Our Weekend . . .

. . . was filled with birthdays parties and swimming . . .

 . . . cousins and swimming . . .

 . . . and some serious playtime in the sand box. 

  That's what summer is all about!!

Oh, and ponytails!!!  : )


Many blessings for a happy Monday ~ Wendy

Dinner Guests and Doggie Surgery . . .

Last night, we had three of our most favorite people in the world over for dinner. My sister in law and our two beautiful nephews blessed us with their presence for a few hours. Jim cooked a wonderful dinner and, if I do say so myself, I made a mean salad and dessert. I was in the mood for pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Apparently so was everyone else because there was nothing left by the end of the night!!

My poor baby nephew had three shots earlier in the morning so he wasn't feeling very well. We got some belly laughs and a few toothless smiles out of him but he really just wanted to be held and comforted by his Mommy.

Andre, our three year old nephew, had a blast with his cousins, as usual. We think he's becoming more used to the dogs, too, which is a wonderful thing.

I guess it's kind of difficult to be intimidated by a dog that looks like this. Poor Sparky had surgery yesterday morning and has to wear a cone on his head for a week.

We're praying that this curbs his desire to do those "things" that male dogs like to do before they're fixed. : ) I'll keep you posted. HA HA!!

Happy Thursday to you all!!

Many blessings ~ Wendy

Sharing the First Dinner of the New Year . . .

. . . with loved ones, has to be the most perfect way to begin the new year.

We also love my sister-in-law Michelle but I don't think she'd appreciate any of the pics I took of her. : ) Unfortunately, the shots that she took with my "seen better days" camera didn't come out. At least I was able to share some memories and the rest we each have in our heart forever. We love you so much, Michelle, Andre and Jason!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO

Many blessings ~ Wendy

Some Random Thoughts and Photos on a Soon-to-be Snowy Afternoon . . .

We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first glimpse of snow this season. It's not supposed to be here until after sundown and is supposed to start as rain. We're also not supposed to get more than an inch or two but it's still so exciting nonetheless!! We have plans to go into the city tonite. There is a wonderful train show at The Botanical Gardens and my hubby, thru his job, was able to get free passes. Of course, son number one doesn't want to join us so the other two guys each get to bring along a friend. We're going into the city a little earlier to see if we can get in to see another exhibit before the train show. I don't know much about it other then it's for kids and is supposed to be interactive and has something to do with gingerbread. I will certainly take lots of pictures and share them with you all.

It's definitely the kind of day to stay in your jammies and make a pot of soup but this time of the year is all about the kiddies!! Besides, I told my husband the other day that I can't believe how lazy I have felt these last couple of weeks. I thought my energy would kick back in once I made it thru my first trimester but I'm still waiting for the surge. I'm not a big television watcher but I feel like I've been doing nothing but sit in the recliner and watch the boob tube. I haven't gone grocery shopping since Thanksgiving and my cupboards are certainly getting to the bare stage. If I hear my kids say "I need socks" one more time I'm going to scream!! I need to snap out of this. UGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

I did manage to muster up enough energy to cook dinner for fifteen on Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time. Hubby had to go to work but he got to take a big plate of food with him and a large slice of pumpkin pie that my mother made just for him. Who has it better than my man?!!? : ) I had to take pictures of our two youngest dinner/dessert guests, Jason and Antonio.

This is my nephew, Jason. He just turned three months old and my heart melts every time I look at him. I can't believe how fast the time is going. I blogged about his birth back in September. It was a dream come true for me to be in the delivery room when he was born and something that I will never forget as long as I live!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how my sister-in-law, Michelle (aka Mommy), doesn't bite him all the time!!

And this is Antonio. He just turned five months old. He is my cousin's baby and is absolutely beautiful. He has the biggest eyes and all he does is smile. He also loves to watch football and won't take his eyes off of the television until halftime. I'm not kidding!! : )

I was also able to attend the Thanksgiving Feast at son number three's school. It was so adorable to see all of the kids in the hats that they had each made. It also happened to be pajama day so it was super cute to see all the pilgrims and Native Americans in their jammies!! They sang and ate and ate some more. That's Brendan's picture at the top of this post. I just love that shot of him. What a little hunk!! : )

Brendan and his best bud, Tye.

These are the kind of photos you cherish forever when you think about how quickly the time passes.

Happy Saturday to you all!! : )

Many Blessings ~ Wendy