Patrick’s Lego’s

Patrick has really begun to love Lego's. He had received a few gift cards for Christmas and one for being a ring bearer which he spent last week on Legos. Patrick really likes the houses. We bought him a Lego house for Christmas which was his first big Lego set. I don't remember Lego's coming with extensive directions that they come with now! There are large book that come with each set. Maybe that is why they are so expensive. They look so big and cool on the package.

Pat and Patrick have been spending hours building their Lego creations. I did get a chance last week to build the "Crabby Shack" with Patrick. Pat gets incredibly frustrated with putting these things together. So

Snow Much Fun!

We have really been enjoying our house in Roslyn. The snow has been great, although I fear that it is almost all gone now. Patrick has been loved all the sledding that he has been able to do. You cannot get him in the house. But the best part is that he can sled right off the back patio, down the hill to the alley. No more searching for just the right spot to sled.

We have been riding the snowmobile, now that we are down to one, but Friday we should get the other one out of the shop. I think we have a future snowmobiler on our hands. Patrick is absolutely addicted to riding. He begs and pleads to go out. Now if we could just get Ciara to love the snow! (Maybe next year). Patrick's only request is "Mom, cannot you go slow like Daddy?" Not a chance kid! We can ride right out our backdoor to the Coal Miners Trail which takes us just about anywhere we want to go! Next year, we hope to find a small 120 snowmobile for Patrick, I think he will be ready.

New Year’s Meal Planning!

One of my resolutions this year was to start Meal Planning—Rachel is my inspiration. Rachel is very organized in that respect and I admire that. I cannot imagine myself that organized but I am giving it a shot! Just not yet! You see my oven went out about 2 month ago and you never really know how much you depend on something until you don't have it. I baked my Christmas cookies at the cabin and we had steak for Christmas dinner. It all worked out but I am ready to bake again. We had decided to wait until we got home from our trip. So we are home and then do you just put in a new stove? No! I have to look around and decided to do a mini facelift of our tired kitchen. So needless to say we still do not have a stove. But today, I think and hope is the day! I just have to go to the hardware store for some wire and wire a plug in because the old wires are too short!

So what projects did I start?

When I pulled out the stove –I ripped out the stupid linoleum that surrounded the stove and was peeling since the day grandpa put it in!

That I decided to replace with tile. But trying picking out tile, there are so many choices. Do you go blue, green, or neutral browns? Well, I have to admit I went boring but safe beige and browns! We went with white appliances because if I were going to go with stainless I would only do that with a full remodel! And stainless has proven to be a lot of work at the cabin! It is very frustrating to be cleaning all the time and it never looks clean. So, maybe when I get granite, new cabinets, and the kids have left home!!! But for now white it is!

So I have tiled around my stove, put in a new white hood fan, hooked up the gas to the stove, put in one new fixture above the sink, and installed a dishwasher (which I have not had for 3+ years)!

What I have left to do is wire the plug in for the stove, get my faux granite looking linoleum, 2 more light fixtures, build the faux drop ceiling above the cabinets, finish the glass tile backsplash (after countertops), and finish painting! And of course, clean up all the mess! I will be happy to have a stove this afternoon!

Pop Pop's Wedding

On December 29th, 2009, my father in law was married. We made this winter trip back to NJ for this wedding. After 50 + years of marriage, Pat's mother died 3 years ago. My father in law meet Madelyn and they have now married. All of their grandchildren were in the wedding and my husband was best man. My little man was so cute in his suit and loved the attention of being the ringbearer!

New Jersey

Christmas Day, we loaded up the 3 kids and 15 or so bags to head to the airport. We were headed out on a flight to Newark at 11:30 am. My husband is from NJ and I have never been but we had to go for his father's wedding on Dec 29th. The cheapest flights were on Christmas Day and return New Years Eve. Those would be the days we fly. I had Pat call about the rental car before we left home because our flight was supposed to be in at 11:30 pm so I wanted to make sure we had a car. We booked on Expedia and National was the only agency with a SUV.

The flight was long and I get motion sickness so it was even longer for me. This was Ciara's first flight and she was so tired that I figured she would sleep. No, I was totally wrong, she never slept a wink on the plane. She was up and down the whole 5+ hours. Too make things worst she has been fighting a cold and is super whiny! We survived made it off the plane to be greeted by Patches two favorite cousins, Rose and Steph! They watched the kids while we waited for our luggage, which were the last 2 piece off the plane! But the carseat did not make it! We had to go to the Alaska office and eventually they found our carseat. Rose and Steph said they would see us back at Aunt Kate's and left. When we got to the rental car office we were informed that they had no cars! No cars??? Confirmed reservation and paid for but they have no cars! My husband ran out to all the agencies to find a car but no one had cars! We sat in the rental car agency for 2+ hours with luggage and kids everywhere!

Rose came back to pick up Patches and Ciara but could only get a few pieces of luggage. Rose and Steph are the brave ladies I know Ciara screamed the whole way--she is not used to being away from me! My husband's sister Maureen came after the rest of us. So in 2 cars and several hours we made it to my sister in law Kate's house. We were greeted by several family members which was a bit overwhelming but very nice! My husband has 6 sisters.

Maureen was so great to let us use her car, plan a trip to NY, wash clothes, bathe kids, and feed us! Thank you so much for your kindness! Kate let us take over her home which was very brave. Thank you! Rose and Steph were excellent caretakers for the kiddos! Nicholas was the bravest 12 year old boy, I know to push a stroller through NY crowds and on the train!

This trip was quite and adventure! I am so happy to be home. "There is no place like home!"

Merry Christmas!

I just was not as festive as I am normally! I feel bad that I did not go all out and decorate. I just was not in the mood. I feel bad because this was a very exciting year for Patrick and in a way I feel that I let him down. He was so into Christmas and I just could not force myself to get in the spirit. We had your basic Christmas tree that was entirely decorated by the kids. Nothing fancy, just everything they could grab out of the bins. Pink and white lights along with the primary colored bubbling lights! We flew out Christmas day to New Jersey to see Pat's family and for his father's wedding. I have to say I was happy to get home and see no trace of Christmas, accept for the lone gingerbread house on the fireplace. My mother and brother had disposed or packed everything else up and put it in the attic until next year! If I had to do it, it would be awhile. I still have not unpacked our luggage!

Why Don’t I blog?

I just cannot get it together enough to blog on a regular basis! But I am working on it! It is one of those New Year's resolutions! I know I can do it but I just get lazy. No more excuses, I will blog!