Sweethearts on the Hill

This beautiful lady celebrated her 67th birthday this week! You can just see the happiness, laughter, and energy she adds to every room she enters. It's hard to look at that pretty smile and not want to smile back. Patsy has always been so good to us and so amazing to our kids - they go absolutely nutso over her.. and she over them. She has been a wonderful mother-in-law always giving me full support and never intruding on any of our decisions or choices. She really just wants to love all her babies and spend time with us. I have to tell you though… this sweet lady completely melted every piece of my heart back in August. It was when my grandmother was up at the hospital living out her final days. Patsy was just quickly passing through town and I mentioned to her that my grandma was in the hospital.  You see, my grandmother absolutely adored Patsy. Every time I would go see her she would ask me how Richie's mom was, and then would proceed to tell me how funny she was an

Another surprise Santa brought for the big boys this year was their very own kayaks. Luckily, we had 70 degree weather the day of and few days after Christmas, so we were able to go try them out! Just two boys paddling around in their kayaks on the lake on a warm December day. Luke anxiously awaited his turn to get out in the little boat. But then randomly lied back onto Chee-Cha like a slug, making it impossible for Charlie to paddle..   It was a short lived experience, but made for a good laugh! It was a spectacular way to spend the day.. Unfortunately it ended with me taking a quick trip to Target to get Luke some dry pants and a diaper… only to lock the keys, the spare keys, my phone, and Richie's phone in the truck, while leaving the rest of my family starving and stranded at the park…. (sigh)…  It was a fun little pickle to get out of.   Thankfully, Mr. Agrestic is a patient man ~ 

This year for Christmas, instead of creating a long wish list for Santa Claus, Sam and Charlie decided they wanted Santa to surprise them.  I think it worked out pretty well for them! Their biggest surprise was two new guinea pigs, delivered straight from the North Pole on Christmas morning. They have become sweet little additions to our very busy family. Sam (and especially) Charlie are absolutely smitten :)  And of course Luke loves them too… but they're not stupid… they recognize danger when they see it! The boys named them Emmett (left) and Mackie (right). They are brothers, born on November 28th. They were brought to us when they were just 4 weeks old. They are very social little guys. They love to run around and show off. When they get really excited they'll do this little move known as "popcorning" in the the guinea pig world … they essentially jump up off all fours and shake while they are in the air. It's pretty stinking cute! They'l