Officially a Tradition

A couple of weeks ago we got together with the Merrows for our now Annual Holiday Cheer get together, complete with dinner, craft and holiday movie. If you remember last year I was in charge of the craft. We had lots of fun and laughs making these.

 This year we switched, I cooked and Amy was in charge of the craft. She was the smarter girl and combined craft and dessert.

I didn't realize until now that the younger kids sat on one side,

 and the older kids sat on the other. Noah and Jacob are actually the same age. Joshua is oldest and Brady is youngest.

 Joshua couldn't help but to taste test early.

 Though, technically he had plenty of frosting on his cookie. 4 parts frosting to 1 part cookie...ewww.

 Jacob went heavy on the sugar and held back on the frosting...shocker.

 I, of course, had to show them how it was done...what? it was dessert remember.

I look forward to next year's get together...I better start looking for a craft now.

This was the movie choice this year. Amy's husband had actually never seen it. Even though it is on each year in marathons there are still parts that are new to me. A Christmas classic!

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Cheers

Isn't it amazing how an object can be so tightly connected to a memory. One thing I have gotten from the disgusting show Hoarders or my old time fave Clean Sweep, the object is not the memory. The memory is within us, in our mind and in our heart.

It doesn't make it any easier, however, when something happens to said object.

The other day we had a Brady Bunch comes to life moment. Santa, still don't know what he was thinking, brought an indoor basketball hoop for doors. Daddy stuck in the kitchen which I knew was not a good idea. All day Auntie kept discouraging its use while we were cooking.

Never one to listen on first or second or third, who am I kidding, request, Jacob kept playing. In slow motion the ball (not nerf mind you) bounced on to the counter and into my wedding glass which was housing the remnants of my chocolate wine.

Crash, two pieces....frustrated screech, remorseful cry...

What do you mean broken? you say. It looks perfectly fine to me, you say. Well the next day I went to pick it up and the chocolate wine acted like glue...held that sucker together.

So the point of this post? The object is attached to the memory. The broken, dirty cup has yet to leave my counter. I just can't be the one to throw it away, just as I couldn't throw any of my babies' blankets away.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

A Breakthrough

Several years ago Joshua's school had an evacuation. They were unable to even get their backpacks which had his lunch. This was back in the day when his anxiety was still quite bad. As he nervously went through the lunch line, not knowing what to do, the lunch lady snapped at him, "It's just like at your school".

Joshua came home that day vowing never to buy hot lunch! Wouldn't you know, he never has despite my intermittent encouragement.

Fast forward 4 years later...the boy bought hot lunch! And has the last three days in a row. Everyday that passes I am more and more proud of that boy!

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

A village

The boys were more excited to decorate for the holidays than I had energy. Normally I decorate the weekend of Thanksgiving while everyone else is doing their Christmas shopping. This year Thanksgiving seemed so early, and then the next weekend was our anniversary.

So, Jacob took it upon himself to get the ball rolling. He went up into the closet and enlisted his brother's help in dragging the tree downstairs. He wanted to put it together too, but I told him that was on Daddy this year.

 I told them the rug needed to be cleared and vaccuumed before we could put it up and Joshua was all over that. I took the camera out to capture that too (doesn't happen too often) but he freaked out and dropped the vaccuum and took off out of sight. So after a freak out of my own I explained to him that I just wanted to capture memories. "Mom how is a picture of someone vaccuuming a memory?" Someday he will be thankful for the little 'memories' captured in pictures and in this blog.

Several days later when I gathered some motivation I took out the villages. Today I plugged them in after I noticed Jacob had attempted to first. As you can see, the kitty is a fan. I had to let her know that this was not ok! We'll see how that goes over.

 Jacob had asked if he could put some cars near the village...to which I of course said, "no". You can see what my word means in this house!

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

1-1

I am happy to report that Jacob and his team did a 180 degree turnaround this weekend. They went from a 30 something to 9 loss to a 31 to 22 win. Jacob was much more aggressive and was really into it as you can see from the pics.

He had a couple of fast breaks but didn't score. He definitely was an asset to the team today.

Joshua's team also won this weekend. They are 2 and 0.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Happy 11 yr Anniversary

Nothing last a last minute getaway... Jim and I decided on Monday that we should go away on Saturday for our 11 year anniversary. #10 wasn't too good, so #11 took its place. We really don't take enough time for ourselves and we thought it was important to do. With the help of Auntie Chris and childhood friend Amy we were able to get away.

We found this chair along the way. Who doesn't want to sit in a chair that makes you look small :)

 I'm still learning to take self portraits as good as Auntie Jeanne...no double chin, but man, look at that nose!

 I really wanted a room with a Jacuzzi tub, but I didn't want to hang out in a bathroom. Way cool.

 Ironically this was the exact same cabin we stayed in for our 5 year anniversary. We didn't even request it, it just happened. Now if we go there again we'll have to request it.

 It was a cool looking place. A big bed to jump on (yes we both did) and rafters to hang from (only Jim did that, I'm not that strong).

 I got to go shopping at the outlets in Tilton and Conway. I had never been before. What a treat to have your hubby let you shop and not complain. He actually pushed me into buying these boots. Pink, I love them!

 This pic was on our way up as well. We went around the back side of Winnepesauki.

It was a great weekend and I can't thank you Amy and Chris enough for making it possible.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

#00, #33, #40

Tis the season...basketball season that is. It is keeping us very busy. This year Joshua is playing on two leagues, a recreational league and a travel league. We were up to 6 or 7 practices a week between Joshua and Jacob, but now that games have started we are down to 4 or 5 (plus 2 games).

Joshua has grown by leaps and bounds. He is becoming more and more confident and agressive. He is a team player and really tries to pump his team up.

Jacob isn't as excited about playing. I think a big part of it is that he doesn't have anyone on his team that he knows. He is kinda the opposite of Joshua. Usually he is confident but on the court he seems real reserved. He also complains about having to go to practice. I was hoping they would both keep playing but I think next year I will give him the choice and perhaps find another winter sport, maybe indoor soccer or wrestling. I tried to get them to do wrestling the last two years since they love to fight and wrestle here, but neither of them were having any of it.

Joshua has won his first two rec games. Travel games haven't started but I'm sure it will be a rough season because it is their first year playing together against teams that have been playing together for a while. Jacob's team is a young team...a little rough. Hopefully things will get better.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

You win!

Friends are a lot like kids...they break you down and break you down until you give in!!!

So here goes (Kristy).

After my dad passed away I started wearing his wedding band on my middle finger. As you can imagine, 30 pounds lighter, it gets a little loose particularly when my hands aren't swolen. I am more aware of it now that it has a lot of movement.

Yesterday I grabbed the laundry from the dryer and dumped it onto the couch. As soon as I did I felt the ring slide off with the clothes. I quickly moved the laundry around but didn't find it. I folded it up hoping to find it. As each piece got folded I started to second guess myself. Had it fallen off earlier? I had given a lotion massage and washed my hands. They are real slippery when I wash them and it could have fallen off. I was starting to get a sick feeling in my stomach.

The funny thing is my dad didn't even wear the ring when he was alive, he was divorced for several years. But to me it has a different signifigance. It is a little piece of him that I carry around with me when I sleep, when I'm away, all the time. It rarely comes off and when it does I think about it the whole time.

You'll be happy to know I found it under the couch. It had slipped rather quickly through the cushions. I put it behind my wedding rings because they aren't going anywhere, but now I need to decide what to do with it since that just seems a little weird. I had it on my thumb today, I might try that for a little bit until I lose more weight that is :)

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

The Kickoff to the Weekend

I like to go from point A to point B. Jim likes to explore along the way. Knowing that it was a three day weekend and that the boys wouldn't be doing too much swimming and that the only working channel at the camp was out I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to let him explore.

He had found a couple of places in his map book that he wanted to check out. A while back we had stopped at one place that was supposed to be known for white pitch pines that were super old. When we pulled in the kids working at the state park had no clue what we were talking about. Denied!

This was the other thing he wanted to check out. A rock :)

 It was actually quite a sight when we found it. Mark this one on your calendars, a man actually stopped and asked for directions!

 The only way I end up behind the camera.

 Unless that is except when a stranger walking by offers to take a picture of us all. Then I crop out the bad and leave the acceptable :)

A funny PS-Being our last horrah of the weekend I also gave in to getting BBQ for lunch. We happened to stop on our way out at Famous Dave BBQ. The funny part? Jim was wearing a shirt from KC Rib Shack from the same city. I think they thought he was a spy. I told them they could give him one of their shirts...but no go. Big Mistake...Huge! :) (Who got the reference?)

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Movie Night

When the boys are away...mommy will play. This year I had another Girls' Movie Night while the boys were away. Busy schedules kept most of the gals away.

This along with white chocolate fondue is what you get if you attend :)

This was the movie choice. I really wanted to see it in the theaters but it didn't work out. For me it was ok. I'm glad I didn't spend the money to see it at the theater.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

My New Favorite

A couple of weeks ago the boys went camping (in the rain). When they were gone I discovered my new favorite meal. I love eggplant but have only had it fried-over pasta, on pizza, loaded with sauce and cheese. I figured the way it is typically prepared totally cancels the fact that it is a vegetable.

I have never attempted to actually cook it. I headed to Shaws to find something to eat and ended up walking out with an eggplant and bread crumbs. My plan was to fry it in a pan thinking that had to be better than totally under oil. My peeps are not really veggie eaters so this is nothing I would be able to make for a normal meal.

When I looked it up on the computer I got the idea to dip it in egg, bread it and then bake it. Once I baked it I stacked it with some cheese and sauce.

I loved it so much I went back the next day to buy another one and made it with petite diced tomatoes to cut the sugar from the sauce.

I still loved it so much I bought some the next weekend and made it when I cooked something for dinner that I didn't really like :)

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Seafood Festival

Each year Hampton Beach has a Seafood Festival just after Labor Day weekend. We haven't been in a couple of years. Truth is my boys like seafood and so it gets expensive. What ever happened to the days of chicken nuggets and hot dogs for kids?!

We got a little exercise before filling our bellies up. And by 'we', I mean they :)

 It was a beautiful end of summer day.

 And even though you wouldn't catch me in this water, Joshua went right in even though it was about 5pm.

 They had fun playing in the sand with Kristi and Emily's cutie patutie niece.

 The blue day sky gave way to a beautiful pink night sky.

 Joshua got a lobster roll even though he really wanted a lobster. I had some lobster mac and cheese and seafood newburg. I look for that each time I go. And because I took too long to post this I don't remember what Jacob had. I do remember we all had one of these though.

 Auntie enjoyed and shared some of these.

 And Joshua topped the night and his belly off with this.

What about Daddy you ask? He had to work. We ate enough for him though.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

New Year, New School

Last year was the last year the boys would be in the same school until highschool. And this year Joshua started at the Upper Elementary School, then it's on to Middle School.

Last year I started taking their pictures with them showing their grade. I had seen it on another blog, and it helps since I took the date feature off the pictures. Usually Joshua can tell which school year it was by the shoes he was wearing, but I'm not that good. And when they're older...god I'll never remember.

Of course a picture is only as good as the ability to actually access it. My camera battery was dead so I had to take one with my phone. But I don't have internet on my phone to send it or picture text. So it has been sitting on my phone. Finally I broke down and spent the 20 cents it cost to send it as a text to Auntie so she could email it to me.

Should I tell Jacob he was wearing an X Games shirt two years in a row?

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Hopkinton Fair

Fall time=Fair time. Fair time=Food time. But we also have to let the boys have some fun time. And you know what is fun for them...machines.

They don't even have to be running.

And by boys...I mean all of them.

We actually haven't been to this fair since Joshua was a month old. Perhaps it was because he cried the entire 45 minute ride there. He did sleep during the fair, but resumed his lung exercises on the way home. Ten years later we figured his lungs were fully developed and we would try it again.

The baby animals are so cute, much cuter than the pooping cows. Do they really think we want to see the butt end of those things? Especially when we are walking through with out apple crisp. You are very welcome I did not take a picture with that view.

I hate fair games and rides, but even I can be broken down sometimes. Joshua won and of course they had the biggest prizes and he had to have it. I would have said thanks anyway. But no luck. It did come in handy as a rain shield for me though.

Joshua enjoyed all the fast adventurous rides. Jacob went on one or two but his belly didn't agree with them.

This was more his speed.

I think they must have made these posters knowing the boys were coming. Natural Fisherman.

All in all a good day.

• Too much money spent on ride tickets-check.
• Bellies settled without throwing up-check.
• Fried dough and warm apple crisp-check.
• Cows pooping just as we walked by-check.
• Family time on the holiday weekend-check!

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle