Twins....

  In June we added 2 new furry friends to our family collection....they came from a litter of 5 and they looked identical that we couldn't separate them so we took them both.....many people thought we were crazy but it seemed like a good idea at the time....later we will come to learn it may not have been.....

 It took us awhile to be able

to tell them apart...but one is a darker gray than the other. The darker gray kitty was named by Brooke as "Alley" and the lighter gray kitten is "Simona"....

My brother Phil has a house with a Pole barn and lots of kitties....so we went out and gathered these 2 beauties up and took them home...

 

JULY came in with a celebration....!!! we usually always celebrate the 4th of July at my house that Kate and family were living in, but this year when they moved out I had a temporary tenant for the summer so we celebrated at Mom's..

First to arrive.....Amy, Eric and Ella for her 1st 4th of July.....

 

Ava's birthday is the 5th of July so we celebrated her birthday along with the countries with as usual food, cake, gifts and then the fireworks, they were on their own....

First Food...Katie made a red, white and blue punch....a pintrest idea...worked out good and tasted that way too..!

 Then we had shisk ka bobs ...chicken, steak and of course those pesky vegetables.....  and then stars of watermelon....before birthday cake....

   After dinner it was time to celebrate Ava's birthday with her cousins and cupcakes. Happy 6th Birthday Ava!!!!!

 

 

Ava had her official birthday party with her friends at the Dance studio where she dances.....what a cute idea...all the kids practice a routine for their parents to watch complete with their own costume of choice, make-up, hair, pizza and cake....it really was fun to watch and for only 2 hours they accomplished a lot and did a great routine.....

 

May and June were busy months.....we celebrated Mom's birthday, Alana's 1st communion and heard the news that Katie and Blake and the kids were moving from my house to a new house in Batavia.

   Mom celebrated her 86th birthday with family, cake, candles and a bunch of Grand kids ready to blow out the massive fire.....

As you can see Mom looks a little disappointed that Andrew beat her to the punch for blowing out her candles.....we are lucky to be able to celebrate everyday we have but what a huge accomplishment to reach the wise age of 86!!! Here's to many more, Love ya Mom.......

 

 In May, Alana made her First Holy Communion....it is a big deal for a little girl...it is amazing how the dresses are fancier every year...but to a Catholic it is the first time that they will receive the body of Chirst....it requires preparation through the Religious Education program and their first experience at humility when you need to make your first confession....Alana was one of the readers at the Mass and I must say I was quit impressed.....there's no way I will ever get that close to the pulpit....that is why God created Grand children so I don't have to......Congratulations Alana.......

Greek Style

 

 

 

We kicked off the Easter season with a pre-Greek Easter celebration. My sister Kathy and her husband came in from Ohio and so we needed no other reason than that to celebrate.....a few phone calls, a hunk of meat and lots of family and Greek Style cookout was had. It turned out to be a beautiful day and we began by preparing a leg of Lamb and some chickens for the Bar-B-Que.  Tasty little morsals....then people began arriving and bringing their dishes in as well....

...Needless to say when you put a bunch of Greeks together with family, food and more food, and Ouzo everyone is bound to have a good time.

We lined up all the Grand kids and had egg races on a spoon, egg races with a partner and prizes for all.....

All in All it was a great time...had by all....

Let 2012 begin

      Well oddly enough this is my first post of the year, and what a year it has been. Between economy, work, health, family and everything in between, this year rates up there at the top for the most memorable years in my life.....before I get to the present I have to go back start at the beginning of the year.....

      Everyone waited in January for the other shoe to drop and the weather to change and become what it is suppose to be...cold, blistery and miserable. It never happened. It was the mildest winter we have had since I can remember. Plants that were to weather over never did. The temperatures never fell and the snow plowers lost a lot of money with only 4 snowfalls during the season. It did not bode well for the economy of these people.

   We started off the New Year with Amy cutting off 10 inches of her hair that she then donated to Locks of Love I am proud of you Amy, that aught to make someone very happy.....
   By the end of the month we celebrated Bill and Laura's oldest daughter, Alana on her 8th birthday...done up girly style with a party and crew of people to do hair, nails, make-up etc.....she is growing up quickly. Unfortunately..I forgot the camera so I will make sure next time to be better prepared.

  We then moved into Lent and at the church it is always a busy time for us. We tried something new this year where we served soup and bread following the noon mass on the Fridays during Lent. It went over very well, but lying underneath the surface of the event was the knowledge that we could serve a hearty meal and no one would know if you needed the meal, were homeless or just hungry. It was a very satisfying experience. We for the first time actually had volunteers that wanted to make soup and before you knew it there was a soup competition going on. The recipes all had to be meatless and it was amazing how many actual recipes are out there that taste great but have no meat......when we finished the competition so to speak we had enough recipes to create a Lenten Soup recipe book....Thanks to all the cooks, volunteers and eaters for a very special Lent......

Tapestry of Time

Well today is my least favorite holiday of them all. Maybe it is because I am sorry to see what I know go and the fear or anxiety of what is to come. I have always been a "wall flower" and prefer to observe life from a distance. Stepping into the new or being in the fore front has always been my weakness.

I can not say that this year was bad, because in truth it has been a good year. This time in 2010, our company was on the verge of possibly closing and changes would be coming. With the fear of not knowing what I was going to do, I stepped into 2011 with a huge question mark. As it turned out the first six months were extremely trying. We were in partnership with another company and it was draining day after day not knowing what our future was going to be. It was in June when we woke up so to speak and got mad. We felt why are we allowing some company to take away our pride in what we do, how we do it and who we are. We made a joint decision to break away from them and venture out on our own again. We made sacrifices, it took hard work and dedication but we survived. We not only survived, we thrived. I work for my brother and his company is a family owned and run business. He is always there for everyone and no matter the cost or the risk he is there for everyone. It was now time for us to be there for him and to see our company come back from the ashes and be as we were and better. We succeeded. We took our company back, and have been busy ever since and the 1st quarter of the new year is already busy. It will always take hard work and dedication but this time it is with a different purpose.

We welcomed 2 new babies into our life and they are precious as is all of the grand kids. It is fulfilling to watch my children be the parents and I can observe and strictly love the fruits of their labors, while they are the fruit of mine. We were filled this summer with baby showers, births, baptisms, birthday parties, weekend vacations and everything in between.

I have been lucky to now work from home and spend more time here with Mom. We have done so many things together and have many adventures. I am always in awe of her stamina and determination to carry on. She had eye surgery on a cataract in her good eye. It took guts to put it all on the line and take a leap of faith that this time all will go well. It did and her eyesight has gotten better in that eye. I am grateful to God for the blessing of sight that he has given to her which makes each day worthwhile.

I don't know what 2012 will bring for us, but I pray and hope that whatever is to come, that I can handle it with God's help and guidance. There is nothing that I do on my own and I am not smug enough to believe that anything I have or have done, came from my own doing. All the blessings I have received have come from God and his belief in my strengths and his strength in my weakness. I know there are angels that watch over us, one for sure is my Dad and the other is my Son. It is hard to watch the years accumulate on how long they have been gone, but in my heart and mind they travel my journey along with me.

There are no pictures in this entry for they reside in my memory of what this year has been. They are woven in my tapestry of life and when I am sad or nervous I can pull them out and cover myself with them like a well worn quilt. This year is finished and the new year is quickly approaching, though I can think of a million resolutions to make, I make none. Because I know I wont keep them so this way I will surprise myself if I do.

So here's to all my family and friends...Happy New Year!!! May the new year be filled with blessings, good health,happiness and hope.

Christmas 2011

Tis the season...where crazyness abounds. Christmas is always a busy time around here. Starting just after Thanksgiving, I do my baking for the baskets that we pass out from the office. This year Brooke happened to be over and was the secret helper of the day...She and YaYa Gram were caught in the moment of making Oatmeal cookies....yum.....
Then it was off to Bill's house as they just began decorating...here's a picture of his little helpers...taking a time out....



As you can tell it has been a very mild Christmas this year.....

Then we have Brooke's school Christmas play...how cute. I sat in that same gym years ago as my kids attended the same school as my Grandchildren now attend. In fact there are pictures on the wall and acheivements that belong to my kids....kind of a wierd time warp. It was the shortest program that I have ever seen at that school. Just when I thought they were taking a break they were actually done...They did a great job and their little voices are so angelic....

Great Job.......

This year Bill and Laura offered to have the Family Christmas party at their house. Their house is a 4 level split level home. They have a sub basement that is dedicated to the kids playroom and toys. It worked out great that they had a place to go and play with their cousins. Again Bill's garage did double duty as a reception area and we had seated almost 40 people. It's amazing what you can do with lights, garland and a staple gun. Good job Bill......


After dinner, much to everyone under 4's surprise....Santa came along....He greeted all the kids and passed out toys and surprises to them all. We just so happen to have a plate of Chocolate Chip cookies that we heard were his favorite...so when he had to leave to get back to the reindeers and elves we sent the cookies along with him....Thanks Santa for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and visit with us.....

Santa and the Gang....Katie, Annie, Alana, Sophie, Taylor, Ava, Andrew, Georgia, Brooke, Meadow and Rachel...

Mason wasn't getting off the couch to go any where near Santa, maybe next year.....

Santa and Ella spent a moment in time along with

Brooke....putting in her last requests....

Finally on Christmas Eve we went to the Children's mass at Church and listened to the children's choir and then headed over to Kate and Blake's for snacks, pizza and presents....lots and lots of presents.

It has been a long Holiday season filled with over what seems like a million Christmas carols, Hallmark movies...and every special imaginable...but all in all it has been a great journey...and I love all the kids and their excitement and I thank my family for making it a great Christmas Season.

Alexa Christine, A Child of God....

On November 12th, Alexa Christine was baptized and also became a Child of God.

The baptism was at their church St. Alexanders where Laura is involved in their Religious Ed program. Laura teaches Kindergarten,.....God bless her...

The God parents were Amy and Laura's brother, Billy. Alexa is Bill and Laura's fourth child and the only Grand child who has managed to keep her dark hair. She is a beautiful little girl and the quietest baby I have seen in a long time. Amongst the chaos and activity in such a large family she is petite and quiet and at this moment a gentle soul. During the ceremony, Alexa is baptized in Holy water and blessed with the Chrism oil.

The parents then receive a blessing as well.

The God Parents.......Amy and Billy...............

Following the baptism we all went back to Bill and Laura's house where the garage was transformed into a reception area and we enjoyed lunch. The good thing is that Bill has a heated garage and it provides all the space a growing family needs to entertain and host all sorts of events.

Congratulations Bill and Laura on a job well done. Again, especially during a time of Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the new lives in our family, good health, family and friends....

Amy, Bill, Laura, Billy with Alexa, Alana and Ava....where'd Andrew go????