Heat-seeking missile

Andy is a heat-seeking missile. He loves to snuggle, and I'm always happy to oblige. Every time I sit down, he jumps up beside me and cuddles up. Here he was waiting for us to get ready for school and work one morning. The girls pulled the blanket up around him and he was warm and snuggly, although he looks a little sad that he didn't have a person to be by.

Alexander

Yep, another blurry fish picture. This is Alexander, Mia's Christmas present from Claire. He is a beautiful boy, and another Betta saved from a miserable existence at Wal-Mart!

Christmas 2011- a bunch of pix

This year for Christmas we did something a little different. A bunch of our family got together and rented a cabin in Pigeon Forge. It was my sister's new grandbaby Bradley's first Christmas, and his mommy wanted to make it special.

He's such a cutie, and a sweet boy, too!

My nephew, Josh, Danielle and Bradley

Danielle's parents dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

My sister, Molly. The girls think she's the greatest!

This was the first time our kids' stockings were ever hung by a fireplace. I want a fireplace so badly!

And now a few pictures from at home - these are from our Christmas card, and some that didn't make the cut.

I've lost my photo editor (having an old computer is a pain), but hopefully will be getting my new one soon, and I'll post more pictures after that.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Happy birthday, Nana

Nana's 80th birthday was last Saturday. Aunt Jan planned a big surprise party for her after church, and Uncle Alan and Aunt Donna came up from Florida to help celebrate. Some of Uncle Dino's family was there, too, and lots of friends from church. Here are a few pictures from the party.

 Jan made this gorgeous cake!

 Nana with her kids - Larry, Jan and Alan

 There was a lot of music. Claire sang, with Jan accompanying her.

Dino's niece, Tori with her new baby, Bella. Mia and Claire love Tori, and thought Bella was great.

Sebastian

I am so proud of my girls! Mia and I went to Wal-Mart on Sunday to get a Christmas present from her to Claire. We planned to get her a small fish tank and supplies, with a gift card to later purchase a Betta. The poor Bettas were in such bad shape! We had complained a couple of weeks ago about them not having enough water. Poor things were sitting in their little cups with less than an inch of water! Well, this week they had more water, but it was so filthy that we could hardly see the fish. Pitiful. Well, right away Mia said, "Mom, we HAVE to get one now! Their water is TOO BAD!" So we did. She picked out one that was purple, since they both like purple. We took him home and set up the tank before Claire got back from her church group activity. Mia was so excited, and happy to see the little guy swimming around in his clean water. Claire was excited to get him, and named him Sebastian. Turns out he's not really very purple, or red, just kind of blah, but we love him. He swims to the glass and looks at us as if to say, "Thank you for saving me. Even though I'm not the prettiest fish in the world, I'm so happy that somebody cares about me!"