Snow Day!

Well our day began out like every other weekend with Brandon having a hockey game. What was NOT normal was the BLIZZARD we got. It began 6am and is still going strong at 8:30pm. Hockey does not get cancelled! Hockey parents are crazy! Yep, I've heard it all!

I took some pictures on our way into the rink.

We got home about lunch time, made some soup and sandwiches, watched the Flyers lose (ugh), watched a movie and took a nap on the couch with the fire roaring! Nice afternoon!

Brandon helped shovel the sidewalk and driveway. What a good kid!

Todd decided to put the Christmas lights up. Yes folks, it is 5 days til Christmas and we still don't have the lights up... and YES... it's a blizzard outside and my crazy husband decides to hang up the lights! Must have been that power nap!

By the way: we are supposed to get anywhere from 12-24 inches. Might beat the record from 1909!

cute wedding photos

Brandon and Max

Heather & Tami

Leslie, Holly, Heather, Tami & Amy

Ahren, Zachary, Todd, Brandon, Chad, Stan / Miller Boys

Brandon showing off his stuff!

Morgan with her rose petals...

Morgan didn't want to hold the basket, so Brandon has it!

Zachary & Ahren had to help the guests down the steps.

Moose! My little Man is so grown up!

Zachary has such a cute sense of humor!

When Ahren was 5 he was in our wedding. Now he is 20 and in his Uncle Chad's wedding.

My handsome husband!

Todd had a great speech during the toast! Everyone was laughing so hard! I was so proud of him!

It was a beautiful day and gorgeous wedding! Congrats to Chad and Heather!

O Christmas Tree

Every year we got pick out a Christmas tree as a family. Todd loves to get HUGE trees and never takes into consideration our ceiling is only 7 1/2 - 8" feet tall. When he brought the tree in the FIRST time it was too tall. So he brought it back out and cut off a few feet. Tried to bring it in the SECOND time and it was still too tall. Brought it back out again cut some more off (this time he used the tape measure). Took it back in the THIRD time and wa-la! It fit. HOWEVER, he couldn't get it to stay up in the stand. I really had a hard time not laughing through out this entire fiasco! I went to the garage, got the drill, put a hole in the bottom of the tree, put the tree back in the stand and lined the hole up. YEAH! It worked! Our tree is now UP, decorated and looking GREAT!

Zachary & Brandon (not thrilled about getting their picture taken).

Merry Christmas!

Waffle Maker

One day last month Brandon wasn't feeling good and stayed home from school. He sent his dad a text that said: "Dad, I am so sick. I am on my death bed. I need a waffle maker." Todd thought it was so humorous that he stopped at Kohls on his was home from work and bought a waffle maker. The next day I made waffles for Brandon.

They were SO good!! Yummy!

No Wonder Hockey Moms are compared to Bull Dogs

Brandon plays hockey for two teams. Travel team, Valley Forge Colonials and middle school, Daniel Boone Blazers. Last night Brandon had a middle school hockey game. His team won 4-1! Yeah! I really was enjoying the game, routing for our boys and sitting next to other DB moms (on the left of me). Anyone who goes to the games know that I am loud, I shout out positive things and clap alot! I really do not like people who complain or verbally knock other players down. Having said that: On the other side of me were fans routing for the other team. This one particular lady had negative comments to say against the refs and our players the entire game. I bit my tongue and didn't say anything, although it was annoying. Towards the end of the game a play had happened at the net Brandon was defending. It looked like an opposing team player had hit him on the back of the head and fell on top of him. It was a cheap shot and I had said (most likely too loudly) "Are you going to call that Ref?" This lady I told you about turned around and had a nasty look on her face and said "He fell on top of him!" (No duh!) Well I had enough of her and said angrily "You have been saying things this entire game and I didn't say one word to you! Not one word!" Well she didn't know WHAT to say! What I wanted to say was "Don't get snippy with me! Just turn around and shut up!" But I didn't. I think I was tactful and got my point across without being rude. Afterwards, my heart was pounding, I was so angry with this woman. I felt like I just had road rage or something! Jeez! My husband stands at the boards with all the other hockey dads. After he (ahem) heard me, my wonderful husband came and stood between me and this woman. Good Man!

I LOVE THIS KID!

I was looking at the pictures Todd took over the weekend. He is such a good photographer and I am grateful to have excellent quality photos of the boys. I am thinking of having this photo blown up to hang in our finished basement (which is a sports theme room). If you click on the photo I think it will open up and you can see it better. What do you think?

Thanksgiving Tournament

I love Thanksgiving for turkey, cranberry sauce and bread stuffing. Most of all I love Thanksgiving for HOCKEY! This is Brandon's 2nd year playing in the Thanksgiving tournament for the Valley Forge Colonials. Last year his team won 1st place... this year; however, is a different story and they didn't do too well. It was still alot of fun and he played his heart out. His skill has improved so much since last year and I am very, very proud of him. During Sunday's game he was hit in the elbow with a puck and it's been swollen and bruised. Today the swelling seems to have gone down. The team doctor said to take Brandon for xrays by Wednesday if it's not better. It looks as if he will be fine!! Thats my Moose!!
Sorry the picture is blurry, but I loved the "snow" being kicked up by his skate!

Extra Large Hockey Sock

Those moms who spend time in a hockey rink know how cold it can be. To keep myself warm during those practices and games, I crocheted a blanket the colors of Brandons hockey team. As I was making the blanket I was approached by a few parents who thought the blanket was awesome! After I was done making it I asked Brandon how he liked it. Brandon's reply was "It looks like an extra large hockey sock." Very cute answer!

Time for Turkey...

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving. November is going by so fast. This Thanksgiving we are spending it with Todd's family. (About 15 people getting together). Todd's parents get a fresh turkey from a local butcher. Todd and Zachary like going to the local football game. Chad makes pumpkin pies with his 5 year old step-daughter. I always love making the bread stuffing from my grandfathers reciepe. My Poppop passed away a few years ago so although I blame the onions for tears, I think it's also a bit of missing him.

Thanksgiving weekend will be a busy one because Brandon has a hockey tournament. That means at least six games and a skills competition shoved into a three day time period. The boys are used to playing two games in one weekend. So they will be exhausted and I am sure my throat will be sore from cheering!

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Ahren and Mommy

This is a picture of me and my 20 year old son. I can remember when he was a baby and I would rock him to sleep. How the time flys!

2004 Halloween

Halloween 2004. Brandon, Ahren and Zachary

Smiling Bob

Have you seen the Smiling Bob commerical on TV for natural male enhancement. There are a few. One is Smiling Bob in a race car, another is Smiling Bob as Santa Claus and all the women and lined up to sit in his lap. Even if you haven't seen the commercial I think this story will still amuse you.

My 12 year old son was watching TV with me and the Smiling Bob commerical came on.

BRANDON: "Mom, what is male enhancement?"
Pause
Deep Breath
ME: "It's kinda of something that helps your pee pee grow bigger."
(Well, What was I supposed to say?????)
BRANDON: "EWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
Pause
BRANDON: "Oh! That's why all those ladies are lined up!"
Pause
BRANDON: "EWWWWWWWWWW!"
ME: {giggle}

Lady Bugs

Yesterday was warm outside and the sun was shining. It felt so good! Then the lady bugs came... Some people told me it meant "good luck" to have lady bugs. I have to disagree. I was swarmed with thousands of lady bugs on the sunny side of my home. So whenever I opened the back door to let the dogs out, lady bugs would come in! I spent hours with a can of industrial bug spray trying to get all the lady bugs. I should have known better! As soon as I sprayed the first squirt, lady bugs were all over me trying to escape the fumes! EEK! In my hair, my clothes, and even down the front of my shirt!!! Sorry folks, but I didn't feel very lucky!!

Hockey Season!

Here are a few pictures from Brandon's hockey game. This year he moved up from the B team to the A team. Brandon took some private lessons over the summer and has really improved his game. I am very proud of him and his motivation to improve. There are alot of newer players and the team is struggling. We are planning to do a hayride with the team this Friday to try to get the boys to know each other better and to have some fun! It will be dark, but I'll try to get photos!

My Sisters Wedding

My sister got married on Thursday at the JPs office. She didn't want a big event, so it was a small ceremony for family and close friends.