We're back.... Did you miss us???

To all those who check in and haven't seen anything new for a LONG time - my sincerest apologies. Needless to say it's been a busy Nov and Dec. I'll give you a "quick" recap and then I promise to be better at keeping this updated.

You can see our pretty little Disney Fairy on the right posing in this year's Halloween costume. A is a BIG fan of the Disney Fairy book series and loves the author Gail Carson Levine - who wrote not only the 2 hardback Fairy books but also Ella Enchanted and a load of other books that A can't put down. C didn't go out trick or treating this year.

Cleveland was next on the agenda, with C playing in a soccer tournament. We won our first game, lost the next one and tied the final one. We didn't play for the finals (we had to win and have another team lose to be eligible for the finals), but that was ok. It was a cold tournament, but the girls had a great time playing and even more fun goofing off in the hotel which had an indoor pool, putt putt, arcade, play area... you get the idea. We were all proud of them, but glad the fall season was over.

From there we sped on to the National Catholic Youth Conference, also known as NCYC. I was privileged to be part of the largest diocesan group we've ever had for an NCYC, as well as take 4 youth and 3 young adults in our parish group. It was an awesome gathering in Columbus, OH, with roughly 19,000 of our closest friends there. It was an inspiring event for all who attended.

After NCYC I literally crashed. After 3 straight months of going non-stop, I was exhausted. We celebrated C's birthday (I now officially have 2 teenagers in the house!!). Thanksgiving was fun for all with celebrations at my parents' and my brother-in-law's homes. We always watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on tv. This year A created her own float. She also helped cook the food that we took to my parents' house (stuffing and loaded smashed potatoes).

After Thanksgiving we got our first snowfall. It was beautiful and netted S a day off school. He was thrilled, but the girls weren't since they still had to go. But it did provide plenty of wet play once they got home! We had been in a drought, but received a LOT of rainfall just prior to the snow moving in. So we were treated to a rare winter sight: a flowing creek surrounded by powdery snow right in our backyard.

The girls' school held a first ever school-wide Christmas concert. While both girls' classes sung, C also read (Bible stories about Christ's birth were read in between each song to tie the whole thing together). They all did a great job.

The Young Adult group that I minister to went to the Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights. I took the girls with me (S had to work which was a bummer). We all had a great time. That was followed by a lock-in at Gameworks for our Jr. and Sr. High Youth Ministries. I got to sit at the table all night guarding stuff while the rest of them had fun. One of my assistant youth ministers snuck this pic of me that night.

Christmas was a blast this year. It was the first year S was able to be with us. Christmas Eve rocked. We tracked Santa's whereabouts throughout the day on http://www.noradsanta.org/. It was awesome and A could see just how fast he moved from place to place. Then we celebrated at hubby's older brother's house. They were worried the house would be too small, but we all fit just fine and had a ball! Younger kids played some kind of snowboarding game downstairs while the adults played the Wii upstairs. S and his cousin A got to enjoy Christmas before having to leave (S went to celebrate with his parents while cousin A had to work).

Christmas Morning at our house was a blast. Santa wrapped everything this year so that the 3 kids could all see what he brought at the same time. A especially was so excited she could barely stand it. She kept screaming as she saw all her gifts. At one point C and S did it just to tease her a bit - she didn't notice. :-) It was definately a special time. So special that our little dog was worn out by all the excitement!

We all got to celebrate at my parents' house Christmas Afternoon, but I totally forgot to take the camera so there aren't any pics from there. (Sorry) We also celebrated a second time on the day after Christmas when my youngest brother and his girlfriend could be there, but again I was lame and forgot the camera. Needless to say, we all had a wonderful Christmas. The best past was being with family.

Finally we celebrated Christmas and New Years with our best friends. The kids loved their presents and enjoyed hanging out. S was there for a bit before heading up to see his parents. (God love him he spent most of his holiday going back and forth between families. While it made his holiday seem like a blur, he enjoyed being able to celebrate the holiday with both his families. And it was special for us since it was the first one we had with him.) Again I forgot the camera, but suffice it to say a fun time was had by all!

So there you have it - you're now officially caught up. I promise I'll be better about this in 2008. Special thanks to my friend Sharie for reminding me that people DO read this and want newer info on us.