Happy Valentine's Day

tooooo young to be doing this!!!!

Waaayyyy too young to be slouching down in chair and playing with iPhone. But that is exactly what she was doing. OY!

Sunday paper

Bennett likes the Sunday paper just like daddy. It is actually the auto section, of course. He likes looking at the photos.

Teagan's bangs

Poor Teagan had a bad moment at the barber. She moved and off came a big chunk of bangs. They got trimmed much shorter than expected. Oh well, still cute.

Howard is back to work today. We will miss him a ton. Bennett starts back to school tomorrow. Today will be quiet.

Xoxo Monique

Starting the NewYear

As you may have noticed I have been trying to make up for the fact that I have not been on in such a long time. The easiest way to do this is with photos. I am a sucker for photos, esp. ones of those I love.

We did a lot of clean up and out today. It feels good getting the house in order. Tonight for dinner we had fish, veggies and pasta - a healthy start. OK! STOP ROLLING YOUR EYES! We actually had fish sticks, Mac and cheese and a veg but that was made in sesame oil. Is it the thought that counts? Actually, I was too tired to cook. Lazy and tired. I do plan to try to cook more and in a more healthy fashion. Again, no resolutions as I don't want the added pressure.

It is very late for me to be up. I'll leave by saying it was a sunny and mild day here which bodes well for a nice start to the new year. (didn't go out in it but pretty to look at while cleaning)

Xoxox Monique

Aubrey and Teagan

Teagan and her cousin Aubrey. They are wearing the tutus their Nana bought them for Christmas. Teagan had her hair band off in about 30 seconds.

Bennett and Aunt Mimi

Bennett and his Aunt Manon. The kids call her Aunt Mimi. They are at the heart walk we did to raise money in Thuy's memory. This is SO Manon. Kid on shoulders, fun being had by all.

Nana and Teagan

One of my favorite photos of 2011. This is Teagan and her great-grandma. Her name is Ann and she is my paternal grandma. Actually, she is my Nana. Love her.

Smiling at the same time, older photo but my favorite

my little action figure - Bennett

Teagan and Howard

Teagan swinging in CT

I have been waiting for you 2012

Happy New Year.

I will try to get here more but won't resolve to do so. If I don't get on here I do not want to feel like I've let myself (or maybe others) down. Sooooo...... Here is to trying!

I feel like I have been waiting for this year to end all year. With dad passing in January it was a bad start. There has been so much sadness and stress for us this year. It is amazing that with all of that, losing dad and Thuy, Teagan came into our lives.

Teagan has been a brilliant, shining light for us. Our daughter is amazing. It is chaos having two, esp at their ages but I wouldn't change it, or them, for the world. Our trip to China was good but it was for a purpose. It was a bit grueling at times. We can't wait to go back when we can take the kids and enjoy the fabulous country more. It is an amazing place.

I hope that I can get back on track with things in 2012 that have been a bit derailed. It is so interesting how the change between two dates can mentally move us towards new beginnings. December 31 - January 1.

I want to thank all of you who have been a support to me this past year. Maybe it was an amazing foot massage after a fourteen hour flight, a sweet posting here, watching my son while we were away, a hug of comfort, an e-mail. It was all greatly appreciated. Truly and from the bottom of my heart.

Happy New Year! Xoxoxoxoxoxo Monique

Amazing photos.....

I HAVE to share these photos. They were taken by "D". I didn't get a chance to ask if I could use his name so for now.... "D". BTW "D", if I CAN use your name, let me know.

ANYWHOO, we were out with "D" and family this past weekend and he shot some amazing photos of the kids. I am saving the best one for our holiday photo. Thanks a million "D", we had an amazing time and these are treasures.

Life is a great big party

We have been having some fun times. {insert true happiness and a bit of sarcasm here}. We have been up to a lot and the list is not necessarily in order.

L'Shona Tova. It was the New Year for the Jewish faith. Bennett had fun making cool apple themed crafts in preschool. Also a watercolor painted plate for apples and honey for a sweet year. I was super happy the paint was truly washable! I was very proud of him as he tried honey and liked it. I guess it was the syrup like similarities that got him to try it. We had a lovely dinner to celebrate with Howard's mom and dad. We also got to celebrate a belated birthday for Grandma Barabara. (I think she turned 35)

Howard has been working hard on getting the basement back to working order after our flooding while we were gone in China. It has been a big project as we wanted the play space to be more user friendly. Thanks to insurance, we also have some of the jobs around the house slated for workers to come. I can't wait for these things to be fixed and also for our basement play space to be fixed.

Teagan's cold had gotten worse since I took her to the doctor. She sounded like she was wheezing to me. This is new territory as Bennett has not had this type of thing. I took her back and sure enough, they put her on a nebulizer. SO. NOT. FUN. Sometimes we get lucky and she is ok or falls asleep. Most of the time it is a body lock and massive screaming. She goes back to dr on Tuesday and I so hope she is clear. She is one very strong little girl.

The very, very fun was this weekend. We went to mom's in PA. She had an open house for our family and friends up there. It was wonderful. We had twelve cousins ten months to nine years and tons of adults. Food was yummy, company fantastic. All of our youngest even got naps ahead of time so that was perfect. It will be such a blast to have all these kids grow up together. I am so blessed with such a great family.

After such a difficult year, the Jewish New Year and this gathering of family helps in turning the page for my mom, sisters and I. I pray for more positive. Teagan being part of our family now is the biggest part of the very happy.

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Teagan got her yummy black beans ALL over her face

Practicing saying "cheese"

Teagan loved getting into this rocking chair at her Nana's house

Big cousin Griffin and Bennett. Griffin is AMAZING with the little ones

My maternal grandparents, Betty and Cappy, with twelve of their great-grandchildren. This group is ten months to nine years.

Teagan and her cake

Bennett and Dorian checking out the cake.