Nikki's Dance Perfomance

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day with family and way too much food. I made a turkey, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, cake and oatmeal raisin bars w/ cream cheese icing. Kelly (sister-in-law) did the ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, corn casserole, broccoli and rolls. My mother-in-law brought three kinds of pies and Brownies with peanut butter. We all stuffed our faces, watched football and ended the evening with poker.
I braved the crowds and went shopping on "Black Friday". I went at 7:30am so I didn't have to wait to get in. Wal-Mart wasn't all that busy but Toys'R'Us was crazy. I waited in line to pay for 40 minutes. I only waited because everything I got was 50% off. I LOVE getting good deals. I'm pretty much done with all my shopping now. I have a bunch of stuff to make though. I went on a bit of a cleaning rampage the last few days. I got the tree up, decorations up and I even did the lights. I love this time of year and I can't wait until Christmas.
I finally started walking again too. I was putting some extra pounds on and losing all my muscles that I worked so hard for. I now everyone eating better in the house. Matt and the kids like pretty much everything I cook. I've been slowly changing things so it wouldn't be so overwhelming. I made soft tacos the other night and used whole grain shells and fat-free cheese. Everyone loved it!!
This should be a busy week full of classes, school, Cub Scouts and dinner guests. Thanks for checking up in and leaving comments. Have a great week.

What I'm thankful for.

What I’m thankful for this year:
I’m thankful for every morning that I wake up to the man I love next to me. I’m even more thankful that he loves me as much as I love him. We’ve both put our marriage first and are falling more in love everyday. I can honestly say that he is my best friend and the person I want to share everything with.

My three kids are the most wonderful gift that I’ve ever received. How amazing is it that these little people are the future of our family and the World. Watching them reach milestones and learn new things brings so much joy to my heart.


I also thankful for each and every family member and friend I have. I’m thankful that people love me and care about what happens to me; and most importantly pray for me. I’m thankful for the relationships I have and the lives that have touched mine.

I’m thankful that I have purpose and goals in life. I’m thankful for my health and I’m reminded of how quickly that can change. I’m thankful for each breath I take and every step I take. I am thankful for the most wonderful life I could have ever imagined.

Car Show

Here are some pictures from the car show I took the boys to last Sunday. There were so many cool cars to check out. Luke was in heaven.

Luke was acting like he was eating the food on the tray.
I think this was my favorite, it's a Foose!
This was a sweet Aston Martin.
Surf's Up Dude!!

Dave, teaching & hockey

I would like to announce that the Paramedic of the Year in St. Petersburg is none other than my brother-in-law, David Nasworthy. He has been with the fire department for 23 years and has worked hard at saving lives. We are so proud of him and I know Dad would be too. We get to see him receive this award next month at city hall. Way to go Dave!!

This week Matt did the Great American Teach In at Luke's school. He was a big hit with the kids because he brought candy and prizes. Since he works for AAA he talked about staying safe when riding bikes and the safety patrols. Luke said he did a good job and the girl he likes in class won the best prize.

Matt and I went to the Lightning game last night and had a great time. The traffic was awful and we just did make it. Nikki wasn't able to sing the National Anthem because of a contract issues but she will get to December 6th. She did stand next to the lady that sang. She looked a little nervous so hopefully it was good practice. We got to see Katia on the ice too before the game. It was a great night to help fight cancer and we won!! The game was awesome because we got to see a little of everything. Two players even threw off their pads and fought. Where else does the crowd go crazy and yell "fight, fight, fight!!" I hope all the kids had a great time.

Please join us!!

****I FOUND THIS ON THE LIGHTNING'S WEBSITE. MATT AND I ARE GOING TO SEE NIKKI HAWKINS SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM & KATIA WILL BE HONORED TOO.


LIGHTNING TEAM WITH STEVE YERRID & THE YERRID FOUNDATION FOR 7TH ANNUAL TAMPA BAY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT
Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 14, 2007, 5:09 PM EST
TAMPA BAY - The time of the year is back when the Tampa Bay Lightning roll out the yellow carpet for The Yerrid Foundation and a week of Tampa Bay Fights Cancer events.In the 7th annual Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Night, the Lightning and The Lightning Foundation will partner with community leader Steve Yerrid and The Yerrid Foundation to help spread the message that courage, strength and love can build bridges to a better tomorrow in the fight against cancer. Concluding Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Week, the centerpiece event involves a match-up between the Lightning and Washington Capitals on Friday, November 16 (8 p.m.). More than 4,000 individuals tied to the cancer community of Tampa Bay will be invited to enjoy the game at the St. Pete Times Forum.“Steve Yerrid has been a great friend of the Tampa Bay Lightning through the years, and we applaud his commitment to making a difference within the Tampa Bay community,” said Lightning President and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation board member Ron Campbell. “We’re grateful to Steve and The Yerrid Foundation for their immeasurable friendship and partnership through the years as together we make Tampa Bay a better place to live, work and play for all its citizens. With special thanks to Steve and his Foundation, this day will allow people to leave their cares and problems behind. They can come out and have a great experience, meet some of the players and leave with a smile on their face.”To date, more than 24,000 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, doctors, nurses and volunteers have been the guests in the Tampa Bay Fights Cancer Night activities. With the goal of bringing the cause to the forefront of the community’s awareness, The Yerrid Foundation and the Lightning Foundation have teamed to provide tickets, t-shirts and food vouchers to all participants of the event.“To my knowledge there’s nothing like it in professional sports,” Yerrid said of the event. “We have a situation where a great sports franchise allows us to bring together organizations that work to fight cancer, yet 364 days a year are competing for charitable funding. Our special night unites everyone and each organization for an extraordinary event of fun to highlight our awareness of the critical fight against cancer. It’s a very special night to show all the wonderful things we can do if we work together.“Recognizing that we put faces with the cause, when you see those young people at the event, all of a sudden it’s not just a charity event or some abstract motivation to ‘do good,’ it’s a reality and an even greater incentive to save the lives of people whose faces you see and touch. In this way, their cause and effect becomes ours. It’s very personal and heartfelt.”Special guests at the game will receive Zamboni rides, meet-and-greets with Lightning players and will enjoy other activities on the plaza level. One lucky guest will also be chosen to kick off the game with, “Let’s play hockey.”For this year’s event, fans will see the return of the familiar yellow Thunderstix, along with yellow Yerrid Foundation t-shirts. All fans will receive yellow Thunderstix at the game and are encouraged to help contribute to this special cause by purchasing commemorative items for the event. Fans will also be able to purchase the recognizable yellow shirts prior to the event for $15 and yellow bracelets with the “Tampa Bay Fights Cancer” slogan on them for $2. Fans may log on to TampaBayLightning.com and fill out the order form to purchase a t-shirt or bracelet in advance.
Click Here to Purchase Tampa Bay Fights Cancer T-Shirts & Bracelets

The Lady in black

I'm referring to Savannah and not Darlington for you NASCAR fans. Yesterday was her very first gymnastics class. Well I had signed her up for gymnastics but she was the only one, so the class was cancelled. So she ended up in a tap/ballet class. I actually wanted her in this class in the first place but I didn't think the time would work; but it did.
So yesterday afternoon I took her into class and boy was she excited!! She had been wearing her little black outfit all day and was so ready. She was the first little girl to get there, so we got to see the other's coming in. There ended up being three other 3-4 year old's in her class. They are all wearing white and pink, and here's Savannah in all black!! She was also the youngest and biggest, and of course the only one in black. She loved the class and her teacher. Miss Janie even gave her a pair of tap shoes. So now all we need is ballet shoes and maybe some pink and white!! There is only one day where parents are allowed to stay and watch so I have to wait until then to take pictures. Her class will have a recital in June at the Mahaffy Theatre.

Uniforms

I just wanted to share a couple pictures from last night. Austin got his karate uniform last night and Nana got one too. She is so excited to start her class Monday morning. Savannah got a hair cut the other day. I'm not impressed with it but it's out of her eyes. Have a great weekend and thanks for the comments.

Parent/Teacher Conference

Yesterday was the big conference day at both boy's schools. I was in charge of going to Luke's and Matt attended Austin's. Luke's teacher loves him to pieces and used words like, bright, cooperative, follows rules, and pays attention. She also said that he was a joy to work with and is going to investigate getting him re-tested for the gifted program. He was tested last year but didn't do well. All of his teacher have thought he should be in the gifted program but he does poorly on the testing. We don't get it? It may be the person that does the testing because he does get shy. Regardless he is doing amazingly well in second grade. Now if we could just get him to actually try and not just get by.
Matt met with one of Austin's teacher's yesterday evening and she had nothing but praise for him. She is his 180 Reading Coach and she loves him. The 180 program is a very intense 90 minutes a day with small groups. Austin seems to be adjusting well to his new school and I think he even likes it there. She said that Austin very eager to learn, always focused and willing to participate. We are so proud of him for working so hard. His class was going on a field trip today so hopefully they will have fun. He started karate lessons on Tuesday's & Thursday's this week. He LOVED it and can't wait to go back this evening.

Austin's fall fest. 2007

Savannah, Luke & Austin at Tyrone Elementary Fall Festival

Luke won the cake walk
Luke & Nana playing a game
Austin in the jump house
Nana & Luke in bounce house
Last Friday Austin's new school had their Fall Festival. Matt was still out of town so I took all three kids. We had a great time, especially Austin. He found a boy from his class as soon as we got there and they hung out together.

Update

I can't believe it's already November, what happened to 2007? It seems like now that I am finally used to writing 07 that it almost time for 08. This past month went by really fast. October contained so many things, my surgery, my leg infection, flu shots for everyone, Austin started a new school, meetings for Austin's education plan, Cub Scouts for Luke, 2 Fall Festivals, trick-or-treating, my nephews football game, Maroon 5 and just normal everyday stuff. It's great to be busy but I'm ready for a break. Matt was home for the first two weeks of the month but has been out of town for most of the last two weeks. He's coming home this morning, we have really missed him.
I'll be posting some new pictures soon. I hope everyone has a great day.

Trick-or-treating 2007

Tinkerbell, Pilot Luke & Jason

I'm lazy & Matt's a tourist
Nana & Mommy
Sophie & Emily
Kids w/ Sophie
We had a great time last night. Matt's been over in Tampa all week working. He's doing some sort of conference, so he's pretty busy and staying in the hotel where everything is. He was able to come home for a few hours and go trick-or-treating with us. Matt and I just threw costumes together real quick. It was the first year that all of us went dressed up. I think we'll do it again next year.

We met up with some friends and went in their neighborhood. Some people really went all out with decorations. There were a couple house that had sound systems out and were scaring people as they walked by. Savannah got pretty freaked out at one house and refused to go. I didn't blame her because I was scared! They had strobe-lights and fog machines and were dressed up.

After about 45 minutes we were all pretty beat and we had more than enough candy. Daddy surprised us with ice cream. What a way to finish off the day. Nana ended up in bed with me because she was scared and I'm sure the sugar didn't help.

Thanks for checking on us.