My Thoughtful Spot

New Year's Eve Notes

1. I met a strange man today who told me that Hannah's birth must have been the highlight of my 2008.  He was right.
2. We attended the 4:00 Mass in our hometown because it was snowing again.
3. Next up was dinner and a family movie night.  Applebee's and Prince Caspian.
4. Worker, Bobby and I will be ringing in the new year together, along with Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark.
5. On this windy night, I am grateful for food, shelter, warm jammies and love.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve 2008

We attended the 4:00 Mass at our parish, St. Rose de Lima.  It was so crowded there that we split up.  Somehow Bobby took Hannah and Sweet Pea, leaving me with the three older kids. So Mass was peaceful and I had a nice view of Bobby holding Hannah three pews in front of us. (He did bring her back to me sometime before Communion.)

After Mass we headed for my father and Cheryl's house. Here's a picture of Hannah under their Christmas tree.

 My Uncle Pete was making Hannah do big belly laughs.

 

Cheryl holding Hannah

The kids from left to right: Abigail, Edward, Worker, Snuggler, Helper, Hannah, Shane, Erin and Sweet Pea. (Patrick was getting his diaper changed during the photo shoot.)

Some pictures with Santa.

 

 

 

 

There was no way that Helper was going to go anywhere near Santa this year.  She clinged onto me until he left.  She was happier when we opened presents from my father and Cheryl.

 

Bobby was pleased with this gift, a Red Sox puzzle that my father made and framed for him.

    

Here's my brother Todd with his Yankee Swap gift.

  

And finally, here's my father opening a present from us.  It's aaaaaaaaaaaa... date with me!

(To see Movin' Out)

Before Christmas Baking Binge

 

Worker made the fudge.  I've never made fudge before, and he did it all by himself!  The Holiday Pretzel Treats were a hit.  And my personal favorites were the Italian Christmas Cookies (with orange extract).  I'll make those again next year.

Sisters: Diaper Edition

"This is going to help her learn to sit up."

Two Down...

It's 9:45 p.m. and Sweet Pea, Worker and Snuggler are still awake in their beds.  I nursed Hannah to sleep within the past half hour, and Helper fell asleep only minutes ago during my renditions of Gentle Woman (Hail Mary) and Away in a Manger.  Bobby is at his office trying to close up some year-end stuff.  For someone who seeks quiet like I do, this has been a disappointing evening.  Earlier I had imagined myself snuggled in my bed with my planner, home management binder and some notebooks, with hours to ponder my goals for 2009.  Now, it's looking like I may only have time for this blog post.  I keep thinking to myself, you can't do it all...

10:05 p.m. Three down.  I just spent some time yawning while Sweet Pea squirmed in her bed and she has finally fallen asleep to the sounds of a rosary CD.  The boys are in their room listening to some Narnia Radio Theatre.

We had a wonderful Christmas week.  It was full of visiting with relatives and friends, watching movies, and overeating.  I hope to do a picture post soon.  And I hope to spend some time blogging about my plans for the new year. But for now, I'm going to ignore the laundry piles in the living room and climb into my cozy bed, surrounded by the glow of electric candles and a baby Christmas tree, and with binders, notebooks and a pencil in hand.  Good Night!

This is funny...

I saw this YouTube video at Conversion Diary.  If you have a large family, you'll identify with this one.

The Twelve Days of a Large Family Christmas

The Office Christmas Party 2008

It was at Tucker's again this year.  It was delicious.  I left around 8:30, right after the symptoms of a meltdown began.  Although it's not as relaxing bringing the kids with us, I think it's really sweet that Bobby wants them to be there.

Boys will be boys...

 

Our family.

 

Who is That Masked Man?

 

It's corny, but I couldn't resist.  It's Bobby, of course, clearing away Friday's storm. It snowed Saturday too.  And now, Sunday evening, it's still snowing!  We went to Mass in our hometown this morning, so that we didn't have to drive as far (plus we slept late).  Then the whole family went food shopping without a list, which is very unlike us. Tonight Bobby's out there again (with Worker) clearing the driveway and sidewalks.  I'm a little cozier.

What a life!  I may even have a stay-at-home date tonight.  We're going to try anyway.

Sisters: Snow Edition