Go Shelby!!!!

It's on to State next week!!!!!!!!

Around Town with Zach

After the dinner at church we headed to our local mall to do a little Christmas shopping and to look for something special to wear on Monday when he has his Christmas padgent at school - he chose a red polo - he really wanted the burgandy dress shirt, vest and tie, but thought the long sleeves would be to warm on stage. Anyway, while he was there he snapped a few pics of some of the decorations.

Movie Night at Church

Once every couple of months, they hold a movie night at church. Tonight they showed the Nativity Story. Beforehand they have a hot dog supper, that the youth put together. Seeing as I have the most involved youth (Jake) and I was just appointed to Church Council, it was Jake and my job to get it together. Shelby had a playoff game tonight. So, Mom and I were the youth for the evening. It went well, and I left after the food, because the Nativity Story, told this way - was not for the little guys.powered by frazy.com

And Now Back to Our Regular Programming

Sorry folks - Due to illness amongst the clan, we just haven't taken any pics, until today. So we return. Most of us feeling better. (I'd say 70 to 80% for me) It's on with the show.

What a Bunch!

With 12 of us trying to look at the camera and smile, you never know what you are going to get! (and I thought taking the boys picture was hard!)

The Aftermath

Some fell asleep, some relaxed with a good book, others watched the game, or just talked.

The Food!

Poppa and Bootie did ham, turkey and taters. Fifi did the cranberries, and pear berry buckle for dessert. Kim and Kev had stuffing, corn and cupcakes. Nikki had bread and cheesecake. We brought rutabaga, broccoli cheese casserole, and pumpkin pie. YUM!!!

Apple Turkeys

A Fifi tradition - enjoyed by all!

Didn't Make the Cut

So, after church and lunch, I tried to take the boys pic for our Christmas card. In one Max isn't looking or smiling, in another Zach is somewhere else, another Jake is scowling.......and the one pictured above was taken in direct sunlight (good job Mom!) All in all - about 10 pictures later, we picked the one we all kind of liked, and you'll just have to be on my list to get a peek at it. (in my frustration - Max reminded me "Mom, dogs don't mile")

Farmer Joe's Hand Me Downs

We were going through some of Jake's old clothes, and Zach fell in love with this outfit. Tim told him he looked liked farmer Joe.

Happy Birthday Zach!

Ok, so it's really tomorrow, but I have to work in the morning, and we're going to B and P's after work, and that might run late because Jo and Grandma leave Thursday, so we'll want to spend some time with them.........so, Happy 6th Birthday Zach! (for the record - I wanted him born today - he just wasn't ready!)

The Schiele Museum

Today we went to the Shiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia. (www.schielemuseum.org) We looked at a variety of exhibits and then we went to down the nature trail. It was a nice day, and Max had a good time with Grandma and Auntie Jo.

The Colors of Fall

These are the trees at the end of the property behind the house. I've been waiting for the leaves to have just the right mix of color before dropping.

Zach's Parties

Yesterday we celebrated Zach's birthday - first with a party and some of his classmates, and then with the family. He raked with the Transformers stuff - like 3 smaller figures, a huge Optimus, a shirt, a watch, the movie, a book, and other great goodies. We had hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner, some crazy blue cupcakes, and ice cream. Now he's looking for another party, because his birthday isn't until Wednesday!

Good Cake!

Two Reasons........

.........I should've tried to do the boys Christmas picture last week.

Thank You Erik!

Grandma and Auntie Jo are visiting, and they brought goodies from Illinois.
Max and Zach enjoy getting goodies from their cousin Erik, and it was a whole box full!!!

Slacker!

Yes, it's been nearly a week since I put an entry on this thing. Here's why. I normally carry a medium size purse (or handbag or pocketbook, depending on your lingo) and about 2 weeks ago, my strap broke (purse in the middle). Not surprising, it's 15 years old. Anyway, I switched to the small purse that I have on hand for travel, or when I take a back pack full of boy's things it fits nicely inside. However, my camera didn't fit in there. So, I haven't been taking pictures, because it just hasn't been with me. Yesterday, I switched to a bag my Mom had, and I think I could carry my camera, and your camera and............hopefully I will stay more up to date.

Wiped Out

I think this picture says it all - that's how we all felt after a really great Halloween. Thanks to Bootie and Poppa for having everyone over to hand out hundereds of pieces of candy, trick or treat in a really good neighborhood and have dinner. Can't wait till next year!

Creatures in the Night

Trick or treaters got a surprise when they came up to Bootie and Poppa's porch. Sometimes the creatures would jump out of the bushes and sometimes they'd just creep up behind you.

Trunk or Treat

Sorry, I'm a little late with the Halloween posts.

Here are the pictures of Max's Halloween at school. They paraded around the buildings, and then headed out to the parking lot for some Trunk or Treating.