Zhu Zhu's

Yes America, we have Zhu Zhu's. Very cute, I have to say. Not your typical, get 'em and they don't work anything like it says on the box or tv!! Logan loves his probably because they move on their own. He knows where the buttons are on them to push to make noises, move, etc. The only problems we've had with them are he wants to throw everything. Logan went through this stage before and then quit, but he's back at it. In fact, hitting poor Olivia square in the forehead with a plastic ball the other morning, causing her to call him a "little demon". Where do these words come from! Anyway, so once in awhile he likes to throw his Zhu Zhu and then mommy has to take Zhu Zhu and put him up on the counter so Zhu Zhu still works in the months to come! So when I take it he simply says "Bye Zhu Zhu, see ya!". Obviously he's used to me taking it off of him!!!

Olivia's cat, Stacy, loves the hamsters. He loves to chase them and watch them run through their play houses. It's actually fun to watch him, watch the hamsters run back and forth.

***Anybody wanting to watch a bear hibernate, you can go to the Today Show website...todayshow.com and there is a link on there to watch it. I have not been able to find the original website where to go and watch it in real time though. If you find it, pass it on. This is the first time a camera has been put in a cave to see what a bear really does while hibernating and this bear is due to have babies mid January..........interesting

Sled Riding

I guess you could say that after all these years living in the same climate conditions I should just learn to embrace what winter has to offer, not like it, embrace it! I got myself a pair of snow pants, snow boots and a hat this year. No I have never worn any of the above in the winter time, but old(er) age changes the way you think.

I am with my cousin on this one, I have different takes on small kids going outside playing in the snow. I guess b/c they just can't tell you that their too cold on their own. I don't think I ever bundled Olivia up at 2yo. to go and play in the snow. But with the second child and needing time to myself and just to wear kids out for bed, it was time to break that rule. Logan is a child that when not being entertain doesn't know what to do with himself. Enter me, when he thinks he's a koala bear and I'm a tree. He likes to hang on my hip for no reason when he's bored. So it was like, yeah rich I think YOU should take him outside. LOL

**This pic is not up to standards and came out very dark and I need to learn how to fix it with not having my same computer programs as Vista, but it's really cute**

I did make it outside to play and sled ride. Rich said my snow pants would never get used! I have to say, after jumping on the tube and all that, I could not lift my arms above my head for two days! So if your thinking on doing this after not doing it for quit some time, re-think what you are getting yourself into. It was awfully fun though. When I was a kid, our neighborhood kids where die hards. We stayed out long after our gloves, boots, snowsuits, and hats were soaking wet. My daughter went through 3 pairs of gloves in 15 minutes and I was still sitting out in the yard when she had come into the house!! I prefer to call her a "city girl".........................

2010

Before and after a snow! Started off very cute and then wanted to hide his face!

So, here we are, 2010 (Twenty-ten) sounds like a strong year, right? I don't think any of us could afford another 2009! Remember when 2000 was all the rage?! Gosh, it's been ten yrs. since nothing was going to work when the year changed! Where has that time gone!

I don't make promises to myself for the new year, something always happens and throws a unexpected wrench in them anyways. I like to think, this is going to be a great year. I've learned from previous yrs. and this is it. But I could also tell you I have said that for many yrs. and well....I don't know for sure how that has worked out. I can tell you that I don't drive a Cadillac SUV, live in a mansion (with a housekeeper), have a million dollars and I still weigh the same as I did last year! So I'm going to say, not many "new" promises have worked out!! LOL What I still do have is All my family still with us and healthy, two beautiful/incredible children, and a husband that has a job and supports me staying at home.......not too bad for one year, right?!

I could tell you that I want to make new changes for the better this year. Actually there's a lot I need to do and number 1 is: learn more patience! I think a lot of things I want to do require patience and I need to find mine. Thought that was the one thing God was trying to teach me with Logan, but that has been 2 1/2yrs. ago now and I need to find them again!

So I will work on my list and try to get it right. I think I just need to find more time for me. I try to do way too much and I have lost a lot of me in the process. So looking ahead, it's just another year and what you make out of it, is what it will be................

The snow and cold has found it's way here and seems to want to stay. I like to think I'm a southern chic that needs a warm climate to function, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards for me anytime soon, so I will learn to embrace it.........with Long Johns, a parka, hat, gloves, snow boots and scarf. If you can't beat it, join it.......................

New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2010

Christmas Part 2

Christmas Day...it's such a long day, but well worth it!! We don't seem to get up so early anymore and one little boy slept in until after 8am this year and we had to go and wake him cause his sister just couldn't take it any longer (only to find out why he was sleeping was b/c he was coming down with a cold....go figure)!! Olivia was pleasantly surprised once again this year with stuff she wasn't expecting. I'm learning, the older she gets, the more expensive things get! Logan just went with the flow, you know, open one and play with it like there are no others waiting for him!!! Funny, how a 2yo. works.

So off to Pa. we were. That time also is getting later every year that we leave. I must get control of the time situation. Let me just say, my kids don't realize how nice they have it, with how many people love them and care about them. My family did nothing but surprise us with everything. No wonder they couldn't wait for us to get there. It's funny how Aunt's, Uncle's and grandparent's can spoil 2 kids in a mere 1/2hr. I kid about that, I THANK them all for making Cmas a whole lot brighter this year and many Cmas's past!!

I have to wonder though about all the preaching I did to Olivia about not needing a DSI b/c she just got a DS last Cmas and how we can't possibly buy every new gadget that comes out year after year and wow, imagine that, Uncle Jimmy got her a DSI!! I have to say, I was floored and questioned if that was really what was in the box! And then there is the MP3 player that is just way cooler than mine that had music all ready to go for it! hmmmmmmmmm......someone did a lot of thinking and shopping this Cmas!

Last but not least, let's talk about every parent's worst nightmare of a gift.....any guesses? Seriously, a drum set for a 2yo. boy!! All I can say is Thankfully I have a basement and second, hand me downs within the family are just great! :) What they don't think about is I'm the one with the 1. only kids and 2. the oldest kids . That has great potential for the future. I will have pics if my brother remembers to send them to me!!

On a lighter note.....Rich and I got Steeler field jersey's!!! Hoping to get to wear them for the super bowl this year!! Olivia also got her jersey "refreshed" by getting a new one!

There was so much more and I could write forever. But everyone just really out-did themselves this year and it was great!




He's just so rotten cute!

Christmas Eve 09

Ah, Christmas Eve, the day when your a kid and you can't control yourself, sleep or eat! Those were the days. I decided this year that I was going to mix my mom's Cmas Eve with the Nagle's Eve, being I don't get back home for it and I truly miss it and I'm tired of my thoughtful siblings sending me phone pics of the food. Since it was last minute, like everything I did this year, I was really against the calendar and clock of what I could do. Patience run thin here that close to the holiday, so patience also played a part in what I could put together. I decided Mushroom Machunka was going to be the flavor this year to share. Even if nobody else liked it, me and Rich would devour it!! Hehehe

You have to be a lover of sauerkraut, lots of garlic, and mushrooms, to truly appreciate this food. It's sour and will make you say "and why do I like this so much", but it's sooooooo good. So all I needed was this to turn out right and get the taste just right and I knew I could pull it off! Well, yes, I did. It was a little thick and I could have added water, but believe me, I did not want to mess with the taste that I had! It was actually a hit, but it is one of those things, that either you love it or you just hate it.

So we were off to Cmas Eve with our presents, machunka, and homemade scallop potatoes. Yes, when I want to cook and bake, I do it very well. Mainly when no little children are hanging on my leg. The kids were so excited. I swear they get more excited every year more than the last. Logan just pretty much goes with the flow, although next year he should understand more.

Off we were to get home to get to bed, with Snuggie's in tow and gifts galore! Is there anybody that hasn't gotten a Snuggie for cmas!? I've just seen them under so many trees this year! Off to bed without a argument (Logan was just plain tired), but we had tracked Santa this year so he was close at this point, so eyes went shut real quick! Mom praying it wouldn't be pouring rain like cats and dogs for the mornings trip to Pa..................to be continued



Yes, that is a beer bottle in my son's hand(s). Apparently he's going to be a double fister some day! No need to worry, the bottle was empty!

Crazy Kids

Well the whole Christmas spirit, sleepless nights, and bouncing off the walls has happened to Olivia. Funny what Christmas will do to a kid. She gets all these crazy ideas about what we should be making, baking and decorating! The girl needs her own personal assistant! That's an idea for a gift!!

Logan could just care less about Christmas yet, which is kind of funny to watch him watch Olivia and not really know why she is doing something or talking about! Two yrs. old is fun to watch. He is copying everything Olivia does and he laughs his little butt off. I still can't believe a 2yo. can be so happy!!

So I still have so much to do before the big day. So far behind on everything. Sadly, our Christmas cards have been printed since before Thanksgiving and they still sit in the bag I brought them home in! Think I'll get caught up??...................