Giggling

OH MY!!! If baby giggles aren't contagious, I don't know what else is :)

My stepmom had Gabrielle full-out giggling this morning like I've never heard her do yet! She had this little stuffed kitty in her hand and was saying "meow" and then tapping it on Gabrielle's belly. Watch and see!!!!!

Hope you had a few giggles yourself just watching!!!!

OH and see who's sitting real close by just observing? the real kitty, Daisey, haha!!! She got close enough where Gabrielle yanked on some fur so now she sits 'armslength away'.

Congratulations Jenna & Kody!!!

Jenna and Kody were married on Saturday, 12/27. I was honored to attend the ceremony and part of the reception. Here is a link to the photographer's blog with some great photo's:

http://www.alisonconklin.com/blog.cfm?catID=2

Jenna you were a stunning bride (OF COURSE!)! Your wedding was lovely and I wish you both all the best!!

Getting to know you.... Jeremy Gardner!

I soooooooooo wanted to post this on December 26th, which is my brother Jeremy's birthday. BUT my stomach had other plans for me (ick) so I didn't get to do it.


Getting to know you, Uncle Jeremy :) And since he didn't send me any pictures, I get freedom to pick the ones I want to publish!!!



1. Full name: Jeremy Nobles Gardner

2. Occupation: Data Analyst

3. Your favorite childhood memory: Every year around Christmas…..sledding and hanging out with family. And here he is hanging out with Gabrielle back in Nov:


4. The best movie you've seen lately (or book you read): I’ve been somewhat disappointed with the movies I’ve seen lately. However, if Just Friends is on, I’ll most likely watch it….plus it’s a funny Xmas movie.

5. What you are most looking forward to next year: Having more time off in order to get to NY more often

6. If money were no object... you would .............take a world cruise for 1 year! Then, I’d buy the NY Mets and have awesome seats for every game!! Of course I’d donate a lot of money too; schools, hospitals, etc (ummmm and your sisters some really cool stuff, haha or else you'll remember military school *evil laugh*) Sorry it comes up every year, lol.

This is a picture from last year at Amy's wedding - Jeremy and Nicole :)
And my most FAVORITE jeremy picture of all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know he will be so mad at me for this.

*heeheeeeeheeeheee*

Hmmmm is it Christmas yet???

WOW! Did we ever have a rough Christmas this year!

Mike got an intestinal virus on (last) Monday; he was sick for a few days...Gabrielle and I ended up driving to get Kimberly a day later than planned (in an ice storm, UGH, thankfully it was OK and we just wanted her here with us!). Then on Christmas morning at 1am, I woke up with the virus and don't even remember Christmas or the day after - I was either in bed or the bathroom. Thank goodness we switched off to take care of the baby and she did not get sick. We didn't even open presents til the 26th late at night.

But we were supposed to host Christmas here at our house with my family - and I postponed until Sunday when Mike got sick -- we didn't want anyone to get it! Well my parents and sister/kids were fine with it but of course they ended up with no plans, no dinner, etc. because we were doing everything for Christmas. Then my sister's kids got sick on Saturday!!! So they couldn't even come down - my parents did come down Sunday and went home earlier today. What a first Christmas for Gabrielle, huh? I swear it's the most disastrious I can remember! HAHA!

Well it's funny tho, on the way to pick up Kimberly - I heard a sermon on the radio. The pastor said something that 'hit home' for me. part of his sermon was "Christmas is NOT about your circumstances, it's about your relationship with Christ." And it made me realize, that no matter the size of the disaster we still have each other. We have lots of blessings and lots of love, that is what is MOST important!!

Okay so I will post a few new things tonight too :)

Getting to know you.... Uncle Peter!

I'm featuring different people in our lives each week - so if you get an email from me, you better answer it, haha! :)


OK first is getting to know .... Uncle Peter. I've got some great pictures from his 60th birthday bash this past September.

1. Full name: Peter John Markovcy

2. Occupation: Techincal Service Rep for Tarkett

3. Your favorite childhood memory: Getting my first Roy Rogers holster and guns set (and they didn't have the orange plastic ends on them) looked real...at that time

4. Favorite memories with your kids: Taking them on my bicycle (rear kids seat) to feed the horses at Willow brook. Going to Eric's football & baseball games & his weight lifting competitions...and Jessicas Cheering competitions, and games she was invilved in cheering and her baseball games... and Zacks School Plays and singing award Banquet.

5. What you are most looking forward to next year: The start of my new married life with PJ

6. If money were no object... you would Get the 57 Chevy panel truck completely made over & have a Family Cruise as the next reunion...

THANK you Dona and Pat

At my baby shower, Dona and Pat gave us this baby einsteen jumper-oo. Dona works with some new mommies and they all highly recommended it. Well, now we do too - we LOVE it! I put it together a week or so ago and Gabrielle just loves going in there. It's fun to watch her grab things and try to figure out how they work - this little frog thing is her favorite!

She is concentrating so hard here :) She can move all those little things around, it's fun to just observe and watch her do things. She's growing by leaps and bounds!

Thank you Dona and Pat for an awesome gift! XOXOXO!

First solid food

We started on rice cereal this week - thought I'd share an 'after' shot, heehee! It's actually GROSS if you ask me but the look on her face is priceless. She doesn't really love it yet, just kind of puts up with eating a bit everyday. My baby is growing up!!!

Adopt a Marine project update~

I wanted to THANK all of you again for adopting the marines I posted about!! They are getting our packages now and are SO GRATEFUL ! These guys have been working around the clock and are missing home. The cards and packages mean so much to them - I really appreciate your response to this project.

If anyone else would like to mail them, just email me - it's never too late to give them our support. This unit will be there until next Spring!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!!!

In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we wanted to take a few minutes to wish you all a wonderful, healthy and MERRY Christmas from our family to yours!!!! XOXOXOXO~

Dec 13th Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Okay so I am LATE but we did call to wish Grandma a happy birthday!!! This week has completely gotten away from me - I've got both sewing machines 'smokin' working on Christmas gifts and last minute orders.


Sooooo GRANDMA, we wish you a happy birthday - here is Gabrielle in her cute lil puppy outfit from you :)



And she seems to love to show her belly - because mama likes to tickle it and make her giggle!

Happy Birthday Kimberly!!!!

A special message for our special teen in Virginia!!! I was singing Happy Birthday to you this morning and Gabrielle added her version of singing along - so here is a very special birthday wish from us.

Okay so I have to share some pictures, which I am sure Kimberly will not like very much. Heehee! I was digging around on our computer and found some going back to 1999. Here they are, all different years but a cute glimpse into Kimberly.

This one is from last November, when she helped me with my open house. I love this picture of Kimberly and Liz:

She turns 16 - yes SIXTEEN - today! I still remember the very first time I met her, she was just 8 years old, almost 9. Mike went to pick her up and I was a nervous wreck. What do I do when I am nervous? CLEAN. Yep I still do that. So she walked in the door and I had big ole rubber gloves on, I was scrubbing the floor. And she was so shy, hiding behind Mike's legs. I told her my rubber gloves were on just in case Mike farted, I needed to clean the floor. She started giggling :) I bet she won't remember that but I do!!!

I remember lots of Barbie playing, gosh - do you remember Kimberly when we spent HOURS setting up "Barbie land" downstairs? And then Blake and Maddie came over and took it apart in about 5 minutes??? I have lots and lots of fun memories with you over the years. I hope you know how much we love you and miss you!!!

Happy 16th Birthday, we can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

Thank you Aunt Kathy!!

Aunt Kathy gave Gabrielle these ADORABLE pajamas on Thanksgiving. I put her in them the other night, they say "I'm Santa's Best Gift" and they are long-john type of jammies. They are comfy and sooo cute on her!!
And check her out doing some tummy-time. She has started rolling from front to back and actually did back to front (by mistake once). Heehee! She's looking in a little toy mirror there, she loves to coo and talk to her toys too.

And yes, she SURE IS Santa's best gift ever! :)

THANK you

THANK you for contacting me about the marines - wow!!! We've had a great response - I have 6 names. If you want to just send a Christmas card, that would be SUPER! These guys aren't getting much mail, so a letter or a card would be super. Email me, there's still time - and because it gets sent thru an APO address, it costs the same as if you mailed a card within the U.S.

I know funds are tight for all of us this year, but we thank you for your wonderful and KIND generous hearts!!!!

Happy belated birthdays!!

This week has been so CRAZY! Okay but we missed Liz's birthday yesterday, 12/4 - HAPPY belated birthday Liz :) :) AND my good friend Lucy - you both share 12/4 as your birthdays. Lucy & I have been friends forever and a day and I love ya girl!!!

And Gabrielle turned 5 months old this week, wow - where is the time going?? This is a picture of her on Dec. 2nd, lol - I am sure I won't do this for a whole year. Well, maybe I am sure????

So we went to the PA Christmas show in Harrisburg on Weds. We met up with my good friends Ree and Teresa and then I got to meet Cheryl, Ree's friend. We had fun BUT I will tell you it was one of those 'murphy's law' days for me! It took 4 hours to get home because of that accident on route 78, it was CLOSED. Oh my word! Poor Gabrielle too - I had to haul her upfront to feed her (in her car seat); she then shrieked for about 20 minutes. Which is so unlike her, poor thing - I felt like shrieking too at that point!!! ACK! Well we did make it home safe and sound and I do hope the trucker invovled in the accident is OK.

Well I did get some 'before we left' pictures, she is so cute I can't help it!?!

We are busy little elves here, working on Christmas presents and getting things ready to mail. Lots of neat suprises this year, I'm so excited for Christmas - I can't wait to give some of these gifts.