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!

One

Audrey turned one on January 10th. I cannot believe it. She is still so tiny...looks to be about 9 months instead of 12. I so want her to stay a baby!!! Anyhow, we had a fun birthday party last night. She LOVED her cake!!!

E & G

First game! George is playing basketball and Emma is cheerleading for Upward, a christian-based league. So far, they are enjoying it. Its really good for George, our reluctant athlete, because it focuses on good sportsmanship, not winning! Dave is, of course, coaching.

PJs

I remember the day I bought these pajamas 10 years ago when Emma was a baby. I found them at a consignment store. 10 years later, Audrey is wearing them. In fact, all of the kids have worn them on their first Christmas. I'm definitely saving them for the grandchildren! I will wear out before these PJS do! (Credit due to the BabyGap of yesteryear, when the quality was a bit better.)

Christmas 2007

Audrey's first Christmas. Hard to believe that last year this time she wasn't even here yet! Had a great holiday! Spent some time with Dave's sister Stephanie who was in town from Las Vegas. Enjoyed Christmas Eve at my parents' house and had our traditional brunch at our house Christmas morning. Had Christmas dinner at Dave's parents'. Santa was good to all! Dave and I will celebrate our 12th anniversary next week! Three birthdays coming up in January-Audrey's 1st, Ellie's 3rd and Charlie's 6th! Busy busy busy.

Thanksgiving

Kids Table...They were quite well behaved. Emma made placecards for everyone and wrote each person a note as to why she was thankful for them!




Not sure what my problem was (maybe too much wine?!?) but I couldn't seem to get everyone in one shot.


Just couldn't resist getting a shot of Dave's first helping! He had a second helping just as big...Needless to say he could hardly move after dinner.

Young Jedi

Halloween

Just some photos of our gang on Halloween. Ellie was a "princess" and loved every minute of it. She made up her own song which she sings constantly. It goes like this (to the tune of nannynannybooboo) ..."I'm the pretty princesss..I'm the pretty princess...I'm the pretty princess...(OVER AND OVER AND OVER...!!!) She's a trip. Charlie was a pirate. He's really good at growling "aargh". George was Obi-Wan-Kenobi. Star Wars is his new obsession...Spongebob has taken the backseat at last. Emma was Little Red Riding Hood. And our little Audrey, who wasn't feeling quite up to par in the aftermath of a flu-shot, was a flower! Thea went out with some friends and I think she said she was being Britney Spears?!? OMG I forgot to make sure she was wearing underwear...HARHAR. Anyhow, thank God its over! This year, based on my "candy estimations", we had over 200 trick-or-treaters. Its insane! I have to applaud Dave for surviving without taking his 6-pack along in the wagon this year. I'm sure he won't be forgetting it next year though!