Black Out

Ten years ago when we first moved to New York,

I was told that we were moving to one of the safest areas of our country.

We would never see any sort of natural disaster here...

About a week after we settled into our new apartment we experienced this disaster.

~

The very next day was our first day of work. We had to go to the store to buy bottled water so we could somewhat bathe ourselves! Although we haven't experienced any more tornados, our power goes out A LOT! Last night our power was out for about an hour and a half.

Our kids were so excited because they were able to pull out the fun headlamps that Grandpa & Grandma gave them a few weeks ago.

The first picture was taken without a flash, the second using the flash.

The countdown begins...

~HAPPY HOLIDAYS~

There are exactly three months until Christmas Day! I don't know about any of you, but it's about the time that I start thinking about gifts (both those I give and receive)... I know I still need to get through Halloween and Thanksgiving - but I still can't get the joy (or chore) of Christmas shopping out of my mind right now! With both of the older kids in school this year, I think I will enjoy the shopping much more... The last few years I have had to pick up a big (not clear) bin and fill it up with goodies! Then, lamefully tell the cashier I don't want to buy the bin... that it was just being used to camouflage the secrets inside!

Oktoberfest...

This month the amusement park is celebrating Oktoberfest

(yes, I realize it is still September...)

They reserve the weekends in October for Fright Fest!

The kids thought it was pretty cool to be there when it got dark!

I love the fall... I just don't like it getting dark so early~

Before we know it, it'll be dark at 5pm

Sometimes just watching this ride makes me sick!

Sunday Signs ~

Children are like mirrors ~

They reflect our Attitudes!

A New Recruit...

Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa is here for the weekend and we visited Lake George!

It happened to be the 250th anniversary of the siege and surrender of Fort William Henry. The battle reenactment was quite captivating for the guys interested in history. There were hundreds of participants representing the British, French, Indians, etc. The cannons were so loud ~ and we were right behind them. They had tents set up with crafts and artisans demonstrating their skills from the 1700's. I think Grandpa's strategy was to wear me out so I wouldn't have the energy to shop the outlets when we were done! He succeeded... I was wiped out!

a bit of a Spoiler...

I just finished reading Eclipse last night.

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed - the story does NOT end...

In my frustration I went to the author's website...

because I couldn't believe she would end the series the way she did...

without any sort of closure... I mean, what really happens?

There will be a fourth book ~ anticipated to be out December 2008!

She is also working on a new book from Edwards point of view...

that might be interesting to read!

~

School Days..

Today was the first day of preschool...

She has had her Tinkerbell shirt picked out for atleast a week, and she wanted to wear the brown shoes she got from Bryanna!

Wednesday was the first day for Second grade... He doesn't care what he wears, as long as he can wear his sneakers so he can play kick ball at recess!

Sweet Tooth...

Our big man lost his 7th tooth yesterday... on the first day of school, imagine that?? This is how much he loves his sister...

~

He knows how badly his four year old sister (whose teeth are nowhere near being lose) wants to be able to put a tooth under her pillow and find a surprise from the toothfairy the next morning... That he wakes up early, before his sister to retrieve his money from the toothfairy... he makes a tooth out of paper and puts it under his sisters pillow, along with the money the toothfairy left him ($2). When little sis wakes up he tells her what he did and asks her to look under her pillow... she is so excited! The great thing is... he is actually going to let her keep the money!

I think we all know what a sweetheart he truly is...

A New Obsession...

My sister recommended this book, and at first I thought it sounded a little creepy... high school Vampires?? Come on - I am an adult... But, I will admit I was wrong - this book is written so well! The attraction between these two main characters was so intense (and not at all in a perverted way) I could not put this book down!

I requested Eclipse online from my local library. On Tuesday I took the kids for their last summer visit and thought I'd check to see when I could expect the book. I figured if it was checked out by someone, I could find out the due date - then I would have more patience in waiting to read it. The cute lady checks her computer and says, "Well ~ you won't get it for a while." When I ask WHY? She says, "You are #60 on the waiting list!" What?? Not 6th in line - but, SIX ZERO! Can you believe that?? Lucky for me I have a friend who has also read them and loved them...

and better yet, owns them and is letting me borrow them!

Labor Day

Every year since we moved into our new house, we have had a party

in our yard at the end of the summer - always held on Labor Day.

The guys (and maybe a few ladies) play football, ultimate frisbee,

horse-shoe's and bocce ball. The ladies sit and chat with one another...

The kids run around and do what they do best... make a mess!

I'll be sweeping sand out of my hardwood floors for weeks!

This year we had a great turnout, 65 people were here...

29 kids under 18 and 36 adults. Some people question why and how we do it...

We have a backyard big enough to do it, my husband will spend

the entire weekend cleaning the basement and garage

(so there is no need for me to do a thorough fall cleaning).

The kids love to have so many friends over,

it's fun to see my four year old playing with her favorite 14 year old.

I enjoy chatting with others who I do not usually get the chance to,

and I love to talk with my friends who I always get the chance to...

sometimes we never run out of things to talk about.

With the help from some great ladies,

I don't have to do much cleaning up afterwards.

And as always, everybody brings great food to share!

One of our favorite adults playing with a handful of kids...

Disney Parade...

I just noticed the new button to post videos... How fun! This is a little video of the Disney Parade, which we saw on our trip to California in the spring...

ENJOY...