Here are a few snaps of the girls (this was the first year we included the boys). Maybe more of a flash-forward (to the teenage years) than a look back?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
2010 Lookback: A Christmas Tradition
We have a Christmas tradition/adventure that we share with a friend and her kids. It started as an adventure a few years ago when we ventured to Fort Mill to see a colleague's church production of a Singing Christmas Tree. For the past 2 years we've minimized the adventure component and settled for the Oven's Auditorium production.
Here are a few snaps of the girls (this was the first year we included the boys). Maybe more of a flash-forward (to the teenage years) than a look back?
Here are a few snaps of the girls (this was the first year we included the boys). Maybe more of a flash-forward (to the teenage years) than a look back?
2010 Lookback: A Foster Family Christmas
For the past few years, Allan's sister, Candy, and I have been hosting a little "drop in"*
This year we were lucky to host all of the sisters and most of the cousins for a casual, Saturday brunch. There was plenty of...
...bacon
...and catching up
...and eating (is that a princess in our midst?)
...and drinking
...and napping
...and working on our annual, 1,000 piece, Christmas puzzle
...And laughing
And other than the HUGE white snowflakes that tumbled from the sky mid-party, it was pretty much just your typical day with the Foster family at the old homestead!
*I think "drop-in" is a southern term, right? We used to call it an "open house" in Michigan. Do you use that in the south, too?
This year we were lucky to host all of the sisters and most of the cousins for a casual, Saturday brunch. There was plenty of...
...bacon
...and catching up
...and eating (is that a princess in our midst?)
...and drinking
...and napping
...and working on our annual, 1,000 piece, Christmas puzzle
...And laughing
And other than the HUGE white snowflakes that tumbled from the sky mid-party, it was pretty much just your typical day with the Foster family at the old homestead!
*I think "drop-in" is a southern term, right? We used to call it an "open house" in Michigan. Do you use that in the south, too?
2010 Lookback: Preparing for Christmas
(To the Tune of "Deck the Halls")
Trim the tree in our pajamas
Fa La La La La
La La La La!
Spread the frosting like a sandwich
Fa La La La La
La La La La!
Wrap the books so every day
We open one up and read away!
Don our hats to look like Santa
Fa La La La La
La La La La!
Trim the tree in our pajamas
Fa La La La La
La La La La!
Spread the frosting like a sandwich
Fa La La La La
La La La La!
Wrap the books so every day
We open one up and read away!
Don our hats to look like Santa
Fa La La La La
La La La La!
The Stairs
We have stairs that lead from our kitchen area to the second floor. I have two questions:
1- Why do kids INSIST on playing on the stairs?
They aren't comfortable (at least I don't think so). They can be dangerous. We have an entire floor dedicated to the kids...and they play on the stairs?
2. Why is there ALWAYS a pile at the bottom of the stairs waiting to go up? And why is there ALWAYS a pile at the top of the stairs waiting to go down?
I ALWAYS take an armload when I go up. And I ALWAYS take an armload when I go down. But why do the piles persist?
One day I made a proclaimation that everyone was to take an armload up and/or down when traversing the stairs. Maclaren confirmed she was "in."
Angus kind of sat there sucking his thumb not saying anything.
And Allan simply refuses because he claims his own mother worked him to death when he was a child.*
* I haven't been able to verify that with any of his sisters.
1- Why do kids INSIST on playing on the stairs?
They aren't comfortable (at least I don't think so). They can be dangerous. We have an entire floor dedicated to the kids...and they play on the stairs?
2. Why is there ALWAYS a pile at the bottom of the stairs waiting to go up? And why is there ALWAYS a pile at the top of the stairs waiting to go down?
I ALWAYS take an armload when I go up. And I ALWAYS take an armload when I go down. But why do the piles persist?
One day I made a proclaimation that everyone was to take an armload up and/or down when traversing the stairs. Maclaren confirmed she was "in."
Angus kind of sat there sucking his thumb not saying anything.
And Allan simply refuses because he claims his own mother worked him to death when he was a child.*
* I haven't been able to verify that with any of his sisters.
2010 Lookback: Thanksgiving
Sooooo much to be thankful for. And family is at the top of the list.
Her.
And him.
And, of course, him!
We celebrated at home with my mom and my sister. I had fun with setting the table...
...while Allan was busy in the kitchen!
Here's a cute shot of Nonnie and Angus. This is when I realized that my lens was having a hard time auto-focusing. Or....I had it wide open on 1.4.
And one of me (compliments of Johanna). Looking quite the matron of the house, don't you think?
And here I am focusing on one of my Thanksgiving favorites...
jellied cranberry straight out of the can! I've tried making all sorts of fancy, home-made cranberry sauces before, but this remains my favorite. It's a reminder to be thankful for the simple things in life, too.
Her.
And him.
And, of course, him!
We celebrated at home with my mom and my sister. I had fun with setting the table...
...while Allan was busy in the kitchen!
Here's a cute shot of Nonnie and Angus. This is when I realized that my lens was having a hard time auto-focusing. Or....I had it wide open on 1.4.
And one of me (compliments of Johanna). Looking quite the matron of the house, don't you think?
And here I am focusing on one of my Thanksgiving favorites...
jellied cranberry straight out of the can! I've tried making all sorts of fancy, home-made cranberry sauces before, but this remains my favorite. It's a reminder to be thankful for the simple things in life, too.
There must be some mistake
This is what my mom has heard several times this year. At the doctor. At the dentist. At the DMV. Anytime there is a need to validate her age, the person hesitates and then says, "There must be some mistake. Could you please validate your birthdate?"
And, much to their surprise, my mom validates the information as being correct. So apparently, 70 is the new 50!
To celebrate her milestone birthday in August, Johanna and Maclaren and I treated her to a trip to Chicago (her favorite city). And we had a B.L.A.S.T. For a visual click here.
It's OUR kind of town!
And, much to their surprise, my mom validates the information as being correct. So apparently, 70 is the new 50!
To celebrate her milestone birthday in August, Johanna and Maclaren and I treated her to a trip to Chicago (her favorite city). And we had a B.L.A.S.T. For a visual click here.
It's OUR kind of town!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
2010 Lookback: Halloween
Fall is my favorite season and Halloween has grown to be one of our family's favorite holidays!
We decorate like crazy (both outside and inside) and batten down the hatches for what seems like MILLIONS of trick-or-treaters! It is CRAZY! People literally drop off van loads of kids (big and small) and it is like an endurance test to see which house can last the longest with the candy supply (which is gauged by looking down the street at the number of porch lights still on). I am proud to say that Big Al and his quick thinking (chips and fruit snacks from the pantry) kept us going strong and we were the last house standing!
Side note: We did just stumble on an extra bag of candy in the basement that I must have "organized away". Oops.
For the past several years we've celebrated with our neighborhood friends, Colson and Redding, who have braved the mobs with us to collect their candy.
We have reached the age where...
The kids pick their own costumes. Like "Scary Fashion Model"...
...and "Not-so-grim-reaper".
And the kids like handing out candy...
...and running around outside all hyped in anticipation of chocolate (which is better than running around inside).
Until we all pass out from the excitement and sugar and old Mr. Pumpkin is left guarding us in the night.
We decorate like crazy (both outside and inside) and batten down the hatches for what seems like MILLIONS of trick-or-treaters! It is CRAZY! People literally drop off van loads of kids (big and small) and it is like an endurance test to see which house can last the longest with the candy supply (which is gauged by looking down the street at the number of porch lights still on). I am proud to say that Big Al and his quick thinking (chips and fruit snacks from the pantry) kept us going strong and we were the last house standing!
Side note: We did just stumble on an extra bag of candy in the basement that I must have "organized away". Oops.
For the past several years we've celebrated with our neighborhood friends, Colson and Redding, who have braved the mobs with us to collect their candy.
We have reached the age where...
The kids pick their own costumes. Like "Scary Fashion Model"...
...and "Not-so-grim-reaper".
And the kids like handing out candy...
...and running around outside all hyped in anticipation of chocolate (which is better than running around inside).
Until we all pass out from the excitement and sugar and old Mr. Pumpkin is left guarding us in the night.
Friday, January 21, 2011
My man...
...turned another year (in October).
One of our family traditions is to surprise the birthday boy/girl with a "Birthday Breakfast Table" complete with some colorful place settings, balloons (which means I'm typically in the basement blowing up helium balloons --yes, we have a helium tank in our basement-- at midnight the night before), cards, and a gift or two.
Here are a couple of snaps of the kids presenting their personalized cards. (Actually I just got Maclaren and of course no photos of the festive birthday table...what was wrong with me?)
Did you spy Peanut swaddled in the background?
Unfortunately I can't remember anything more about the big day (no cake?)...I guess that is what happens when you are months behind in your blog!!!
Bloggers note: I am posting SOC photos until I get caught up AND get a chance to figure out my new editing software. I am finding it to be a teensy bit overwhelming...
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