THIS CREW

knows how to have an

Aquarium seein',

Ocean discoverin',

Beach lovin',

Sea Shell huntin',

Life contemplatin',

Turkey Feastin',

Pie Stuffin',

(OF COURSE we didn't get any pictures of this!)

Hula Hoopin',

Nap takin',

Ice Cream eatin',

Cousin bondin',

Stroll takin',

Picnic enjoyin',

Heart breakin',

Baby holdin',

ROCKIN' GOOD TIME!

The Most Precious Gift

There are many different types of gifts.

You know what I'm talking about: the candle that was a nice gesture, but no matter how much you like the person who gave it to you, it stinks. Or the gift card that you absolutely love (because they gave you exactly what you wanted--the means to buy that perfect something for yourself!)! The socks, the toys (adult or kid alike), the DVD, the sweater, the kitchen appliance, etc. Some you love, some you like, some you sit on your shelf to collect dust for an allotted amount of time before you get rid of them, and some are definitely re-gifters from the start. (I have never regifted anything YOU gave me, of course!)

The perfect gift, however, is the gift that truly comes from the heart.

It may be cliche, but it's true, nonetheless!

Background:

When we moved to our current abode, we were given the dining room set Bart grew up with. Up to that point, the nicest thing we owned was our own bed. Everything else was...well, poor student-ish. Of course, we were ecstatic to have something in our possession that was so nice!

There was one draw-back: the WHITE CUSHIONED CHAIRS. Not that I'm complaining because they are wonderful. But think about it. We have small children. WHITE and SMALL CHILD do not exactly go. To add to that, we began to notice that when you sat in said chairs--especially a few of them--you felt like you were going to fall through. They were over 20 years old after all.

Our plan was to save up and get them reenforced and recovered in child-proof material as soon as possible. That didn't quite work out as planned. LIFE got in the way--how dare it!

LUCKILY (or blessedly?)~

We have a wonderful SIL named Barbarous Bel,

and B.Bel is crafty and ingenious.

She and St. Anthony have our names this year for Christmas and...well, see for yourself!

As you can see, the white cushions were in a little less than pristine condition.

Barbarous Bel even let Charlie help!

Finished Project: 8 Wonderfully Wipeable chairs!

(There are only 7 here--we use one as a computer chair.)

And I can say that this is one of the best and most thoughtful gifts we have received.

'Nuff said.

Squirrel!

This morning Charlie and I were watching a squirrel out our back window.

He said,

"I bet she's a mommy squirrel, like you!"

Bet you didn't know I was squirrel, did you?

Let's just keep this between you and me...

Hooray for the Chileans!

Nothing could have been better than to see the Chilean miners surface and be reconnected with their families. I thought this interaction on David Letterman was great!

INTRODUCING!

THOMAS ANSTIS

(We'll call him Tommy or Tom)

Pirate Prodigy

Tommy is now 8 weeks old

and after this period of probation,

our crew has decided to let him stay.

Welcome aboard, Lil' Pirate!

A Late Happy Halloween!