Conor whizzed past before I could get a shot, but here are the girls!

 
 
 
 

More skiing pics!

 
 


 
this one has their teacher for the day

 

A view around Mt. Ellen side of Sugarbush on the busiest day I've seen YET!

 
 
 
 

Kids ready to go!

 
 

Skiing lessons for Hannah, Kathleen, and Conor

 


Ahh, this says it all!

 

Conor can't wait to get his skis on!


 

Kathleen's ready too!


 

Let's get this show on the road!

artwork, prints, and birds

 
Claire sitting at piano at the museum where Conor's rendition of 'The Mona Lisa' was on display.

 
"The Mona Lisa" up close. Isn't it great??

 
Weasel tracks from the weasel(s?) that killed ALL of our chickens......:(


 
Evening grosbeaks at the feeder! Look at the males!

We've had a tragedy at our house. We suspect a weasel, but will keep you updated.

Our chickens, now up to a total of eight, were all violently killed last night. The kids took out food and water and checked on them before they went to bed, closed and latched up the house, and came inside. This am, from the bathroom window we could see some chickens strewn around the chicken run. (They don't usually come out first thing in the AM, so it was weird to see any out at all, let alone just lying there....) When I went out to investigate it was clearly 'fowl play'. There were mixed tracks, but many were weasel sized and feathers and blood around. The chickens had all been bitten in the head, and left dead. (all but one, which was absent.) For reference purposes, (People looking around the internet to see what may have happened to their own chickens,)I will be posting photos of this massacre under separate cover. Sorry for the gruesome news, I just won't feel like describing it over and over on the phone. The kids don't even know yet, They'll be devastated when they get home from school. What a bummer.

click here for a great shopping portal that rebates money!

This is a link for BigCrumbs.com.  It's a spyware free site that rebates you money for any online shopping.  It  really works, just from Christmas alone at various common retailers I have $80 in rebates waiting.  Some retailers are as much as 20% off!  Floral orders, etc. can be even more!  If you sign up from my link I even get a little cut. ($0.20 here $0.15 there, but it adds up)  I've been using it for around one year, so I know it's safe. The only trick is to remember to start your shopping there.  You click through to your store of choice by going to BigCrumbs first, the rest is automatically done for you.  It has neat links if you're an ebay junkie, just click the ebay big crumbs link, and you get part of your ebay seller's listing fee rebated to you.  Try it out!

Hannah makes highest honor roll - -follow link

pass the cursor over the text above, it IS the link. (sorry)

Hannah at Ski Lessons at Sugarbush ski resort

Here's Robby, after a day at preschool and sitting in the car with his hat on. His head got sweaty and when he took his hat off, his hair was wild and woolly! I thought it was cute.

Hannah gets the iPod she wanted. (It is pretty nifty)
Hannah is learning how to juggle, so Santa slipped a clown's nose in her stocking. She's also sporting abalone guitar pick (clip-on) earrings and a Taylor Swift CD!
Claire is a night owl, just WAITING for Santa. She didn't get to sleep until after Midnight.
Conor loves a Turkey leg. We had a local farm turkey for Christmas dinner.

Christmas 2007

Claire opens a big bag!
Conor seems happy with his weapons of war. (soft ones)
Too cute, Robby.
Kathleen's pretty cute, too.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Well, folks. I ordered my Christmas cards on 13 December. As of the 26th, I still had not received them. Sam's Club agreed to issue a refund. This didn't really help me though, because now they are no longer Christmas Cards, now they are New Year cards.

I'm hoping you'll all just be so happy to hear from us, that you won't hold it against us.

It's always fun to go over the card list. I always feel like there are people that I am missing, if you have managed to be overlooked by my electronic process, PLEASE let me know your address. I don't want to lose contact!

So, I received them on the evening of the 27th. Here it is the 28th and the kids and I are putting them together assembly line style. It's fun, but a little chaotic. Don't mind if the stickers are crooked or upside down, it's part of the fun. (?)

Please stay in touch and USE the return address, put it in your next year's Christmas Card list, or send a note or email!

Good Tidings for a Happy New Year. We miss you all!

If my Christmas cards would ever show up, (I ordered them late, on the 13th with priority shipment. They're still not here. You all may get them next year some time. It actually WASN'T my fault, this time)you'd see that this is similar to or maybe actually the photo on the card.
These signs are seen around, but I've not yet seen the nearby Moose.....
This would have been a neat photo if I had a passenger to take the pic, instead of driving and capturing.
Doug has to dig out the mailbox in order to get delivery. He looks thrilled to do it, doesn't he!?

Middlesex morning drive after the most recent snowfall