6 Kids, 3 cats, 1 dog, Mom, and Dad

I sure hope he's ready or Coal shortage in NH.

And in case you're wondering about the change in pattern toward the end of the row...I did the stockings oldest to youngest and it worked out perfectly boy-girl until the end. The boys have green stockings with red tops and the girls have the reverse.

A place where nobody dares to go or We went and it was awesome!

PW and I spent a fun-filled weekend in New York City with the highlight of our visit being two tickets in the 4th row, center stage for Xanadu on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theater!

We really lucked out for dinner that night. We got a late start heading into the city and by 6:30 there was no place we could get into except for fast food restaurants. We found our theater and checked out the places on that street. We walked into one and scored two seats at the bar!

We visited Tiffany's, Macy's, and the cleanest bathrooms in NYC sponsored by Charmin! We wanted to skate at Rockefeller Center but it was a 3-4.5 hour wait and we didn't want to spend our time in NY waiting in a line.

As it was the city was packed. We shuffled, rather than walked, nearly every place that we went but it was still a great time. The hustle and bustle, Christmas lights, and being there with someone you love made it a great time for us.

The candy man or What do you want to do?

I was making a batch of vanilla fudge the other night and being observed by Youngest Son. I've been making fudge (with mixed success) for a couple of weeks and so he's used to this sight.

I was busy stirring when he said, "When you grow up you can make candy!" like he was offering me the dream career choice. It cracked me up because...well, it was just so darn cute!

Getting ready for Christmas or The time is flying.

I've been sick this week with a sinus infection and bad cough. PW is still dealing with morning sickness and the general exhaustion that is part of being pregnant. December 25 is looming on the horizon and we'll have to get our acts together soon!

One thing that is happening with us is a decision process around what we want to have as 'our' traditions. We used to do things one way, PW's family did it another, and now we have to decide what do we want to do as we start fresh and blend a new family out of the mix.

I'm convinced that it is going to be a wonderful Christmas regardless and am enjoying this year with my pretty wife very much.

Dust Bunnies or They're everywhere!

One thing I've noticed with hardwood floors, leather furniture that has space under it, and new area rugs is that dust bunnies find this to be a very attractive growing environment.

I empty the container on the Dyson, vacuum the downstairs and the container is already filled back up again! There is an even mix of carpet fluff and animal fur from the dog and three cats.

On the good side, there is nothing more satisfying than watching the bunnies get sucked up into the vacuum!

It's that time of the year or That bloomin' cactus!

Good Friend's Sister gave us a Christmas Cactus almost three years ago and it has faithfully blossomed each year.

I've also added some Christmas decoration pictures.