Rosy Cheeks and Happy Smiles

Away they go!! Ayla and Ashleigh.

Ayla, Ashleigh and Mckenna, Chad, Sarah and Ryan.

Sean had a good sleep on his Grandma's shoulder. Next year he'll try the sledding hill!
The Christmas Brunch was delicious and lots of fun. 27 were here.

Christmas at Caitlin's

The tree is ready for our little Santa's to distribute the gifts. Ashleigh and Ayla did the honors this year.Ayla and Sean.

The girls paused in their gift opening to pose for a quick picture.

Mckenna has her own toddler DS type thing. Once that was opened nothing else mattered to her.

We had a great time. Caitlin and Herb are wonderful hosts.

Entering the Holidays

It's been some time since my last update so I'll try to get most of the important items covered.

Dana and I have hired a wedding planner to help us stay on track. Her and I some how always convince ourselves we are too busy and have plenty free-time at the same time. We are currently working on Save The Dates and invitations.

Dana and I went to New York City the week of Thanksgiving. Monday night was the annual swimming awards ceremony called Golden Goggles. She was in the running for two awards, two (of four) nominations for Relay Performance of the Year and Female Swimmer of the Year. While she didn't walk away swimmer of the year, one of her relays was honored. I got all dressed up to be red carpet arm-candy. While in The City we also saw Lion King on Broadway. Designer Kevan Hall loaned Dana the fabulous dress she wore. She was by far the most elegantly dressed and (ignore the bias) gorgeous.

From New York we went to Dana's hometown in Texas where we had Thanksgiving with her family, including both her Grandmothers (one flew in from Connecticut and was the first time in 8 years Dana had seen her.)

Then Dana was off to Dubai for the Short Course Swimming Championships. She arrived two days before the meet started and left directly from the pool on the last night, leaving no time for exploring. She had a lot of swims (over 10 swims in 4) and came home with two silvers and a bronze (and a few relay American records).

Since we went to Texas for Thanksgiving, we decided to do Christmas in California. And not wanting to keep Dana away from her family for the Holidays, we invited them out. Her mom, dad, brother and his girlfriend arrived Wednesday night. They are currently preparing Christmas Eve dinner and my family should be arriving in a few hours to do a joint family celebration. Now that's like 10 people and while we have the space, we didn't have a table (like no table at all, not just one for that many people). Well now we do! My Christmas present to Dana was/is a table, chairs, sideboard set. We found it while in her hometown. It extends from 74" to 92" and has 8 chairs. Solid mango wood.

Divinity Disaster photos found

How did that happen?

The sticky, glass filled mess.
Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Divinity Disaster

It happened on December 22!!! Stephen and Karli made the fudge and measured ingredients for divinity. Michael and Laura were busy making Peanut Brittle and Toffee. Barbara and I were struggling over Scrabble--no good letters. Don arrived after work to a sweet smelling house. All was going well, the dipping spoons were passed out and the dippers were waiting for the word. Don was giving the egg whites their final beating as Dad poured the hot liquid. "It's ready", then CRASH!!! The bowl was in a million pieces across the kitchen floor mixed with the hot divinity!
After a chili supper I served the Divinity Jim and Dad made last week! The MSU-Texas basketball game was another disappointment to the evening but all in all we had a good time together.

I can't find the photos!! You can imagine the mess!

Christmas Tea Party

After the fun of decorating cookies it was time for tea (water). The cookies we ate are those thimble size cookies on the plate! It was a wonderful surprise to have Ashleigh arrive in time to help and join us for "tea". Merry Christmas to all!!

More Pics

Sean's 1st Bath

He survived his 1st bath YAY!

Snuggling with Auntie Ashleigh for the 1st time (I love this pic)

Here is one proud cookie maker/decorater

Auntie Ashleigh and Mckenna hard at work

Great Nana and Mckenna making cookies

Here is the proud sister and her new little brother

Yup beleive it hs eyes are open, look how handsome he is

Special events continued and more

Mary, Doris and Carol, sisters-in-law. Each of us thinks we got the best brother!!

Charlie, Tom, Carol and Debbie.

Mike and Laura came to help me decorate gingerbread boys. David, Andy and Liane probably do not know my Christmas tradition of giving everyone a gingerbread boy at some family Christmas gathering. Long ago, when you were here for Christmas, Don remembers biting the head off Brian's gingerbread boy when Brian looked the other way. I used to hang the cookies on the Christmas tree until I discovered Don crawled behing the tree and ate the cookie off the branches leaving only the head. I really appreciate the help with the decorating. Barbara joined us for lunch. Don, Stephen, Jim and Dave are up at the cabin for a wintry weekend.

The finished product. Delicious and cute! Merry Christmas week to all.

Special events

Jerry and Doris with grandson Caleb Zimmer.

The three brothers have gained a few pounds in 50 years!!! They remain best of friends.

Carol and Charlie with their grandchildren, l to r, Paige, Charlie Parker and Garrett.

Carol and Charlie ready to cut their 50th wedding anniversary cake, December 17, 2010.
18 of us gathered to celebrate with a delicious luncheon and loads of memory sharing.

Our New Additon

Sean James Mahony was born on Decemeber 8, 2010 at 5:08. He weighed 8 Pounds 7 Ounces, he was 21 1/2 inches long. He is a great additon and we love him very much. Here are some pics enjoy!

Here are my expert shovelers this is just too cute of a pic not to share

Sean and Mommy at home from the hospital

Daddy and Sean in the hospital cuddling

Sean getting all cleaned up

My first time holding my son (Priceless)

Mckenna snuggling her brother she loves him so much

Kisses for Sean from Mckenna this happens at least a dozen times a day. He gets tons of Mckenna kisses

I love this pic.. late at night Herb snuggling Sean to get him to bed. He loves his Daddy's voice it soothes him everytime

Bright n early in the morning with my kids. If I get to wake up to these two faces in the morning I don't care how early it is

Sean snoozing away with his favorite blanket.

Makes a snowy day fun!!

This is the day Dad/Grandpa has waited for for two weeks or more. Enough snow to try out his new snow blower. It has been beautiful all day with snow sticking to every branch and twig. A day like this is perfect to curl up with a good book, take a walk or just enjoy the beauty of snow. A month from today we'll be leaving for the different beauty of AZ and CA with snowy days a good memory.

Sean James from Nana's Prespective

Baby Sean Update

Well still no baby boy yet, he is just hanging in there. My Doctors were shocked I hadn't gone into labor on Tuesday so I defintly thought he would have been here by now, but he must just be waiting for his Daddy's birthday to show his face. So at this time I guess just keep me in your thoughts because i'm so ready to have him in my arms opposed to my tummy.

As soon as he gets here I will defintly let you all know!!!!!

Hunting Success

Late this afternoon Grandpa became the family's second successful hunter for 2010.
Don shot his buck at the hunting camp last week.

Baby Sean Update

Well we had an ultrasound since i'me measuring small the doctors wanted to be sure of his size at this point and he is just fine. He looks like he is weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces so he will be a healthy guy indeed. I have 2 weeks more til my due date but he is head down and ready so I will be packing the hospital bag for him and I this week and it could be anytime at this point. It also looks like our little guy is going to have some hair so that will be cool. Herb and I are very excited about meeting him and the girls I think are ready as well. We will defintly keep everyone posted.

Pedro Party 2010

Carol got the booby prize and Charlie was the champ. The first time "honors" were received by husband and wife. A good time was had by all of us. Margaret and Dick stopped in to say hello just in time to join us for the delicious, bountiful potluck. Roz, Bill and Paul had a slide show running about their trip to Russia last month. Paul is the family photographer and the photos are beautiful. Katie Peacock Ripstra is expecting her second girl in March. 2011 Father's Day Picnic will be fun with 2 new babies. Caitlin is due in about a month. Loads of Love to all, Mother/Grandma

Happy Halloween

If you come trick or treating at our door Mr. Jughead the skeleton will greet you.
Have a Happy Halloween with love, Grandma/Mother

Mckenna's Pumpkin Halloween 2010

Mckenna's finished product

This is her i'm working hard face I think

Having fun