Pictures

Grandma got a new pair of spectacles, here's is a picture so you recognize her the next time you see her


Here is a picture of a paper doll Maria made, she is becoming quite the artist.



Here is a link to a video of my new metal shaper cutting metal. I got it last year but just got around to getting it all cleaned up and running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDJRqrLR1fo

Piano Federation

Dear Family,

Today Maria and Anna were very nervous about performing their piano pieces before the Piano Federation judges. Anna was disappointed with herself thinking she did poorly, but tonight we were informed that both Maria and Anna received a superior rating. Perhaps sometime they can play these pieces for you.

Love, Mom

The Ball

A few pictures from our Brigade Ball. It was WWII themed, so I tried to do an authentic hairdo with pin curls and all =)

Our big snow

This January we had the biggest snow since we've moved here. I know it's not much for some of you, but it was a big deal here. The schools closed for a week, and GE let their employees work from home. Matt got to enjoy conference calls with his kids clammering at the door. Anthony got to play in his first snow. He loved to eat it, and wasn't to discriminating about what snow he ate.
Joseph and Blake loved to throw snowballs and were only slightly less picky about the snow they ate. And Ellie spend most of the day playing outdoors with the dogs.

Ellie's Update

Ellie passed Level 1 Obedience Last week. She wanted to share this video demonstrating what she and Nava are working on. If you can't tell from the video, she's learning clicker training,

Georgia Christmas Tree

Here is our belated Christmas tree picture. We took this on Christmas morning after mass. Philip was being quite the stinker and acting silly for all of the pictures!

And here is a picture of Philip working of the courage to go down the slide by himself. Andrew has been working with him to get him to be fully self sufficient in climbing up the back and sitting down to slide. That way he can entertain himself in the yard while we work.

And it's up!

Blakes' Christmas Present from us this year was a 100ft Zip line. He wanted a tree house but we just didn't see that happening. Matt's a perfectionist when he builds something and it takes him a while to get things the way he wants them. So the Zip line was a good alternative, it gave Blake some outdoor fun and saved me from more Lego's.

After lot's of calculations Matt figured out the heights the Line should be on both ends, and we put the Zip line up this weekend. Joseph and Anthony like to ride with a little help, and it has a 250 lb rating so even adults can ride.