Popcorn & a Movie Night...

Tradional Friday night stint...and since it's almost Halloween, we watched The Chipmunks meet Frankenstein.

Jim and the girls (with their new Winter hats!)

Splish-Splash...

The girls love taking baths in moms big tub...

Dinner and a Show...

What a DAY....I ended up with a flat tire when I went to leave work yesterday...there was no way I was going to get to my kids by 6pm, so Jim's mom thankfully got them for me, and I was on my way home by 5:30....but then there was this major traffic jam on Rt 1...really horrible accident.  I was stuck in traffic for awhile...finally got home at 6:30pm, and Staci and Lynds were there for dinner.  We ordered Hibachi take out, ate our salmon bowls, had some wine, and the kids entertained us with their singing...it was just what I needed for a rough day/week!!!

girls will be girls...

tix to their show

they were laughing SO hard

trio jammin'

Fun at the Fillibens

Indiana comes to Delaware!

With my dad so sick, my sister and her fam decided waiting til Christmas was not an option, so they took a roadtrip on Wednesday to come spend some quality time with my dad and family....always having the BEST time when they are in town (suffering the next day at work!)

Brianna and Pop-Pop (his oldest grandchild)

My messy Ashlee

me and Pat

Rob, Haylee and Pat

Haylee, Liam and Ash

Liam and his dad, Bill

Rob, dad, Pat, Jim

dad and Pat

Happy Birthday, Angel...

Dear Adrianna Marie...today you would be 9 years old!  I am sure all the other little angels are giving you a huge party!!!  I know you are up in heaven watching over all your cousins...your daddy misses you everyday!  Please know that we love you and miss you....and that you will be there with open arms when Pop-Pop comes...Love, Aunt MO

Ryleigh's 6th BD Bash!

BOUNCY-kid in play

Flashback Oct 2007

Ry's 3rd bd-pumpkin picking at Ramsey's

Ragedy Ann & Dorothy

Flashback Friday-Sept 2009

Birthday fun for September babies...

Black & Blue

Haylee learned the hard way by getting head butted by her cousin who was rough housing with another cousin...Haylee was just an innocent bystander that got caught off guard and a nice shiner to show off.  A perfect example for why you shouldn't wrestle or rough house...

At first it was a HUGE goose egg on her cheek...we iced it immediately, and it went down some...but each day her bruise got bigger and brighter...natually teachers and students were asking what happened (er, it wasn't ME)...my fear of course is being accused of abuse, and I completely understand if they did question the parents...they SHOULD...there is way too much domestic abuse with kids at the hands of their own parents...anyway, she is a tough cookie...

5 days later....

day 1 (hard to see, but facing her, left cheek)

SWISS MRS.

Everytime my boss travels Internationally, he always brings me back a 'taste' of where he went...and it's usually in the form of FOOD...!  Last week he was in Switzerland...so he brought me back a HUGE (300grams) candy bar called Lindt Swiss Premium Chocolate.  In 3 days I've managed to take a pretty good chunk out of that bar (it's about the length of my forearm!)...I need to get RID of this candy...I cannot keep it in my desk...it's evil I tell ya, pure evil...ok, but purely GOOD, melt in your mouth evil...:)  I have zero self control at this point...going to break this bar up into small pieces and offer it to folks in my bldg at work...there is no way I'm taking this home (me & my kids WILL eat it), and it's just too good to toss in the trash (never waste I say), so I will feel better if I SHARE the good taste of the Swiss Chocolates...:)

Golden Anniv Mass

As you know, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniv on Oct 1st...we wanted to have a special mass for them, but the priest we wanted was not able to do it until Oct 9th...so worth the wait!  Father "Jag" grew up with my dad, and they just happen to run into each other a few years ago...when he heard how sick my dad was, he insisted on doing an anoiting of the sick for him...and do this anniversary mass for them.

Words cannot describe how much love was in that house that day...we kept it semi small (which is near impossible since we come from such a huge family).  Anyway, this priest was just excellent...he just made it so personal and talks with such ease...

The most touching part was when they renewed their vows...my parents had no idea they were going to do this...and if you know my dad, you'll know he is not a into public speaking...but sure enough, they both stood in front of everyone...my dad went first, and repeated each vow...I KNEW the last verse "til death do you part" was going to be tough for him...and sure enough, he broke down as he said those words...there wasn't a dry eye in the room.  My MOM, on the other hand, was a ROCK.  She could have easily broke down too, but she knew she had to be strong for my dad...and she powered thru her vows with a strong voice and strength!  It was just the most touching mass I've ever been too...

mom, dad, and Father John

Brothers!

The Filliben MEN