Hodge Podge of Older Photos

I found some pictures from several months ago that I thought would be nice to post.

Here's Dad, Jheri, Michele and I with snow in our hair during our night out to see Santa in 2006! We've done that every year since forever ago!

Here's Mattie and Mason in a box of big Marshmallows!



Here's Matt and Mason again, being good brothers!

and this is Michele and me mugging it for the camera!

My Visual DNA

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We're getting so big!

 

Dinner with Nanny and Papa

 
 

We're all dressed up and have someplace to go...Dinner with Nanny and Papa, and Aunt Goo, Uncle Mike and the boys. We love going out to eat! Miss Monica, thank you for my dress!

Hey Blue Eyes

 

Monkey Boy!

 

 

 

It's official -- we have a monkey boy!

I'm driving in my car....

Don't worry, it's parked in the garage!

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. As you know, this is the beginning of Lent, the 40 or so days before Easter. Lent has always been an important time for me. I have always viewed it as my time to make things right with our Lord. Some years I fell very short of that goal. He forgave me. Each year I'd make the great attempt and some years I felt I actually came closer to that goal than I had the year before. Over the last several years I have typically shied away from giving up the standard chocolate, candy, certain yummy foods, and have leaned toward things like procrastinating, gossiping, judging others. Those are definitely the more difficult things to avoid. And, that's the point. This year I'm open for suggestions. I'm sure everyone has a good suggestion for something I need to give up.

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Happy Happy!

 
Just hanging out on a Sunday.

A Night Out with the Boys...

 
Here we are having pizza with Preston and Michael!

Hi Ho the Cherry-O...

 
...the Farmer in the Dell!

I can sit up all by myself....

Well, almost all by myself. My bumbo helps!

Sam's Christening

We had Samantha baptized today. May God bless her and keep her. Aunt Michele is her Godmother and Uncle Mike (Tom's Brother) is her Godfather. That's Aunt Michele's big pretty smile! And, Sam is wearing Aunt Michele's christening gown; how special is that?!

It's just a little thing....

This is our refrigerator. The ribbon is for a dear friend's son-in-law who is in Iraq right now. There the ribbon will stay until Mike is home with his family.

Baby it's cold out there

Bathtime for Samantha

Happy 2nd Birthday Dear Thomas

Merry Christmas -- Belated

Our first Christmas with Samantha was great. As is usual, we spent Christmas Eve with my side of the family and Christmas Day with Tom's. Here are some pictures of Samantha all decked out, the family, Thomas in his new bus, and finally, Sam pooped out on Tom's shoulder.

Oh Christmas Tree

Going to see Santa....

While we didn't get electronic pictures of the kids and Santa, here are some with their Mommy and Daddy.

Good Morning!

Sam was such a good girl as we got ready to leave in the morning. Here she is just smiling big. (Sorry it's blurry)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

More Thanksgiving

Daddy and the kiddos.

What's good for the goose.....

Well, you get the drift.... Earlier I posted a picture of Thomas helping Mommy. Here he is helping Daddy!

Hanging out at the house

Brother and Sister together.

Daddy, I LOVE the computer!

Thomas and Daddy love playing on the computer. It is so fun to watch them find new things together. I am not sure who has more fun. Thomas' favorite site these days is Thomas and Friends.

What a Helpful Little Boy!

Thomas has found two new "toys." He loves playing with the dust mop and the broom. Now to get him to "play" with the vacuum and the dishwasher!

I'm getting so big!

Today is Sam's 1 month birthday. When she was born she was 6 lbs, 1 oz. At her 2 week check up she was 6 lbs, 10 oz. Today she is 7 lbs 15 oz! What a big girl!

Welcome Miss Samantha Christine Bates

Well, the newest little Bates decided it was time for her to make her appearance. About 3 weeks early and less than 4 hours from start to finish, Samanatha Christine is here!