where have you been...

In case you are wondering, I've changed my blog address -- click here to visit the new, updated blog.

Can't wait to see you!

changes...

I know -- I've been gone a while. But I'm back and will be changing things up a bit! I know there is lots to "catch-up" on so check back soon!

more to come...

More to come -- its getting late so there will be more "catching up" tomorrow. I'm leaving you with these pictures of Kyle in the photo booth -- he had so much fun with this.

(See Aunt Pam its not so bad -- get yourself busy!!)

homecoming part II...

(Kristin and Leah)

(Kristin, Leah, Jenna and Rachel)

(I love this picture -- I think its so cute!)

(Kristin and Alex)

(the Group!)

This was the Homecoming at Potomac Falls, which is where Alex goes to school -- along with alot of Kristin's really good friends (like Leah and Jenna). She got ready at Leah's and we did a few pictures there and then off to Jenna's to do group pictures. (Notice how she isn't wearing the same dress as last dance -- that is thanks to Aunt Debbie.)

They all headed off to dinner and then the dance -- they grow up so fast! I can't believe she is going to be a senior next year!

powder puff football...

(Kristin and Alex)

(Kristin and Kim)

(Action shot!)

(The TEAM!)

(the boys -- great entertainment!)

Kristin had the best time getting ready for this football game -- the Juniors vs. Seniors. They lost, but it was still great fun. The cheerleaders were so entertaining, those guys did a great job!

I did manage to get a few pictures, although the action shots didn't turn out so great! Can't wait to see the game next year!!

i love the beach...

(my favorite picture from the weekend)

(Kyle "skipping" shells)

(Kyle feeding the seagulls)

(Kristin with her phone -- you just can't stop them from "texting")

(the hotel)

(Kyle at Grotto Pizza)

The kids and I went for a "mini-vacation" in October to Ocean City -- we had lots of fun. It was a beautiful weekend, the hotel was nice, the weather was warm...

It is so different to go in the off-season, you don't have the same rush, rush feeling. You can sit back and enjoy your time without all the crowds of people. We went to Rehobeth and had lunch at Grotto Pizza (one of our favorite hang-outs), went to Fenwick and had dinner at Harpoon Hanna's, went to the beach and the kids were "skipping" shells and feeding the seagulls, and of course we had to visit our favorite vacation spot -- Bethany Beach (that place was really slow, not much open there!).

late night soccer...

Kristin had a late night soccer game in Maryland, the sky was so beautiful and I forgot my camera -- so I took this on my phone. I think it turned out pretty good, it was a nice drive (I love going over White's Ferry) and I just love watching soccer!

heritage homecoming...

Here are some pictures from Kristin's homecoming at Heritage -- we will call this Homecoming number 1.  I will post pictures from Homecoming number 2 later.

tiggy...

Here are a few pictures of my cat Tigger, he is an old man -- turning 20 pretty soon.  He is a totally amazing cat, one-of-a-kind!  I never had a cat before him, we found him under a car early one morning when he was weeks old and had to bottle feed him -- we think the mom dropped him when she was moving the litter.  

Anywho, he has been the best cat -- he just loves everyone who drops by, when he's not lazing around on the back on the couch in the sun!  (as pictured)  

abigail...

I love these pictures of my niece Abby -- I took them back in August!

america's 9/11 ride...

Back in August (I told you there was a lot of "catching up") there were LOTS of motorcycles coming through downtown Leesburg.  I had never witnessed this event before, but it was truly amazing.  Isn't my mom cute! (love the flags!)  It's hard to tell from the photos, but there were SO MANY motorcycles!!

Here is a little information regarding this event:

Motorcycles cruised through Leesburg as part of the seventh annual America's 9/11 ride.  The ride is sponsored by America's 9/11 Foundation.  In addition to raising money to assist First Responder organizations, the foundation established a college scholarship fund for children of first responders, according to the foundation's web site.  The bikers three-day journey took them from Somerset, PA, Thursday to the Pentagon on Friday, passing through downtown Leesburg.  It took the bikes nearly 10 mintues to pass under the ladders the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company raised near Ida Lee Park to welcome the bikes into town.  On Saturday, the bikes left the Pentagon headed for New York city where they held another memorial service at the World Trade Center site.

my new "mac"...

I just love my new "mac" -- I don't miss Vista AT ALL!

"catching up"...

Looks like I took a blogging break!  

There is much to "catch-up" on so don't mind all the late (ok--  really, really late posts) just enjoy.  I will just start at the beginning.  

First update on the list -- I saw "Nights in Rodanthe" with my sister (Linda) and cousin (Christy) and I really liked it.  I do have to say that the book was so much better, isn't it always :)

P.S.  Just a warning, this may take a few days I've got lots of pictures :)

nights in rodanthe...

Just finished reading this book...loved it!

My mom saw a preview for this movie and went to buy the book, she read it in a couple of days which in itself is amazing -- she is not the fastest reader! I also read it in a couple of days and I can't wait to see the movie.

It opens on September 26th -- Mom and I will be first in line.

happy birthday dad...

Happy Birthday Dad!

Love you

megan...

My cousin Lori sent me this message in an email and just thought I'd share with you how cute her daughter is! Its hard to remember when mine were this little, enjoy those little moments while you can!

"Megan lost her first tooth last night! She was sooo excited, she actually almost pulled it out herself."

sweet sixteen...

I can't believe it -- KRISTIN is 16!!!

I don't know where the time goes, she is going to be a junior this year and the next thing you know she'll be headed off to college -- I'm so not ready for that. Well, this year I decided to give Kristin a big surprise and in my usual fashion started planning this whole thing days before (I've decided I work well this way, guess I just love stress -- or there is something really wrong with me!).

Anywho, I decided to rent a limo -- to do what I wasn't sure -- then it all started coming together. A treasure hunt! With clues provided by me in 16 envelopes (and if you know me, then you know they couldn't just be plain white envelopes -- as if the stress of all this planning wasn't enough!). On the morning of the big day I ended up taking her to the doctor and to get xrays (sprained her ankle at soccer the night before -- geez this really wasn't in my plans for the day!! I still had much work to do). So here goes, I told Kristin that her "Pa" wanted to take her to dinner for her birthday and would be here at 5 o'clock and when she went outside there it was a white stretch limo.

I got inside to ride with her to the first destination, with the first clue: Some girls have all the _____? If If you find this location you might just find "some girlfriends!" So we arrive at the outlet mall, find the Juicy store, find 3 of her 4 friends (other one met us later) and her new Juicy purse containing the rest of the clues! At this point, my cousin Christy met me there and we headed off to the next destination to drop off more goodies.

Each envelope contained a clue -- some with gift cards (so her girlfriends could get coffee while she was getting a makeover), some with money so they could ride the "Island Carousal" Towards the end of their shopping spree I had her go to Ritz camera and pick up an envelope (which contained a picture of her boyfriend) and directed her to where he would be waiting -- he even had 16 roses (how sweet!).

This is the picture I had waiting.

Then they picked up something to eat on the way to their final destination -- home. To eat, watch movies and have cake. WOW -- glad that day is over.

I think they all had fun, even Kyle -- when the limo dropped them off I had him take Kyle and I for ride around the neighborhood, he really liked it.

And here is my mess -- I was still decorating these envelopes like 30 minutes before the limo got here!!