Pickity Place

Mom, Lauren, and I went to Pickity Place for lunch. It is really neat little red house where they a five course lunch using fresh herbs that they grow.

A southern boy and snow

Snow at night...

Will arrived at our house(from GA) at 6pm and around 10pm it started snowing. He was sooo excited that he had to go out and play. The kids played outside in their pj's for about 30 mins. Crazy...

Mark, Lauren, and Will are here...

and the fight begins....

...we need a break and a little coaching
and the Champion is..... Will Gary

Missy gets dressed up! :)

She's so cute.... The girls dressed Missy up in their doll clothes. She seemed to enjoy the pampering.

Boston...

Ava feel asleep while we waited for our table at Finale's...

We have spent the last two and half days in Boston with Papa and Nanny. The girls and I went down with them on Thursday and Brad joined us Friday night. The girls enjoyed swimming and playing in the hotel room while Nanny and I shopped. It was really nice weather in the city to really enjoy walking around. On Friday night we went to an Italian restaurant that was very very good. We would definitely go back. We ended the evening with some creme bruele at a dessert restaurant called, Finale. It was so nice to really relax for a couple of days. Now we look forward to Mark, Lauren, and Will visiting us for a few days.

Christmas Day

We had lunch here at our house with Brad's family and my parents. They are here for ten days. After lunch we all went out for some sledding. Not alot of pictures because I was having too much fun!!!

Ava's Christmas Program

Happy Holidays!!!!

From our family to yours....

Amazing!!!

More of the weekend and another snow storm!!!

and we.....
removed snow and more snow....
and made some cookies!
our end product....they are quickly reducing:)

Saturday Fun!

We have enjoyed the last couple of Saturdays with all of the snow. The kids are at an age to really enjoy being outside all day. No more days of spending thirty minutes putting on snow suits and then they play outside for ten minutes. Now I can't get them to come inside. Check out pictures on Brent and Johanna's blog.

Tonight Brad and I went to the Boston Pops here in Manchester. We were given table tickets on the floor and our table was one!!! A really nice event. It wasn't so loud and crazy just really pleasant. We have to thank Matt for the tickets. So that was our day today. :)

More snow...

We have more snow!!! School was dismissed early today and Ava's winter program cancelled. It is the nice fluffy kind. I found the girls at the front door eating the snow. The only time that they are allowed to eat snow is when it has freshly fallen. Maybe we should have some maple snow tonight!

Ladies' night out

We had Ladies' night out at my house this week. We enjoyed ourselves to the fullest!!!:) We had a little game at the table where you write down something about yourself that no else knows and then we all had to guess who it was. Then we had a yankee swap. The theme for the gift was "something to keep you warm in the winter". We have some creative ladies!

Fun day in the Snow!

What a perfect day to enjoy the snow!!!! The kids were outside for hours. They got pulled on their sleds by dad in the RTV, made a snow man, and had snow ball fights. I enjoyed getting projects done around the house and made some banana choc. chip muffins (a daily request from Ava). I got a cute picture of Missy on the couch watching Tucket outside on the stone wall. She likes the snow but will only stay outside for so long. Tucket loves to be outside seeing what is going on. We then went up to Brent and Johanna's for a bonfire and supper. The kids were tuckered out and ready for bed!

Sunset

This was a sunset out of the back of our house the other day. It was around 4 o'clock. It is dark by four thirty. It makes us want to sit by the fire and read. I actually enjoy these days during the winter months.

Snow Day!

We had our first snow day today! School was cancelled and the girls slept "in"! They were so excited to not have school today but come June it may be another story. Ellie ended up with a fever today so I tried to get her to rest. She just keeps going and going. Ava went outside to play but got a little lonely all by herself in the snow. So we had a little hot chocolate to warme up. I did take the girls outside to get a few pictures for my holiday cards. Hopefully one out of the many will work. A fun day but school will be welcomed by all tomorrow!:)

What should I be when I grow up?

You Should Be a Social Worker

You are deeply caring and empathetic. You are able to take on other people's problems as if they were your own. Sensitive and intuitive, you understand human emotions well. Helping others gives you the most joy in life. You feel like it's your purpose in life. You do best when you: - Have a lot of responsibility - Greatly impact someone's life with your work You would also be a good philanthropist or stay at home parent.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

Cold, Cold, Cold!!!

Wow is it cold today! It is 20 degrees but....it feels like 9 degrees. This morning I was trying to get a few things done outside but I just couldn't last to long. I have to say I decided to take a few short cuts. Brad is now outside blowing the leaves and he had to take a break b/c his hands are freezing with gloves on!!!! I guess I must get ready for the winter!:) The girls are all excited about the predicted snow we are to get on Monday. Actually I hope it is snow and not ice and rain. That's all for now! I am off to a little social event and Brad is going to a hockey game with the girls.

In loving memory of...

A dear wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother


Pauline Chappell

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day was at my parents house with family and friends. There was 41 of us to enjoy all the turkey. After our big meal we had a game of tag football with our extended family and the kids played soccer. It was great to be with everyone again. More pictures on: Ken and Susan, Earl and Teresa's web pages

Family and fun!

We enjoyed our week in Ga. being with family. Lauren had the ladies and kids over for lunch on Tuesday. Then the adults all went out to supper at a Thia restaurant for supper while the kids stayed on home with babysitters. The cousins all love to be together!

American Girl and Hockey

Papa and Nanny got all the girls American Girl dolls or things for their dolls and then Nanny took the girls and their dolls for lunch at the American girl Bistro. The girls were all excited to shop and lunch with their dolls. I think the Big girls had fun also!!! The guys went to the Atlanta Thrashers game. They had supper at the Varsity! :) And then off to a very exciting hockey game!

Wedding--Kelly and Lora

Kelly and Lora
Kelly with his parents and sister's family

Off to GA!

We went to Ga for Thanksgiving with my family. We flew into Atlanta the Fri. before for my cousin's wedding on Sat. Our first stop off the plane was at the the Varsity in downtown Atlanta. It is a hotdog hamburger place. Just one of those must!!!

Ava's Thanksgiving Feast

Ava had her Thanksgiving feast at school. They made stone soup and butter for their rolls. All the kids are so cute.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Ladies' night out!

Thanks Jananne for a wonderful meal and great fellowship!

In 1975 (the year you were born)

Gerald Ford is president of the US Evacuation of US civilians from Saigon as Communist forces complete takeover of South Vietnam FBI agents capture Patty Hearst, who is indicted and convicted of bank robbery Teamster Jimmy Hoffa disappears without a trace Marines rescue the crew of the American ship the Mayaguez near Vietnam First Lady Betty Ford says in an interview that she thinks her children have tried marijuana Natalie Imbruglia, Drew Barrymore, David Beckham, Enrique Iglesias, Angelina Jolie, and Tiger Woods are born Cincinnati Reds win the World Series Pittsburgh Steelers win Superbowl IX Philadelphia Flyers win the Stanley Cup Production begins on Star Wars Jaws and The Rocky Horror Picture Show are the top grossing films Soul Train premieres on television in the United States "The Way We Were" (performed by Barbara Streisand) wins the Grammy for best song Saturday Night Live and Wheel of Fortune premiere

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

North Country....

This past weekend we went up North with the Howes. We love to go and always wish we could stay one more day. We meet up with the Howes, an hour out of camp, for supper.
Then we all headed into camp and we were all happy to see some snow. There was a little on the top of the hill but down in town there really wasn't any snow. We hung out, played games, and ate. The Howes are pros at crocano (sp?)! We then went riding around to see all the camps of people we know up there, rock skipping, and moose hunting. We saw two moose right off. The first was right on the road and just stood by the car and then further down the road we saw a HUGE moose. I think it was a bull moose. The biggest moose I have ever seen and I would say that it would be one of the biggest moose in the North country. Really exciting!!!! Then it was off to supper at Happy Corner and back to to camp for more games. Sunday we went down to meeting and out for lunch together. A wonderful spot that we plan to visit again. Then it was time to head home. A fun weekend and we hope to go back soon!

States

You Know Your States

You got 7/10 correct. You've got a pretty good handle on US geography. There's a good chance you've visited at least a dozen of the fifty states.

How Well Do You Know Your States?

Ellie's class picture

Happy Birthday Grampie

Grampie and Grammie had the grandchildren and their spouses for dinner last night. It was Grampie's birthday. It was a nice to time to all be together.

Trick or Treating....

We got together with some of the "little" kids around here and went trick or treating. The kids had alot of fun being together and getting LOTS and LOTS of candy. After that we went over to the Whites for the haunted house. It was awesome and the "BIG" kids did a great job!

Fall Weekend....

We had a great fall fun weekend. Friends from NY and Conn. come up for the weekend. Friday night was supper at the deGroots and Sat. was back to the deGroots for brunch, lunch, and fun activities. Then we all went to the barn for a Halloween party. Lots and lots of great costumes, a haunted house, hayride, fireworks, and great food. A fun time was had by all. Sunday we were all back here at our house for lunch and a small baby shower for Dave and Sandy. The dads took the kids for a nice walk in the woods. Everyone was exausted by Sunday but we look forward to next year!!!

Cake....

You Are a Red Velvet Cake

Rich, decadent, and sensual. You have a deep appeal that transcends all trends. You are the definition of passion: intense, adventurous, and seductive.

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Ava's Class...

Crazy, Crazy day!

What a day!!!! It all started when I woke up late as in thirty minutes before Ellie is suppose to walk out the door. I had made cinnamon rolls the night before and was wanting to cook them for breakfast. So, I jumped out of the bed and started running down the stairs to turn the oven on. Well, on the stairs where a pair of shoes and I slipped and started bouncing down on my bottom. I did catch myself on the railing and got my breath. I turned the oven on and quickly ran upstairs and took a shower and raced back down to get the rolls in and back up I ran. Girls get up and get dressed we have got to go!!!! Girls, "I don't want to get ready, I want to relax first!" Ughhh! Of course this morning we were to take Brad to work!!! I call Jody to find out what time the bus comes to their house and I think we can make it. So we all get ready and the rolls are done just in time to run out the door and eat them in the car. We get Brad to work and Ellie on the bus! phew... Then it was getting Ava to school and meet Jody at the school to go and get paper goods at Sam's Club for the Fall weekend that we are hosting this coming weekend. We had to be back by 11:30 for my tennis class, so we went nice and early. We get to Sam's and they don't open until ten! So off to Old Navy to shop!:) We made it back to Sam's and had a successful trip. One positive of the day! I made it to class a little late but just in time for some good instructions and then all the problems, again!!!! We have a tennis match on Wednesday and I got the food arranged, the list all made, and everything organized. I come home to a message that the other team can't play this week. They want to reschedule. Off to the club I go to see what I can do and I am able to get a court time next week. I call the the other team to see if that would work for them. And I get the answer, "well, that is our practice time so I will have to see and will get back in touch with you tonight" I couldn't believe it!!! I am still waiting to hear from them as of ten thirty pm tonight! Mind you during all of this I have to call all of my teammates and check to see if the time frame works for them. All so crazy! I didn't really sign up for all of this non-sense. Back home I go to get Ellie and Breanna off the bus and I walk into the house and find that my oven has been on since this morning! A little scary. And I recieve a call from the school saying the Ellie and Breanna had been in the office about the bus dropping them off at Bonnie's. Well, I had told Ellie that but changed my mind without telling her and I guess the school also, called Bonnie. I did get them off at the regular bus stop and they weren't any to happy. Then it was off to the barn for Halloween decorating. A lot of work but well worth it all. I am glad that my day ended with satisfaction. Wish you could all join us this weekend but we will be posting pictures.

A nice fall day....

The Chiquita

La Cucaracha

The Charleston

Fall colors out the back door

OK....OK

I will post my results..... I just don't know if it really is me....I love to cook and I don't consider myself a plain eater but maybe I have a lot to learn about me....Well, I do love breakfast!

You Are Cereal

Playful and lighthearted, breakfast is likely your favorite meal of the day. (In fact, you're probably the type who sneaks cereal as a midnight snack.) Your culinary skills are probably a bit lacking... and you are a sucker for junk food. Some people accuse you of eating like a kid, but you prefer to think of yourself as low maintenance.

What Kind of Breakfast Are You?