It's Been Years...

I haven't blogged in FOREVER. I don't know why, probably just me being lazy. Too much to do, not enough time. And I got an iPhone. And I can't put it down. Ever.

A lot is new, a lot isn't. I am nowhere near the place I thought I was going to be by 40. In fact, I am almost 41, and I am farther away from that goal of Fabulous At 40 thing I was planning on doing. Oh well.

In true OCD fashion, I have a new hobby, and it has me constantly cooking while my house falls down around me. Constantly cooking, yet there is never anything to eat... The kids ask what is for dinner, I say "Peaches and pickles." Because thats what I have: JARS of peaches and pickles. And chutney, jam, jalapenos, corn salsa, tomatillo salsa, peach salsa, tomatoes, corn relish, BBQ sauce, apple pie filling, applesauce, apple butter...you get the idea. After 150 pounds of tomatoes, Norm banned me from getting more. I have done about 45 pounds of apples, and I am getting more (he doesn't need to know). If anyone is wondering, my scrapbooking stuff is gathering dust in the basement.

Well, that's all for now, I have to go iron a shirt for Norm tomorrow, and hunt a pair of underware for each kid out from the couch of Piled High Clean Clothes. That will get us through another day. I don't actually have anything left here to can, so maybe I will fold those clothes tomorrow. We'll see.

WWWOM (Winter Session of Women Without Men)

Christmas Day

The Big Day! What a blast, made even more special by Alanna and Brian coming this year with their boys Joey and Joshua! We haven't had Christmas with them in YEARS!

Making Cookies

The kids couldn't wait to make cookies every year. It is one of their favorite things to do I think!

Then Came Christmas

Norm played Santa Claus this year at the Annual
Breakfast with Santa at the firestation.

Confession of a Neglectful Blogger

I have been a very bad blogger. FOUR MONTHS! That is really bad. The whole point was to share pictures and other things with my far away friends and family, and I have let you all down! So, ater the marathon, we got ready for our first family vacation in years, DisneyWorld! We drove there, and the kids were great! We had the best time, everyone got along, we ran around all day and night, and just had an absolute blast!

Marathon Runner

Last Sunday Norm ran in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Marathon (not the Detroit one where 3 runners died!) Anyway, he did a great job, he finished his first marathon in 3:47:29! It was dark and cold when he started, about 30 degrees! The first picture is Norm waiting in the line to start. Next, he is approaching the finish line, and finally, Norm getting a post race bagel.

I cannot believe what an emotional experience watching that race was. I watched all these different types of people come into that line. It is too hard to describe, but if you ever get the chance, stand by a marathon finish line for awhile, you will be completely inspired.