Merry Christmas!!

We are enjoying a lovely (and freezing) Christmas. The kids went outside and used the sleds for a very little bit yesterday. I went out to get a few pics and came right in for hot tea and to safely watch through the window. We went to the Children's Christmas Eve mass at 5pm and came home and ate a delicious tortiere. It is a french pork pie and it was my grandma's recipe. YUM!!

The kids opened their traditional Christmas Eve gift--pajamas, and I annoyed them all with pictures by the tree in their matching sweaters.

This morning we were all up early and had a great time opening wonderful gifts. Mike, my dad and my step-dad are all in the basement attempting to assemble a full sized air hockey game. I haven't heard any cussing, but I also haven't heard any air hockey playing. ha ha

We are having ham and mashed potatoes with scalloped pineapple for a midday dinner. I look forward to that. My weight watching isn't going so great, but I will be downstairs on the treadmill later tonite. We bought it last year and it hasn't helped me at all, so far. OH! You are supposed to turn it on?? I got it! My mom got me a bunch of shirts and hopefully I will be too skinny for them soon!!

Love and Happiness to all my readers!!

Tammy

This and That

Hello! Today has been a very weird one. My kids' school decided to have their Christmas parties today because they were worried that school would be cancelled tomorrow due to the nasty ice storm we are expecting. Middlest's teacher had someone come in and discuss table manners recently and they decided to have a brunch party and practice the manners. I look forward to hearing all about that later. My contribution was the egg casserole I posted in September from Jamie's baby shower. I got up at 6:00 to bake that. We got everybody ready for school and out the door with a fresh from the oven casserole wrapped in a bath towel. As we got into the classroom, Middlest remembers that her clarinet is still sitting in her room and would I please go get it??? Of course.
I ran home and got that and delivered it to the school. I then decide to head to BTown for my weight watchers meeting and to do some work things. I get to the meeting and had to wait forever for it to start. I almost left, but did wait the 40 mins. (I had the time wrong)
I didn't lose any weight this week, but I didn't gain any either. I am disappointed, but I figure that my 6.2 lbs from last week, averages out ok. Anyone buying this???? giggle
I then had a lunch date with my dad at Applebee's. They have a ww menu and it makes it easier for me so we go there just about every week. We had a nice time. During our lunch, I received a call from Oldest saying that they were being released from school at 12:40. Just in case the ice storm hits!!! I can't believe it! They had an it-might-snow-day!!! WTF???
Mike asked me to go to Lowe's for some table legs so he could turn an antique dining room table into a coffee table. I have a real problem with this plan, so I bought a 48 x 20 piece of wood to make a tabletop. I also got some beadboard for Oldest's bathroom walls. He is none to thrilled with me. As if he has time for all of this right now, but oh well.
My dad joined me at Lowe's and helped me select all the right boards. (No cracks, nicks, warping, etc) At the end of our shopping experience, he said"Tammy, you know what I like best about shopping with you?" I answered him with my matching wit, "Absolutely nothing??" I was correct!!

P.S. It is now 4:10 pm and there has been no crazy ice storm. Middlest didn't have band either. AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!

I called and sang to you this morning, but wanted to blog a very Happy 36th to you today!!
I look forward to spending time with you on Friday and celebrating with you.
You are a really special friend and I am soo blessed to have you.
Love you,
Tammy

I'm a Weight Watcher

I just wanted to publicly announce that on December 4, 2008 I joined Weight Watchers...again. The program really does work if you follow the instructions. I am a lifetime member since 2001, so I KNOW it works!! The first week I lost 6.2 lbs. I have been really trying very hard. My mother-in-law sent us a fabulous box of cookies, and I have sampled those this week. DAMN!

Today, I am home and working on my list. Shannon suggested I write it down, and I think it is a great idea!! The kids had a 2 hour delay today, so that cut into my day a bit. I have already gotten my teeth cleaned at the dentist, and tanned today. I spoke to my sister-in-law earlier and invited her and her 2 boys over for dinner. B-I-L works second shift. Mike is en route from Boston and won't be home til late if everything happens as scheduled, so we will have a moms and kids dinner/evening. It will be fun. It also forces me to stick to my cleaning list. smile

My list for the rest of today

• switch Littlest's clothes out of her dresser and put winter ones in--I know, its snowy here.
• scrub all 3 bathrooms
• scrub kitchen floor
• vacuum the upstairs
• dust the furniture
• wrap some gifts for the kids and put them under the tree
• goto Walmart and get gifts for the kids' school exchange
• buy teacher gifts--I'm thinking of gift cards this year
• get ingredients for egg casserole for Middlest's class brunch tomorrow morning
• LAUNDRY--I could carve that part of the list in stone!!!
• photograph the kids for the Christmas card
• photograph baby Kane and his big brother
• be a charming hostess tonite
• fall into bed dead and in pain from this list

My mom and her husband will be here on Monday and I am having a Christmas potluck for all my work friends on Monday, so I am feeling soooo far behind. I am done Christmas shopping for the family though.

I spoke too soon!

Mike left at 4am today for Boston. I think he is supposed to return tomorrow, but the weather is quite nasty so we will see. Meanwhile, the kids got out of school at 12:40 and we are making chicken and noodles served over mashed potatoes. Oldest's boyfriend's mom gave us her recipe. I think I owe her a daughter now. LOL!!

I am so thankful for my family

Today Oldest and I volunteered at the local agency that helps people in need. It was the day that the clients got to come and get their turkey, misc. Christmas food and items, and gifts for their children. It was so wonderful to be able to help out this wonderful place. We really enjoyed it. There are so many people in town that need some help. It is astounding really. There were about 350 bags full of gifts for children. My children and I "adopted" a family and provided things for their 3 girls. It was fun and I think the kids are learning about opening their hearts. Oldest was really bothered that some of the bags only had a couple of items and that those kids wouldn't get anything else. She is really growing up and I am so proud of her. She just jumped right in and offered to carry bags and boxes for people to their cars, and made a little friend in a boy named Joe. He is 11 years old and they had a lot of fun. In fact, Joe said to her"You and I should go to Subway and eat with my dad's money" I thought that was so stinkin precious.

Meanwhile, Mike has been in town for about 3 weeks in a row, which is a real blessing. He took Middlest and Littlest to their bowling league today. It is funny... Middlest does so much better when I am not there. I think I am a jinx!!

Digital Christmas Card 08

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tis the Season......

Hello everyone!
I have been soo busy lately I have been neglecting my blog. I feel guilty about that on top of everything else I feel I am doing half-assed. I am preparing for a lovely Christmas at home with my mom and her husband and my dad.....hmmmmm......should be interesting. ;)
I just got my little brother's wedding book back and am so excited to get it sent to him tomorrow. I hope he loves it. It turned out so much better than I dreamed. It really was worth the 5 hours of laying it all out. Giggle
Work is a little stressful due to year end reports that are coming due and meetings to wrap up the year. I am planning a potluck at my house on the 22nd for my work-friends. I am really excited about that!! My Oldest and I will be volunteering at the local "food pantry" on the 13th and Tandly and husbands are going to a comedy show out of town this weekend. I intend to try to just enjoy myself and my husband and friends and not stress about anything. We'll see.
I don't know if everyone else is fighting off the crud this year, but we have been passing it around like no other. I am thinking of us all going to the Dr. and getting Z-packs for everyone.
Mike and I went shopping on Friday and got a LOT of our shopping done. We decided to go for bigger ticket items this year. Less shopping, Less wrapping, Less crap laying all over the kids' bedroom floors. Win-Win-Win!!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season and tries to take the time to smell the roses. I will try to be more thankful and just do one thing at a time. Its really all we can do, yes?

Baby Marley

Last night I got to experience one of the greatest pleasures in my life. Giving birth without any pain. My friend's daughter--My "bonus" daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I was able to help her with the delivery and cut the cord. I wasn't planning on the birth being yesterday so I didn't have my camera with me, but will be getting some pics later today. Marley Jade weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 inches long. She arrived at 9:51pm and I was there for her first burp at 11:08pm. She is really lovely and when spoken to stops fussing and looks at you. She remembers our voices for sure!!

A Mouse in the House--EEK!

About 2 weeks ago, Middlest was playing in the basement with Littlest and Jena's girl. I heard a terrified scream and then some stumbling up the stairs. Apparently, Middlest saw a mouse running along the top of the couch and she shouted to her sister and Jena's girl that there was a mouse on the couch. We were shocked when Littlest and Jena's girl never came upstairs. I am so far beyond afraid of mice, that I was already packing our stuff for the hotel. Mike went down there and discovered the girls standing on the couch. They thought Middlest said get on the couch!
So we went to Wal-Mart and bought 12 glue traps and put them all around the basement. We never did catch anything, but Oldest said that there was a smell. I finally began sleeping again when the smell appeared. (After one night in the hotel, we had to come home.)
Middlest decided that her room in the basement was no longer desirable, so she has moved upstairs to the office. My computer is now in the basement, which is why I haven't blogged.
So, on Halloween night Oldest and her boyfriend were in the basement watching scarry movies and Paige noticed that there was a horrible smell. She looked up and there was that mouse--dead and hanging on the back of the couch.
Well, of course, I think we need to buy a new couch........

Mike is gone again

Mike got home late Friday night and we spent the day together Saturday doing not much really. I made his favorite dinner-manicotti. I haven't made it in many many years and now I remember why. Lasagna is soooo much easier. It was good. He left for Vermont this morning. He is going to be home on Friday so he can take the kids trick or treating with me.

Welcome Baby Kane!!!

Announcing Baby Kane

Born Wednesday, October 15 2008 @10:51pm

First weigh in: 6lbs, 13oz.--Sure to be lots!! ;)

19 1/2 inches long

I just returned home from my first visit. He is soooooo sweet. I changed his poopy diaper and he pooped during the change. He missed me though. ha
I will be returning to visit with Oldest when she finishes school.
Welcome Wonderful Little Kane!!!!

Annie's Birthday

Annie had a birthday today and I showed up at lunch with a birthday hat and a cake. She is one of the ladies I work with and they were working in a town about 45 miles away. I was off :)

This hat is worn by everybody in my family on our birthdays. (If we remember it)

Grandma Herr made the beautiful cake.

Happy Birthday Annie!!!

Middlest plays the Clarinet

Middlest is very proud to be learning this new skill. I am impressed with how quickly she is picking it up. I find myself recognizing songs already!! First concert is next week. Can't wait!

Homecoming, Friends & Fun!

Kevin and his beautiful fish hat. Can't wait to see what he wears to prom!! He has the cutest smile, doesn't he???
The fab four. As you can see, there was more than one photographer, which did cause some issues. They were with the wrong fellas in this photo. Littlest is in the back. She wanted to be in a photo soooo bad. I told her to go in the back thinking she was so short, she wouldn't show up. I was wrong!!!
~Grace and Kevin~
Oldest's shoes.
Oldest and Grace

Carefree Whimsy

I "encouraged" oldest to spin around in the driveway. I did NOT force the smile.

Homecoming 2008

Oldest looks like a stunner!!

Oldest and her friend, Grace, smiling pretty.

<3Oldest and her boyfriend, Ryan<3

I think it's plain to see how Ryan feels about Oldest!!

Oldest and her friend spent the day getting their hair done and getting beautiful, while the guys spent the day playing in the yard. The girls had a ball letting me get all kinds of fun pics.

Then.... the boys came.

It was a real challenge to get both guys to look at the camera, much less smile.

Baby Shower Menu

I never ate any of this, but everyone raved about it!!

Wake-Up Casserole

INGREDIENTS:
8 frozen hash brown patties
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 lb. cubed fully cooked ham
7 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place hash brown patties in a single layer in a greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and ham.
2. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt and mustard. Pour over ham.
3. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until edges are golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Fruit Salad--with no "filler fruit" :)

Fresh pineapple chunks, cut strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, green grapes, red grapes and black grapes. Mix together all fruit with the juice of one freshly-squeezed orange. I chill it together for at least one hour.

Ducks and Frogs were the theme today.

The really delicious cake along with candy corn, peanuts and pretzles.

Jamie's Baby Shower

Today, I hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law. Jamie will be giving birth to Kane next month and we are all very excited to meet him. Unfortunately, I didn't get a very good pic of the mommy to be. She is the beautiful blonde in the black and white dress. We had a nice time and had some good food and cake. She got some really lovely gifts. I love Shirley's cakes!!

Cute AND delicious!!!

Happy Birthday Peggy

Today is my Mother-In-Law's birthday. While we were celebrating the upcoming arrival of Kane, Peggy wore Littlest's "Birthday Girl" crown. Hope your day is special!!!

The New Whitman Family

I love, love, love these pics!!!

J turns 10

My brother has a little tradition for his boys that when they turn 10, he bakes and assembles a 10-layer cake for them. Luckily, I was there to enjoy the tradition this time. It sure was good. J felt like a superstar! Happy Birthday to my wonderful nephew!!

Tommy and Jessica's Wedding

I had a wonderful time at my brother's wedding to his sweetie!! I am so grateful that I was there to see such a beautiful and touching ceremony. I have never been so moved at a wedding as I was at theirs. You can feel the love they have for each other. I have never seen Tommy so joyous and Jessica was a beautiful bride.

This is the gazebo where they had their ceremony. The rest of us were right up with them. The moms were literally 3 inches from their kids. My Mom says it was AWESOME!!! I was behind Jess's mom and step-dad, but got a great view of Tommy's face. What I saw was pure joy and his eyes never left hers. Magical! The view just breaks your heart, doesn't it???

Brandi and I went down to the beach during the rehersal the previous night and she carved this into the sand with a stick. I was still having some trouble with my ankle.

Tommy and Jessica are thrilled to be married!!!
After the ceremony, I asked them to look out into "their future". Tom said, "Our future sure is BRIGHT!!!" I agree little brother!!

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Whitman September 20, 2008