The Holiday Season

Always starts with a tree.
Last year we brought "big fatty" home, this year we went for the leaner version.

Expanding the Family

The Moms Panel family that is!

This fall I learned that I would be returning for another year on the Moms Panel - along with the majority of my 2009 team. Even more exciting is that I was approached to take over the unique role of Disney Cruise Mom from retiring 2008 panelist, Kim LaPaglia.

Beginning in January 2010 I will be dedicated to providing advice on Disney Cruise Line vacations.

I have to admit that one of the best things about having the majority of my BFF "Moms" continue on the Moms Panel journey with me was our opportunity to reunite during the 2010 panelist training. It was an absolute whirlwind weekend for most of them - but this was the favorite part of the weekend for me! Drinks at the Wave prior to our meal at California Grill.

I then spent the entire weekend with the new panelists, truly enjoying the privilege of sharing "their moment". I will fully admit that it is so much easier to be an observer than to be a participant. This weekend brought back a lot of fantastic memories sans the nerves!

They are a fantastic bunch of Moms and Dads. Be sure to come meet them all at disneyworldmoms.com.

Nice looking group! Sadly due to the size of our new-and-improved panel it's hard to single us out. It's our own little version of Where's Waldo...can you find me?

Moving on

Fall is my favorite season. So for this reason, although we had not earth-shattering events or news to share...I can't let it go without some sort of acknowledgement of my appreciation of it.

Halloween 2009 - Maya and Nolan were both coming off having the H1N1 virus but we managed to get out trick-or-treating. The rain forced us to cut the evening short, but no one complained!

This crab apple tree was simply loaded with apples long after the leaves were gone. It was much more striking in person. This was taken on November 14, 2009, but just this past week (March 2010) the kids and I witnessed no less that 15 Robins feasting on these apples after the long winter.

Vacation II - a Challenge

The September vacation was originally planned so that I could reunite with my Moms Panel friends and jump in with both feet into the world of athleticism, ha! The Moms and I had a decided earlier in the year to take part in the Expedition Everest 5K Challenge. Seriously? Moms + Running = Fun?

I hate running.

Bad word, I know - my kids will call me on it when they see it...but it truly describes how I feel about running.

Why would I "want" to run unless someone was chasing me? It is awkward, painful and something that I have never enjoyed. So why? Peer pressure, I suppose...but I guess there are worse things I could be pressured into doing.

I made the commitment - and since it was my 10th wedding anniversary this weekend...my husband made the commitment to run it with me. Not the way I had envisioned our 10th wedding anniversary celebration...but it worked for us.

He and the girls flew down mid week to join up with Nolan and I. As great as it was to have the solo time with Nolan, it always feels better to have all my birds in one nest.
Now because I am not a runner, my only objective was to finish. It was 3.1 miles that in my mind was comparable to running a marathon. I seriously doubted that I could do it.

But I did.

Certainly not record pace, but I finished. I didn't have to stop. I didn't hurt myself. I finished. Mission accomplished. I freely admit that it felt good. Not at the time mind you, but as my aching legs reminded me the next day of my accomplishment - and I felt good. Little did I know this might turn in to something bigger...or that I was weaker than I thought when it comes to peer pressure. This wouldn't be the end of my running career...

I owe a big thank you to my "Moms", without the support and encouragement of this group I would never have imagined "wanting" to do something like this. These are the ladies (and dad) that I would stand in a blistering parking lot with for the hours leading up to our first 5K together...and love it.

Vacation

We took a vacation. To Walt Disney World.

Shocking, I know...

Nolan and I jetted off on our Mommy and Son guilterasingvacation. This was the trip that I planned out of pure guilt over leaving my little guy behind in June during the "girls only" vacation with Auntie Kelsey. It was HOT and sticky - but in the words of Nolan...

It. Was. Awesome.

To have that one-on-one time with Nolan was priceless. He got to call the shots, we ate ice cream for breakfast. Played on the playgrounds. Swam in the pool. Went to the water parks. There was very little emphasis on the attractions, his choice....my pleasure.
We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and since 99% of my photos are about the kids - I have to share this one. It's one of my favoirtes!
This is one of my favorites too....I love you Nolan xoxo ~Mom

Let the recap begin...

So much to catch up on, so little time!

That is how I have been feeling, so little time these days. I will admit that I am THRILLED that the snow has disappeared in record time this year, but this doesn't lend itself to getting things done inside the house. I'm selfishly thankful that the cold temperatures have returned for the weekend - so I can spend some time catching up here.

Where was I? September? 2009? Oh vey!

• Macy turned eight.
• Kids went back to school.
• Uncle Bucko received his long awaited multi-organ transplant.

YES!

My Uncle has been living in Pittsburgh since May awaiting a transplant of his stomach (among other organs). We received the news over labor day weekend that he received the transplant - and although it has been a very long and sometimes discouraging road....he is now back in New Hampshire.

My kids are huge fans of Cake Boss, and think we should get Uncle Bucko a cake in the shape of a cheeseburger to celebrate his much missed ability to eat!

Welcome home Uncle Bucko!

I am lucky

Don't let my abscence from my blog fool you.

I am still here. I still have lots to say, report on, catch you up on....

I simply haven't.

Life happens. That is my excuse.

And for that I feel lucky - it's not that I have nothing to say or report...I've just been busy enjoying the ride and allowing the things that need to come first, actually come first.

There have been many, many days within the past few months that the "I really need to blog about this" thought has swept through my mind. Lots of quirks, laughs and memorable moments have happened, and I always want to blog about it - unfortunately finding the time has been a challenge.

So I have my photos, and a bunch of scraps of papers with the little things I need to remember. It's all part of our story, and the reason for this blog is to tell "our" story. I think someday my kids will appreciate it (otherwise I wouldn't be here). Unfortunately, being the total type A personality...I can't possibly jump in with today without the recap of where we've been these past few months. That would be disorganized, out-of-sequence...and would simply bug me. I like things in order, and I guess this is no exception.

This is my first step into catching up. Although I should follow the motto I first heard from my sister, Kim "done is better than perfect" I am going to cut myself some slack and go by "better late than never" for this one.