Lately...

It's been a while since I last posted. The last few weeks have been pretty busy. Here are a few photos of what we have been up to.

Getting Christmas photos taken with Patty!

Aiden has the "Cheese" face down!
Getting all our winter gear ready to go!

The monkey and kitty hats still fit! And they even dressed Aiden up too!

The girls can't wait till Santa comes. He sent them personalized messages through the Portable North Pole site.

Neatest thing ever!!

Told them they have to keep their rooms clean and tidy.

And... they listened!!

Can't you tell how much the cat is loving this?

Aiden was very sick for about a week with strep throat and scarlet fever. It was the sickest any of my children have ever been. He was miserable but the girls came to the rescue and took very good care of him.

Reading stories to him

At the same time... wonder how much he understood of that?

And checking his temperature every chance they got!

It must have worked because he started to feel better

just in time to turn 20 months old!

Happy 20 Months Little Monkey!

Shutterfly has my ♥ !!

Recently I came across Shutterfly, thanks to some of my blogging friends!! I was amazed by the variety of greeting cards and photo projects available and the prices were great! It's a very special way to preserve family memories and to surprise loved ones with beautiful, personalized family gifts.

I recently started my first shutterfly book. It was so easy to make and I could have spent hours going through all of the different designs that were available. The book consists of photos of January - August 2010 and includes so many wonderful memories from the year. Another creative way to share important events from the year is to make a shutterfly calendar. I am sure all of our family members will love receiving these fun gifts!

I also plan to order my Christmas cards through Shutterfly as well. I normally just pick up regular cards but this year I thought it would be nice to add a little personalized touch. I finally got a family photo where everyone is smiling so I figure we better put it to good use! Shutterfly has an incredible selection of holiday cards. Check them all out HERE. I bet you will choose at least 3 before you decide on your favorite. I know I did!

Here are a couple of my favorites:

And even better news...if you are a blogger and would like to participate in their 2010 Holiday promotion in which you receive 50 free greeting cards for spreading the word, go here. I can guarantee you will love Shutterfly just as much as I do!

Enjoy!

Kaylee's Big Haircut!

My baby got a haircut today...totally her idea. Guess she got tired of all of the knots and tangles!

I may have started crying...but only for a second. I think she looks pretty cute!

Now the big question is: Do they still look like twins?? :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." -- Thorton Wilder

I am certainly thankful for mine!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Normal Day

Normal day,
let me be aware of the treasure you are.
Let me learn from you,
love you,
bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by
in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.
Let me hold you while I may,
for it may not always be so.
One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,
or bury my face in the pillow,
or stretch myself taut,
or raise my hands to the sky and want,
more than all the world, your return.
~Mary Jean Iron

The poem above is a reminder to appreciate each and every "normal" day that you have. Cherish the moments with those you love, call family that you don't talk to everyday, hug your children a little tighter, never end a conversation with hard feelings or go to bed angry. It only takes one second for your life to change, one phone call or a few brief words uttered to shatter the world as you once knew it. We sometimes go along thinking that it won't happen to us but there are truly no guarantees. And once it is gone, there is no going back.

Today, is the one year anniversary of my brother passing away. There will be sadness but the day will also serve as a reminder to appreciate the blessings that we have in our lives. To find happiness in the little things and to love every second we have with our families and friends. I know Rickey would want nothing more for us than that.

Miss you Rickey - today and always.

The Big Three-OH!

Happy Birthday Rickey!!

Happy Birthday Rickey!

We all got together at Kiki's tonight to celebrate your special day. We had all of the things you loved...Chinese food (Dad even got kung pao chicken just the way you liked it), Sprite, birthday cake, and the Happy Birthday song that Kiki plays over the loud speakers. Well, I guess you weren't always a fan of the happy birthday song but watching you turn red from embarrassment was always fun. :-)

I would love to say that it was a happy celebration but to be honest...it just wasn't. We had all of the pieces there to create a wonderful tradition but I just don't think we were quite ready this year. I hope that in future years we can see your birthday as a celebration... a day to celebrate your life and what you meant to all of us. A day to joke around and laugh as loudly as possible, just as you always loved to do. But today, all we really felt was incredible loss and sadness...and wishing so much that you could have been there.

I did manage to capture quite a few smiles though. Thank goodness for the kids! Hope you caught the balloons they sent up for you!

PS - I know they must throw some pretty awesome parties up in heaven. :)

Happy Halloween!

Halloween party with good friends

Yum, caramel apples

Trick-or-Treat Time

Cinderella and The Pretty Witch!

Buzz Lightyear joins the group!

Baby Frankenstein says give me some candy!

Ninja Warrior climbing the tree

And the princess birthday girl!