Playing Outside

We are just enjoying the weekend so I thought I'd share some pictures of the kids outside playing.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Shopping

So how is everyone doing on this endeavor?? I can actually say--I'm just about finished. I need to make one shopping trip for people back in the states--plan to do that this week--I have 2 small things to pick up for Brendan--and a couple of things to get for Shane--then I'm DONE!!! My goal is to be completely finished and ready to wrap/mail by Friday. Now, there are a few things that I have ordered that might not make it here by Friday, but they are all on the way. That's a great feeling! I have so many other things going on that I really didn't want to be messing with shopping....

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving. I know we are. We are very thankful this year to have Shane home and spend the day all together.
Here are some pictures of how we are spending it. I am about ready to finish up our meal and we will eat and then spend the afternoon with a movie I think. Just a relaxing day.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Snow Day in Italy

Ok so for those of you who were laughing at our snow pictures last year with the grass showing through....

Here's another funny for you. This is what closes school at 10:30 and then the entire base at 11.

Hope it puts a big smile on your face!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Isn't my niece beautiful!!

Scattergories

My friend Cheri just posted this at her blog Keeping Up With His Plans
It looked like a fun one so here goes my try...

Scattergories
SCATTERGORIES. ..it's harder than it looks!
Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following.
They have to be real places, names, things…nothing made up!
You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
WHAT IS YOUR NAME: Laurie
BOY NAME: Lawrence
4 LETTER WORD: Lace
GIRL NAME: Leslie
OCCUPATION: Librarian
A COLOR: Lavender
SOMETHING YOU WEAR:Lipstick
BEVERAGE: Lemonade
FOOD: Limes
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM: Lip Liner
A PLACE : Lincoln, NE
REASON FOR BEING LATE: Lost
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT: Let go!!

Dear Army Family Christmas Cards

I just read about this great idea to remember our soldiers' families this Christmas. A group in Ft. Sill is trying to send cards to 2000 family members there whose soldiers are deployed right now. I will be sending a card for sure--here are all the details if you would like to join in.

Potty Training

I have discovered that after Halloween is a great time to potty train. Dillan now goes in and goes potty and then goes directly to the Halloween candy. The candy is disappearing quickly which is a good thing, and Dillan is figuring out the potty thing. I figure once the candy runs out he will have the process down and we won't "need" it anymore anyway. And all in all--him having a bit too much candy for just a little bit isn't terrible in the grand scheme of things....

LONG day.....

What a busy day this has been. It all started this morning at 5 when we had to get up to take Shane to the train station. He went to Germany to have his eye surgery redone--hope it works this time.
Following that, Brendan had his Bowl-A-Thon for Cub Scouts. The Girl Scouts were invited to bowl as well. So Meghan was bowling with her Daisy Troop, Kathryn bowled with our Brownie Troop, and Brendan bowled with the Webelos. Dillan hung out and drove tractors on the floor:) Then we all went to a potluck picnic. It was Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Italian Scouts, and Girl Scouts--lots of fun!!

Then the Girl Scouts had their Investiture/Re-dedication Ceremony this afternoon. That was nice as well.

Then we spent time with the kids running around playing while the parents talked--just hanging out as friends.
Now we are home and having pizza and a movie to settle down for the evening. Soon it will be baths and bedtime....

It was a really long day, but a good one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

I did it!! I ran the 5K this morning! I ran the entire thing and I'm very proud of myself. If anyone cares about time, I did it in 31:52. It's not a great time, but it is a place to start and it's better than I thought I would do.

Now, on to the next goal.....

She's Here!!

My sister had her first baby!! Her name is Nova Ann and I can't wait to meet her! She was born yesterday morning and Mama and baby are both healthy. I just need to get pictures now....

New Endeavor

Ok my newest project...
I am going to coach Meghan's cheerleading squad. It will be 6-7 year olds (yes Meghan is still 5, but will turn 6 at the beginning of the season). The girls cheer once a week for basketball. It should be fun.

Brendan is going to play basketball and I think Kathryn is too--though I haven't clarified that with her. She told me once that she wanted to.

So, our big sports break--yeah it will last until Dec. 29th.