Our musical child!

This past Thursday Avery had her orchestra concert. She did such a fabulous job with her violin. I didn't get a pic of her. Orchestra parents seem crazier than sports parents. We got there an hour and 10 minutes before the concert and got seats toward the back. When the concert started parents would just stand up in front of you to look for their kid, or walk up front to get a pic, I have never seen anything like it. But no one yelled out their kid's name. Avery told Chris next time he should yell out her name like he does at dance recitals. Maybe he will start a new trend with concerts!

Avery is also in her school's chorus. The 4th grade chorus members sang on Friday at her school's Frosty Fest. We got much better seats here!

Our XMAS Tree

This year the C's joined us for our annual trip to a tree farm to cut down our Christmas Tree. What a difference this year. Last year we didn't even need jackets, but this year it was freezing!

Chelsey and Kamryn!

I love when my hubby gets in the spirit!

Our 5 amazing, fabulous kids in front of our chosen tree, Ricky. Yes, we name our tree every year. This year it was Kami's turn!

Me and my baby girls!

My hero...cutting down our tree.

CJ standing in front of Ricky. He's not quite 10 feet. (Ricky, that is!)

Lights and topper.

The decorating begins.

TA-DA..... Our 2010 Christmas Tree!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving started out with our Annual Turkey Kickball game! This year our teams were the Gingerbread Men vs. The Mittens. The Mittens won 10-5. It was such a magical morning because it also began to snow!We also had a visit from NaNa and PopPop before the Hartman's showed up for dinner. Since George always forgets the names of everyone, Trysha made name tags for everyone which read, "Hi Uncle George, my name is....or Hi Poppop, my name is ......."
This is always an amazing site. 2 people, Kay and George fell in love many, many years ago and created such a huge family. Even more amazing is that everyone gets along and we actually enjoy being together.

Ladies table!

My two guys!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I think I need a bigger dining room!

Every Sunday night we have a big family dinner, the 7 of us, in the dining room. My thought is that eventually as my kids get older, they will still want to come home for Sunday dinner because its a part of what they know. Very often either CJ's girlfriend or Kylie's boyfriend have joined us on a Sunday dinner. This past Sunday both came for dinner. Since we don't eat dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving, we also invited my parents up for dinner. What does that add up to??? 11 of us for Sunday dinner! My only problem with this is that I can only fit 10 around my dining room table. We ended up putting a second table in the corner of the dining room for Avery and Kamryn to sit at. But I realized that I really need a table that seats 12. I am not even sure if a table that big would even fit in my dining room. I think I just found another project for my hubby to work on!!!! Lucky guy!

My Birthday!

Thursday was my birthday and I celebrated it the best way ever...with my family! We headed out to dinner. Here I am with Kamryn after I opened up her card.My kids made me a poster of all of their handprints....I love it!!!!!!

Chris's turn! 2 more charms for my Pandora bracelet! He did so well!!!

We never got a group shot at the restaurant, so I took one of everyone heading back to the van.

As soon as we got home Kami and Kylie passed out on the sofa.

The old couple!

I wanted a pic of the kids and I. Since I had to wake Kamryn up, she was not very cooperative.

Our fabulous date!!!!

Last Sunday, my fabulous, amazing, awesome hubby surprised me with tickets to the Eagles game. Although I have been to a game before and he has been to many, we have never been to one together. We headed done early to tailgate and had a blast. It was a great game, (they won!)...we had great great seats, (Thanks CJ Quirk!) With 5 kids and 3 dogs we dont often get an entire day to just ourselves. It's good to know that after 20 years together, we still love being together and can still party like we did in our 20's!!!!!!

MY HUBBY ROCKS!!!

Halloween 2010

Any one who truly knows Chris and I, knows that Halloween is not a favorite day in our house. But as a mother of 5 I think I have done a good enough job at making my least favorite holiday a good day for my kids. This year I am a homeroom mom for Avery's class, so I was part of the 'party planning' for her room. I bit the bullet and through her class a kick butt halloween party. No one could have possible known that I am really a Pumpineezer Scrooge. Above is a pic of Avery with her friends.

After her party, it was time for Kamryn's parade at preschool. My only 'shy' child was a bit uncomfortable walking around the playground in front of a bunch of parents. But you have to admit...she is the cutest damn Spider Girl EVER!!!!!

Here is Avery right before she left to go 'trick or treating' with the neighbor kids. One of the dad's volunteered to take all of the girls, so we didnt have to walk with Avery.

Spider Girl

Trick or treating is tough work!