It's beginning to look a lot like...

With this being our first year as home owners I thought I would document an important rite of passage...hanging Christmas lights. I gotta say I didn't think it would get done, but, thanks to an inspiring and helpful neighbor things are a lot more festive around here! Thanks for humoring me , Hon!

Kim's effort on the roof turned into...

This! Not too bad! Don't tell him that I already have more elaborate plans for next year! In fact, I feel like watching Christmas Vacation right now!

I have been trying to stay busy too decorating the inside:) Which brings me to a hotly debated question: Do you prefer colored or white lights? I am finding that I am in the MINORITY here! Hmmmm...

Just for Mimi

The following video is not anything special: just wanted Mimi to get a little glimpse!

You might consider this your Christmas Card

Depending on how this next week goes-this may be our only shot at getting cards out:(

I don't love love any of these but I realize that I am running out of time! To all our friends and family-please know that our love and well wishes go with you especially this season...whether we get cards out or not!

Meet Miss Olivia Kate

This tiny beauty is our newest niece Olivia Kate...look at all that hair! Very excited for this addition and looking forward to cuddling her again soon! So sweet!

I just had to post this picture of the two girlies who suddenly don't look so little anymore:(

Brady with B and Jordyn holding little livie! I think she has already got her daddy wrapped around her finger! Truly, every child born is a miracle.

It's All Hallow's Eve

WARNING: not only is this a picture overload...it is highly unorganized and tells no story except that I am too tired to fix it. you have been warned!

The Stinson cousins...why can't we take just one picture that turns out? This is the closest that I could come! That's Mario and Luigi with an owl, Harry and a bumble bee...just in case your couldn't tell! Missing a little raccoon (I think?!).

The whole Stinson crew..thanks Mimi:) you worked your magic yet again!




Despite that downpour at the ward trunk or treat, the Jackson crew were able to go trick or treating!




After a long day of Halloween mischief...even Mario "gets a tired"

Miss Elizabeth and Cap't Jack aka Carrie Sue and Sean...giving a very pirate-ish look here!


"I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee..." Kim was loving his bumble bee girls!

Loving the belly bump of the Mario Bros! They were both psyched that this day had FINALLY come!

It'sa Mario Time! Can you see his smile behind his 'stach?



Jackson Cousins: Mario with his little bee and Vampire Princess with her little lion! Of course missing our little Alexa too! Boo!

The one Halloween of memory where it was too cold to wear this! But it was just too cute to not get a pic of...proud of me, mom?

The Harry Potter Crew (and Luigi--sometimes you just have to spice it up, right J?)


I'll look back on this Halloween with a clear memory of how much THIS girl enjoy it! Not only did she say "trick or treat" and "thank you" she insisted on walking through the entire neighborhood by herself with a heavy candy bucket! She literally wore out all the adults and did NOT want the evening to end!

Catching our breath with Carrie Sue and Papa!

This is a picture that Brady insisted on taking with his old friend Mr. Bear who actually managed to get dress up for the occasion too! Jordyn's make up is eerie good:)



It's so fun to see the kiddos interact with each other and have such a fun day. It almost makes the inevitable tantrums/sugar overload that will happen tomorrow worth it!

This is what home is...

So my childhood home may have gone through a few changes. Surprisingly I like the change. Maybe it's because going home means so much more than the house. Home is....

Picking Mac's on a crisp autumn day...

Wearing boots everywhere...

even when inside...

celebrating a birthday...

adoring an Uncle...really look at Marinny's face!

having "Fluffernutter Fridays"...

learning fire safety from a local hero...

Getting some ice cream with Grams...

being exhausted from traveling...

getting tutored by a world class teacher...

Getting taken care of by this guy...wish he could still cart me around still:)

Doing some gardening ...

and a lot of jumping...jammies and boots-ya I'm a good mom:)

Playing a little catch...

ring pop time with pepere...

sharing the backyard with these guys...

But most of all home is time with these special people.

Thank you so much mom and dad...we had an unforgettable time. And, we are counting down the days until Christmas already.

Brother and Sister

You go on walks together You fight.

You make up.

You scrub up together...and yes I WILL use this to embarrass you later:)

You are best buddies.

And I hope you always be--no matter what. Forever.

Autumn in Maine

Looking out at the swing at Webster Park

Train Bridge-taken from the walking bridge into town.

Streaming out into the Penobscot


Celebrating this view 8 years later!

Can you have a favorite tree?