Goodbye 2009!

Looking back makes me very melancholy. I have a fantastic life even if it throws me a few bumps. With the events of the past several days I am reminded how terribly blessed I am. I have 3 fantastic, amazing, and funny boys. With them come their terrific friends and their parents who have become our friends. I have an amazing family who will come to our rescue (even in a snow storm or evenings when they would rather be nice and warm), or just be there for all the events of our lives. I am dearly blessed with amazing women in my life who I don't know what I would do without. Don't think I forgot the wonderfully tolerant, humorous, loving, amazing man I married. You never stop surprising me. Thank you for 20 wonderful years. I love you all! Now it's time to look forward which will be sad and exciting. With Cole graduating and beginning to head out into the world a little at a time. I'd post pictures of my year but it would take years to download. May you all have blessed and wonderful new year!!!

By the way our vacation was wonderful. We had a beautiful cabin (www.vonsedas.com Island lake resort for pictures) and wonderful weather. The major glitch in our vacation came in the event of the transmission going out of the van. We had 1000 offers for rescue. Mom and Dad are lending us their car until we get the van fixed and even delivered it in the mist of a nice snowfall. Bill drove home to get the car trailer and drove back all in one day so the kids would be able to go skiing the next day. The kids skied until their legs fell off. (I'll post pictures tomorrow). We played games, laughed and ate. It was wonderful and lots of memories were made.

Cole and Kyle both had parties to go tonight. Bill's fast asleep already and will have to go get Kyle @ 1. It must have been a good trip if the kids and their friends want to celebrate the new year together.

The day after!

We're getting ready to head to the great white north. Unfortunately one of the kids won't be joining us today because of the flu. Hopefully he'll come up in the next day or so. It seems like everyone is ready for a break and a get away. Should be fun especially with all the new snow they got. Can't wait. Will try and post pictures when we get back.

Merry Christmas to Everyone

The twelfth day of Christmas brings us to the pipers piping. This is an easy one for me. There isn't just 12 but 19 pipers who like to pipe. These would be the members of my family. The only thing that I would like to say today is that I love you all. (unfortunately I don't have a recent Herkert picture). Merry Christmas!

Twelve Days of Christmas- Day 11

Today my true love gives me 11 drummers drumming. With this thought brings noise and with noise and Christmas Eve I am reminded of what Christmas Eve growing up was like. I remember being so excited to go to Babcock and see all the cousins. It was fun trying to figure out who had your name and what they might have gotten you. As we got older it was exciting to see what Grandma made 100 of that year. There was always a ton of noise and some fun disagreements but no one went away angry or upset. Many times we left with our sides hurting from laughing. After Babcock it was off to Pittsville to church. The older I got the more I didn't mind this because it meant we got to Uncle Stan's and see everyone there. (OK maybe Bill going to this church also had something to do with it.)This was one night when there was no bedtime. Again a lot of noise and competition. On the way home I remember trying to watch out the car window to see if I could catch a glimpse of Santa's sleigh and Rudolph's nose. As I look back it's this feeling I try and create with my own kids. The sense of family, excitement and magic. Thank you Mom and Dad for all the wonderful Christmas memories you have made for us.

Twelve Days of Christmas Day 10

Ten Lords a Leapin'! This is really a good time to mention my "other sons". These boys make me laugh and worry about them as much as my own. I've know 2 of them for almost as long as I've had Kyle. Aaron and Caleb have been a fixture in our lives. They are two wonderful and intelligent kids. They give Kyle the stability and reality checks he needs. Then there's Nathan and Dylon. These are two of Cole's buds who are a big part of our lives as well. It's amazing what these two come up with and it's been so much fun to watch them grow up into the wonderful young men that they are and I wish them the best. These kids will be joining us up north and I can't wait to be able to spend more than a few minutes with them.

Twelve Days of Christmas Day 9

I actually had to look this up. It's nine ladies dancing. Unfortunately I only have two ladies who dance and or skate. This would be my pink fixes. Afton and Beth (listed alphabetically). These are my two favorite nieces. I won't remind them that they are my only nieces. They give my the opportunity to play with dolls, watch recitals, buy girlie things. As much as I love the dirty boys I enjoy getting to see and do the "pink" things with these two. They are so much fun to watch and unfortunately they to also are surrounded by the boys. Thanks girls for letting me be a part of the fun things with you. I love you both!

Twelve Days of Christmas Day 8

Day 8 is 8 maids a milking. This has to be my BFF's. I may not have 8 but I have several very good friends who tend to make my life much easier. Any tops the list whenever I hit a low she knows how to bring up. We have shared a ton especially with the boys being in the same class. Then there is Mary. Never a sweeter or nicer person. Her only fault is she doesn't know how to say no. When there is an issue or something to be done she always puts a unique spin and gives us all a different perspective. She spoils my children and husband. Then there's Sue. I see her everyday at work. She knows more about me than most. It's wonderful to work with a great friend. The one person I don't get to see nearly enough is Becky. It's crazy that we have to make appointments to see her. Both of our lives are crazy. I don't tell these women enough how much they mean to me. I hope they know I wouldn't trade them in for anything. Thank you for being part of my life.