Thanksgiving and Getting The Christmas Tree

Brian wanted to deep fry a turkey this year. It was delicous but there were some tense moments with the rain and the boiling grease. Fortunately there were no fires, and we enjoyed a delicous meal on Whidbey with family. We got our Christmas tree the next day...and did I mention it wasno shave November?

Paula Paysse MacGeorge: A Beautiful Lady

Water skiiing at 70!

5K Race at 80! (First Place in her age group)

The birth of her great grandson

On November 14th my Grammy passed away. It has been the most challenging, sad and difficult times of our families life. We have been very fortunate to this point to have lost very few loved ones. Grammy was the matriarch of our family, and she leaves a large void to fill, because she was so full of life. Whidbey isn't the same without her, and Thanksgiving and Christmas she was missed dearly. Although it has been challenging, she leaves behind an incredibly strong, beautiful family that has and will only grow closer. She is still my role model, and I think of her almost everyday. I can't believe how fortunate I was to know her for 28 years, to learn from her, to be loved by her, to witness her beauty and grace and to hopefully one day, be like her. Paula Paysee MacGeorge had 82 years of an incredible life. She was an active, competitive, athletic and graceful participant in life. She is my measure of success. My uncle put it best when he said "I see you in everything I am, and everything I do."

Michael Jackson Immortal Tour

For those of you who don't know my favorite artists are Michael Jackson and Pearl Jam. My Mom drove over and we went to Cirque de Sole "Michael Jackson Immortal Tour." It was incredible. As a tribute to my Grammy, who would have loved to have gone as well we wore her shimmery jackets...not quite as shimmery as Micheal...but a nice tribute.

Happy Halloween

Grandma Hazels cool witch pumpkin


Nani checks in with Daddy jim

No trick or treating yet...but Kellen or "Baby Dalmation" did open the door for few trick or treaters. Nani came over for a quick mid-week visit and brought her chicken mask...so Brian decided to scare kids at the door with it. It was quite hilarious!

Kellen

Just flexing in the tub. Kellen has Uncle Jamie's muscles

Kellen love's piano time with Daddy Jim

They say that these two look alike :)

He has his Mom's concentration face

Go Huskies!!

Football season means lots of Saturdays filled with purple and gold. Kellen will obviously be able to choose college anywhere...but he may be getting some subtle hints early on.

Adventures In Baby-Sitting!

Luke chooses a perfect apple

Nolan helps carry our apples

Brian drives the mini-van with four smiling children

A few weekends ago we undertook a great challenge...4 kids, for 12 hours, five and under (two in diapers). We actually had a wonderful time babysitting our nephews and niece and took them to Greenbluff farms where we picked apples and bought farm fresh peaches. We headed back to their house for peach milkshakes, some backyard football, rough housing in the basements, pizza dinner and bedtime stories. Maggie did try to poke Kellen's eyes out, and Nolan didn't go right to sleep, but other then that the only crying came from Kellen, so not too shabby. We might not quite be ready for four full time, and we actually can't imagine doing it solo, but you never know :)

A Week with Nani and Daddy Jim

Kellen gets early music training from Daddy Jim

Brian was so kind to suggest Kellen and I spend a week in Everett during my materinity leave. It was great bonding time for Nani and Daddy Jim, as well as Great Grandma Hazel who visited almost everyday. We also got to see cousin Elle before she headed off to Australia, Chris before he went back to Tenessee, Andrew, Bumpa and Grammy and our good family friends the Wertheimers. It was a busy and fun week with my family and I was fortunate to get that time.