Work and Wine

I have been SO busy! I need to catch up on blogging, facebooking, laundry, and getting my kids ready to get up EARLY!

In a nutshell...went camping last week (final vacation for the summer) and went back to work on Monday! It's crazy!

I already miss my lazy days of reading, beaching, facebooking, shopping, and getting my runs in for the half marathon.

Now, I have to fit in my runs in the evenings after working and strategically planning my drive because there is CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE!!

I will adjust, I always do. It's hard every year to get back in the swing, but I manage. I just like to complain a bit about it.

Here is a family photo from our camping trip. We took our kids to a winery...it was raining out. They loved it! They thought it was cool to see all the grapes growing. And I found some good wine too.

Summing it Up

What a great day we had at the local zoo. E and A...sisterly love. E's front tooth is FINALLY coming in after being toothless since last Sept.

E and the bird eating off of her stick.

A and the bird.

B and the bird.

We went to a local zoo on Wednesday and had a great time. The kids loved the feeding frenzy of the bird cage.

Just got back from a great time in Northern Wisconsin. We fished, swam ( just a little because it was NOT optimum swimming weather), drank, shot off fireworks, canoed, and played outdoor games.

Just one sidenote...Alyssa (oldest daughter) and I make HORRIBLE canoe partners. I thought I was going to throw her overboard. At one point that cute girl with the black visor in the pictures above got out of the canoe and said I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS and started walk upstream of the river. What a nut job! This was our second attempt at being canoe partners, last year it was just as bad if not worse, so I guess the next time we try to be canoe partners...it has to be a CHARM!

It is my race weekend ahead. I am competing in the Trek Women's Sprint Triathlon Series. I finished my last training session this morning. I did a mini brick. I think the only thing I will do is swim in the lake tomorrow and then rest up!! I am excited...my goal is to beat my time from last year. Hubby will take pictures and the kids will cheer me on. That is the best when you come into the finish line.

Blue/Orange vs Green/Gold

Monday Night Football....Packers vs Bears. My family is split right down the middle. Half like the Pack, the other half the Bears. We had everyone over for a night of football fun. The Packers only gain for this Monday night freeze was to be a spoiler in the Bears possible playoff spot. It was looking good for the green and gold until they missed a field goal at the end of the game and into overtime we went. Oh well...the Bears won and us Packer fans will have to wait until next season for another chance.

It was great because my brother and his family are here from Florida...I think the deep freeze was a shock to their systems...Oh and another winter storm system is on the way...another 12 inches by Christmas Eve. We have had our share of that these last couple weeks. I may have to go shovel...I hate that, I get intimidated by the snowblower and hubby has a work function tonight. So, I guess I'll be nice and clear the sidewalks and driveway. Me and the hubby...rooting for the green/gold

The girls are for the green and gold, my little nephew is a Bear fan, but sporting a New England Jersey.

The two girls... oops big girl was too late....

Peace boys...

Weekend Happenings

The whole family got dressed up this weekend. We had a family wedding. It was a super fun wedding. The kids danced the night away. Brandon was cracking me up. He was break dancing and very comical. It was like he was performing for everyone. Emma enjoyed hanging out with all her cousins and dancing too. Alyssa caught the bouquet. She was nervous about the boy who was going to catch the garder. Relief...sigh...her cousin. They just got their photo taken, no slow dance. They were both relieved. They are only a few months apart in age...missed my photo opportunity. Alyssa was a bit surprised when she saw her orthodontist at the reception. She was nervous to chew gum and eat things she shouldn't. She was being teased like crazy. After her dance with the doc, he took a picture with her. I'll have to make a copy and give it to him this week when she gets her bands changed.
Alyssa and her orthodontist.

John was so not in the mood to take this photo. He hates it when I make him take our couples photo when the kids are wired and I want Alyssa to use our new camera with no experience.

Sibling hug.....

Alyssa

This is one photo for the record (they rarely hug like this)

The three before we left for the reception. Emma told me she looked like an American Girl Doll. I think it was the "pretty" we put in her hair.





My sister Tricia and I .

Tricia, Dad, Mom, and me! We were missing my brother and other sister. We wished they could of been there. Distance sucks sometimes. I will look forward to the holidays this year when we are all together.

That was it for our weekend. It was a mighty cold one too. It felt like Old Man Winter blew through for sure. I did go for a 5 mile run today. It was a chilly one. There were a few snowflakes floating in the sky. It was a good run, but I need to get better pants for this type of weather. My legs were frozen! I didn't leave the house for the rest of the day. Cozied up with some coffee and some TV. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Merry Christmas

I know, it seems a bit early to be talking about Christmas. But I can't help myself....Friday night my parents came over to give the kids a trick or treat bag and one of the bags was a Christmas gift bag. I thought nothing of it, until the kids were begging them to open it. So after a few moments of me, me, me type thing. My Dad and Mom said I should open it...right then I knew what it was....They came over with a brand new camera for me. I was so thrilled! An early Christmas present and this is what I heard a few times "This is your Christmas gift" I understand...I do I do!

They bought me a Canon Rebel XS....I am so excited. I now need to take a class and read about how to use this camera. So, thanks Mom and Dad for this unexpected gift. I really appreciate this gift. Here a just a few pics from the new camera.

Zena our 3 year old Springer Spaniel.

The kids went trick or treating at the nursing home on Sunday. My mom took the kids to visit Great Grandma. Trick or Treat is Friday night...should be fun. I am making jello shots for the adults. So Happy Halloween and I found everything I need for my costume. I am so excited! Was at a conference Sunday into Monday. Stayed at a hotel....I will share more about that tomorrow. Let's just say Haunted Hotel??

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the greatest husband! It has been 13 years...hard to believe. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for the best years...can't wait for many, many more.

Our wedding day...Sept. 30, 1995. Check out the hair! Dating...early '90s. Someone told me it reminded them of the 90210 early days. How funny.

July 2008....camping at Governor Dodge.

***Disclaimer....I scanned in the two ancient photos...not good at that...will get better...with time...or age. hahahaha

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom. Thanks for all you do for us. You are sweet, kind, thoughtful, and a wonderful Mom and Grandmother. We hope you have a terrific day!

Laurie and Mom...Chicago
Tammy, Tricia, Mom...living it up in Chicago.

Mom and Betty
Mom and daughters from Christmas 2007

Happy Anniversary

Happy First Wedding Anniversary to my very younger sister at newly-wedded wife and my brother in law. I can't believe it has been one year since you two tied the knot. Here are some photos that bring back really good memories of that day. Love you guys.

Laurie and Dan at the church.

My sisters, parents, and brother.

My little Emma...the princess for a day.

The three beauty queens.

Emma still loves that pink dress and wanted to wear it to school Open House this year. Alyssa couldn't wait to take it off that night...it was driving her crazy.

Harley Fun and An Award Too

Harley Davidson celebration weekend begins! In honor of it's 105th, there is a huge party this weekend in Milwaukee, WI. So, tonight a parade kicked off in Kenosha where I live.(we are about 40 min. south of Milwaukee). My Dad has a Harley and will be attending the festivities this weekend with my Mom. They are jazzed up to see Bruce Springstein in concert at this fest. How cute is that? I think she needs to sport some true black leather this weekend. My mom the biker babe. :)
My son Brandon first rode the Harley a couple weeks back. He loved it, so my Dad offered to take him and be part of the parade. He was so excited to be part of all of this. He was beaming from ear to ear. The parade route took them about 7 miles and they ended up at Lake Michigan for a fest that is going on tonight. They will stick around and eat food and listen to some music. Brandon adores his "Gramps." They are buddies in every sense from Harleys, fishing, and even XBox 360. (Gramps bought one and is into Guitar Hero...so he could keep up with Brandon).





Getting ready for the big ride.





Grandpa and Brandon (What cute Harley boys)











I need a better camera...I could of taken many more pics.

This is them on the parade route. There were more than 1,000 bikes. Awesome parade. I loved seeing and hearing them roar down the street.

****************************************************************

On a different note... I was award this blog trophy by Confessions I was so touched by this I was estatic!! So thank you, thank you!! I just started blogging at the beginning of July. My sister Newly-Wedded Wife gave me the itch. Thanks ! I nominate you too! I so love blogging...sometimes I just ponder at things I could blog about. It is such a huge stress reliever some days.

I would like to do the same to others who make me smile at their lives. The wonderful award goes to:

• Just the Girl with Something to Say...
• Seeking Sanity
• The Chronicles of Sahm
• Mommyvents

Thanks Ladies....you are great!! There are many more too! I just named a few.

Brew Crew

We went to a Milwaukee Brewer game last night. We had a great time and it also helps that the Brewers WON. The final score was Brewers 10 Pirates 4. We had really high seats...it didn't really matter because we had a lot of fun.










Madi and Emma...see just how high up we were. Glad no one was afraid

of height...that would of been a HUGE problem.







My little man...Brandon...







Brandon and Tyler...Go Brewers.


Tailgaiting...Alyssa, Madi, Emma




It was retro night...GO Brewers...Emma, Carter, me
Emma and Carter...best buds since birth I swear.
Cari, Amy, Tammy...enjoying beer (Leinenkugels of course)
I was taking it easy....Cari had it goin' on.
Brandon and me (As you can see I didn't have a chance to color...blond or



gray?...not sure at this point)
















Paige and Alyssa...Go Brewers




Having a great time at the game.




Mr. Handsome and me....cheers!



This is all Emma wanted...a pink finger. She was thrilled.













This is exactly what we did...just as it says on the cup.

That picture was such an accident, I can't believe it turned out.

Great night with great friends and family.

****Disclaimer***Sorry about all the space at the bottom of this. I couldn't figure out how to make it go away without deleting and starting over. I still am figuring out all this blog stuff. I've been only doing this for about 2 months. I guess I have a lot to learn. :)