One week embargo

Not sure why I seem to post at least a week late now, but hey, better than never.

Last Sunday we had a little shindig. Sledding, football, food and fun. Ann & Pat came with the boys, Johnny with the kids and Sharon, Scott and Sophia, Matt M, and D&G. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Yeah, She was miserable.

Friends for life - Claire was 4 months old when she came to the hospital to meet Keelin. They still love to be together.

Finn was really happy to hang with the big boys. They stayed out for soo long - sledding off the ledge, they were getting some major air and speed!

Sophia and Matt did a little duet. She continues to be beyond adorable.

This weekend we hung in more than usual because Loch was pretty sick Sunday night. A birthday party - with MR BUNGLES!!, some sledding, some errands and lots of house time.

Saying Goodbyes...

I would be remiss if I didn't note the loss of two important people this month.

Sue's dad Frankie said goodbye to his girls (and grandgirls) almost two weeks ago. I hope he is spending THIS Sunday cruising the greatest flea market in the sky for the perfect treasure. He took great care for his family in life and I know he is watching them now. Probably with a snicker on his face, maybe shaking his head a little bit, but definitely smiling inside.

My great-uncle Eddie McCrudden passed away just yesterday in Belfast. A fine musician who needed a car that could transport instruments, uncle Eddie kept his family calm time and time again when the gunmen came to "borrow" their large-for-Belfast car. He endured his wife's Alzheimer's and then moved to Dublin to play his music after he lost her. His daughter - my mother's cousin Yvette - is one of the most loving and selfless people on this planet. She got the call yesterday while at the Giant's Causeway, so I hope Uncle Eddie passed over those giant stones to make his way to a better place. And to his wife - my dear Aunt Lily. Many prayers for Yvette and her brother Barry today. XOXOX.

Nice winter walk... to nowhere

I just downloaded these shots - and still haven't figured out how to embed the video - but I thought this would give all of you who AREN'T living in the artic like us a taste of what CT is looking like right now.

This was two weeks ago I think - on a "warm" day that begged for a nice little jaunt. Ann gave me the idea to walk along the Mill Pond beach - which supposedly connects to the state park, but instead we were faced with a big fence as we stood in someone's back yard.

So we left and just cruised the jetty and skipped rocks. Then collected shells and walked the full stretch of the beach. It was beautiful on the water - super calm, no wind and very peaceful.

The swans were out in full force - accompanied by a few duckies. I took so many pictures of them, but I'll spare you. Then we went home for hot chocolate and naps. All in all, a very nice winter day.

Happy New Year

After a long recovery from New Year's Eve, I am finally beginning to enjoy 2009! Be it old, or sick, I definitely did something I shouldn't on Wednesday night. Probably glass 156 of champagne. Or 157 - not sure exactly where to draw that line...

Today I got out with the kids (granted only to Costco - but with all three that IS an adventure) and then Rob met us for lunch.

Then we hit the (backyard) slopes! It was gorgeous out - Keelin doesn't even have a sweater on and she fought me to get the hat on her.

We were making tracks in the same ole spot - outside the kitchen window while Rob burned the rest of Keelin's old dresser (santa brought a new one). I hope the fumes from whatever that was covered in don't come back to bite us later in life. Thank God that is gone... Then Finn got a glimmer in his icy blue eyes and spied the patch along the back wall. Perfect! Fresh Powder (ok, two inches, but it was fresh!) and a good grade.

Add a few rocks to the mix and things get interesting... Here are Keelin and Loch after one of many spills on the ledge. My fave part about this one is that Loch is actually saying "SMILE!" as he is laying under his sister, half-off the sled in the snow. That kid deserves a medal for what he puts up with everyday - with a big ole smile on his face.

I also got some video clips of this adventure, but haven't figured out how to add them into this post. Robin - I'll need your AV cart for that one :)

For someone who really dislikes snow and cold weather - this WAS a nice way to kick off the winter. Tomorrow, we find a nice snowy hike. Hope it's just as warm and the kids have as much fun.

Happy New Year to All. I'm debating a few different lists, but I think for now I'll just promise to do less better in 2009. (Blogging qualifies)

And I did get on the treadmill today - so that too.

Go Huskies.