Sean is 13 years old

We had a small party for Sean on the evening of Jan. 10th for his 13th birthday. Here is a really cute picture of Jeff and Kylie.


















These pictures are not in their proper order, but we'll live. Here is Sean opening his gifts.












Jeff dove right into the cake. He cut a HUGE slice for himself. This particular cake was a good one. It was chocolate layers with chocolate filling and vanilla almond buttercream. I added a bit of cream cheese to the icing - I highly recommend you try it.









The blowing out of the candles. I hope he made a wish.










Here is Sean helping to cook his dinner. He chose a stir-fry recipe which he made at his vo-tech cooking class last summer. It turned out perfect.













Shannon and Kylie looking happy.


















Jake wearing a bib for some reason. I believe he is choking to death here.














Kylie is modeling one of the outfits we got her for Christmas. She looks good in everything. By the way, her ear does not stick out, it's just bent against her mom.













Sean playing with one of his gifts.
















Back to opening presents.










I think Jake wants one of these now.











Fran was bored with the whole thing.














Jake decided to take a rest using Scarlet as a pillow. In turn, Kylie used Jake as a matress.















Jake went to Amish market and is showing off his large chunk of cow he bought. He looks like a deranged cannibal- he's a very good actor.













Yoda had fun playing with the string. He's aways up for a party.

Loved ones and animals

Sorry it's taken so long to update this thing, to say I've been busy is an understatement. We went to Nan's on Christmas Eve. After looking at this picture of Jake, I feel like I know what he will look like when he's a very old man.










Oooohing and Aaaaahing over something, I know not what.














Kylie was particularly fetching in her Christmas outfit, so was Mom-mom.

















Nan cooked up a storm and she did it cheerfully.


















Here is Dani after a few of those red martinis.
















I had an chance to babysit a few days ago, so I pressed Jeff into service by keeping the baby warm.










May I introduce you to Shannon's dog Woodrow? He can stand on his hind legs for hours and is extremely well behaved and cute. I can't remember what the name of his breed is so I'll make something up. Hmmm, he is a double dutched doody doghound. Anyway, the name has a bunch of "d" words in it. He is cool.








A reindeer wandered in off the street so we let it rest and have a snack before going back to its reindeer work.











Jake will never get to sit in his beanbag again - Tangles has claimed it for her own.













Fran prefers to curl up in her cat cushion.













Sean made this gingerbread house at his friend, Joe's house. Joe's mom invites over a group of boys every year to do this, she is really nice and creative too.











Scarlet has never been one to chew on toys or bones. We had her teeth cleaned last week and had a loose tooth pulled. Lo and behold, she chews now.












This bone was gone by bedtime.













Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Sean gave Nan a helping hand with the Christmas Eve risotto.

One of these days we will get to the Christmas day pictures, such as they are. Happy New Year!

Baby

She's finally here! Her name is Kylie and she was born 12/13/07 at 3:50 pm. I think she was 7lbs 3 oz, but don't quote me. Anyway, this baby is at the top of her game!!!! She is so alert and animated - just as cute as can be.

Here is Mama eating after her ordeal.

Jake and visitors and a large clock.

She was moving her tongue in and out the whole time - I guess it's practice for all the eating she'll be doing.

She looks just like her mama here - CUTE!

The happiest part of the day.

They had just put some sort of stuff in her eyes, that's why her face is all shiny.

Shannon's mom was there the whole time and probably stayed all night. When I left, at 6pm, Peanut had eaten her first "meal" and was taking a nap.

So, there you have it!!! More later,

Amy

Snow

Brrrrr, it's so cold outside. It has been snowing all day here. This picture highlights the falling snowflakes, which is a nice effect. Note the light up reindeer has toppled over and Mr. Snowman's head has been blown off. I'll fix them later when the weather warms up.

Baby Shower

These pictures are a bit out of order, but I'm sure you all will figure it out.

Shannon's Baby Shower was a great time. Her mom and aunts worked really hard on decorating and food, games etc. Shannon looks happy (and cute as a button)!















This was the board for one of the games. You know I had to take a picture of all that candy!












The beginning of the gift opening. She got a lot of really nice stuff.












More gift opening - with Jake attempting to help.










She did NOT want to wear that hat, but was a good sport about it. That hat stayed on for about 10 seconds. Thank goodness I just put fresh batteries in my camera, or I would have missed it.














The cake. The lady who made it did a nice job. It tasted great, but I only had a little. I was full from the stuffed mushrooms, chicken and cheese pasta, spaghetti and meatballs, hush puppies and other good stuff I ate. OINK!!!!










Jake was trying to look mean here, but it wasn't quite working.








Gifts galore.











A bunch of the firehouse guys showed up. They were a little uncomfortable at first, but after being around all that pink decor, their testosterone dropped enough for them to have a good time.

Thanksgiving 2007

It has taken forever, but here are the Thanksgiving pics. Everyone made a pinecone turkey place card for their seats. I suggested a "Parade of Turkeys" to the table and they actually did it. Suckers! Here are Mom-mom and Jake leading the parade.










Dani parading and taking a pic of me. Sara must have had to go back for something.














Okay, now she' parading in the proper fashion.














My mother waiting to greet everyone at the table. She was channeling Martha Stewart for a moment here, but luckily it passed.














I just like this couch. (sorry)













Scarlet got a holiday haircut and was NOT happy about it.















Sara and Nan working hard on their creations. Dani was very secretive about his design, hence the back to the camera stance. That is Sean's sweet foot protruding into the pic from the left.











Jake's special fire-fighter training came in handy when it was time to light the candles.















Back to the parade. I did not tell Jeff to wave, that was his own doing.













Bringing up the rear was Sean and Nan. Enjoy these photos because I guarantee these people will not do this again next year.