WE HAVE THE BEST!!

No matter what anyone says I know that Staci, Steven, and myself would tell you

'WE HAVE THE BEST NEIGHBORS IN THE WORLD"

and it's not because it is Christmas and they give cool gifts it's because of who they are.

Terry the male role model they look up to ( 3/4 of the neighborhood does)!

Marcia the ever present extra mom and confidant( for all three of us she keeps good secrets)!

Cam my extra son I have called him for years and be assured Steven and Staci definitely feel he is a brother always there inn a pinch and for fun!

Triston the serious one, always ready to help if you need him!

and

Tara the happy,singer, storyteller, and gardener with me!

Christmas with the Bradshaws

I can fix anything I have duct tape

It's hard to catch a photo of Marcia she's always taking the picsI hope these two stay friends forever,

I believe they will always have each others back!!
So yeah it's cold in our house all the kids tell me so.

i wish you could see the make up job today.Yes Staci it's really you instead of Bella!

The most important thing we do!

REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE CELEBRATION THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL GOD'S OWN SON WHO CAME TO EARTH FOR US!

Yep this is the same photo as before because I believe that as parents the most important thing we do is nurture our kids,..that is make them feel loved and secure above all else. Sometimes that is not the easy road as I well know because some of you tell me that(Marilyn) but I know it is the road I am glad to be on. Sometimes it is not the popular road in the house to be the mom but my kids know I will always be here for them no matter what.

They were so happy that they made mom cry with the gift they put together again this year, two picture frames one is above with the saying we have painted on our stairs

"LIVE LOVE LAUGH'

the other says

"A FAMILY IS LIFE'S BLESSING"
To me a gift I will treasure the most is the gift of the strength my kids show especially the strength of a smile!!

Of course there were a couple other gifts for Christmas that did bring smiles.

This Says It All

The frames and pictures with them that I got from Staci and Steven for Christmas say it all!!

Almost Time

Well the long awaited Christmas Day is almost here. In Michigan there is no doubt if we will have a white Christmas or not this year(although it is raining today and 30+) Staci and Steven were supposed to go to the cousin sleep over last night but the weather prevented the yearly event form happening. we were watching TV and Steven rolled over and said "OK I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!" I had put a couple presents under the tree about a week ago. So since they couldn't have a sleepover we opened a gift to the family from ole' Santa, it is Pictionary Man, what a fun game.....although you can see the pressure is on. I hope all who read this know you are the gifts we treasure the most n our lives and have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Blizzard of Christmas 2008

What do you do when you have been in the house and want to get out during a blizzard and burn some energy??

Well you get out the plastic swimming pool and attach a wire or rope all the way around it...

have your friend Chris attach his snowmobile to the pool .....

and you're off and ready to go...

everyone had a great time but boy was it COLD!!

the girls were smart to wear the helmet and paintball mask to protect themselves.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring we still have extra kids snowed in and a spare snowmobile in the garage??




I also have to say Thanks boys for cleaning the driveway...again!

OH NO!!!!

Well this is an early morning post today I have a problem my little birds are trying to eat and the food is almost gone soooo I am going out to fill it so they don't have to fight I also am taking the camera so I can take some white pictures I know I said there was no sense in picture taking with all the snow but...with all the snow how can I not get a picture of it. The weatherman just said we should tell when the snow is coming by saying the storm the day before today today or the day after today that is the a pattern we are in and it does not look like it will be changing. I am letting the kids sleep and we are going to 11:30 mass in town most all of the churches in the entire area are closed but I think we will be fine staying in town. well out to the feeder if I don't blow away I will be back with a photo maybe....OK I made it back and the birds are so happy they were in the bushes watching me. Here is also a picture of the snow since 10 last night. Opps just got the call Church is cancelled we will be praying thankful prayers that we are all safe and warm.

Now this snow is pretty fluffy so maybe there is not really 9 inches but that is what is in the driveway,..... more to come I am sure once Steven and maybe Tommy, Staci and Tracy go out!

SNOWDAY!!!

If i took a picture today it would be all white. I did take one this morning while Steven was snow blowing but we have one of those and it was not much of anything except white :) We went to bed last night hoping the weather man was right and we might get a jump start on Christmas break and boy did we...Staci and I were watching the TV at a little after 5 this morning and talking Steven heard us and got up to check for himself that there was no school, Staci and I went back to bed Steven on the other hand was wide awake he checked the computer and then off to the living room for TV and to play football on the x-box. I got up a little after 8 made breakfast for Steven and I, fed my birds, and checked the e-mails. Steven ate breakfast, took the garbage to the road cleaned the driveway and then played outside for a couple hours with the neighbors. Staci got up around 9:30 cleaned up the bird cage, and started to read. Right now everyone is watching a movie and wrapped in blankets. YEP snow days are good!!

Bryan's b-day

Last night we surprised Bryan. Steven called and told him to come over (which he was anyway) because Syerra and Taylor were coming over with birthday cake. Earlier in the week Bryan had slipped his birthday past us. He was very surprised and they all had fun played Apples to Apples and then watched a movie.

Yep it's winter again!

Yeah for Steven! He broke out the snow blower after our big weekend snow. Staci and Steven had done a great job of staying ahead of the snow with the shovels until it kept coming and coming on Saturday.

These pictures are for you grandmas and grandpas, I bet looking at these 40 and 50 in Florida does not feel so bad.

P.S. I cannot keep up with the food in the bird feeder the little birds are having a great time....

but...

every morning we find deer tracks there also!

NO PICTURES YET WE ARE STILL WATCHING

maybe if we get a snow day tomorrow we can catch them during the day?????

New Mission

Well we have a new mission for picture taking.

We know that there are deer in our neighborhood as we see them across the road and in the empty lot.. we also have seen the tracks in our front yard near the ivy that is in front of the porch and under the bird feeder. The night before last Staci was opening the front door at about 8 pm and scared the deer out of our driveway, so we were watching ever since it got dark last night. Sure enough at about 10:30 I looked out and saw them coming across the road. I called Staci as she was still awake, she and I watched them right in front of the house in the flowers and ivy for about 1/2 an hour. They really wanted to come up on the porch because then they could get a the ivy without digging through the snow. Finally one could not stand it any longer and did walk right up to the steps onto the porch because the artificial tree with no snow on it looked so intriguing. It was soooo cool we really were only three feet from the deer but we could not get a picture because of the window and the reflection of the Christmas lights, thus the reason for our new mission...

WE WILL GET A PHOTO!!

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving we always go shopping, we had a good time spent some money and got some good deals. One of the things we like to do is go out for a nice meal this is not just a part of our day it is the first gift to each other for Christmas. Well tonight I have a little story from the day, the point is not to guess where we ate but what we learned while we ate.

Here is Steven holding a crab claw....

Now if you were Staci and Steven was holding the claw would you put your finger in if Steven asked you to?

I think you would all say no, and so should have Staci as Steven pinched. Half of the people in the restaurant jumped as high as Staci did when she screamed. I just sat there and stared in disbelief that she actually did it, we all laughed so hard we were crying. ....And yes she does have a mark still.

Some random "Thankful" moments from 2008

Well these are in no particular order just some of our most "thankful" moments of 2008 a few I have posted before but then that must mean we really liked what we were doing at the time, or are very thankful for the people in them.

This first one was a BIG step for the mom you see I do not do heights but we really could get some good photo's if we past this sign. Yikes Staci and the other girls went, so I threw caution to the wind(OK I should have been a better example but I love my picture moments) and did it too!!

OK so I don't have a picture of me, I had to take the pics, but I was there and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!

The next couple of shots are of friends at our Halloween get to gather.

Jimmy always has something to say, and is good at getting his point across.

Thank- You God for friends!

Well this is what Bud and I thought of Jimmy's point of view this time.

The kids really have had some great coaches over the years and here is a shoot of Steven and his soccer coach for school this year. Steven had a great time and for that we are thankful.

A great time was had in Hawaii and I have posted several pictures already from the trip here are a couple more again I have to thank God for friends!

We had a ball! First night, I know the faces are hidden but I love this picture the sun was getting ready to set and when it goes in Hawaii it goes fast.

...and we teased Steve about how lucky he was...

Yes Staci 2008 was the year of "Twilight"
OH EDWARD

More WONDERFUL friends and the "Summer Games on Ida Street" as we call them...

could have called this "stand by me" all of theses kids would be there for each other in a heart beat , and some have been they are a GREAT bunch of kids.

For every one we are very thankful.

"Little" Steven, "Big" Steven, Staci and Lisa what a crew! It is really something to be thankful for when the people you look up to are your friend as well as captain and coach!

This is my favorite picture of the year!!

The girls of Ida St.

The handsome dude on the block!

This was a very thankful day !!!!

When I look at the next pictures how can one help but thank God for all of the blessings He has bestowed on each and everyone of us. I hope each person reading this takes time to look back over the year at the good things and let go of the rough spots.

OK maybe Steven isn't to thankful for this moment this year but soon enough he will be.