New bangs

this picture is from this morning. Nevi decided yesterday she wanted bangs...so bangs she got! So cute. Here she is with Bella, our sweet and tolerant kitten.

Baking with Grandma

Nevi did so much baking with Grandma this holiday time. First Xmas cookies and then on Christmas morning they made home-made bear claws together! Yum

Grandma and Grandpa Jack's House

After a bit at our house- we headed to Devin's mom's for Christmas Day. Here is their beautiful tree.

Sweet Noni

Nevi's grandmother, Noni made her a hat and scarf which she LOVES!

Papa

This year- Nevi all on her own made a present for her papa...then she wrapped it and decoarted the package all herself. She was so excited and her Papa of course was in love!

Stocking

Ok stockings took less than 30 seconds this year! This was the first year Nevi was interested in Santa, and it showed by her speed at emptying her stocking! How does he know what size underwear I wear she asked...Santa is very smart, I replied.

Pink Retro Kitchen

When Nevi came down the stairs Christmas morning- this is what was under the tree! Oh my- a look of complete joy. Her Uncle Nat & Aunt Gina and Noni & Dad Dad and us gave her a pink retro play kitchen. Right now it lives in the room that used to be our living room- now it is a play room. But when the rain stops- Nevi will have her kitchen set up in her playhouse in the back yard. We are going to make that her own special hang out place!

Tradition

Our Christmas Eve tradition (which we clipped from Will & Krista) is that each child gets to open one present on Christmas Eve, and it is always new pajamas. Here are all three children in their new jammies. Amelia's have monkeys, Dylan- boy stripes and Nevi -flannel flower power!

bath time

Nevi is sqeezing a water animal and making a stream of water- can you see it? Simple amusement! And warm water helps to soothe Santa induced wild children!

Sylvia & Cole

Here is sweet Sylvia and her new baby, Cole. Cole was born on Nov 25th, and I was honored to be at his birth. He was such a good boy and slept sweetly most of the evening.

Candle-light dinner

In my family- Christmas Eve dinner was always our big dinner. My Mom always set the table so beautifully and always candles...so we had candle light, yummy food contributed by all, lots of wine and really great company.

Jason & Amelia

Sweet Amelia all of a sudden broke out in a high fever. Poor thing. But Homeopathy to the rescue...a few doses of Belladona and the fever was calmed. She was a pure delight even though she did not feel very good. She and Nevi started in the same outfit- twins! But Nevi was out of hers too soon for a picture!

Art

We set Dylan and Nevi up with an art project when their excitement needed some focus! They each painted a wooden star box as a keepsake for Xmas 2007.

Nevi & Bella with Dylan & Sherpa

Our Christmas Eve was a lovely time. Our dear friends Rob & Sylvia and their two boys Dylan and Cole came over. Our family Jason & Jen and Amelia came over, and Uncle Brian even stopped in for a beer! Here are some happy children and some scared- yet happy kittens!

Silly me

Here I am last night...smiling, feeling thankful for my life...loving this time of celebration. happy hannukah, happy solstice, merry christmas, happy kwanza and happy new year too while we are at it.

Cute

Here is Nevi a few weeks ago ready to go somewhere. She is just cute and yes I am bias. I am her Mother.

Tea Party and Dress up

Nothing like having tea with an old friend dressed in your finest!

Natalia and Nevi

Nevi had a visit from an old friend today. Natalia and Nevi were friends as tiny girls- then Natalia moved to Michigan about a year and a half ago. Today the Kaufman- Eddy family came to town for a visit. Nevi and Natalia played like no time had passed. Sweet old friends.

New Hair do

Here is my sexy husband with his new hair cut. You ask, where did he get it done? Well, he cut it himself with his flowbe(sp?). Yes, the thing you attach to the vacuum cleaniner and it sucks / cuts your hair.
He was sick of his hair being longer again and one night after too many drinks at a company holiday soemthing or other- he came home and cut his hair. In the middle of the process, the thing broke and he had to finish it with scissors. He did a fine job! Handsome as ever, but he is the only soul I know who would cut his hair over & over again with something that attaches to a vacuum cleaner! One of a kind.

Pot Party

Iknow you are all thinking a POT party....but this was a special pot party. Our friend, Linda- there in the picture travelled to Nicaragua. There she was volunteering in the Managua Dump. 2000 people live IN this dump. When she came home, she shared the story of a group of Nicaraguans with the help of an organization called Forward Edge are building a village for young children to move out of the dump and into a safe living environemnt. It is called Villa Esperanza. The village of Hope. Young girls are sold by their fmailies into prostitution- to trade sex for the right to enter the dump to collect things first. These girls ate often 11 and 12 years old. SO, Krista and I decided to host a Pot party where we had lots of generous friends over who gifted money into the POT (that krista is holding). We made over $600 to support the bilding efforts of Villa Esperanza. For more info or to donate yourself go to http://www.forwardedge.org/ During this holiday season... share the joy with these young children in Nicaragua...they need us.

Westover Girl 2020

Many of you know, I went to a boarding school in CT called Westover. Well, last night my four year old comes down the stairs declaring, " Tonight, I am wearing my Westover shirt to bed!" Her pride was billowing from her. You should have seen my heart swell. Nevi can go where she wants to high school when we get to that choice, but all of a sudden I felt so incredibaly lucky to have been given the opportunity to go to such an incredible school. Nevi would be the 30th in the line of women in my family to go to Westover. I was the 28th. No pressure, right. Actually- I never felt the pressure and she won't either....but look out Class of 2020 if she does want to go to Westover!

Nevi & Logan

Here is Nevi with her freind, Logan holding Sherpa and Bella! Four girl friends!