Back to Normal...

It was so nice to have Jacob home for a whole month ......... everything seemed just so "back to normal". He was on the go most of the time, but this is also typical.

Somehow, he even managed to fit in his annual snowmobiling trip up north. Now, that is a story...

Hanging out with little Sis. Probably visiting Facebook.
Coke comes in for a visit.

So, back to snowmobiling .....

Jake took the good 'ole green Suburban way up north to Ben's cabin for the annual snowmobile adventure. Yep, you got it - the Suburban + an annual road trip = you know what's coming next.

(Remember the Florida fiasco???)

Jake got stranded about 5 hours north of here - had to have the truck towed. Luckily, Ben had a car up there, so he could give Jake a ride to Aunt Candy's house which was an hour south of where the truck was towed to be fixed.

Aunt Candy to the rescue - she saved me from having to drive way up there to help out.

Jake stayed with Candy overnight and then she drove him back up north to pick up the truck.

Yep, "enter" Steph and his credit card - AGAIN! This time it was the fuel pump to the tune of about $400.00 . And we keep saying that nothing more could possibly break down because we have replaced every inch of that truck.

The beloved green Suburban did carry Jake safely back to West Virginia at the end of his winter vacation. 30 days that flew by way too fast for me.

Christmas in February...

My original goal was to get all my Christmas photos posted by the end of January...

I borrowed this idea from cousin Dawn. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but it just didn't happen. You know you're busy when ........ you don't post Christmas pics until Valentine's Day!

Me and my babies.....Christmas day 2008
Every year I buy each of the kids 1 "toy". Even though they are "big" now.
Last year it was matching Nerf guns that shoot foam balls and this year it was pinball machines.
Amanda's had Scooby Doo as a theme.


Mom, Dad, and Teddy came over for Christmas Day.

Here is Mom giving the new Wii a try...

She and Dad enjoyed the bowling - - of course!

Steph also joins us on Christmas morning...

This one's a bit out of place, but I have never figured out how to move a photo once I load it to my blog. This was late Christmas night. Jake, Amanda and Hannah back on the Wii.

This is how much fun my son is on Christmas Day... Yep, he's asleep and it can't be later than noon or so. Check back with him at about 2 in the morning and he'll be full of life.

Dad - the pro bowler!

Giving pointers to the Granddaughter.

Tennis anyone?

Hannah also joined us to celebrate Christmas. She and Jake headed over to spend time with her family after his "nap".

Second Christmas together.

Grandpa is still bowling.....this game is "right up his alley"- Ha Ha !

My Bub with his Star Wars pinball machine.

The end of the holiday photos!!!!!!

Merry Christmas.

December Birthdays

On the 19th, Steph threw a party for the December birthday girls - both family and friends. Amanda was one of the honored guests along with: Ellen, Chrissy, Angela, Mary Sue, and Nancy. Here are a couple of photos from the party...

Hannah, Jake, Jackson and my Mom.

Robby (who is doing better - thank you for your prayers), and Chrissy.

Nick, Chrissy, Steph and Carson.

Teddy and Ellen.

the Birthday girls (and two extras)

Happy December Birthday !

Coke's first Christmas

I like posting some of my cute photos of Coke for my friend Susan. She is the owner of Cokie's mom -Vera and dad -Jack - and her "birth Mom" so to speak.

Anyway, people who buy puppies from Jack and Vera's new litters ask to see what the pups will look like as they grow up.

So here she is!

Merry first Christmas, Coke!
Age 11 months

Goodbye Coast

The Zilli family closed their only remaining restaurant "Coast" located on the lakefront. They have decided to stay in the banquet, beverage and catering business due to the success they have found in these areas and the uncertainty of the restaurant business.

The family has also won a couple of big contracts providing services to the Public Museum and other public facilities like the Domes and Miller Pavilion.

Steph invited a few friends and family to enjoy a last meal .... and celebrate Amanda's birthday (again). The restaurant closed with the end of the year, but will re -open as a banquet facility in January 2009.

Amanda invited Nina to come along.
Jake invited (surprise) Hannah

Friends...... Paul, Carolyn and John.

Family..... Ellen, Aunt Mary (almost 92 years young), and Steph.

A birthday cake!

Sixteen candles.

Everyone by the Christmas tree.....

Me, Jake, Hannah, Paul, Nina, John, Amanda, Ellen, Aunt Mary, Steph and Carolyn.

Wonderful evening, fantastic dinner , great company........... Goodbye, Coast!

Family Christmas

We had our annual family Christmas early this year due to Candy's work schedule. Later, Mom and Dad invited the extended Henriksen family over to "Party" with us. I posted the Henriksen photos earlier ... these are of the "Fam"

One of my Mom's awesome trees.
Proud Uncle Teddy with Amanda and Craig. Unfortunately, Jake was still at college and Luke couldn't make the trip down here due to a back injury. Bummer.

Steph and Amanda

Mom and Dad in front of the "mouse tree ".

Craig and Tara

Candy and Ron

Luke's wife Amanda

Candy, Teddy and Micki

Merry Christmas 2008

Christmas Card 2008

You should have received my annual holiday photo card of the kids......and Coke.

The kids happily posing with their pup - how sweet.

This was just one pose that I shot for the card.
Okay, so THIS was the REAL scene at the photo shoot - actually AFTER - we had just finished.
Jacob decided to push his little sister into the snow right as she was getting up after the last photo.

You know what's coming next................

Yep........big brother - little sister.

Some things don't change with time.

So ends the "perfect" holiday photo shoot.

I seriously considered sending out a reality card this year.