustains and makes my life enjoyable. Thanks to you all. I would like to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and all the best in the coming new year. WE love you!

My Baby Turns Four

Seem just like yesterday I was holding Drew Drew in my arms rocking him, giving him his BaBa, and now he turned four. Boy time sure flies during the good times when you don't want it to, and sure is slow and lags through trials and all the pitts of life. Drew had a nice party at preschool. I took in balloons for all the kids, made goodie bags and spent his lunch period with him. The kids had a good time. We had a nice family dinner that evening and he got to open all his gifts. He had a blast and enjoyed them very much. We celebrated with friends on Sunday night. EVeryone had to work the night of his Bday. I cannot believe my Drew Drew is four years old. How sad!

Our latest addition....

This is Wilson, our new pet. He is a ferret and such a joy to be around. He is such a good boy. He loves the kids and loves running around the house playing. There is nothing cuter than watching this little guy hop around the house while playing with us. He loves going up and down the stairs and has gained my trust. He always comes back and has not gone potty or torn up anything yet. He has a great temperament and personality. He runs around, wears himself out, then loves to sit in your lap and catch his breath. WE sure do love him.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Mother Nature

We have been hit with lots of rain all weekend and prior to that as well. It started Tueday night and went until Sunday late afternoon. Everything is so green and beautiful right now, but it is always green here. Temps turned cold so the leaves are just popping with vibrant colors. It is still breath taking after 8 years here. Thurday Tina had off work, so she and I and Andrew took a nice long drive down some back roads by our neighborhood. We saw some lovely things. I am attaching some photos from our "Nature Drive".

So So Sad...

Tina and I have just been devestated by the fires burning in California. She has been in close contact with her friends who live in the path of the fire. Everyone is still ok at this point. This shot was on the front page of The New York Times. So scary; so sad.

Beautiful Fall Day

Andrew and I spent a fun time playing in the leaves today. It is getting so cold at night. I am almost tempted to turn the heat on, but I simply refuse. Tina is complaining about the chill. It got down to 38 the other night and our highs are roughly in the mid 60's still which is nice. Tanner got a nice lawn mow in a few days ago. Hopefully only a few more of those.

Tanner has been making good money doing some babysitting. He is doing a pretty good job too from the report I got.

Brady is still the sweetest most helpful boy in the world. I would be lost w/o him for sure.

Drew Drew is a spaz but keeps us on our toes. He is hilarios. He runs around telling us he is going to pull our pants down. This kid is nuts. He is enjoying school and we are anxiously awaiting his school pictures to return.

TIna had her first day of work today and I already visited her b/c I accidentally left my wallet in her purse so I had to go pick it up so I could run all my errands.

We are all happy and healthy for the most part. Hope everyone is well.

Mosquito Bites

I was informed a few weeks ago that Andrew was not up to date on his immunizations, so off to the doctor we went per request of his preschool. Poor baby had to get 3 shots in his legs all in the same day. Rex says he threw up and had fever that night, but he was fine Saturday and all day Sunday with him. Here is a cute photo of Drew in his gown at the doctor pre shots (mosquito bites).

A NOT so good Thursday

Thursday morning, about 6:00 a.m., after not sleeping since about 1:00 a.m, due to my pain level, I finally got up, got dressed, and drove myself to the Emergency Room. I had been having left side back pain for several days prior, just ignored it, figured I pulled a muscle or something. That evening I had many odd symptoms that led me to believe something was NOT quite right with me. I called my doctor and scheduled an appointment for a few days away. After severe abdominal and flank cramping and nausea for 4 hours I could not take it anymore. I made it safely, and was taken back almost immediately. I had blood taken, an IV put in and the testing began. FInally a few hours after my abdominal CT scan, my doctor come in to give me the not so good news.... Kidney stones! Man alive, talk about painful. I passed one in the hospital in a rather red mess, and was told I had a long 4-5 days ahead of me to pass the other two in my right side. I was sent home with pain meds. I slept all day Friday and most of Saturday in bed. Luckily Tina was here to help out with the kids. She did an amazing job. By Saturday evening I was feeling somewhat better. The pain meds and Ibuprofen helped a lot. I was up a bit and got a few things done. I am still cramping badly and in pain, but hoping the rest is behind me. I had to schedule a follow up appointment with a urologist to discuss the other 3 stones still sitting in my left kidney. UGH! What a nightmare. Hoping to get better news on Thursday the 11th from him. This was a horribly painful experience and I would not wish it on my worst enemy...you know who you are. JK :) Hope everyone is happy, healthier than myself and well. Our leaves are turning beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red. I love the fall here.

Fun in the October Sun

We had a nice Indian Summer day on Columbus Day, so we loaded the car and headed down the shore. It was 89 all day and it could not have been more perfect. The kids had a blast. Tina had fun playing int he water with all the kids. Brady and I had fun playing nerf football. Kids built castles, body surfed, boogie boarded and we all relaxed and enjoyed the day. We were treated with a beautiful sunset crossing the bridge on the way home.

Kids say the Darndest Things....

The other day I asked Andrew to do something. I can't recall what it was now, but he kept saying he couldn't do it... "I can't" was his exact reply. I always tell him when he says this that I don't like it, and that he can do whatever he wants, etc. I asked him again to do it and he he still said he can't. I said, Andrew you can do it, you won't try, and Mama didn't raise no retards (I apologize for the politically INcorrect term) and his response to me was this.... "YES YOU DID". Tina and I busted out laughing so hard. It was pretty funny.

More Paint

I painted an accent wall in my bedroom finally, after almost 8 years of wanting to. I bit the bullet and just did it. I think it turned out beautifully.

Ringing Rocks Park

Nestled in the mountains of Upper Black Eddy Pennsylvania, is a great natural park called Ringing Rocks. As to save time explaining the "Wonders" of this amazing park, I will attach a link to the park website. If interested, link to it and read about the natural wonders found here. It truly is amazing. We all had a great time. Long story short, some of the rocks in this 8 acre stretch of the 128 acre park ring like bells when they are tapped with a hammer. Scicentists have theories as to why the rocks do this, but say it is still a scientific mystery. The boys had a blast climbing all over the rocks tapping them with hammers. http://unmuseum.mus.pa.us/ringrock.htm Here are a few photos of our fun day in the park.

Family Bonding over Marshmallows

Since Tina has been here, I have been spending more time out on my enormous deck. I purchased a small fire pit and we have been out there quite a few times around a nice fire talking. Tonight we sat out there as a family roasting marshmallows. Tina sparked some good debate between the boys. At around 10:00 p.m we looked over at Andrew who had fallen asleep sitting up in his chair. What a sweetie pie. Putting him to bed pretty much ended our night with the fire under the stars. A good time was had by all. The fire came in handy tonight as it was rather chilly.

More CA Photos

California or BUST

My trip to California to meet up with Family and drive my sister back to NJ was a pleasant expereince. All air travel was successful with only a slight later departure due to traffic in Newark. Almost missed my connectiong flight in Pheonix, but it all worked out just fine. I was met in San Diego by my sister. It was a happy reunion. It was nice to be back in my "home" state for a visit. I toured SD, had wonderful authentic mexican food, which I miss here in NJ. Family time was also fun. We took great family photos and a good time was had by all. I saw my old stomping grounds in Riverside and toured my high school. GO EAGLES! We left SD early Tuesday morning and made it back to NJ on schedule with no problems. We hit some heavy rain driving through OK, but it didn't slow us down too much. We hit road construction the whole way across the lower states, but somehow managed to make it up the last day driving through PA, even after getting lost on the TP for over an hour. We actually got home much sooner that Friday than expected. WE spent long days in the car driving; 10:00 a.m- midnight everyday. It was tough, but it was worth it to get home on time. Tina has adjusted fine. WE got her room set up, bought her bed and dresser, which I assembled, purchased from IKEA. That was a chore, but I was happy to do it, and her thanks and gratitude were much appreciated. The kids are thrilled having her here. The BUZZ has not worn off yet.