Tired, Overworked, Underpaid, and Tired

Just a quick note. I'm tired. I've been swamped with jobs that have to be done and billed by year-end. Kieren is really mad at Mommy for ignoring her and working. I'm feeling wiped out and underpaid for my other job (being Mom & wife). Did I mention I'm tired??? Oh! And Cullen is having a number of boys over for New Years and to sleep over... UGH!

On a sad note, my friend Colleen really needs your good vibes, prayers, chants - whatever you've got! Her father went for a walk (the Monday before Christmas) and is missing. I ache for her and her family. I cannot imagine what they are going through.

On a happier note, congrats to my friend PIPO! She finally got to see her daughter's face!!!! She is gorgeous!!!

Gotta run to the grocery now and then make food for a herd of starving 12-year-old boys! Why do I let Cullen talk me into these things?!?! I will be a better blogger when I can sleep for more than 2 hours. Later!

A Secret Gift

For Christmas this year, Nanny & Pop got Ian this adorable sweater and a stuffed monkey dressed in his own matching sweater! Since I was watching Ian, I borrowed the gifts and did a little secret photo-shoot!!! I'm the devious one in the family. I kept telling Heather that Ian really needed a haircut that week. So she took him. Then I told her that the kids and I did a secret project (I couldn't get to the phone when she called because we were on a roll!) but I refused to explain. I never brought it up again and Heather forgot. Here are the results.


This is the one I framed as a secret gift.

Is that a cheesy smile or what?!

Too cute!

Such a clown!!! Kieren was an excellent assistant! She had Ian cracking up the whole time! All of the smiles were because of Kieren.

...And yes, I did spike Ian's hair for the photos!!!

You're Kidding, Right?

"You want me to wear the hat?!"

Pumpkin doesn't look convinced...

Beautiful Kieren

Christmas Morning: A Few of My Favorite Shots

Christmas Morning! Kieren wasn't too happy with her rude awakening from Cullen.

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Cullen in his coveted Yankees hat.

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Santa brought Kieren the doll she wanted. (Her request "hair like me, eyes like me" was met.)
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Kieren has driven me crazy for months about a guitar! So, do you think she likes it????
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Cullen got a Fly Fusion Pen. He was thrilled!!!
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"All these things are mine?!?!?!?!"
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Happy boy...

Merry Christmas To All My Friends...

...May it be your happiest yet!

Love,

Sam, Andy, Cullen & Kieren

Another Celebration of Three Years

December 21, 2005
The first time my Mom held her granddaughter! This photo was taken at the Dayton airport after more than 30 hours of travel.
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Poor Kieren was so tired, confused, and sick!
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December 21, 2008
Nanny & Kieren at the Dayton Ballet's Nutcracker.
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And Kieren is still tired and sick (at least she's not confused)! Poor baby didn't enjoy the ballet very much. She didn't feel good and begged me to take her home at the intermission (we stayed). I ended up holding her for the entire ballet and she fell asleep on my chest during the second half of the production (I have the snot stains to prove it!).

Making Cookies With Nanny

Pop, Kieren & Nanny made peanut-butter cookies after dinner tonight.

Kieren was very proud of her own cookies!

Hey, Nanny! Show us your cookies!

Ummm...Nanny, that wasn't what we meant...
BTW, Kieren's cookies were better than Nanny's!!!

Super Hero Playgroup

My gifts for our playgroup this year were a bit unusual. I decided the world could use some help. We need more Super Heroes! So I made all of our friends at Panda Cubs capes. Each were made in each child's favorite colors. I was so sneaky that Heather didn't even know what I was up to!!!

Panda Cubs Playgroup Super Heroes!

Now that's a super hero smile! Ian is making sure no evil sneaks up on them.

Kieren and Danielle had a great time keeping the play area safe from all villains!

Jake was thrilled with his cape! He wore it through the whole mall!

Little Sarah wasn't too sure about the cape, but she sure loved the bag it came in!

Sarah finally decided to try on her cape. Isn't she just too cute?!

Merry Christmas, Panda Cubs!!!

Against My Better Judgement...

Okay, Kerri & Sen! Here are the blonde photos. I hate posting photos of me! I should post a warning that I may scare small children or pets.

These were taken in the dark of night - so no one could ask me what I was doing and while my judgement was taking a holiday! No rude comments - I know where you live!!! My hair is a much lighter color in daylight or outside. It's pretty dark in my house. Lesson learned: don't ask Heather to HIGHLIGHT your hair and expect it to be only highlighted!!! She's just gonna do what she wants anyway!! (You know I love you, H!!!)

The Best Gifts I Have Ever Been Given...

...My Babies!

Three Years Almost To The Day...

It's funny how sometimes when you take a photo it gives you one of those "where have I seen this before" moments! Tonight was Cullen's Christmas Concert at school (that's a post for tomorrow). Kieren was standing up on my Mom's lap to see Cullen, as we were seated pretty far in the back. I snapped a quick photo of Kieren and got a flashback! It reminded me so much of a photo taken almost exactly three years ago. Where did the time go...


December 19, 2005 - Pearl River Cruise, GZ, China

December 18, 2008 - ECA Christmas Concert, Springfield, Ohio

New Music & Header

Notice a theme with my header and music? My Dad bought my Mom, Kieren and me tickets for the Dayton Ballet's Nutcracker Suite!!!! He got us front row of the first balcony (not really a balcony really) so Kieren can see everything (with room to stand up and dance)!!! We go to the last performance of the season this Sunday at 2:30pm!!!!! We are so excited!!!!

Chef Kieren

Kieren is really into playing house and cooking right now. Every evening as I'm cooking dinner, Kieren comes running into the kitchen with her own cooking gear. Tonight I gave her a big bowl of uncooked rice to play with. She had a blast!