morning sky

I hope everyone had the chance to see the beautiful early morning sky. Elle and I had our ginger tea on the porch before school and work. What a terrific way to set the pace for the day! We're thanking God for His many gifts in nature.

Baby Deux:)

Congrats to Elise and James who are expecting another baby on the 4th. of July:) The little 'dot' has a strong heartbeat and is very active. We are so happy for them, and the little one is already loved!

Belle's birthday bash photos!

Some pics from yesterday:)

Nom Nom Nom

Happy Birthday Belle:)

This post SO begs for a caption!

Knocking off things on the 'to do' list:)

Starting the day with sugar plum tea, which Elle found at Pick and Save. It's very tasty...no caffeine though. Elle has an early day which begins at 7 with Cardinal Singers, followed at 8 with a party in her french class. I got up early to cut apart the baguettes which we made yesterday. Eva and Mike will be spending the day here helping out, and Paul is busy with piano class, mass and a funeral, then a second afternoon mass at Springs. All this on his day off:) Things moving along nicely for the many things happening over the weekend. Just need to keep moving and cleaning, cooking, storing and decorating. Thank heaven for the time off to do it...life is good! Thanks to my sister Jo for the cute picture of her children, True and Tatum.

Messy Belle

Had to swipe these from Facebook today, I thought they were so cute! There's been so much hype about the Packer game, I can't seem to wait for it. On the other hand, I have a mountain of work to do over the next 3 days, so I may just listen. Have to put a party together for about 40, REALLY clean the house, and cook like a crazy person. It will be hard to squeeze in exercise, but it's important too, and Elle is good support. She loves to walk. Paul is getting us some Christmas duet music for piano, which seems funny in a family like this that we wouldn't have any. We loan books out a lot and then they disappear:) So that's something to look forward to. It's always nice to get back in the swing of playing especially during the Christmas season. Off to begin a busy, busy next three days...and then relaxation! Well maybe I'll get a little hot-tubbing in before that:P

Great Saturday...getting a lot accomplished.

Thanks to Elle for helping me give the tree a fresh cut and give it a good drink. We also cleaned the downstairs, and made a big batch of cookies to bring over to Nellie's tonight for girl's night out. After Elle finishes her power nap, we are doing our regular 5 mile hike. Congrats to Elle for getting the women's lead in the non-musical play, Harvey...one of my favorites:) She's the old Aunt Veta. Looking forward to the show should make the winter a lot more pleasant. And how about those Badgers? Listened to the game and sipped some ginger tea between chores. The day couldn't be going any better:)

Birthday celebrations!

Today we celebrate with Justin, shown here with my niece Gretchen; Isaac, shown eating a post marathon meal in DC recently; and our Aliyah who is 11 today! Woot Woot:) Taking Liyah shopping tonight so she can pick out some clothes. Paul just informed me he really wants fish for supper, so we'll probably go to Oscars or Pump and Pantry. Mmmmm...with all the fixings:P

Thanks to Jo...

Thanks to my lovely sister Jo today, for allowing me to cut down one of her many trees for Christmas! We generally don't put the tree up until just before Christmas, but since I was visiting and had the van emptied, I thought it was a good idea to get it now. Spent the day otherwise visiting with Grandma and then getting the tree home. Elle and friends are seeing Harry Potter tonight, but I think I'll wait until it comes out on dvd...too many people and too expensive right now.

Hannah's kids

Thanks to my niece Hannah for the great picture of her kids: DeLaney (the reincarnation of Elle) Hazen and Natalie. Also congratulations to Hannah as she is expecting her fourth baby in April! Nice excuse to head off to Connecticut for a visit. Also congratulations to 3 of my trainees at work who will be expecting. They are Kelly (in February) Sarah (in March) and Nellie who just had a positive test, so will be due in July or August:) Nellie suffered a tragedy in December of 2008 when her family died in a house fire, so this is a bittersweet time for her. But she informed me that I will be the "Grandma" on her side. How sweet, and we can't wait! I'm helping out with the Great American Smoke Out in the school community this morning, and later ordering some Ritz nut torte and fall harvest pies from Schreiners for Thanksgiving. Paul C. is our neighbor, and they always do such a fine job with their desserts that it's become a tradition to order. The fall harvest is a wonderful pie which pairs cranberries and walnuts, and is topped with an orange glaze. And the Ritz nut (schaum) torte we've tried to duplicate but it's never as good. So we take a little help from Schreiners! Off to school and work, and tonight's another choral concert at Fondy High. Will squeeze in a walk, as this helps the long days:P

Have to add this...

Tonight if anyone orders Dominoes Pizza, a nice percent (I think 10%) will be given to the Fondy Music Department. Thanks to Paul and Pat for ordering the Holy Family choir pizzas from Dominoes, and I encourage others to support this effort as well! Every little bit helps.

animal entertainment

This morning we're kitty-sitting for Forte, a friend's 3 month old kitten. He and Henry didn't quite know what to think of each other:P Tonight Paul will debut the CD to the adult choir, during a pizza party held after choir practice. I really hope they sell well, so the fundraiser gets off to a good start. Busy day for all today...school, work, dance, winter play callbacks, and a long hike in store, with everyone calling it a day around 10 tonight. Sounds like a good day to catch a nap:)

Choral concert a success!

The concert last night was very well done by all the choral groups. Afterward Elle went to Culver's with friends. Today is busy even though it's supposed to be Paul's day off...that is, after his classes at Marian and a morning mass. He's off from about noon until this evening when Springs has their concert, then the big band plays at the Windhover. For interested locals, they begin at 7:30. Today we continue cleaning closets for a Goodwill run. It's nice to make room for new things! Off to start the day...a mix of school, work and a little exercise:)

Elle with her hairdresser and cast friend:)

Vicente worked magic in the show, for Elle and many others. He is very talented, and we appreciate his many hours as a volunteer. Also featured is Shavana, my friend Debby's equally talented niece! She's not only a wonderful singer, but a gifted athlete as well. We're lucky to have her in the cast.

A little early holiday cheer!

Thought I would share this link...Cardinal 'Ringerz' at State competition this year. Elle is in the center. Sorry the 'insert' didn't work...will have to copy/paste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6fWQQERDvA

And another link to Elle's jazz band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5d0r4osxEc

Busy Saturday but quiet Sunday for me and Elle...

After choir and mass, Paul is heading to New Holstein for his last 'Cinderella' performance, followed by an afternoon mass at Marian and a prayer service this evening. Eva is busy doing the music at the Jesuit retreat in Oshkosh, but Elle and I have an easy day. She just has Cardinal Singer rehearsal this evening, so we'll hike our usual 5 miles and then relax a bit. I found some nice piano duet Christmas arrangements, so I'm planning to sit down and practice for at least an hour. Just getting ready for church now, while enjoying a homemade pumpkin latte:) Photos for today were taken at the cast party~~~fun!

HOLY COW!

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's best offensive performance in 95 years came without its biggest offensive threat. The Badgers showed just how deep and talented they are even without running back John Clay (FSY), the reigning Big Ten offensive player of the year. Montee Ball ran for three touchdowns in his first career start, James White ran for two more and Scott Tolzien (FSY) threw for three as No. 5 Wisconsin routed Indiana 83-20 on Saturday.

Full cast, partial cast and group photos:)