Water Park Weekend

We spent last night in Lake George - only a few miles away, but indoors it was many degrees warmer than the frigid weather we've been having! We had so much fun with a crowd of friends - Dave, Sandy, Sawyer, Dave, Jackson, Jody, Kevin, Breanna, Brayden, Brad, Shelley, Ellie, Ava, Brian, Lindi, Ethan, Aidan, James, Laura, Brynna...think that's everyone. We gathered for pizza in one of the massive suites and then breakfast this morning - good times. Glad we got to know some of you NewEngland folks better...

Here's a few pics of the fun (you can find more on my Facebook...)


Little buddies


Our family


Mike on the flow-rider


Guys waiting in line


Kids Saturday Morning

Have Done List

The house is quiet (Emma's sleeping) and I've got it all picked up for a showing tonight so as to not mess anything up - I will just have to waste some time on the computer :) Jami had this on her blog so I'll try it out...

Highlight the ones you've done....for fun!
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyworld.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. (it's a long story...Girls Trip '02)
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run. (In Gym class..)
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class. (does kickboxing count?)
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check. (NSF)
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had the chickenpox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Guess I have a few things left to try/do :) Hope all are well...we're supposed to be getting more snow tomorrow - very much looking forward to Spring. Did the Groundhog see his shadow?? Happy Groundhog's Day!

1/12th of the Year has gone by already...

Whew - time really is flying. The last couple of weeks seem to be going especially fast as we started looking at homes, really fell in love with one which got us thinking about putting our house on the market - so we did. We decided we really needed to get rid of some of the clutter that has accumulated over the past few years, so we packed up a bunch of stuff, moved furniture and hauled a lot over to mom and dad's Morton bldg. A month ago I would have told you you were crazy if you said a for sale sign would be outside our place now, but it feels right and we're excited about the prospects of a bigger place, more land, quieter street etc - now to find all that in one spot :)

Other than that, this week was Regents Week so Mike had a little easier week even had a snow day in the middle of it which was pretty nice. I worked from home that day also which just makes the snow much more bearable! We've had quite a winter this year - freezing cold temperatures for just way too many days in a row and lots of snow that will never melt. Now they're calling for more next week - will be glad for spring this year!

Hope you all are doing well - stay warm, take care and enjoy the weekend!


Emma looking like a big girl with her hair pulled back


Mom, Emma and Beth at the Candy Kraft Ladies Night (Postponed X-Mas Party)


Madeline playing with dolls on one of our Saturday Night kids free for alls :) Good times!


Oscar's Second Birthday!


Yes, the packing has begun


And it's for real...know anyone that needs a new house?


Italian Night at Clarissa's


Oscar and Emma


Yankee Swap time! (Half the room) - A good time was had by all (even with all the little munchkins there :))

It's a new year!

Happy 2009 Everyone! We began the year celebrating New Year's at Mom and Dads with a few folks - didn't take many pictures but we had a good time playing Guesstures and Taboo to ring in the new year.

I guess the year so far can be best told in pictures...


Jan 1, 2009 - Happy New Year!


Christina's Baby Shower


Emma loves her new little chair


Sunday dinner at Bronson's place (aka Joans house..) He's making it his own though with a few new things...and it was a delicious meal!


Bronson in the kitchen


Emma playing with her blankie - such a little cutie.


Blowing kisses


Thursday night up to the Zals - playing with Sawyer at his new table.


Mike reading stories to Emma and Madeline


The kiddies Saturday evening - that's them below in September :-)




Katie and Rebekah - At Craig and Emily's Potluck


Lots of folks over at C&E's - a nice afternoon!

So that's pretty much the year so far - lots of good times with friends and family.

Winter Vacation Part 1

So far our winter break has been great! We began with a trip to Disney on Ice with the Zals - we weren't too sure how the kids would like it, but they were both pretty mesmerized the whole time - great show! Then we had a very snowy weekend and realized we needed new front tires on the van when we almost didn't make it up the long hilly drive to Speical Meeting. We then had the privilege of having Marilyn and Alicia over for a couple of nights and supper with Lisa and Annalise on Monday night (yep I actually cooked a meal :)). Tuesday morning after breakfast with Marilyn and Alicia we got packed and headed to Buffalo since we heard the weather was supposed to be worse on Wednesday. We surprised Dan and Judy which was fun and then we went out for ice cream (on a snowy wintry night....) This time we stayed with Matt and Nicki and it was so great to see the two little ones playing together. Emma really got a chance to get to know them all and we had a fabulous time including some very late night talks, the 'famous' McCoy Christmas Party, visits to my grandparents and Mike's grandmas, lots of eating out, shopping and a dinner party - what more could you ask for??? Thanks for everything McCoys!!!


Finally finished the bathroom Thanksgiving Weekend so these pics are long overdue


We're very happy with the new look...


After Disney on Ice - what a great show! The kids loved it!!


Emma and Jack just love playing together!


Ready for the party...


Our hosts for the night


With the grandkids Christmas Eve


Christmas (98% for Emma and Jack :))


Emma in her Christmas Dress opening gifts


Emma's new rocking horse


Out to visit G&G McKerrow


Jack eats so well!!!


Eating at the Old Orchard Inn, after visiting Fisher Price and Vidlers on Friday


Emma munching on cheese and cheerios


Jack out shopping at the Galleria on Saturday


Dinner party Sunday Night for the 'young folks' at Rick and Sally's - Super Delicious Meal!!


Saying goodbye this morning


Landon Emory Howe - Went to visit him 12/29 - One day old - what a little cutie!! Then we met Brad, Clarissa and Eric for supper and we are finally home after a VERY busy week!!

We're over halfway through December!

It's hard to believe the month is flying by. Of course our recent ice storm reminded us all that it is in fact winter! The trees just looked like crystal though...so pretty (since I could just stay inside :)) My last day of work for this year was 12/16 so I'm home now enjoying time with Emma, organizing the house and doing some scrapbooking - perfect!


Tree behind our house


Mike "ROCKING" Emma to sleep...she loves all kinds of music :)


Emma having lunch...cheesy smile


Playing in the front window at Candy Kraft


My 27th Birthday