We're Thankful For:

*Family~we were able to spend the whole weekend visiting with our families. We're so thankful that we enjoy being with our family. We're so very lucky!

*Our children~healthy and happy. What joy they bring to us.

*Friends~each one adds so much value to our lives.

*Our church~they impact the lives of thousands each and every day!

*Food~especially Peanut Butter Pie!!

*Daydreaming~sunny beaches, palm trees, golf, Mickey Mouse

Bragging Rights

We lost 'em....bragging rights that is. Yesterday my younger brother and his wife (who just ran a marathon in October) challenged us to a few games of Wallyball. Let's just say that this morning, we lingered in bed for a few minutes longer than usual resting our sore bodies. My parents played as well...can't imagine how they are feeling this morning.
We were both very athletic in our day...Jon is definitely more active now than I am as far as physical activity is concerned. Jon runs occassionally and I just chase the kids around the house. My brother and his wife play this game Wallyball most Friday nights and they're really good.
For two hours, we attempted to play this game to the best of our ability. It doesn't really matter if you were once a successful Volleyball player. This game is played in a raquetball court and you are supposed to use the walls....except the back wall. If our team would have received points for hitting the back wall, undoubtedly we would have one!
Today, I have bruises all over my knees, I swear my forearms are still swollen, and I notice a new (sore) muscle with each step.
Then just because we're completely nuts, we played a pick up game of 3 on 3 basketball after the Wallyball games. I'm sure it was a site....my team consisted of a 58 year old guy, a lady that just had a baby 6 months ago (that's me), and a 32 year old that probably thinks he can still play like a 20 year old. The opposing team had a 15 year old basketball player, a marathon runner, and a 6-4 former basketball dunking MVP.
We actually held our own and only lost by 2 points. Not bad.
Well that should be enough physical activity to last me through the holidays!
I do want to master the game of Wallyball and show these "kids" that we're not really so bad.
It was a great day ~ maybe it will become a new tradition in our family.

Imagination At It's Best

This morning, I took my Dogger...er Daughter to school. Yes, that's right, this morning Avery was pretending to be a Dog. Complete with barking and crawling on her hands and knees.
It started when she woke up. I said "good morning" and she rolled around in bed for awhile and then finally sat up and started softly "woof, woofing". I said "Hi, Avery". She said "No, I'm a doggy".
So the rest of the morning I refered to her as Doggy. "Can I put the Doggy's clothes on?, What would the doggy like to eat for breakfast?, etc." Evidently this doggy can talk a little bit. And I was able to persuade the Doggy to walk on it's hind legs out to the car and then into the school.
When we reached the door to her classroom, she was back on her hands and knees as Doggy again.
When I hugged her good bye, I said "I love you...Woof!" and she said "I love you too, Woof, woof!".

Birthday Wishes!

Happy Birthday Jonny! We all love you so much and we're so proud of you as a hubby and a Daddy!

Love You~

J, A, & A

Boilermaker Fans----avert your eyes!

This is what happens when you leave your child unattended with Uncle Andrew, a die hard Notre Dame fan.

Really...is it fair to take advantage of the little guy?!

P.S. Don't tell anyone, but we'd actually be okay with it most days. However this photo was taken the weekend that Purdue was playing ND.

Family Pictures

Looking through albums of days gone by it is so wonderful to look at all of the family pictures that have been professionally taken. I have a large album of all of my own pictures from when I was growing up. Somehow they usually turn out pretty good. I'm sure my Mom would have stories to tell about each of those pictures.
When I look at the pictures of my kids, it reminds me of the story/events leading up to and the moments during the actual picture taking session. The time when Avery was sleeping and we had to take all of her clothes off just to wake her up.....learning to wear a bib during the drive to the studio so when the baby spits up all over the place it doesn't ruin the outfit.....the time when she was so sick that she could barely keep her eyes open for the pictures....the time when we actually walked out of the studio because someone wasn't cooperating....the bribing with Starbucks chocolate milk for a good smile....learning to request a favorite photographer, because really that makes all the difference.....timing it just right so that everyone is smiling at the same time.
Every picture tells a story. I'm sure we'll have a story to tell tomorrow when we attempt to take our first family portrait since Austin's arrival. We'll cross our fingers and I'm sure we'll walk out with a memorable story.

Braggin' on Dad

This past weekend, my Dad was inducted into the County Sports Hall of Fame at a wonderful banquet honoring the superb athletes from our area. He was honored for his athletic ability in Basketball among other sports. Not only was he a county scoring champion during his high school days, but also made his mark at the collegiate level at Indiana State University, and then provided great leadership as a coach for many years.
I've always thought of my Dad as invincible (in‧vin‧ci‧ble–adjective 1. incapable of being conquered, defeated, or subdued). As an adoring young daughter I thought my Dad was the greatest. I still do. He has set a wonderful example: a team player, a leader, strong willed, compassionate, filled with God's grace, devoted husband and father, and outgoing-he's never met a stranger. He has conquered much and I'm so proud of him.
It was great to be there Saturday night where some (not nearly all) of his accomplishments were celebrated.
We love you Dad!

Trick or Treat

Yesterday was Halloween. What to do with all that candy? One dentist office in the area is offering to pay children $1 for every pound of candy that they surrender to the dentist's office. How long do you suppose it will work to tell her that Mommy or Daddy need to sample the candy to make sure it tastes okay. Avery was a bubble bather and Austin was a little elephant. It was a cold night, so we just made it to a few homes up and down the street and then handed out candy to those that stopped in at our house.
Here's a question that I have.....can you deny candy to someone that is not dressed up in costume? Not sure why, but every year there are a few older kids that ring the doorbell and then just hold out their pillow case for candy-no costume and rarely a thank you.
Here are a few of my favorite Halloween memories:
+Costume parade at the Hardware store downtown with Apple cider and doughnuts
+Dressing up as Strawberry Shortcake
+Taking Stacey trick or treating for the first time at age 21
+Uncle Dean's family Moo-ing in our front yard a few years ago