Uncle Paul

I'm sure you all know by now but our beloved Uncle Paul has gone to spend Christmas with his Lord. Someone sent me this beautiful poem:

I see the many Christmas trees around the world below,

The tiny lights, like heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,

But that music can’t compare with the choir up here.

I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,

For it’s beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart.

But I’m not far away, we really aren’t apart.

Be happy for me, my family, and wipe away that tear.

Be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you both a gift from our heavenly home above.

I send you both memories of my undying love.

After all, love is the gift, more precious than pure gold.

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other as the Lord said to do,

For I can’t count the blessings He has for both of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.

Remember…

I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Uncle Paul, words can't describe how we all feel about you. You always tell us that Dad rescued you in a time when you needed him most but really, it was us who needed you. You have taught us so many things; how to be a faithful follower in Christ, how to love and respect others, that every day is a wonderful and glorious day, for 'today is the day that the Lord hath made', that every meal is a thanksgiving feast, for 'in everything give thanks', the joy of giving selflessly to others, and how to stay positive in the face of evil. My life is richer for having known you. Thank you for the past few wonderful years that I got to spend with you. You will never be forgotten.

PS, I couldn't pick just one picture Uncle Paul!

Isabella's Christmas Concert

Isabella had a Christmas concert last week where she sang and danced. She does ballet and jazz. After the concert, the school put on a festival where the kids could buy things, eat food and hot chocolate, make crafts, and get their picture taken with Santa Claus or the school mascot, Spotty. She has so much fun. Cindy and Tim were there with the twins and Tim's parents. And Brandon and Candice were there, and , of course, me.

In other Isabella news... she got nominated for the Van Guard award which means a child who shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment. We are all very proud of her!

Happy Halloween!

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As tradition has it, we spend every Halloween night at Gamaw's house. This year was no exception. She has all of the usual Halloween goodies that we have come to love so much!!!!! Mini pizzas for the kids, vegetable soup and cornbread for the 'older kids,' caramel covered apples, s'mores, mummy fingers, and chocolate brownie bites for all of us chocolate lovers. Yumm-O! The Zamorano kids came and, ohh, that Gwenny looked soooo adorable! (And I think she knew it too! hehe!) After we ate, they went to Grandma Lily's to trick-or-treat and Debbie took Olivia trick-or-treating as well. The Weber's stayed behind and got to pass out candy to all of the trick-or-treaters. Amelie just had to see all of their costumes as they came to the door. Ahh, I just love Halloween! Before we left for Gamaw's house, I dressed my kiddos up in their costumes for a family Halloween picture (which Rick took because he didn't have a costume). Zoe and Tiggers were witches, Amelie was a spider, and I was a pumpkin.

Olivia's Halloween Birthday Party

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This past weekend Olivia celebrated her 10th birthday with a super spooky Halloween bash! The party started off with a BANG at a super scary haunted house. (It was so scary for the kids that only Olivia and Lily went in!) Then all of the kids ate pizza and chicken wings, among other goolish sides. And then there was the festive lemonade with a green icy hand floating on top! Gamaw and Penni made a super cool spider web cake that was also super sweet! And ohh, the gifts! The kids dressed up and had a costume contest and they enjoyed running all through the house and in the back yard playing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS O!

Happy Birthday Gamaw!

Today is Gamaw's birthday! Yesterday we all gathered at Janet's, my mother-in-law, house for a feast and family fellowship. It was also Amelie's 9 month birthday. I made a home made new york style cheesecake. Yumm-O! Rick and I also took Amelie to a nearby pumpkin patch. It was a good day.

The Hershey Spahhhhh!

Two weeks ago Ashley, Mom, and I went on a much needed gals only trip of a lifetime! We spent a long weekend in Hershey, PA enjoying the chocolate themed spahhhhh, a ton of shopping, and enjoying the PA dutch countryside. It was WONDERFUL! And did I mention, a trip to Hershey, PA has been on my bucket list since I was a little girl?! I felt like I was seeing Disney World for the first time! I confess, I'm a chocoholic!
We flew into Philly, where we at at Pat's and Gino's, the two main rival cheese steak joints. Ashley liked Gino's better but I liked Pat's more. Mom ate pork. It was horrible weather but we did get to go down Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continually inhabited residential street in America. Benjamin Franklin even lived there. After that we drove to Hershey where we stayed for two nights while spa-ing and shopping and touring the chocolate factory. We had Woopie pies in Intercourse, PA and Shoefly pie in Bird-in-Hand, PA! We also made our own candy bars at the Hershey factory! Oh, the chocolate we ate!!! Then it was back to Philly via meandering through Lanaster County for some authentic Amish shopping and home style food. It was an awesome trip that I will never forget!!!