Gingerbread Tradition

Every year at Christmas time for as long as I can remember, I've been involved in making a Gingerbread house with my family. When my kids were little, we got together with my mom and sisters to do this activity, but then it just got too big and overwhelming. Now my own kids and grands are enjoying this fun holiday tradition. This year, I have had each of my married kids plan a FAMILY ACTIVITY for the whole bunch of us instead of exchanging gifts. I figure that the time we spend together will be much more valuable than any gift we could exchange. This past Sunday night we made gingerbread houses together and it's the first year I haven't actually got my hands into the sticky mess...I just took the pictures and happily supervised!!! Kim and I provided each family with their own kit, which took lots of the mess out of the project but still provided loads of fun.

My Twin- My Soulmate

My darling twin sister, Fay, is the inspiration of my life. She can do anything and everything and DOES IT every day. She sings in the Tab Choir, is an amazing mom to 4 and grandmom to 4, works at the Temple, teaches voice lessons, sews, lovingly attends to our mom and dad's every need, keeps an immaculate and beautiful home, has learned to "Photoshop", collects pop-up books and shares her love for them by doing lectures and demonstrations for local schools, is a talented speaker, has endless energy and uses it to help everyone around her, AND still finds time to be my soulmate and confidante. I love and admire her more than words can tell.

My practically perfect parents will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on November 3rd. I think that's pretty incredible. I love and admire them so very much.

Mom and Daughter

Here's me with "Beautiful LuRee", my almost 85 year old mother. I am so blessed to live only 5 minutes away from her and my sweet dad. They enrich my life in so many ways by their great examples and zest for life.

My Boy....My JOY!

It feels great to be able to honestly say that my TEENAGE son is an absolute blessing in my life!

Mitch is 16 and is so fun to have in our home. He keeps Kim and I thinking "young" and making an attempt to keep up on what's hot and what's not with today's teens. Mitch is a great swimmer (backstroke is his fave), a good student, a member of FBLA, a caring Uncle to his 2 nieces and one nephew and an all around terrific kid.

The Persuasive Power of Grandkids

Who else but our beautiful Maura Grace Pretty Face could get Grampy to sit down and have a tea party using her pink polka-dot tea set? Notice the appropriately positioned pinky fingers!

These children leave me breathless!

My friends have lifted my soul and gladdened my heart.