Blizzard 2009

We measured 8 inches in one part of the driveway and 13 in another.

Christmas Morning 2009

Christmas Eve

Presents were wrapped and under the tree.

Cookies and milk were left for Santa.

The stockings were hung, having been filled with care.


And Ian slept thru it all in the livingroom chair.

Crafttime - how to cure the "i'm Bored"s

The kids were bored so we got out the craft supplies.


Even Tim got in on the craft time.

2009 Christmas Letter

Faith, Family and Friends...The three best things about the holiday season.

It has been great being back in Kansas City and close to family. This year I brought back a family tradition from when I was little…Cookie Day. This takes place on the day after Thanksgiving. Instead of being out shopping, I invited all of my nieces and nephews (for those keeping count, that is 11 + my 4) to come over and make cookies. It was a blast. We made and froze several batches of chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar and chocolate cookies…..and of course the Christmas caramels.

2009 has been full of adventures, joys, sorrows, and a lot of organized chaos. Aunt Sarah lost her battle with cancer in March; Grandma Lorine passed in November; and my Dad continues his fight with pancreatic cancer.

Tim is now 19. He continues his love of singing and has recently been exploring photography. He travels back to Seattle frequently to spend time with his girlfriend Selena. He is currently working at Stables Bar and Grill in Kearney and is applying to colleges for Fall 2010.

Nic is 17 and a junior in high school. He had a fantastic spring track season. He took first with a 104’ 1” diskus throw and a 42’ 1” shotput throw at the conference track meet. He continues to follow his passion for the cello; He was accepted into the Youth Music Conservatory at Park University this fall.

Ian is now 7. He still loves to help in the kitchen. At school he was awarded the “Warrior Award”. This is given to students who have accomplished a personal goal or gone above and beyond. He collected over a hundred boxtops which put his classroom over their goal.

EstellaRose is 3 and precocious as ever. She has been perfecting her art skills by using all sorts of medium. She provided me with an 8 ft wide, sharpie mural on my bedroom wall. Her hair is finally growing back in from her self-administered haircut. She has also discovered her singing voice. She can frequently be found singing lullabies to the dogs.

This year I finished the Hospital Hill Run 10K, raising money for pancreatic cancer research…my goal for 2010 is to do better than just finish. My legs are healing well (I fell and broke the left ankle and sprained the right one in September). I can now manage without braces for the most part and am getting back to a workout regime. I have applied for the RN program at Park University; once finished, I plan to pursue a Masters in nursing. For those not in the know, Sean and I separated pending a divorce this fall. He is now in Wisconsin and doing well. Thanks to modern technologies he and the kids are able chat frequently via video calls on the computer. I continue to care for my grandfather and enjoy the organized chaos of an at-home mom and live-in nurse.

We wish you a very merry holiday season and an exciting new year!

Tim, Ian, Kristin, Rosie, Nic

Christmas Photos

We finally got every home and sitting reasonably still for our Christmas photos


Merry Christmas 2009

Got to love the Irish...

An Irishman's Philosophy

There are only two things to worry about:

Either you are well or you are sick.

If you are sick,

Then there are only two things to worry about:

Either you will get well or you will die.

If you get well,

Then there are only two things to worry about:

Either you will go to heaven or hell.

If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

But if you go to hell,

You'll be so damn busy shaking hands with friends

You won't have time to worry!

~ Author Unknown ~

top 10 revisited

1. We are now in Smithville, MO.

2. My dad has pancreatic cancer.

3. My aunt-in-law (she is basically my MIL) has pancreatic cancer.

4. We live with and care for my grandfather who is in frail health and grandmother who has alzheimer's.

5. My oldest is 18...enough said.

6. My 16 year old moved in with his grandparents to continue attending Kearney High (long story involving step-mother and her issues).

7. My six year old has discovered how to be sassy.

8. My two year old is 2. WHY? WHY? WHY? HOW? WHAT? you get the idea.

9. We now have a dog named Sumner.

10. I haven't lost my mind.............yet.

This was my top 10 list at the beginning of 2009. As we draw the year to a close I thought I would up date it.

1. The kids and I are still in Smithville....Sean has moved to WI.

2. My Dad is still battling pancreatic cancer.

3. Aunt Sarah lost her battle with cancer in March. She is missed.

4. We still live with my grandfather. My grandmother passed in November.

5. My oldest will be 19 soon.

6.My 16 yr old was accepted in to the Youth Music Conservatory at Park University.

7.My six year old is now 7 and still sassy.

8. We have left the terrible two's and entered into the obnoxious threes. She is now nic-named "Molly Meltdown".

9. We still have Sumner and have added a puppy named Suzi.

10. Still haven't lost my mind but seem to have misplaced my sanity.