Slacker

Okay, so I've been a real slacker with the blog updates since I discovered the highly addictive facebook. I'm extremely disappointed in myself because this blog is a guaranteed way for me to document memories for my own "scrapbooking" purposes. Not even sure if anyone visits anymore but my New Year's resolution will def. be to update more :)

Flat Stanley? Flat George?

George had to decorate "himself" for a school project. Too freakin' funny! Dave made the glasses out of some kind of electrical wire. I think he looks like Dave....kind of computer-geekish (and I mean that in the nicest possible way). All he needs is a blackberry attached to his hip!

Piggy

Sea Isle

Mini-Me

Meg and Ellie

Family in front of the fortress

Top of Cape May Lighthouse...Ellie's "Gotta Pee!"


Enjoyed another great week at the shore...this time we went w/ my sister Joan and her family. The house was really big, 6 bedrooms...lots of bunkbeds...so we didn't get on eachother's nerves that much!!! Kids had a blast. Also visited Cape May Zoo and lighthouse before we left.

One more...

I didn't realize that Dave took this photo w/ his phone. How ironic! We teach the kids not to play guns but we allow this and we laugh at it. HMPH. Of course, I could plead not guilty to encouraging it because I wasn't around and HIS FATHER probably came up with the idea for the photo anyway. Living vicariously through his son, what else is new.....


Click to enlarge, its worth it!

Fundraiser

Yesterday afternoon our family had the great pleasure to again help with a benefit in honor of our friend and neighbor's daughter who passed away in September. The goal is to open up a sibling care center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia so that well-siblings have a nurturing place to spend time while their parents are with their sick children. Although CHOP is ranked the number one Children's Hospital in the country, it is lacking this critical family resource. This was the second official fundraiser and I think it was a huge success. Its amazing how generous people can be. This fundraiser was at a local farm. There was food, music and lots of activities for the kids. Tricia found out about a very cool non-profit organization around here ...They dress as Star Wars characters and come to events, strictly fundraising events, no birthday parties or anything. (We asked) Needless to say, George and Charlie were beside themselves! They also donated and gave out Star Wars toys with the purchase of a photo. There was a silent auction for lots of things, including Star Wars merchandise. Dave bid on the Star Destroyer Lego set, valued at $269.99. Our highest bid was $100. George STALKED the silent auction table for over an hour, praying that nobody outbid us. It was hilarious. Well, he won it. I have never seen a kid so completely overjoyed, not even Christmas morning. He couldn't wait to get home and put it together. Charlie sat right by him, watching and waiting, for hours while George built. That kid is a pro at Legos. He is so quick, and the Star Destroyer is huge.

I have to mention, that Dave's cousin Jenny Dill was so generous to work with Tricia to come up with the Adelaide's Place logo. Thanks Jenny! It looks so great and I really appreciate your time and talent in helping us :)

Over It

Dave warned me that I was playing that song too much. And he was right. Played it constantly for like 3 days and I have to say, I'm over it. I don't yet hate it, but I'm not quite as obsessed. Thought you all might be relieved to hear that! I know some of you expressed concerns regarding my mental health. Yes, I realize Kid Rock is somewhat impaired in the talent department and he is kind of ugly too. The end.

My new favorite song...

Call it what you want, the beginning of a mid-life crisis perhaps, but I am LOVING the new Kid Rock song, All Summer Long. (Not a Kid Rock fan, just this one I swear.) I don't know how to create a link to the song. (Andy?) It can be found on youtube or kidrock.com. I'm sure you've heard it. Anyway, I wouldn't trade my life for anything but I could stand just one more day of being nineteen again. This song just captures that time in life. Heck, when I was nineteen I had just finished my freshman year in college, hadn't met Dave or Thea. Weird. Time has sure flown...those carefree summer days and nights seem like just yesterday. When did I grow up? Where did all these kids come from? HAHA

Priceless

I've had a lot of children, and still I can't decide which age I enjoy most...Three- year-olds can be exhausting, demanding and hard to negotiate with. But the upside of three is truly priceless. There is pure innocence, abundant curiosity and enthusiasm for the simplest of things. Ellie can drive me to tears and send me right into a fit of laughter in a matter of moments. Her skin is like soft white silk. Her eyes the bluest I've seen. She loves to run and swing and sing songs. She adores other children and is always looking to make a new friend. My favorite times, which are few and far between, are when I am alone with her. She can really talk! Here, she waters flowers. The highlight of her day, and mine.

OCNJ

Also got to visit my friend Stacy and her family in Ocean City this week. I took Emma, George, Charlie and Ellie. Dave and Thea had to work and my mom kept Audrey. We had a great time, as we always do when we visit them. I think it is our 6th year going to spend a day or two with them. We stayed one night in a hotel. Kids enjoyed the hotel pool almost as much as the beach!


Kriebel and Blaschak kids, in order of birth, less the oldest (Thea) and youngest (Audrey). Yup, that is ELEVEN!

Hotel Pool

Andyfest and Stephmas

Dave's brother Andy and his family visited from Georgia this week and his sister Stephanie was also visiting from Vegas. Dave calls Andy's visits Andyfest because his parents treat it like a major holiday when they are here...we see his parents more in one week than we do all year! "Stephmas" is a term used to describe when Stephanie comes to visit...a combination of her name and the festivas episode from Seinfeld I believe. Or maybe the end of Christmas, who knows. Anyhow, there was a lot of eating and drinking this week. I am currently detoxing. The kids had a blast. I wish they lived closer. And I got a great babyfix with one month old Henry. Even got to change some poopies! Yeah!

The Kriebel family, all of us!


Henry!

Spaghetti

Couldn't resist the chance to capture this moment. Audrey goes nuts when she sees spaghetti...and of course insists on feeding herself. Its hilarious and worth every bit of the mess she makes. She goes right in the laundry tub after this meal!

Eleven

So hard to believe :(

Star Wars Exhibit

Earlier this month, Dave, Thea, George, Charlie and I went to the Franklin Institute in Philly to see the limited engagement Star Wars Exhibit. (Emma was camping w/ the fifth grade and we left the babies at home.) It featured many of the original costumes and puppets used in the movies. I have to say, it was very cool! I think our two Star Wars enthusiasts enjoyed it. And wow, what an easy day w/ just a couple of the kids! A rare treat for me!

Nine

Happy Birthday George! Celebrated on May 24th w/ a family picnic. George got great gifts...Star Wars legos, Indiana Jones Legos, clothes, etc. The wiffle ball game was fierce this year. Let's just say a certain 36-year-old-who-thinks-he-is-15 destroyed one of our bushes and ended up with pickers embedded in his foot. Ey-veh.

Yogurt

This is something I deal with daily. Audrey likes to eat with her hands. It gets in her hair, her ears, her eyes, you name it. What a mess! She is fun to take photos of right now. She has learned to say "eese" when she sees the camera and is eager to share a cheesey grin.

Walking and Remembering

At long last, Audrey started walking today. She is 14.5 months old. She looks so tiny to be walking. She is very proud of herself. Its a bittersweet day for me. Audrey walks, yet my great Aunt Mary passed away this morning at the age of 93. My grandmom, soon to be 98 years old, has lost her sister, roommate and best friend. Funny, I've been praying for her to pass peacefully, which she did...she just fell asleep a few days ago in her own bed, with my grandmom and my mom caring for her, and never woke up. But now that she is gone, the loss of her has hit. I cannot imagine never seeing her again. She will be missed by all of us.
My last photo of Aunt Mary, taken Christmas Eve 2007

Easter 2008

Joan and Eric's house, Worcester PA






Another Easter has come and gone. Kids loved the Easter Bunny's visit...6 Easter baskets!!! Tooth Fairy came again this week too. I think I'm going to appeal to the IRS that we should be able to write their (S. Claus, TF, E. Bunny) visits off on tax returns!!! Anyhow, we went to church as usual then to my sister's for brunch. Easter egg hunt in my sister's yard was lots of fun. Highlight was that we got to see my grandmom who is now 97 (almost 98), and my sister Beth from NYC who we haven't seen since Christmas! After that huge meal, went to Dave's parents for another egg hunt and delicious (huge) dinner. I will start my diet tomorrow...


Kriebel and Conner cousins

Stay off the roads...

Thea has her license!!! She wanted me to take her, because when Dave took her to get her permit she failed twice and when I took her, she passed. She thinks I'm lucky?!? Funny, I've never considered myself lucky in anything except maybe fertility! LOL. Anyhow, she passed. I am very proud of her. And very terrified! Here is a photo of her just minutes after in her 1985 Honda Accord!

Atlanta, Bless your heart!

George, Charlie, Audrey and I flew to Atlanta to visit my friend Sue. We've been friends since we were 11 and I miss her terribly. We had a great time! Our friend Colleen, also from HS, lives in the area and she and her family came to Sue's for dinner. Sue and Col each have 3 boys. Poor Audrey was the only girl in the house! After dinner, Sue, Colleen and I snuck out for some drinks w/o kids (or husbands)! :) The next day, we went to the Georgia Aquarium which is truly amazing. The kids and I also spent a day with Dave's brother Andy and family. They were thrilled to see their cousins, Michael, Oscar and Elizabeth...and one on the way!

The boys loved their first plane ride. Thankfully, Audrey was quiet. George took lots of photos on the plane to show Emma. The highlight, however, was getting to have a Sprite! Go figure.

Six

Our little Charlie is six! Had our third birthday party this month! His was a Star Wars theme. George and Charlie are obsessed with Star Wars these days. On his actual birthday we went to Applebees and the servers sang to him. I'm not sure if he liked it because they were clapping and singing loudly. He was nervous, and grabbed Dave's hand for assurance. It was very sweet.
(*pillow made by Grandmom Kriebel!)

A Prayer To The Cake God

Raise your hands and rejoice, for there is cake!

THREE!