Tommy's Prom

Tommy's Jr. Prom. He attended with his good friend Chloe. Poor Chloe had just injured her knee during tennis the day before and under that beautiful dress she is sporting a "bionic" brace. She was in a good deal of pain, yet put on a brave and happy face. I will take a guess that the following day was spent resting with a lot of ice.

His party met at his friends Brennan's house. The have a long living room in which you can put 3 banquet tables end to end (I need to borrow it for Thanksgiving!). Brennan's mom, Kim, had set the tables with beautiful china and glasses. They had requested that we (meaning Pete) make Italian food. Pete made meatballs and stuffed shells, while other parents brought salad, bread and desserts. We had such a good time serving the kids and they were all so appreciative. They brought tears to my eyes when they all held hands and prayed before dinner. There are a lot of great teenagers out there!

Tommy, who wasn't that interested in going to prom had a great time. Another memory made :)

Easter Eggs

What a great son I have! He humors his mom by assisting with the dying of the Easter eggs. I treasure every moment I have left before we are empty nesters. Just one more year....my baby will be a senior and 18 in September. Whew...time flies.

Rhododendron

The rhododendron is in full bloom! It only lasts for a week or so, but it is something we look forward to each year. It gives us hope that spring is really here and that summer is on the way. Our weather has been a bit of a roller coaster lately...so many of our spring blooming trees are looking a little shabby. Still we are much better off than the poor folks in the south and their over abundance of tornadoes :(

Yellow finches

I love spring! I put up a new finch feeder a couple of weeks ago and have been patiently waiting for the arrival of yellow finches. I was able to attract them at my old house, so I was hoping to catch a glimpse of some here. Today they arrived.....first one......

then three.......

It looks as though there are 6 or 7 here. I was actually able to count eleven a little later.

There are wonderful things happening all over our yard right now. The naked lady lilies have put up lush leaves. My roses are showing signs of life and my one little daffodil plant is up, but yet to bloom. And apparently, I planted a tulip last year....I do not remember doing it, so I assume it was a grocery store plant that I stuck in ground after it had died out inside. I wonder what color it is? I hope to work in the yard all weekend and finish clearing up the rest of the leaves. We have 3 large Bur Oaks in our backyard and they lose their leaves all winter and into the spring so they do not get cleaned up in the fall. Last weekend I cleaned up the front yard and filled the back of Pete's truck once. I think Pete will be making several trips this weekend...weather permitting. Loving Spring!

More Christmas Eve Preparations - Grandkids

Elizabeth, 8, filling raviolis.

Zach, 7, cranking the pasta machine.

John, 3, cranking the pasta machine.

Taylor, 9, filling raviolis.

The traditional frosting of the sugar cookies.

The aftermath ;)

And the wonderful cookies!

Christmas Eve preparations

Cooking day....as we so affectionately call it, is my favorite day of the year. All of my kids are home cooking together. They tease each other as siblings do and for me, it's heaven.


The matriarch of our family Marion (mom, grandma, nona, mamasita) enjoys herself watching Pete and the grandkids prepare for Christmas Eve. For many years while living in Wayne, Nebraska food preparation was her sole responsibility. Pete also started out making all of the food on his own, but now he has many helpers.

Here is Pete working with the pasta machine. Nicole is waiting patiently for him to get out of her because that is her job!

Nick cooking away. Of course, he looks much better showing off his sleeveless pecs :)

This was a very lively conversation between Pete and Tommy. I think it may have been about the cookie press and I am quite certain that they "both were right". And again, Nicole just waiting for them to get out of her way.

And here we have some fashion posing with the dishes. Doesn't every family do this? I think it is a little scary how much Nick looks like Adam (well, smaller) in this pic. Someone at the party thought Ashley looked like Taylor Swift (her daughter Elizabeth's favorite singer). What do you think?

Tommy's Homecoming 2010

The Group. They met at Tommy's friend Brennan's house. It was a surprise for Brennan's mom who found out that she was having 18 kids at her house for dinner at 11:00 that morning. Boys. It was potluck...so thankfully there was food being provided. Although, several of the boys did not bring anything. Again, I say ....boys. Regardless of the odd selection of food, they all had a good time.

Tommy and his friend Chloe. They have been good friends for a long time and they had a blast.
Weren't they cute!

My handsome son.