So Far Away.....

Visit to Grandma & Grandpap's House - Weekend of July 23rd....

George and the kids headed to Altoona the weekend of July 23rd. George, Lil' George, Adam, Jacob and James all headed to a Pirates game for Jacob's birthday while Gracie stayed behind and spent some quality time with the family Below are some pics of George and the latest addition to our family (Blane) who does not look too happy in this photo LOL.  In the background is Gracie and my father-in-law (George). Additional photos are of my mother-in-law (Kathleen) playing a board game with the grandkids. We have good news....we recently found out that we are expecting another little niece or nephew. My brother-in-law (Mike) and sisteer-in-law (Nicki) are expecting their third child - Andrew and Noah (my nephews) will soon have a new baby brother or sister....and we can't wait to welcome the new bundle of joy into the world!

 Gracie, George with baby Blane & Dad Clapper

 Jacob, Gracie, Grandma & Annie

Gracie & Grandma (playing board game)

Jacob's 10th Birthday - Pirates Game

This year for Jacob's birthday George wanted to go to a Pirates game - blah!!! I don't do baseball games - my kid's games I can sit through, but NOT pro games - I find them to be incredibly long and boring - I am into hockey and that's it!  George, Lil' George, Jacob and his cousin James and Uncle Adam all went to Pittsburgh on July 24th (Jakes 10th birthday) to see the Pirates play the Cardinals and the Pirates won the game in extra innings - the final score was 4-3 Pirates. Below are some pics George took at the game. Jacob & James both got free jerseys at the game - it was free jersey day for all kids - now that's pretty awesome!

 Jacob - Georgie - James

 (Left to right) Adam - James - Jacob - George

 Jacob & James

My boys - Jacob & Georgie

St. Jude's Hero - Marathon - November 13, 2011

Well Fam and Friends - I decided I would participate in the St. Jude Hero's Marathon on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at City Island here in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. I am currently training as a walker but might opt to run some of it too.  Below is the link to my homepage if you would like to make a donation.  Your kindness and generosity are very much appreciated.  Thank you.

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?programName=heroes&eventId=177726&userId=649449

Pool Party - June 24, 2011

Gracie 

 Jacob

 Gracie Girl

My Little Man Jake

The kids had lots of fun at Hampden Township Pool where the Daisy Troop(s) had their end of the year party which included siblings.  Jacob jumped at the opportunity....my kids love to go swimming. Gracie pretty much kept to herself and practiced her handstands and flips and Jacob opted to be in the deeper end of the pool where the big slide was. The party was from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. and they were all tuckered out when it came time to go home.

Dance Recital - June 11, 2011

2.5 hours....yes....2.5 hours of "recital fun" - How I managed to sit in one spot that long is beyond me, but I did it and it was so worth it. The week of the recital was a busy one - lots of rehersal and I pretty much saw the recital 3 times before the actual performance on Saturday (June 11th) - long evenings....very long evenings - all the time and energy was worth it though - my princess shined! Gracie and her entire dance class did a spectacular job and all their time and hard work paid off and surely showed.  I was the proud mommy sitting in the crowd literally do her dance routine with her from my seat...I was so nervous for her but there was NO reason to be nervous - Gracie had her two dance routines DOWN!! She knew exactly what she was doing. I took lots of pics and it will take me some time to get them posted. Attached are some pics of me and the kids after the performance.

Daisy to Brownie - Bridging Ceremony - June 4, 2011

My Little Daisy is now a........................

BROWNIE!

Princess Grace

 My little redhead, freckled Irish girl!

My Little Slugger - JACOB IS THE MAN!!

MY LITTLE SLUGGER!

I was so proud of Jacob. Cardinals first playoff game, bottom of the 6th inning (there are only six innings in minors) and game is tied 7 to 7 and Jake is up to bat....need I say more??? My baby got a great hit and brought in the winning run!! The team had a great game - I was so proud of everyone (especially my little slugger)!

Bridging Ceremony - Daisy to Brownie

Gracie's Birthday Bowling Party with Family and Friends

We opted for a party outside the house this year (way too much cleanup recommened for house parties) and we had it at the local bowling alley. It was alot of fun and very entertaining to say the least. Friends and neighbors joined us (Tracy, Ethan, Bianca, Jordan and Griffin) and made the day extra special for Gracie. I chose cupcakes this year rather than a birthday cake - just easier if you ask me!  I am all about "easy" the older I get. We have Big George's birthday at the end of June and Jake's 10th birthday on July 24th - he will become a double-digit midget and he requested to have a "cookout" at the house uggg......I can't win:)

Daddy & Gracie

Mommy & Gracie

Big Bro Georgie

Jacob, Ethan, Griffin, Bianca and Jordan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE GIRL!

Opening presents!

Gracie' Turns 7

My baby girl is 7....can you believe it? Her birthday fell on a Wednesday the year and it was on the last day of school AND Jacob had a baseball playoff game which led to very little time to celebrate Gracie's special day. So...we are having a birthday party for her this Saturday at the bowling alley with some friends. 

After the baseball game I took the kids to for ice cream at Meadows and then home so Gracie could open some presents.  Below are some pics....enjoy!

Celebrating Jacob & Gracie's Birthday at School

Me and Little George managed to bring cupcakes to school to celebrate Jacob and Gracie's birthday with their classes - uggg is all I have to say:) Gracie's birthday is June 2nd and Jake's birthday is not until July 24th but the school likes to recognize summer birthdays at the end of the school year (which I thought was nice). Below are some pics of my babies.

Birthday celebrations!

Jacob and his teacher Mrs. Shellenberger!

Jacob the birthday boy!

Gracie and her teacher Mrs. Hart (aka Miss Fosbenner).

Birthday girls of Mrs. Hart's class!

Gracie the birthday girl!

Build-A-Bear with Daisy Troop June 1, 2011

Gracie & her Daisy Troop at Build-a-Bear

I must admit, "encouraging" Gracie to stick with Daisys has been hard task but I think it's one of the best things she has been involved with.  The troop leaders (Miss Ruth and Miss Lori) are not only two remarkable women, but they are outstanding role-models.  I was just amazed at their poise, patience and commitment when it came to troop. 

Daisy Troop 571

Open House - West Creek Hills Elementary

Jacob - Open House - Jake and all the fourth graders sang a few songs with "Fire Flies" being my favorite.

I took a video of it....I just need to upload it (don't hold your breathe).

Jake and Gracie had "Open House" at their school (West Creek Elementary) the last week in May.  I got to see Jacob and the rest of the 4th graders put on a wonderful chorus performance and I visited the kids classrooms to pickup year end projects/assignments that needed to go home.  Gosh...there was so much stuff and God forbid we part with any of it! It was a busy night! This was Jacob's last year at West Creek. Next year he moves over to East Pennsboro Middle School - can't believe he's going into 5th grade and my Gracie girl will be going into 2nd grade - where has all the time gone?

Kids New Spongebob Bathroom

Yeah...I suprised the kids and switched up the bathroom and went with Spongebob - the kids loved it.

Easter 2011

Easter Baskets for my three babies!

A little note and some carrots for the Easter Bunny!

Easter morning!

One of Gracie's Easter dinner place settings.

"Hmmm....wonder if there's anything in here I will like"

This darn plastic covering...."the Easter Bunny makes things harder then they need to be mom"

It was great to have Lil' Geoge home for Easter. He had to head back to college on Easter day so we had an early holiday dinner. I only posted one pic of Gracie's place settings for dinner (made me laugh) but she did that for all five of us - she's so darn cute! Mommy made sure to put out some carrots and a letter for the Easter bunny and in turn the Easter bunny left baskets of goodies for the kidos!