Day 135, Cont.

Grace Eileen:
#1 Big Sister and Auntie Emily's biggest fan

Gracie is getting used to this brand new Dora potty seat. She is also officer of the cool police, informing me that toilet paper is "not cool".

My favorite picture ever. I love this shot of the two little ones looking at me.

Grace is quilting with the fabric scraps that I brought to share with Nina as part of her Christmas gift.

Day 135

I just got back from a wonderful, if too short, little jaunt to Boston. I stayed with Nina and got to meet Joseph Anthony for the very first time. At two weeks, he is starting to become a real human with eyes that focus. :-) These little babes are truly miracles and so much fun to behold.

Meeting Baby Joey


This little doll with his cutest little dimple is almost edible. His teeny-tiny squirmy little body and his big boy farts were just too cute.
What a handsome little man.

Dinner with the Gilberts

It's sausage!

Nina and Kevin fed me well... if not quite healthy... the first night of my arrival. Grace was "all set" with the sausage (she was "allergic" :-)).

Self Portrait Tuesday

Reflection on Christmas Passing By

Driving around on Christmas Eve eve, I found myself observing the lights and the spectacle of it all. Pensive about trashy looking lawn ornaments and a huge lit cross hanging from a crane, I took these photos of myself. A reflective passenger, observing Christmas pass.

Day 130

A few of my favorite Christmas shots

Day 129

Merry Christmas






We have enough gifts under the tree to make an army merry. It will be a quiet day for just the four of us... and the first year ever that I have not slept at my parents for Christmas Eve. No wake-wakey ay 6 am to harrass and wake the rest of the house. This year, it will be a slow morning. Stockings. Breakfast. Gifts. and more gifts... and more food.

Have a fun and love-filled holiday.

Day 128

A winter walk

One of our favorite things to do with Miss Mollie is walk her in the snow. She digs, she burrows, she scratches, she bites the ice, she gets snow all over, and we get to admire what a nut she is.

Of course, sometimes I act a bit like a nut, too.

Day 127

Missing the munchins at Christmas







Does it get any cuter?

Day 126

New camera fun

Todd bought a new Nikon d50... we have been patient in deciding what we needed... but a new digital has been a must.

Here is a sampling of the amazing photos it can take.

Close-ups of Mollie (by Todd)






Self-portraits

Day 124

Butternut skiing fun



Our second day out skiing this year. I am so relaxed I am not sure what to do with myself. It feels wonderful to get home from a fun day on the slopes, take a hot shower, cuddle up with a book, and read.

I love vacation.

Day 122

Cooking with Kevin

Kevin and I decided to take on a cooking project that may have been a bit much for us... but worked out okay in the end... not perfect, but okay.

We decided to make caramels. Delicious, right?

Well, the first batch was just runny... so we put it back in the pan and reheated and refollowed the directions...



Second batch... still runny, but a bit better.

We went with the chill and serve method, and they were wrappable... and hopefully edible, too.



We will have to try again next year.



These are also the colorful veggies that went into the soup that Kevin is taking to the Gilbert family for me. Yummy.

Day 120 part 2

I just wanted to post these photos of new baby joey, coutesy of Kevin. Hopefully I will get out to visit while I am on vaca... For now, look at that little 8 lb 13 oz, 21 inch baby body... and his new big sis and proud mama.

Day 120

I am home for a snow day... making blog graffiti with this link I found this morning. http://metaatem.net/words/
I love snow days.
It also means I am officially on my winter break.
What a glorious feeling.

I am waiting now to hear about Nina, who went into labor last night... Baby Joey should be here by now... or any time now.

Oh, I should make his name :-).