Pumpkin Pickin'

So..... I am behind at updating my blog. But the old saying says it best...Better late, than Never! My sister Nicki and I took the kiddies to Duffield's one afternoon for the hayride that drops you off to pick out your very own pumpkin. All 7 of them- Jessie, Ryan, Joshie, Daniel, Gia, Kaylee and Mackenzie had a blast!

Ryan, Josh and Kaylee....excitedly awaiting the hayride!

Look at us! We are sitting in a pile of hay....

Gia claimed her pumpkin after much thought.

Mackie is saying...this one is MINE!!!!

Kaylee striking a pose in the middle of the patch!

Some Miscellaneous Pixs

How could I resist adding these pictures??? These are from two weekends ago.

I love Kaylee's expression and the shock on Chloe's face! Too funny!

Check out the Penn State hat on Chloe, isn't this picture priceless?!

Gia reading to Emma.

On Sunday, September 6th, after church...what cuties!

This picture is SO typical of Mackie. The funniest part was she kept saying she was in her "comfy" clothes...and "don't I look too cute, Mommy?!" It was hysterical! I am in trouble when she gets older....

It's been Forever!

I know, I know, I am a little behind. Nicole says that being back to work isn't a good excuse, but the mere fact that my mornings begin at 4:30am and don't end until about 9 pm, when I finally sit for the very first time, it certainly does count! Right, Nicole? hahaha Anyway, I have been trying to find a second to at least get the girls first day of school pixs on here. Gia and Kaylee started on Thursday, September 4. They looked adorable!

I was shocked on Friday though. I received a note from Kaylee's teacher (whom I know very well because Gia had her last year) that Kaylee had to change her card on the SECOND day of school. Apparently a boy at lunch got slapped by Kaylee and the teacher talked to her and moved her seat. Then, while sitting next to the new girl, Kaylee scratched her. (Now according to Kaylee, the boy touched her food and the girl's leg hit her hand by accident.) Needless to say, I was mortified, had a long talk with Kaylee and all last week she was perfect. Sheww....cause if she turns out a "bad" apple, I will have to duck my head! Mackenzie started on Monday, September 8th. She is in full-day Preschool and rides the bus with Gia and Kaylee.

Mackie, outside of daycare, at about 6:20 am

Mackie and Mikey (my godson, also in Mackie's class...what funny stories we hear!)

Gia and Kaylee ready for the first full week of school

The gang getting off the bus. See my friend Carol and I both work at the Middle School, so we hang out at work from about 1:30 until 4 when the kids get the bus back to the daycare we drop them off at about 6:40 am.

2008 Fish Party

The "Fish" party is an anual party hosted by my mom and dad every August since 2001. Many people assume we eat tons of fish, hence the name. But that's not it at all...see...my mom decorates every inch of her downstairs in "fish" and you are supposed to come dressed with something fishy on and it's just a great time to hang out with friends and family. This year, I actually used my camera alot and have a ton of great pictures to share.

My sister, Nicki, and her crew all decked out in fish!

The Hampton Family....from left to right....Collette, Dana (holding Gabe), Christy, Sammy and Haley. Bottom right is Joshie swimming by...

Sarah and Carol - not too thrilled I am taking their picture while they eat...

My Mom and Dad with some of their friends.

The Botbyl family striking a family pose!

This is my cousin Stacie (with the cool rainbow glare on her dress from the sun), my Aunt Marianne and ME :)

Aunt Georgean and Nadine...my aunt and cousin :)

Cambelle and Emma had a blast playing in the beach-like area.

And when I asked my friends Scott and Lauren what they thought about my new blog page, this is what they did. Totally JK, thought this was an embarassing photo and just had to include it. Check out my mom peeking her head above the fence in the background.

Lauren and Kaylee- not quite sure what Kaylee is doing....

Well, I hope I didn't bore you with my pixs from Saturday. I know I sure had a great time. It's kinda sad because this is the last week before school starts and I am not quite sure what happened to summer. Oh well, I guess the saying is true - Time flies when you have fun!

Trip to Libby Lou

Well, can you believe it? Day 2 of my page and already adding new pictures! I am just thrilled to death to be able to share pixs of the girls with everyone! These are adorable. Their dad picked them up for the day and they were supposed to head to Storybook Land, but somehow or another, ended up at Libby Lou. For those of you that don't have girls, your lucky cause you won't have to experience a place like Libby Lou! Anyway, Libby Lou is the place in the mall where they charge you an arm and a leg to do your hair and make-up, something I could do at home, for free. But the girls LOVE it cause it's "professionals", in their minds. So here's how they come home....future performers....

Kaylee, looking pretty in pink!

Gia...can't believe she is 6 already!

Mackie, looking sassy!

Three peas in a pod!

Just had to add this one...Kaylee and Casey

Horseback Riding at Jen & Tom's House

I will probably shock a lot of you out there because of my new blog site. Like the title? (Thanks Nicole!)
OK, so my initial reason for setting this up, besides the fact that I have been forever fascinated with Danielle and Nicole's sites, was because I wanted to get the pictures on my computer from today (wait till you see how cute!). Thanks to Nicole who introduced me to Picasa (a place for downloading and organizing photos), I was able to accomplish this task in record time. Then, I wanted everyone to be able to see the awesome pictures of the girls horseback riding at Matt and my friend, Jen's, house. I knew it would take me probably about a year to print and display said pictures, so.....here I am a few hours later.....with my blog up and running. Now, all of our friends and family can forever be "in-the-loop" with our lives! Prepare yourself.....for what's to come!

Gia, Kay, and Mackie petting Haylo (not quite sure of spelling). She's a beautiful horse, 5 years young.

Gia riding Partner. It was a beautiful day! Check out the color of the sky!

Kaylee's turn to ride. She sits up so straight...I think she is a natural!

And now Mackie...check out the death grip- she was too scared to ride alone...so yes, I had to hoist my lovely self up there also! How amazing to ride with Mackie!

Not only did the girls get to ride, but they brushed and fed Haylo and Partner. Thanks Jen and Tom!! The girls had a blast!

Our Vacation in the Poconos

During the week of August 9th, the girls, Matt and I along with my Mom, Dad, Nicki, Jessie, Ryan, Joshie, and Daniel all vacationed in the Poconos. It was totally relaxing...yes...even though there was 12 of us. I actually read 3 books and worked up a decent tan. The girls and their cousins had a great time playing on the "beach", which was actually a sectioned-off part of the lake we stayed on...they didn't seem bothered that they were swimming with the fishies. As a matter of fact, they spent quite some time trying to catch the fish in buckets. The only successful fish catcher was Jessie. Did I mention that her fish was dead? She was very proud of her catch. The kids spent the mornings fishing with Pop-Pop. Things got a little crazy when you have 7 kids all around fishing lines, but my dad kept it all under control.

Gia, Kaylee and Mackie on the "beach".

Mackie, and Matt...you guessed it...on the "beach".

Daniel totally deserved this ride. He waited patiently in his stroller almost the entire day.

Mom and Dad grabbing a slice of pizza. By the way, we are at Knoebel's Amusement Park.

Doesn't Matt look so excited to be surrounded by Mackie, Gia, Kaylee and Josh. Oopss...I think I see Nicki in the background also!

Gia, Jessie, and Kaylee

Not the best pix of me, but don't the girls look adorable?