Christmas Memories '08

Little girls cracking up during the pre-school Christmas program. JoJo laughed more than she sang.

Jim pounces on fudge sent by my friend K shortly before he hid it from the rest of us. A yearly ritual for our fudge junkie.

"...and you're having 40 people in MY house on Christmas Eve because...???"

E's school Christmas program.

JoJo and H-Jo avoiding older siblings' school program by escaping to the narthex (church foyer).

E wanted to make sure Santa knew exactly where to go--to avoid any confusion.

There he is...making his way down the basement stairs on Christmas Eve.

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Passing out loot. E's either a little star struck or pondering the possibility that this Santa is an impostor. Not sure which.

Santa's pooped.

Santa passing out a gift to cousin KayKay. Grandpa Pete trying to get the shot.

Santa making best effort to escape crazy family.

...just because...

Me and My Dad

...a very long time ago. I love this picture for all kinds of reasons, not the least of which is the state of my hair. I'm sporting a total Buckwheat. It is no coincidence, of course, that JoJo's hair is exactly like this when she first wakes up in the morning. I told her just today that if she were a Native American, her name would be Little Crazy Hair. I am, of course, Big Crazy Hair.

By the way, could my Dad's Marine uniform be any more pressed and starched? Note the razor sharp crease down the front of the shirt.

Thanksgiving in the City

We made the trek from suburbia and enjoyed quite a lovely Thanksgiving at Uncle P's ultra sweeeeet condo in the sky! It was a beautiful, crisp Chicago day. We really could not have asked for better...

Even Winston enjoyed the day--out on that amazing patio, of course.

Uncle P is an architect and he works a contemporary vibe in his home. He's got that city-life thing down. The kids think visiting Uncle P is the best thing ever.

Uncle P and girl friend K--thanks for hosting a lovely Thanksgiving. We all had a great time!

Halloween 08

It was all about the Joker baby. I'm not talkin' about the campy one from the '60s. Nor the Jack Nicholson version from the '90s. E wanted to be the Heath Ledger interpretation--dark, psychotic, and wildly deranged. (So long cutesy Halloween outfits--hello scary BOY COSTUMES). E isn't allowed to see the PG-13 movie but I guess all the marketing and media exposure made its way into Ethan's noggin. Boy did it ever.

A yearly tradition with E and his friends...Two new, younger additions expand the group!

E's T-Ball

End of School Year Festivities

Dedication of new sign...

Farewell to Kindergarten :-(

Cracking up with Fr. Sunny

E. and his friend B.

Singing "Hail Mary" to parents and grandparents...

E. and his buddy D.

JoJo and her buddy E.

Easter Snowman!

Ho, ho, ho...Merry Easter!

I forgot to post this until now, but let me tell you ...this picture was taken in our backyard on Easter Sunday. I kid you not. Let's just say we all wore coats over our Easter best this year.

The Midwest does not believe in global warming so therefore it does not exist.