Happy Birthday Mia!

10 years old!  Last one in the family to hit the double digits!  Woot woot!

Pictures to follow.

9 years as a Grant

Nine years ago today, Mia was placed in my arms at the Gloria Hotel, in Nanchang, China.  Time has flown!

She has tested my skills as a parent every minute of the last nine years; nevertheless, she adds spunk and so much more to our little family.

We love her so.

Happy Gotcha Day, Bobeep!

Look-a-like

Check out this picture of Michael and Tyler.  Michael was a bit older than Tyler when the photo was taken, but I guess Tyler can easily figure out what he is going to look like in 30 years!!!! 

:)

Just in case...

You were wondering...Christmas is 40 days, 12 hours, and 34 minutes away!

I AM READY!

Happy Veterans Day!

Catching my breath

Boy, this year is flying right by and I didn't even realize it!

We are almost 9 weeks into the new school year, and the kids will get reports cards very soon.  I swear, it feels like school just started the other day.

The whole family is doing great - actually.  Kids are (mostly) behaving, Mike has a new job, and I am just pushing on, as always.

With the government shutdown looming over our heads, we have been super busy at work, trying to tie some loose hands before we are left at home, without pay.  I am very disappointed with the way our politicians are bickering at our expenses, but I know we are a resilient work force and will overcome all this, eventually...

Halloween is also upon us very soon.  This year, we will have a Countess of Darkness and a Cleopatra in the family - fun times.

Enjoy the pics! Laura

 

 

One week down...

...35 to go!!!

First week of school was uneventful...if you call uneventful preparing lunch for four people (two kids and two adults), homework, extra curricular activities, etc...

The beach was fabulous and honestly, I could move there tomorrow and never look back.

What's next on the schedule???  Christmas, of course!!!!  I am ready.  I have been shopping and I am in the mood for some holiday food and beverages!!!  So, bring it!

 

-9 Days...

...and we will be at the beach.  But, who is counting, right?

Love to all,

Summer

Summer is here.  You couldn't tell by the way the weather is acting lately, but it is here.

This year we will have one child going to 10th grade, one going to 3d grade, and, unfortunately, one staying in 2d grade for a little extra "training".  Emma is still not reading and needs to get a little bit of help getting there.  No worries - she will be fine.  After all, she already has her mind set on working at Petsmart.  Little reading needed there!  ;)

Tyler went to JROTC camp and now he is working at the National Infantry Museum.  Mike has already threatened to make him pay rent!  HAHA!

The girls and I went to Savannah for a couple of days to hang out with our China travel friends, the Peed family. The kids have grown so much since the last time we saw them in 2008. We had a great time together! We shouldn't wait another five years before getting together again, and, who knows, maybe next time, we will meet in China!

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks. Enjoy!

Love to all,

The BIG apple

My Mom and I had a fun-filled weekend in NYC.  :)

 

In order:

Ready for the theater.
Street outside our place.
Breakfast a la Italy.
Mom on the Empire State Building.
Ground Zero Memorial.
Mom tries the subway for the first time at age 74.

WE HAD A BLAST.

Happy Mother's Day

My Mom is here, so we were able to celebrate Mother's Day together.  :)

First Holy Communion

Look who is here!!!!

Catching up...with pictures

These are the last few weeks of our lives in pictures in no particular order.  ENJOY!