Maureen December 22, 2011

I woke up with a pretty bad sinus infection or maybe it's a cold. Annie helped me make some noodles & veggie broth for us to share.

Jen December 21, 2011

Today we finally got to see Joe!! He came home from deployment. We made a sign for him and they kids were so excited to see him. We even got interviewed for the news but we got bumped off once they got footage of the 1st open Gay kiss. Joe was almost the last person to get off the ship we were waiting in the rain and it got cold.

Marla December 21, 2011

Vaughn went with me today to donate blood...it was his first time donating. Do you donate blood? Why or why not?

Miranda December 21, 2011

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Maureen December 21, 2011

Annie is teaching Bryce how to play the cello

Miranda December 20, 2011

Trying poprocks for the first time!

Maureen December 20, 2011

At Shelby's class party, today.

Maureen December 19, 2011

Annie failed her school eye exam, so we brought her in to get tested by an optometrist. Although we'd probably gone in for a regular appointment some time in the past year, it turns out that she is nearsighted enough, now, to need glasses. We went to pick them up today.

Miranda December 19, 2011

All the stockings are hung - can you find what's different in this picture? We are waiting for Gabriele's stocking to be embroidered, so he has a 'stand in' stocking for now.

Jen December 18, 2011

This was at the children's holiday party Joe's ship threw before the ship returned. It was at Hunts club they have animals there and Santa was also there. They raffled for the 1st kiss and first hug. who would have thought the winner would have made history. First kiss ever where girl wins first kiss with her girlfriend/fiance.

Marla December 18, 2011

I am so glad that Dad taught us how to drive stick shift. Our van has not been running very well and I have had to drive Vaughn's car for the past few days. I actually like driving stick shift...it is fun.

Maureen December 18, 2011

I had to work at Carson's tonight, while Jim brought the rest of the family to the zoo to see Santa.

Miranda December 18, 2011

What a mess - I so dislike these kind of things! The DVD player isn't working, so i tried to replace it with another one that we had - I actually got it to work!

Marla December 17, 2011

Watching and helping Cole play a video game. It's so nice having all of them home.

Maureen December 17, 2011

Annie & I worked on our gifts for the cousins, today.

Miranda December 17, 2011

I LOVE SNOW!

Marla December 16, 2011

Cole, Vaughn and I went to see "The Muppets"

Maureen December 16, 2011

Spelling Club!

Miranda December 16, 2011

Joel and Laura (our neighbors) came over to give the kids Christmas presents - they gave them each a German chocolate egg that had a toy inside - here we are trying to figure out what the toy is!

Marla December 15, 2011

Final exams for the first semester are done! Now Vaughn gets to come home and spend a month with us.

Maureen December 15, 2011

Fourth Grade at the Winter Sing

Miranda December 15, 2011

Making cookies

Maureen December 14, 2011

Trying on the new shirt that I bought him while working at Carsons tonight. I'm loving the employee discount, when I can use it on sale items and with their coupons.

Miranda December 14, 2011

Shopping at the Oaklawn Childrens Museum

Marla December 13, 2011

Chocolate covered pretzel thins for Cole's teachers

Maureen December 13, 2011

Annie goes to a youth group at a friend's church. The Christmas party was tonight & Annie was chosen to be Mary in the nativity pageant! I like the way the orb in this photo makes her look like she has a halo :-)

Miranda December 13, 2011

Figuring out Craigs list - just posted this today!

Maureen December 12, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Miranda December 12, 2011

I began studying for my next license - ugh....

Marla December 11, 2011

Eric, Cole and I went to see "Jesus Christ Superstar" today at the Arcada Theater.

Miranda December 11, 2011

Even though this is the 5th Santa Gabriele has gotten to see, he still doesn't like him - Here, Gianni is trying to console him...

Maureen December 11, 2011

The closet door was stuck closed. We had to take the doorknob off before we could get the door open.

Jen December 10, 2011

Today was a busy day and night. First my friend and I went to baby shower bingo same as last night we could win prizes and we got lunch. Then I had my pajama party with my friends. Girls night in! Lots of fun I know we needed this since we are stay at home mommies and needed a break.

Marla December 10, 2011

Cole had "testing" for his 2nd degree black belt today. Later that night Eric, Dylan and I went out to see Red Woody (with Mike Amadei on drums)

Miranda December 10, 2011

Everyone gets new jammies (normally on Dec 1st), but we've had so much going on, that tonight was the first night we got to wear them!

Maureen December 10, 2011

Getting to know one of our new houseguests

Jen December 9, 2011

Tonight was spouses club Christmas bingo. I went with my friend they had free daycare and free dinner and yummy desserts and a chocolate fondue fountain! my favorite. Lots of chances to win but neither of us won. But it was a lot of fun and we also got a free cute ornament. And we got to take a pic with Santa! I love how they do all these free fun things for military spouses.

Marla December 9, 2011

Cole with some friends at the middle school variety show.

Miranda December 9, 2011

Look what I made!

Maureen December 9, 2011

First day of Spelling Club, today. Apparently, the spelling words that they were practicing were 'Bryce' and 'Annie is cool'.

Miranda December 8, 2011

Gabriele is shopping for Christmas presents!

Maureen December 8, 2011

We bought Shelby's birthday present early & it came today. It's a dwarf clementine orange tree. I potted it & put it in his room. He's looking forward to taking care of it & watching it grow all winter long.

Jen December 7, 2011

Went to another party still a little sore but I didn't want the kids to miss this. It was at the botanical Garden. Festival of lights and we got to see it for free on a trolley. And then go inside for a little party. James and Em made a edible snowman. They loved that when they were done making it they could eat it!

Miranda December 7, 2011

Yum!

Marla December 7, 2011

I just thought that these grapes were so "picture perfect"

Maureen December 7, 2011

Found some ice in the yard this afternoon

Jen December 6, 2011

Today my friend took me to go get a procedure done on my back. It was a diagnostic but it was very painful and felt like it took forever. They injected my spine with big needles to get down to the nerves to numb them by my spine and they did this 12 times. I was in a lot of pain and my friend showed up with flowers and a balloon. It was so sweet. Then she took the kids out for a walk and to the park to tire them out for me. But the results were that I need to have the procedure done and it's painful since they have to burn the nerves.

Marla December 6, 2011

We broke out the winter coat today. First time that he has worn it to school this year (will there be room in his locker for it?)