More Teeth, Less Teeth

We discovered Madelyn has new teeth coming in. She was very impressed with herself and announced, "I am only 5 and I am getting my 6 year molars. We should blog about that." So here we are announcing the addition of 4 new teeth!

Ryan also discovered a new tooth. Unfortunately it was a permanent tooth coming in behind the baby tooth. A few days later we looked again only to discovered a second tooth coming in on the other side. Ryan had both baby teeth pulled on Thursday.

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas....

The weekend was full of everything December...Christmas decorations, football, shopping for gifts, snow flurries and Santa. Yes, in our little community where big development meets barns and stables, Santa arrives with sirens blaring by fire truck with an ambulance escort through the neighborhood. Santa also makes an appearance at the fire station for the kids to get their pictures taken. Thanks to all those at Nokesville Stations 5 and 25 that make Christmas special for our children and keep us safe all year long.

We Have So Much To Be Thankful For

We are so thankful for our wonderful family and friends!

We spent Thanksgiving with all the Rossini's in Virginia. It seems like someone is always missing so this became a special weekend with everyone at mom and dad's. Our celebrating continued right through the weekend with Connie and Diane's 30th birthday.

Thanksgiving was spent at my grandparents when we were growing up. We had large gatherings of family. My grandparents always had games to play in the evenings. What great memories we have of those times. Now we play with our kids.

Aunt Diane, the whipped topping is for the pie!

Aren't I cute?

And my Aunts and Uncle are sooo much fun....

National Adoption Day

Congratulations to Matt, Amanda and Caelan!

Caelan was baptised on Sunday and his adoption is final today. What an exciting time. God's blessings on little Caelan.

Aunts or Ants?

The kids have been counting down the days until 'the Aunts' arrive. They couldn't wait to get to grandpa and grandma's house today to see them.

Madelyn and Grandma had a tea party this afternoon.

Full of Smiles

These pics are from this morning while getting ready for school. Happy Friday Everyone!

Family and Friends

For the first time since school and sports started for the season we have a few weeks of down time. The kids had two short school weeks with days off for a teacher work day, Election Day and the Veterans Day holiday. Soccer has come to end for the season. The weather turned cool and everyone retreated indoors.

Kurt went to Kansas to visit with his mom and dad. He very much enjoyed the time spent with his dad who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Kurt was able to help take his dad to chemo and radiation treatments but more importantly he was initiated into the men's morning coffee group and spend hours talking to his dad about golf courses, sports, his grandkids, you name it. They had a unforgettable visit.

Kurt and I have had a chance to reflect on some great friends we have in our lives. Our support network is unbelievable. Kurt knew he could be out of town for any length of time and the kids and I wouldn't need a thing. From our friends Denise and Chris who invited the kids and I over for a meal to Jayne who put the kids on the bus one day when I had an early morning meeting to Ken who comes running every time muscle is needed to get something done around the house. Lisa, my sounding board, you keep me sane. Karen and Bruce, for letting the kids play at your house so I could have a moment of silence. Sue and the many others that call every week...Thank you all! Kurt and I are blessed to have so many close friends.

Our quiet days will come to an end soon. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Connie, Diane, Mike and Carrie are coming. A good time is always had by all. The kids love it when their uncles and aunts come to visit. Basketball starts soon after, then Christmas, winter break and it will be 2009 before we know it.

Veterans Day

Today is a day set aside to remember and honor all the American Veterans who have served our Country. We remember the sacrifices made to preserve and protect our freedoms. Take time to honor those who gave their lives and those who returned home disabled. We owe both our Veterans and our Active Duty Military members our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Wreaths Across America
Remember the Fallen;
Honor Those Who Serve;
Teach Our Children the Value of Freedom.




For over 17 years the Worchester Wreath Company has been donating wreaths to be placed on the headstones of our fallen heroes. Each December the wreaths are placed by volunteers at National Cemeteries across the country.

Volunteering for this event has become a tradition for our family and now many friends have joined us. This year our family will lay wreaths at both Arlington National Cemetery and Quantico National Cemetery to honor veterans that have touched our lives or the lives of those we know.

If you would like to sponsor a wreath you can do so by going to http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/.

Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps

As the wife of a former Marine (correction...there are no 'former' Marines...Once a Marine, Always A Marine) it would be unforgivable for me to forget today is the 233rd birthday of the Marine Corps.

For all those who serve we thank you and appreciate you. God bless you and your families for the sacrifices you make each and every day. Semper Fidelis.


Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference to the world, but the Marines don't have that problem.
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

Swimming

Ryan and Madelyn swim on Sunday mornings. Here are some pics from this morning.

Happy Halloween

We had an exciting Halloween. Madelyn's field trip to the pumpkin patch and Ryan's harvest party were great fun. This picture is Madelyn's scary face!

After school we picked up Ryan Petro. Suzanne, John and JD were off to Suzanne's sister's wedding rehersal. Last minute wedding plans were crazy enough without a 2 year old in tow. We decided Ryan would have much more fun if he could trick or treat and spend the night with Ryan and Madelyn.

Madelyn bypassed Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty and Bat Girl in her closet and went with Super Girl.

Ryan P. was a monkey.

Erin was a bunny.

Ryan was a Ninja.

Brian was a firefighter.

Ken and Kurt were off to trick or treat with the 5 kids. Each time they returned on a beer run they left a child behind with Lisa and me. Eventually all were tired and home safely.

Good Bye October

October has just flown by. We have been very busy with the Stone Ridge race, soccer, swimming, studying for tests, play dates and work deadlines. We anxiously await a diagnosis on Kurt's dad. Everyone is looking forward to Halloween tomorrow. Madelyn's class has a field trip to the pumpkin patch which Kurt is going to chaperone. I might encourage him to bring along a pair of ear plugs for the bus ride with 20+ Kindergartners. Ryan has a Harvest Celebration at school with all the third grade classrooms. This event should be fun too. The Kerrigan's will be over to trick or treat as well as all the kids on our street. I will take lots of pics as usual and post them soon. The kids are keeping their costume choices a secret. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!

Ryan - What An Accomplishment!

About six weeks ago Ryan decided he was going to run the Stone Ridge 5K Race for Education to help raise money for area schools. This race does not benefit his school but he was inspired. There was also a 1K and we thought this distance would be better suited for Ryan. He had his mind made up and was going to 'train' to complete the 5K. Kurt decided to support this challenge and told Ryan he would run with him. Father and son have been preparing to run ever since with Ryan running laps around the bus loop at school for 'training'. As late as this morning we told Ryan he could change his mind and run the 1K. No way! He was so excited to get started on his goal of completing a 5K race.

Well, Ryan didn't only run the entire race, he finished the race in 33:21 just one second ahead of his dad in a sprint at the finish line. He thinks the new Under Armor training shoes Mom bought contributed to the success of beating his dad. Ryan and Kurt finished 271 and 272, respectively, out of 691 runners/walkers. The boys made Madelyn and Mom proud today!

If that wasn't enough of an accomplishment for one day, Ryan turned right around and two hours after crossing the finish line in the 5K took the field with his soccer team. They lost the game to a tough team but Ryan was credited with two goal assists and played great. He continues to make Mom and Dad (and Madelyn) very proud with everything he accomplishes.

Birthday Celebration

Happy Birthday Grandpa!