On December 2, my Nephew Nick, came home for one month on leave and got to spend Christmas with all the family. And I think I might have mentioned a time or two how much I miss that kid??? Yea, I do. 
So when he first got home, his parents had a family dinner so we could all come over and see him. Little did they know I was stalking outside waiting to jump him when he came out. ;o) It was so good to see him. To get my arms around him. He has had a tough last year, being out at sea, homesick and stuff, and its killed me to not be able to hug him or be there for him physically. Although I was there via Facebook IM chats late into the nights, email, phone calls and care packages. He knew he was never alone.
Nick and his sister, Stephanie and dad/my brother.The cousins all missed him too. Nick is the oldest grandchild/cousin, so everyone looks up to him and adores him. He's always one of the ones who gets down on the floor and plays with them. And Emily has a special place in her heart for him. She always gets a special hug from him. She always has a place on his lap. And he always goes looking for her when she plays shy and hides. And then you can hear her giggles when he captures her in his arms and tickles her endlessly.
Austin adores him too, although he's a little more subtle about it. He has to play it "Macho" you know. He would pull out the Xbox every time Nick would come over and get him to play games with him. He would stand close by him and listen to every word, absorbing as much as he could of his big cousin. Even trying to fit into the conversation. He would ask me almost every night if Nick was coming over.So Nick's last week here, we had him over by himself for a home cooked dinner and some quiet family time with him. It was so awesome. The kids almost jumped him when he walked in the door. After dinner, we visited and played card games for several hours. He looked relaxed and I couldn't help but sit there thinking to myself that this man before me was the little boy who would curl up in my lap and cuddle and watch Barney with me. Who would come spend the night and I would take everywhere pretending he was mine before I had children. That this man before me was going to be leaving soon and I just hadn't had enough time with him. That I hadn't said all I needed to say. That I hadn't hugged him enough. And then...I knew. I knew that he knew. That he knew he had a very special place in my heart. That I didn't need to say it. That he knew I would always be here for him. Because that's all I've ever been or shown him all his life. I've always been there. I've always loved him. And as much as I want him to stay, he must go out into that sometimes ugly world and make his way. He has to find his happiness. But there is no doubt in my mind that the foundation all his family has built for him, will help guide and hold him up no matter what he may face.
His ship is underway as soon as he gets back, and with the threats and status of the world today, he will be sent to god knows where to defend and assist whomever may need it. I worry about him. But I also believe in him. I know he is right where he needs to be.
Nick, I love you more then I can ever say. And I am more proud of you then I've ever been.
Just don't forget to call once in awhile.
XOXO
As soon as we got it up, Austin started begging to do the lights himself, and the star and was relentless. So I started thinking...I could totally use this to my advantage. 
I may have "suggested" that they make sure all sides of the tree got decorated, but that's as far as I went. I merely sat and handed out the ornaments.
They had a blast, laughing and giggling. And it was great to see them working together. 
I absolutely love how the photographer captured these poses and how much better they looked in B&W then in color. 
I think I just might keep this family after all...pretty good looking bunch they are! ;o)
If you've ever had to coordinate pictures, then you know it's a lot of work. You have to decide on a color theme, then find outfits that match somewhat in that color family, and then make sure everyone has the right accessories. You have to get everyone there on time, showered and hair perfect, clothes pressed and make sure every ones smiling.
So to be able to look at the final project and be pleased with it, is a major feat.
Because it's not until you look at your family all dressed up, standing next to each other, that you really see how grown up they are. That those years are slipping by. You see from year to year, how their faces change, who they start to look like, how tall they are, how their hair has changed, braces or no braces, glasses or no glasses, babies or teenagers.
I just want to freeze time. I want to capture the innocence of the moment. The joy on the faces, the happiness of childhood, captured in a flash.
They started out slow, taking their time as they went. And then the race was on to see how many they could do, and how many different colors or designs they could make. 
Even Austin who stated he was "too old for this kinda thing" eventually sat down and made a few.
When your done designing, you then iron all the beads together. They then melt into the design you created. And you then attach the key chain clip and viola'!
It was pretty enticing, even for adults. 
Some got creative with themes, seen here making a San Francisco Giants one.
Adults and kids alike had a good time. Even though hours later we were finding little beads EVERWHERE! I'm not kidding.
And I've been fortunate (or Crazy) enough to be the Team Mom/Manager for 9 of those years. We've always kept the same 7 or 8 players that come back each year and add in a handful of new ones. We've met and made some great friends along the way. I've had such joy in watching these boys grow up over the years. They all refer to me as "Mama ----" (insert last name here), and when we had sweatshirts made up this year for the team with our names on it, that's exactly what I put on mine. I enjoy it when they refer to me that way, or come up and give me hugs or know they can talk to me about anything. They email me themselves, call me and I know I've left a memory with them of someone who supports and cares for their well being. 
I make sure they have water at each game or I give them mine. I make sure they stay cool by squirting them down with misters. I make sure they are out of the rain by sitting under my pop-up tent. I make sure they have a place to sit at half time by giving them my chair. And if they are hurt, I am the first standing up checking on them, many times before their own parents.
The boys are at an age now where they are all going off in their own directions as they start High School. Playing High School sports now and not the leagues. Journeys that will take them in all sorts of new directions full of hope and promise. The future is theirs to conquer. 
I can only hope that they take with them a small part of what they have learned while being a part of our team all this time. That something I said or did will stick with them. That just maybe...these "big boys" will remember their "Mama ----" and think fondly of me. 
Because I'm gonna miss these boogers. The Stinky, Sweaty, Dirty, lovely little messes they are, I'm gonna miss every one of them.
Anyhoo...Emily went as Alex Russo from Wizards of Waverly Place. I seriously doubt anyone (other then kids) knew who she was suppose to be. But she just "had to have it". And guess what? It was apparently a very popular costume this year. Although I never saw another one dressed as one, every store in town was sold out, and 15 websites I checked were sold out. I was near tears as I tried UNSUCCESSFULLY to convince her to be something else, but she was firm that she "just had to be" Alex. So I googled and googled and clicked and clicked and lo and behold, I found some website I had never heard of that had ONE costume in her size left!!! And it was $5 cheaper then I saw on the sold out sites. Momma scored!!! And the Lil' girl was delighted! 
Austin decided on HALLOWEEN DAY that he wanted to trick or treat, and needed a costume. I was so mad that he waited til the last minute, that I only went to Rite Aid and told him he gets whatever I find is left on the shelves. Which lucky for him I found this:
Ok, who has seen the scary and gory movies SAW? There's like 7 or 8 of them out now. The latest came out last months in 3D. Imagine seeing a leg getting severed in 3D? No thanks. Anyways, the first 4 or 5 the DH's and I were into. It was a story line that kept you trying to figure out who did it and then why. So even though it was a squeamish for me, I just couldn't stop watching. Then it just got dumb. After all the questions were answered, they had a copy cat killer and it just was lame. 
But Austin scared allot of adults that night! Most kids didn't know who he was, probably because sane parents didn't let their young kids watch such gore, but all the adults walking around knew! LOL. What's even funnier, is his shirt is a Jeff Dunham shirt that says "SILENCE, I'll Keel you!" hahahaha...
Anyhoo, the MIL's health has deteriorated and she was going in for surgery and we knew it was the last shot that DH's and son would have to go see her. The timing of the trip was the worst ever (
So after the decision was made to go, I thought it was a great idea to take Austin along. One, he really needed some guy time, and two, he really needed a chance to meet his grandma and was old enough to remember her.
We didn't tell her he was coming. She thought it was just DH's. So DH walks in room when he gets there and visits for 5 minutes or so, then says he has to go get something outside. And brought Austin into the room. It was a great shock, once they explained who he was. He had grown so tall and "manly" she was expecting a boy still. 
The hotel had the coolest Atrium with an indoor pool, cafe area, game area and lounge area.
Austin had a great time. They went swimming at the hotel, shopping at the mall, visiting relatives. It was a short trip but packed with activities.
And DH's took evidence that some pups couldn't run with the big dogs! ;o)
My big girl has grown so much this year. She has excelled with her social life this year, making several new "BFF's", having sleepovers, play dates and swimming parties. She has developed several new hobbies, is learning to roller skate, idolizes her big brother and loves her puppy dog with all her heart.
Which was none of the above. Austin was merely booting the ball and the other player ran in front of him and realized he was gonna get hit so he ducked. The ensuing picture looks like Austin is decking the kid between the look on Austin's face and the kid flying forward. LOL!
Austin plays Fullback/Defender position. So he normally does not get allot of ball time. We have a great Offense team. But this game everyone was playing hard. And Austin was a key player in ball time.
I love watching my kid's sports! I get so caught up in it. By the last quarter I couldn't sit in my chair and was pacing the field. 
Hard Rock Cafe - DH and I after the show. That's my $13 drink in front of me - I about had a hernia when I found out. Apparently you get to keep the glass. I tried to give it back. They wouldn't take it. Yikes!
My Redrocker BFF! Finally a show where we got to rock out together. Stacey fell down her stairs in February this year and broke two bones in her ankle. She's had two surgeries already and been tied up in casts and wheelchairs at the other shows. She was finally well enough to stand and rock out with us!
Redrocker Friends - our Redhead groupkeeps growing! So much love at a Sammy show!
Redrocker friendz - Both Hubs behind us having a good time!
We played many games of Quarters. The big winner was DH's! He walked away with $6 in other peeps money! Woohoo..
These Limes are from my tree! They are so juicy...mmm...
Aaron put on an awesome show and ended with a great rendition of "Summer of '69"! We know Aaron. He's an excellent artist and we have two of his paintings he did of his dad. We've met with him several times up there and him and I email back and forth. So I was super excited for him as I know his passion is his art and singing. But it's hard to break into the business when your dad is Sammy Hagar.
It was really neat because Sam came out and introduced Aaron, and then he stood on the side of the stage rocking out through Aaron's whole set. He was a proud papa! 
I had a great time at this concert. I made sure to keep a buzz but not get drunk enough that I missed the show, and I got to dance and sing with one of my BFF's through the show whom I haven't been able to for some time. So it was a great weekend.
