Tis the season ...

We are so looking forward to celebrating the holidays this year. We all love Christmas and this time of year. The air is full of excitement and anticipation. Typically, the air is also full of panic for me! Not this year! For the first time since the kids were really little, I was able to stick to my plan! I wanted everything done early so we could relax and enjoy our family time together. It is the 17th of December and I have accomplished (somewhat) everything on my list! The house is decorated. The cards are done and in the mail. The gifts are purchased and somewhat wrapped. The house is somewhat clean and the laundry is somewhat done. Meghan comes home tomorrow and we are free to bake all weekend! I am so excited not to be running around like crazy trying to make this small miracle happen. This year, the small miracle will still occur, it's just more of an evolution than a whirlwind!

Our heartfelt best wishes for a magical Christmas season and a blessed new year to all of our friends and family.

Another milestone

As if we didn't have enough great November happenings, Patrick has completed drivers' education and got his learner's permit! As many of you know, in our house, teaching kids to ride a bike and drive a car is daddy's job! There's not enough medication in the world for Donna to be involved! Patrick is eager to drive whenever possible and Brian is happy to help! It gives them free reign of the cd choice, a new treat for both of them! So, if you're out and see Patrick behind the wheel, be kind, he's still learning!

 

Thanksgiving ...

Thanksgiving may be the perfect holiday - free to eat as much as you like and then relax in front of the football game on tv (translation - take a nap). This year we traveled to Calvert County for Thanksgiving with Aunt Kate and family. Nana and papa were there as was Gran! It's been a long time since we've spent time with Gran and it was great to see her. It was a wonderful day with lots of great food and family fun. Thanks Kate and JT for being willing to have us all - we had a great time.

After the show ...

These are pictures of fellow castmates, friends and family after the show - enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A November to Remember ...

This has been a great month for Ryan. Ryan was featured as Viola in Spalding Theater's production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night ... it was a great show and Ryan did a wonderful job. Enjoy the pictures.

 

 

 

 

A November to Remember (continued) ...

And ... Ryan was inducted into the National Foreign Language Honor Society for Latin. She will get to wear a multicolored cord at graduation in addition to the yellow from the National Honor Society and the pink from the Tri-M National Music Honor Society. We are so proud of her and all her accomplishments.

 

 

As promised ...

Here are the pictures of Patrick and his date, Grace prior to the homecoming dance ...

Homecoming 2008

Last week was "fun" week at school for Ryan and Patrick. Archbishop Spalding High School celebrated their homecoming and spirit week was filled with "what I want to be day", color day, and Spalding spirit day. Here are some fun photos of Ryan and Patrick with friends.








These are pictures of Ryan before the dance ...






Stay tuned for Patrick's before the dance photos ...

Ryan's Senior Pictures

Our baby girl is all grown up! Here are some samples of Ryan's senior pictures. The real thing is in the mail!

Key Biscayne ...

While we were in Miami, we took a little side trip and spent some time wandering around a park on Key Biscayne. It's truly a beautiful place. We saw amazing foliage and natural sea sponge, and a coconut washed up on the beach from Tropical Storm Fay!

It was nice to spend some down time with Meghan before she started school and we headed back to Maryland.

Meghan is back in Miami ...

Brian and I spent the last weekend getting Meghan back and settled at the University of Miami. We rented a car and unpacked her storage unit and then headed off to the University to check into her room and begin the long process of unpacking and determining what she still "has to have!"

Her dorm is further around the lake this year. Although the view freshman year was amazing, this is still pretty nice. Brian and Meghan had lots of fun deciding where to put all her things in her new room. So much fun, that we rewarded Brian with a trip to Walmart, Target, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I don't think he'll make that mistake again!

First Day of School 2008

Every year since Meghan started preschool, I take a first day of school picture. So this is Ryan and Patrick on Ryan's first day as a senior and Patrick's first day as a sophomore! A senior's first day must be better than a sophomore's!