Turkey Day

This year, November was a blur. Midway through the month, Ms. Addie, her mom and her nephew came for a long awaited visit. It was a short one, but jam packed with fun. I don't think there was a moment that wasn't planned out to the minute. We took them on a tour of Sandy Hook and our area. They were able to climb the lighthouse at Twin Lights up the street, and Addie got to experience a one of a kind playgroup followed by dinner with friends. Luckily, the weather held out, and they were able to make it NYC several times. I even drove into NYC one night to meet them for dinner and the Lion King on Broadway. One of Addie's goals was to go to Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken. It's the home of the Cake Boss on TLC. So, on Saturday morning, we loaded into the mini and headed that way. There was a small line inside the store, and we recognized a few of the sisters that are also seen on the show, but the big moment was when Buddy himself came downstairs. He signed autographs and took pictures with anyone who wanted one. B took a picture of the girls and I with him, but unfortunately it didn't come out, so you'll just have to imagine it. He seems like just an ordinary guy who happens to be on TV. It was fun to meet him.

Like that, it was time to say goodbye to Addie and her family and hello to Mom & Dad. They arrived the day before Thanksgiving and got here just in time to pick Lise' up from school. It was the last day before the holiday, so the kids came pouring out of the building with pilgrim & Indian hats. It was cute.

We didn't have much prep work to do for the following day, so B and I took advantage of free babysitting and headed to NYC for the night. LSU basketball was playing in Madison Square Garden. LSU was outplayed by a mile, so we headed out just after half time and went over to meet our friend Richie in Hoboken for dinner. It was the first adult night we had had in a loooooonnnnngggg time, and I loved every minute of it.



The next day was Thanksgiving, and this year we forwent the turkey. It was all lobster for us. After dinner, we headed out to watch the sunset at Sandy Hook.





Once the celebration was over, it was time to get serious. Mom watched the kids, and Dad, B and I spent the next day painting. After all, we are moving.

For all the pictures, click HERE.

Let it Snow

Thanks to that storm that pelted our friends on the Gulf Coast with rain in the double digits, we got lots of snow. I don't know exact measurements because the wind whipped it all over the place. I do know it was somewhere between 16 & 24". I think it's the most we've had at one time of any place we've lived.

It started falling lightly around 3pm and continued through the night. We had friends over for dinner, and when they arrived, you could still see the tops of the blades of grass. Throughout the night, the kids watched as the grass slowly disappeared. We have lights outside shaped like candy canes, and their benchmark for how much snow had fallen was whether or not the candy canes were still visible. By the time Nicholas and Evan left at 9:30, you could only see the faint glow of lights beneath the snow. B even had to shovel a path to their car.

The snow fell throughout the night, and we awoke to a winter wonderland the next morning. Thankfully, B is still around because there was a lot of digging out to be done. I'm not quite sure what I'll do if this happens when he's in Florida. This isn't Utah where I'd wake up to a nicely shoveled drive provided by the snow fairy.

After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, we suited the kids up, grabbed the sleds and headed to the hill. Last year I got caught without a sled because I didn't start looking until snow was coming. So, this summer, whenever we were at garage sales, I picked them up. Thank goodness I did because there wasn't a sled to be had in town, and we had three.

The best hill in town for sledding is down at the Marina. Some kind homeowners have chosen not to to fence their property in, and they are generous enough to allow the town to use it. What fun we had. The first run down for Abri, the snow wasn't very packed, and she got a face full of snow. So, for a good part of the time, she just sat and watched or crawled around making snow angels. Lise' was a little apprehensive at first, but it didn't take her long to go down alone. B and I even had a few chances to go down too. I think B would have stayed all afternoon if we'd let him. All in all, we had 4 different types of sleds. If you're in the market for one, we recommend the inflatable one that looks like something you tube in behind a boat or the round disc.

The snow will be missed. For more pictures, CLICK HERE.

Check out the Santa --->

He's a little weird looking. More like the Santa you see leaning against the wall on Bourbon Street than the Jolly Old St. Nick you see at the local mall.

Hopefully he'll take the attention away from the fact that I've been MIA lately. Let's just say a lot has been going on. It always is, but when the weather is nice, I'd rather do anything but sit in front of the computer. Good news for you is that winter is almost here, and therefore, I'm inside a lot more. Oh well. I guess I should catch you all up.

This is a work in progress, but the BIG news you may or may not have heard by now is WE'RE MOVING!!!! We're flying down south for the winter-Jacksonville, FL to be exact. So, for all of you who drug your feet and pretended you loved us enough to come visit, you waited too long. You snooze you lose! You know who you are. And, for those who have watched us go through this before, the answer to your first question is, "NO, ,the house is NOT done!" No comment. The reinforcements are arriving after Christmas.

So, forgive me if I disappear and reappear on occasions with lots of info. I'd love to sit here the rest of the night and catch you up, but I have loads of laundry to put away.

No fears, I've downloaded my camera, so pics are coming.

Take care, and if you're looking for something to do, we'll always accept volunteers.

Happy Halloween!

From Belle (Beauty & the Beast) and the Orangey Witch (Yes, that's what she called it).


I'll eventually get back to September and October, but I thought you'd be anxious to see the girls in their costumes.

We had a fun-filled week. B was off in Jacksonville, FL on business, so I was one busy Momma.

The Sunday before Halloween we attended a party at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. The kids had a ball. The hit of the night was the fog machine. Abri couldn't get enough of it. Luckily, B was able to join us for this celebration.

Halloween Twister

Abri getting her first bite of chocolate for the night.

A Shirley Temple at the Bar





Tuesday, Lise' & Abri joined their friends at "Bring a Friend to Dance Class" week. It was at the local dance studio in town, and both of them had a grand time.

Friday was Halloween Party Day. Have I mentioned I'm the class mom? It was a success, but a little nerve-wracking considering I was also coordinating a Halloween party with 70 people for after school.

Abri waiting patiently for the school parade.


Lise' is toward the back of the line. They walk the block around the school. I was so busy trying to get pictures that I didn't realize Abri had joined the line and was walking away.




B arrived in time for Halloween, and we started it off with walking in the town parade. The entire town turns our for it, and the kids have a great time. Trick-or-Treating started immediately following, and the girls took no time to fall into line behind the rest of the kids.













Once we were all pooped from the door to door activities, we retired to my friend Karen's house where we had two award winning chilies (I've sinced improved my recipe), lobsters and clams. These northerners had never seen anyone boil lobster in crab boil in a turkey fryer. Ha! Between my chili and B's lobster skills, I'm not sure they'll let us move again.




Overall, we had a great time and we're looking forward to next year!

The rest of August in a Nutshell

At the beach with Grandma




Hurricane Bill moved up the Eastern Seaboard, so we picked up breakfast, headed to the beach, and watched the waves come in.





Lavallette, NJ-where my friend Karen's parent's have a home on the water. This is the Jersey Shore, and a way of life for many here.





Our garden went crazy-cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, okra, strawberries, and herbs.

Swim lessons at the YMCA

While I was away this summer

B had about 3 weeks to work on the kitchen without little ones demanding his time. Chris came up to help and not only installed the cabinets, but in their spare time, helped the elementary school install the preschool playground. Thanks Chris! We appreciate your help. You even made it onto the PTO slide show.

The Before


The contents of my kitchen

Chris probably wondering what he's gotten into

The first cabinet





Looks great!
Now for the hard part; figuring out where everything should go. And notice, I still have no counter tops.



You'll have to hold tight for now on the end result. We're still not 100% done. You'll be amazed, I promise. Stay tuned.

Busy-that's where I've been

Life hasn't slowed down one bit since I returned from our summer trips. As you know, Lise' started PreK, and she loves it. She goes 5 days a week in the afternoon, and she's already looking forward to all day next year.

There are 8 kids in her class, and only one is a boy. They all live to be the Line Leader. Lise' goes to gym on Fridays, and she came home telling me all about it. "Mommy, my teacher's name is Mr. Wolfe, but don't worry, he's not really a wolf." I happen to know that Mr. Wolfe is marrying the music teacher this coming year, so I can't wait for that reaction.

My least favorite thing about school is the introduction of words and phrases that I know my kids didn't learn from me. The first one was "Missed me, missed me, now you have to kiss me." The second was, "Look at my butt" followed by a giggle. I know it's only the beginning, but it's still the loss of innocence.

She's learning a lot of great things too, so I can't complain. Each and everyday she comes home with some sort of paint on her clothes, so I know she's having fun. The most noticable change is the sounding out of words to determine the letter it begins with.

Overall, it's been a great first school experience. Did I mention I'm the class mom too? My first responsibility is the Halloween party this coming Friday. I'll let you know how I do. I have to be creative because it's NJ law that all food in school must be healty. In other words, no sugar. How can you have a party without cupcakes or cookies? For now, I'm planning on bringing apple chips. If you have any suggestions, send them my way.