Patty's memorial

There is no right or easy way to say good bye to your mother - I have watch Farrah through so many stages of her mother's fight against cancer.  Being able to join them for the memorial was another window into their love for her and all that Patty's life was for.  The church was beautiful, the friends and family that attended was truly a tribute - This was a quick photo I snapped as I wanted to capture it for Farrah and Ambra - the site, the snow, the preacher and them together - 

Flowers that we got to lay and say a prayer.

after the service we all joined up at their cousin's restaurant in Clinton  - Chris and I helped with the kiddos who were amazing

Brian had a very nice speech bringing us all together.  Amazed by the beautiful photos, the slide show and treasure that Patty truly is.

The cake was made by a childhood friend of Farrah and Ambra's and while she couldn't be at the service, her gift of love was.

Meeting Farrah's family and friends was a deeper way of knowing more about Farrah and who she is - from her Dad to her grade school best friends. 

The kids were great at the beginning - but when you have a stage.....  They have to use it.

We drove home that snowy evening feeling a part of their lives and reflecting on the friends that are true treasures.

and headed to a 40th birthday party for Meg.  Talk about switching gears.

Best snow day ever!

We love a good snow day and what could possibly make it better??

Have your best friends drive up from VA to share it with you.

Farrah was supposed to drive up Thursday and head straight to Clinton MA to be with family and the final preparations for her mother's memorial.  With a HUGE snow storm predicted for Thursday, they used our house as a place to get to and wait it out - we were beyond thankful.

THEY made it in record time.  Getting here right before I had to leave and teach pump (thankfully Thursday morning would be cancelled!)

Snow fall predictions Wednesday night.

This is actually Wednesday night - Wish I had taken an outside photo as there wasn't a bit of snow on the ground and quite warm.  Never would have thought!

The next morning - they honestly don't look must different do they??

Don't you want to cuddle with this one??

Lets sugar them up and get them outside - Donuts supplied by Goomba!

Pretty much as big as his head!

Getting every last bite - AND using a napkin - clearly not my kid!

Now to send them outside - that is A LOT of snow!

Impressive attempt at a snow angle.

Pauli was not impressed, but went outside anyway - good dog

Its gonna take some work to dig this one out.

Farrah intended to leave Thursday evening as they have hotel reservations and Brian was flying in from Florida too - she dug her car out and was prepared.

Of course we went sledding - cocktails and all!

WE let the kids stay in their PJS all day - so this was a different meal - same outfits!

Soup, straws and nachos 

We even managed to get a little homework done

and have some quiet reading time.

The snow fall winner - Tate and Drew split it!  11 3/4"

This is exactly where we should stay - all evening - it was blustery out blowing the snow everywhere

We still don't own a snow plow as Chris is convinced the 3 boys are enough....  But todays snow fall was A LOT and since the ground was rather warm - it was almost letting under there - Love seeing Linus and Brandon both come by to help.

now THAT is a pile of snow clothes.

Final verification - we played a game of bingo and the loser had to run outside barefoot in the snow - guess who lost?!?!  Farrah - needless to say, she had 5 volunteers to take her place =)!  We took a video I thought, I just cant find it....  So just imagine them stripping down and running outside - brrrrrr....

Friday morning was bright and sunny and BEAUTIFUL post snowy day.  The road were still questionable - but drivable...and we were able to send Farrah, Tate and Macy on their way.  Brian miraculously got in last night and was there waiting for them.

Love how my house looks with a fresh coat of snow - knowing it kept us all cozy last night.  (christmas lights still up, just not on!)

A Bonus Day with rain

We got all the way home on Monday, went to basketball practice that night - next morning we woke up to NO SCHOOL?!?!  What?

CBS Sunday morning did a blurb on Cup stacking - so this is what I got.  I will admit, Shane put it away very neatly when he was done.

It was really rainy and yucky - so we took Pauli for a bath.

Pretty sure SHE loved it!  Smell like a petunia - if only we could get rid of the gas!

Super Bowl weekend - the tradition continues

Year #7 - Surely a tradition!  We drove to VA in record time, not stopping once and the only traffic we saw was just a bit on 84 in CT - best trek yet - so meant to be - we arrived at their door 5 minutes after Farrah finish the breakfast casserole prep=)  

With all Farrah's traveling to be with her mother - followed by Brians promotion to Colonel that Wednesday where Brian's family was all in town - I will be forever amazed that they all WANTED to host us.  We were honored!

Love seeing these guys cuddled up and matching.

Saturday morning Farrah coordinated to have Nick and Shane play basketball with their clinic.  Love that I snapped a quick photo as we sat on the side lines - we did EXACTLY this 5 years ago in CA with baby Drew on the side line.  Well baby Drew is sitting next to me playing a game (forgot to snap a photo of that)

The boys joined us and now Farrah and I went to Ikea - now if that doesn't say what an amazing friend SHE is I don't know what will.  We bought an office piece of furniture for Chris and some shelves for Shane.  It was a fairly quick trip, but it was still Ikea.  Next to link up with Megan as we found a place pretty close to 1/2 between Woodbridge and Richmond so Drew and Nolan could play a bit  This bounce house was pretty awesome!

https://youtu.be/zBQYUI9Xg5s

Completely wore them out - 

while we got to actually chat

Looks like I have red lips in this photo right??  What I most certainly had was SOCKS!  Ha, I bought them on the owners requirement - I have to admit - as silly as it sounds, it was a God thing - Bought the socks, he was happy with my compliance, offered me a free jump pass as I was leaving yet since I didn't live here, I passed it along to another sweet patron - just a simple way to make the world a better place, one pair of socks and jump pass at a time.

Thats what happens when I surround myself with great ladies like this.  Honestly.

Since the guys were still prepping dinner - we opted to eat pie first!  A cool twist on a new game =)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=mUIBP9RBnVE 

Score!

Yum!

Sunday morning we headed to Church in our Jersey's - One more reason to love their Church!  8 folks deep in Patriots gear was going to get a comment or 2 - Drew was wearing his Peyton Manning Jersey circa Tate 2010!

Of course we need to pop into a winery - the place was perfect, such a cool vibe inside (although we insisted in picnicking outside)

Plenty of room for the kiddos to run - and roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_q3DLsleGQ&feature=youtu.be 

We came home to a little nap and prep time.

Our team

Cannot thank you enough for being the kind of friend that wants us all in your house.  Thankful to be here with you

Sadly I didn't take another photo as the Wisneski's and the Roberts came too - we loved being with them and catching up - until they started cheering for the Falcons....  Than we had to ask them to leave.

To which ensued the breaking of the crockpot - Ha - just kidding, it was a kiddo and cord mishap - the loss of the dip was more depressing than the loss of the crockpot.  However our waistlines were thankful.

Than we get into the final quarter of the game - and it was a sight to see!

Apparently we were exhausted by the time the excitement was over - Kinda love photos like this.  Not only to the boys expect this, but they capture it - time and time again.

Brisk Monday mooning as we packed up to head back home.  Tate and Macy went into school late so they could enjoy just a little more friend time.  

I will never forget pulling away that morning - Farrah hosted a beautiful friend filled weekend and now we were headed out and Brian was prepping to leave that evening for training in Florida.  I hated knowing Farrah would be alone for a few days til her trek north for her mother's memorial.  She is one very strong woman.