Trimming the Tree

Stockings are Fun,

and piles of presents are great,

but my favorite Christmas gift are those we place on our tree.

Whether it is a gift card, tickets or cash, it's always something that is for the "future", thus extending the joy of the season beyond Dec. 25th.

A Self Proclaimed Princess Turns Four

Barbies, Princesses, Crowns, Tiaras, Tippy Tap Shoes, Rings and Treasure Boxes...

that is what makes our youngest's world go 'round.

So innocent and easy to please.

So cuddly and loveable it will melt your heart.

Autumn

Pumpkins in the cornfields

Gold among the brown

Leaves of rust and scarlet

Trembling slowly down

Birds that travel southward

Lovely time to play

Nothing is as pleasant

As an autumn day!

Weekends with Grammy

I've often felt cheated by being an only child, sad to have never had a sibling to grow up with. Now, as a parent of 3, I have no idea what I was thinking I can see the wisdom in my mother's choices. LOL!

The biggest benefit of being an only child is having my mother be an everyday part of my girl's lives.

Luau

The Recreational Center of our town hosted a Luau.


We dressed the part...


We learned the dance...

Lauren won the hula hoop contest and was on the radio and in the paper...

( http://www.norwichbulletin.com/photos/x1005403467/Luau-in-Killingly?foto=4 )

( http://www.norwichbulletin.com/carousel/x242415687/Killingly-residents-live-with-aloha-at-luau )

We had a great time!

We may live in the "sticks", but we love our town!

American Pride

It's time for the barbecue and the fireworks galore and the beer and the friends and the burgers for sure!

But most important, and what I really must say, is that America got it's Independence today!

Friends...with benefits!

Our dear friends, the O'Connor family, live lakeside. It is but 3 minutes down the road, but it's like a whole world many of us only get to see while on vacation.

Docks, cottages, canoes, screen doors, outdoor party lights, "year rounders", flip flops, outdoor showers, rafts, fishing poles and warm crackling fireplaces!

It's great to have friends...with benefits!!!

Cousins

Oh, tell me, please tell me, is there a trick to get cousins to sit still, even real quick?

One giggles, one wiggles, one tugs on another.

One crawls, one tickles, then they pile on each other.

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, taking pictures with cousins, is way too much fun!

A Great Escape

As a final goodbye, our girlscout troop planned a vacation to Great Escape in the mountains of NY. Every girl and their family were able to come and enjoy the fun! The theme park was cool, but the Great Escape Lodge with indoor waterpark and it's own Johnny Rockets...now that was a blast!!