Riker Reunion 2008

This week I am with my kids enjoying the fantastic view from Outer Banks, NC with my siblings and their family. We decided this time to do the beach thing, and found a gorgeous and huge house to keep us all close (but not that close). It has 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, pool, hot tub, outdoor showers, big screen tv, table seating for 24 and breathtaking views. The weather couldn't be better, and the beach is just couple blocks away.

I'll update more soon, but wanted to get something on here to pave the way.

Here is the family- missing my DH (home with the dog), parents (on a mission in SLC for about one more year) and oldest sister and her two boys (also home in NY).

And here is a way cute picture of my brother's kids.

So, Mom and Dad, we wish you were here....

Thankful Thursday- Sisters

My siblings are all spread out over the continental US, except my older sister, Donna, who lives 20 minutes away. So this week, when my younger sister, Natalie came into town, it just felt great to have the three sisters together. Strange, but I don't have a better picture of us together- I'll have to fix that quick! But for today, that's what I am thankful for- sisters! They may be more than a couple years in age difference, but family is family, and there's something special about sisters!

Thankful Thursday- Maggie

I know, I know- it's Friday, but life happens. Yesterday was a busy one, but our dog, Maggie has been on my mind for a while, so she is what I chose to spotlight for Thankful Thursday.

Maggie (or Margaret, if she misbehaves) has been part of our family for 10 years. She's got a wonderful, calm personality, and really believes she belongs with the family. As soon as we moved into our present house, DH's first project was a nice wooden fence around the backyard. As soon as it was finished, we were chatting in a neighbor's yard, and Maggie jumped the fence as easy as you please to join us.

Maggie is also wonderful with kids. She has almost limitless patience with them, and even let's babies pull handfuls of fur from her coat without complaint. Maggie greets us enthusiastically at the door with that perfect loyalty that dogs have, and always forgives us for our human mistakes. We could all take a lesson in kindness from good dogs.

We just learned from our vet that Maggie will soon leave us. He said she may see the end of September. How strange your perspective when you know a loved one has a time limit on this earth. I find myself more patient, more compassionate, more forgiving and more grateful for how Maggie impacts our little family. Time spent becomes more precious. I also feel guilty that I don't always have that gratitude for other family and friends around me. I suppose that's part of what Thankful Thursday is for- some reflecting and finding room for improvement.

I'm thankful for the characteristics that Maggie lends to our lives. We are blessed to have her for now.

Oh What Do You Hear In The Summertime....

The other day Jillian declared that she saw a bug, and what a bug it was!

We quickly realized it was a newly hatched ciccada, still drying it's pretty wings just outside it's old shell. These are the high pitched buzzing noises you hear in the tops of trees every August, and it always reminds me of many childhood summers spent outside. These bugs actually only hatch every 17 years or something like that (anyone remember the film Lucas?) Anyway, fun to see one up close (well, not that close). Happy August, everyone!

Thankful Thursday

For some reason, I'm all excited to watch the 2008 Olympics this year, and can't wait for the opening celebrations tomorrow night. In honor of this (and somewhat following the SPT for August), I thought I'd do my part to cheer on the American men and women who have devoted their time and talents to their sport to represent our wonderful country.

Along with that, I'm going to try to focus every Thursday with something I am Thankful For. We celebrate Thanksgiving (also on a Thursday) each year, and are thoughtful of our blessings around the holidays, but I'm very guilty of not acknowledging my blessings as often as I should. This, hopefully, will improve that, and perhaps spread thankful ripples into your own life. So today, I'm thankful for the upcoming 2008 Olympics, and the unbelievable effort it requires just to assemble such an event. I'd love to hear what you are particularly grateful for each Thankful Thursday!

Fantastic Finish

Again, I fear I've been a bit of a hermit, as I've ignored all but the most essential care for my children and hubby for two days. The reason?

Yes, somewhere along the lines I was coaxed into the Twilight series, and got caught- hook, line and sinker. I've been collecting the series in paperback, so I figured I'd wait for my friends to get/read/pass along Breaking Dawn. I figured I'd get my chance at the fourth and last book near the end of this month. So when my kids and DH presented it to me on Sunday (our 12th anniversary), I was thrilled. Somehow, I found the strength to postpone reading until Monday.

I finished it yesterday- all 754 pages! My floors have been neglected, there are no brownies perfuming the air, and the laundry is piling up, so today is catch-up day. However, I'm dying to chat with anyone who has already finished reading it!! So much to talk about! So drop me a line, let me know what your thoughts are, and if you are completely satisfied with Bella's decisions! Happy Reading!

New dining room!

So now to explain what kept me from blogging this past week....first, a story (perhaps you can relate?). Several months ago, after MUCH frustrations in trying to keep our great room toy-free (we don't have the blessings of a family room and living room), I had the wacky idea that if I could replace our dining room with a kid's play room, then some order could be kept in the great room. Strange idea, I know, but my silly logic said that a play room would be used 365 days a year, dining room maybe 5. Hmmmm.....crazy,right? So I approach DH with the idea and am flatly turned down....something about "we bought a house with a dining room, we need to keep the dining room." (This is the part where Jan stews a bit with more daily frustration as she cleans up after three daughters and a husband.)

So I change tactics. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? I start looking at new dining room furniture sets thinking that if DH sees the price tag, he might reconsider. (Have you priced new dr sets latetly??? Wow.) Well, just when you think you know someone, DH says "well, if we're going to get a new furniture set, we might as well replace the flooring in there first." (This is the part where Jan has to get up off the floor and close her mouth.)

O-kay! I guess I'll have to start finishing off the basement myself if I ever want a play room for the kids, but in the meantime, I fully intent to enjoy the dining room thing! So this week, DH and I ripped up old yucky carpeting (again, I ask you- who carpets a dining room?), laid new laminate flooring, and assembled my new dining room set. Thresholds aren't in yet, and then comes new base boards, but here's the almost-finished look. You like? Now I can't wait to have people over to actually eat in there! Yea!!

I had to get a close-up of the new floor....forgive me for showing some leg!

SPT- Ice cream

Since when is Ice Cream a challenge? For most people, ice cream is an integral part of our lives, or at least it is for hot blooded Americans. Truth be told, I used to eat it much more often than the last 10 years (drat those sensitive teeth!), but it's still a part of the family. I remember mixing up my bowl of hard ice cream until it resembled that yummy custard that this area of NY gets to enjoy (hooray for Abbott's Custard!!).

So Thursday evening (I know, I know- a little late, but I'll get to that soon) we took the kids to a new (and might I add- favorite) place down the road.....

Lugia's was great- 50 flavors, reasonable prices, tons of parking and maybe two dozen picnic tables....there must have been 75 people milling about, enjoying the evening and the flavors. I don't know if the kids had more fun eating or people watching and running around. In all it's simplicity, that's what some of the best kid memories should be made of- family outings for Ice Cream.