From Gwendilyn's Viewfinder

One night, before Christmas, we all went out shopping and traffic was horrendous. So, to pass the time, I took pictures of the traffic but swayed the camera to create light designs. The kids loved it.

Tonight, Gwen asked me to download her pictures from her camera because she wanted to show me the last one she took. She is very proud of this one, as am I!

The ceramic Christmas Tree.

My Favorite Marilyn Photo

I came across this a bit ago, but have not been able to find out who took the photo or if it is even available to purchase. There are so many good Marilyn photos out there, but they are hard to find. I get tired of seeing the same ones over and over. I always have been amazed in the beauty of trees and to see her looking so free and full of life in these photos... I would love to have this for my house.

Gingerbread House!

This year the kids made a Gingerbread house for Christmas... It was a project the kiddos and Brian did this year while I was at work. There were only a few pokes & candies missing... I'm surprised it lasted all day!

My Old Dress

My mom found one of my favorite dresses from when I was about 3 years old and it fits Ethne perfectly. Maybe this is why green is my favorite color...

Ethne in my dress playing with her new ponies.

White Elephant & The Cake

Caitlyn & Erik held a White Elephant party this year and it was a BLAST! The gifts we ended up with were a set of Guinness Pint Glasses and a Nerf Basketball hoop set. Yeah baby! ;)

Erik & Caitlyn also got Brian a cake for his birthday. It said, "Happy 13th Birthday Brian"... and it was quite a smash!

The Tree

The New House

Tim & Amanda are almost finished with the hassle of buying their first home. Whoo-hoo! I am overwhelmed with joy for them. Hopefully come the first of the year, we can start moving them in!!

All the kids on the front porch!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. It's the start to the holiday season... amazing food, family, and all the silliness that goes along with it. A time for us all to think about what we have gone through and learned over the year, as well as what we are really thankful for... Being alive & living life to the fullest.

New Lens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love the holiday deals for online shopping! I was able to get a new lens for my Canon camera... it's a 70-300mm with a built in macro option. The thing is ginormous! My previous lens was an 18-75mm.. so I cannot wait to get it out in action and see what it can do! Hahaha!

Hailey's Imaginary Phone Call...

Tim shared this with me today & I had to post it... I love my sunshine...
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i got home last night, asked hailey to get ready for bed. when she was done, i heard her talking in her room. figured it was a book or something. it went on for about 10 mins. so i went in to tell her time for bed and she is holding up the orange fake cell phone from your house, to her ear. she says, "oh, hold on a sec, what's up daddy?" i said, "oh, who are you talking to?" she replied, "i'm talking to uncle brian." they she proceeded to ignore me, and continue talking to uncle brian all about christmas, presents, the tree, thanksgiving, toys, tristan and ethney, gwen, the dogs, her room, evie, me and amanda, you. anything and everything. it was the cutest f'in thing ever and both your phones were dead last night so i couldn't tell you. it was so cute. then she ends the call, "oh, okay. sounds good. love you brian. bye bye. (smooch)"

damn kids are too smart and cute for their own good........

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Amen brother! ;)

My Apprentice

The day after Halloween, we went to Alex & Kelly's for football. It was a beautiful day and we were witness to an amazing sunset. This is one of my favorite pictures from the day....

Special Delivery

Special thank you sent to California for the great Halloween shirts and ice cream gift cards!

Halloween

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera on Halloween. Luckily, Gwen grabbed hers... so we have a few pictures of the night. We all went over to my mom's house to have dinner and then headed out into the neighborhood. Costumes are as follows: Tristan - Dark Knight, Gwendilyn - Batgirl, Ethne - Poison Ivy, Hailey - Hippie, Evie - Pirate, Brian - Spartan Cheerleader from SNL, Me - Pirate, Amanda - Hippie, and Tim - Wizard. Good times, Good times...

My Crew

The Best Friends

Evie & Tim... having way too much fun!

Pumpkin Carving

Being that Tim & Amanda are partaking in holidays this year, we decided to do a little pumpkin carving at our house so the kids could all carve together. The only one to make it to the end of the carving was Gwendilyn... Tristan had no interest what-so-ever, Ethne gave up once things got too sticky, Evie lost patience and Hailey was just happy going around taking pictures of everything (that is why she is my sunshine). It was a great night... very relaxing and therapeutic! If your stressed, take it out on a pumpkin! lol.

Juice & Scoops.

Tristan & Daddy taking funny pics.

Right before Ethne said things were getting too sticky.

Tim creating another masterpiece.

Finished pumpkin... that guy has talent!

And the end.
We are all in the other room playing Rock Band.

3.2.1. Bounce

For Jaden's birthday, we all went to 3.2.1. Bounce... which is this huge facility that has about 8 ginormus bounce houses & slides. All the kids, big & small, had a blast! Few pictures...

The big goofballs...

Ethne said this was called"Dance Bouncing".

Tristan & Daddy in the Boxing Bouncer.

Gwen on the big slide!

Leaving the bounce room to go have cake & presents.
Tristan said he was "too hot" for a picture. lol.