Two Girls/One Location

Two girls in the same location.............is something to celebrate.

I asked for the day off so I can make a Turkey dinner with all the fixins.

Yes, there will be dressing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole the whole enchilada.

Okay, so it won't look exactly like that, but I do promise not
to put any pots or pans on the table.

I hope to get pictures of the two little cousins today.

We picked Ashley & Daniela up at the airport last night,

but by the time we arrived at the house lil cousin, Rowyn was in bed sleeping.
Not just any bed, but Daniela's crib. 
Grandpa put Audra's toddler bed up for Daniela to use.
He get extra points for that!!!!!
Gary's Dad made the toddler bed for Audra was she was little.
I remember when Michael used it when he came for a visit.
I'm happy to see another grandchild sleeping in the family heirloom.
I'm sure Grandpa in heaven is too.

Christmas Eve Photos

Rowyn looked "Oh so precious" in her party

dress for Christmas Eve.

She loves the tree and touches the ornaments gently,

but doesn't try to remove them.

We dined on appetizers, pizza & Gus's Greek Salad & Bread sticks.

Also their were way to many deserts and goodies.

Then we exchanged ornaments.... open & steal style,

which was something new this year.

Man of the Hour

Henry Owen taking after his brother

he loves cars & trucks.

Just look at those pudgy hands.

Henry rounds the family out perfectly

he's the icing on the cake.

Everyone adores him.

Michael & Ava's New Rooms

Busy doesn't even begin to describe my life lately.  I've only managed to post about my trip to Maine once or maybe it was twice...   Anyway, I've been back for a week and two days now and I'm going to put a few pictures up today.  Sorry for the lack of verbage ( I believe that means words) to go with the pictures.   I have the cutest grandkids ever.  I will keep posting the pictures I took in Maine even if it takes me the rest of 2011 and some of 2012.  So hang tight... I'm trying to get them up as fast as I can.

His closed mouth smile due to a missing tooth.

Michael and a couple favorite autos.

My favorite picture of Michael - So grown up looking for eight years old.

Ava  in her room

It's painted a sort of cranberry color

Lunch at Martes International Catering & Gourmet Cafe

Amanda took me to this amazing eatery in down town Bangor, Maine.

Their salads were so amazing I didn't even look at the soups or sandwiches

or anything else on the menu.  It was a salad lovers paradise.

I ordered a Chicken Twist Salad, which was utterly yummy.

Grilled fresh lime chicken, on a bed of romaine topped with roasted onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, mandarin oranges and spicy creamy chipotle dressing on the side

Amanda had a Chilled Poached Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Dressing,

which was out of this world.

- Mixed greens with mandarin oranges, cucumbers, Greek olives, feta cheese, red onions, pepitas (mini roasted pumpkin seeds) and chilled poached salmon fillet

Want to look at the rest of their menu, just click on the link below.

Montes Menu

Thanks, Amanda it was a great lunch and Henry was totally

entertaining not only us, but half the other customers as well.

Hit the ground running

The trip home was llllooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggg, got out

of bed in Maine at 4:00 a.m and walked in my door at home at 8:00 p.m.

After sitting in a plane with computer issues in NY the passengers

all had to disembark and reschedule their flights.  Ugh!

However, once I made it home seeing Daniela rejuvenated me.

No being shy this time, she was immediately in my arms hugging

and kissing me.

An hour later we were opening Christmas gifts, so Daniela

could enjoy hers for a short time before leaving Mexico.

She was very excited about going on the plane ride and

seeing her PaPa.  The last time they were in Mexico was Easter.

I have managed to download my pictures from my trip to

Maine and will put up a proper post tomorrow. 

Here's a sneak peak of my grandkiddos in Maine.

See how they've grown.

Michael playing with his bus and NYPD cars
Mama brought him from her trip.

Ava putting together some fairy tale puzzles.

Lil Henry cruising around, 14 months & good as gold for Gramie.



Hey from Maine

Tid bits

Long trip to the airport....traffic

three attempts to get to right gate....red face ( more ways than one )

bus ride in New York to another part of the airport

beautiful hanging art & a dinosaur skeleton - pictures I did not have time to take

Amanda & kids waited an extra 15 minutes at the airport

tour of the new house...awesome

Lunch with Amanda & Henry, memorable & delicious

(I do have pictures of our salads)

Christmas shopping (just a bit)

Gifts of Bendables & sticker girls book both well-loved

Soccer game the girls against the boys on the new wood floor

little mini soccer dude darn good--he knows what he's doing

Snow storm beautiful, but we can't get down the driveway

because the trees bent in and crisscrossed the road.

Fun sled ride for Henry in the afternoon to get the kids off the bus.

I haven't taken many pictures, but will try to make up for it today.

Amanda back from New York tonight.

Busy making memories.



New Job

I love my new job! 

I've been employed as a Mother's helper for a week now

and received the nicest compliments from the family.

"They are so glad they found me."

"They love the way the kids have warmed up to me."

"They think we are a perfect match."

The job entails helping the mom with 5 children

ages are four and under.  There are 2 boys & 3 girls.

The baby is a little doll and very easy going.

I spoon fed Baby B her first taste of real food yesterday.

The 18 month old took the longest to warm up to me.

Big Girl B - (yes the three youngest all have names that start with B)

is 6 months older than Daniela and very tall for her age.

She is going to start potty training after the first of the year.

The boys R & D are fun and cute, I really enjoy pretend

play with them as they have wild imaginations.

The family is very private and I know they would not want me to show

pictures or too many details.

I am enjoying going to work every day, but that means less time

on the computer for me, so if my posts are a bit more

spread out you'll know why......

I'm busy changing diapers, feeding the baby a bottle,

teaching shapes and colors, reading books, playing peek-s-boo

doling out snacks and wiping chubby fingers and chubby cheeks.

And the best thing about this job is that I can take a week off whenever

my girls need me to come help out, or I just want to go visit them.

I'm not getting rich, but I'm happy!