Pizza Party

Kevin wanted pizza and Kevin got pizza. Nicole organized a nice party for Kev on Saturday afternoon. I posted a few of my favorite pictures below but if you want there's also a video of

some more. Good times.

The Tracy Family

The picture below made me laugh because there were large groups sitting at tables and then there's Kev and Colin. I think Nicole was playing hostess.

Colin and His Mom

This is a picture of Nicole's cousin Emily. We want to adopt Emily.

She was so good entertaining the kids and affording us some time to relax.

Kev and I...(we missed you Bridge!)

All it took was some cake and Lily warmed right up to Uncle Tim.

I just like this picture

So, it's a very long story but basically I made a phone call to West Herr Automotive and asked for a Steve Tasker cutout. Steve is one of the Bills' big players from their glory days and is now a spokesperson for the auto dealer. They not only gave me an autographed Steve, but also an autographed ball AND four Sabres tickets. Seriously?! If you live in Western New York and need to buy a car, please buy one from West Herr. In the meantime, a few years back when my brother was deployed a friend of mine got Jim Kelly's autograph for him. At the time Jim was with Steve Tasker. When I gave my brother the autograph his first response was, "Thank you!" The second was, "Why didn't your friend get Steve Tasker's autograph?"

I like this photo of my mom and Kevin. I have a few versions but I like this one best because it also features Nicole and Steve.

The first song in the video is an Archer family favorite

PS For some reason there have been issues with videos on blogger. They're working to remedy the problem but in the meantime I'm sorry if this is inconsistent.

Dorothy Gale Was So Right

Now Here Are Some Reasons To Dance...

Kevin is 30!!!! AND...he's coming home this week. Woohoo! Soooo excited that he will be stateside and making a stop in Rochester. I'm proud to be your sister and love you so very much. I see you every time I look at that dear little nephew of mine. ;) Cheers. Can't wait to celebrate. We're already dancing over in Buffalo!!! Safe travels.

Here's a video to make you smile!

Playdate with Future Linebacker for the Buffalo Bills

Have I mentioned how much I love chubby babies? I mean, they're right on my list of favorite things next to Starbucks mocha lattes, old MGM musicals, Pottery Barn catalogs and clean sheets. This morning Lily and I made a visit to the Castiglione home while Jack was at school. I hadn't seen Sam (oops and Jules too) in awhile. He is the most adorable, chubby, happy baby. Seriously, how can you not want to swoop in and scoop this guy up? And, while I will admit that Sam looks alot like his dad, when I walked in their door I thought, "Oh my goodness, he's a mini-Neil." That's Jules' dad.

Sweetheart

Mama C. and Her Boy

Starting To Get Sick of the Paparazzi

Lily and Sam Chilling

Sam Likes Cougars!

Jules Being Swarmed

This is What It's All About!

All You Need Is Love

Here's how this photo shoot went down. I whispered to Lily, "Go hug Jack." These make me smile and I hope they do the same for you.

Love is All You Need

Jack and His Lovely Assistant

Wherever Jack goes, Lily is sure to follow. Here she is watching her brother draw and recommending different pencils to use. :)

Happy Birthday Dr. B....

I found this cool website where I can make online collages and fantasize about what I WOULD buy for people if I won the lottery. Or perhaps, I can just start checking things off the list. So for now Bridge, you can just enjoy my birthday board and virtual gifts. (Don't you love the green scrubs? I think they'd look fabulous with a bubble necklace from JCrew.) Hope you have a fantastic day and get a few more minutes of sleep than you're accustomed to these days. Love you.

For the entire breakdown you can click here.

The Snowy Day

Jack loves the book, "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats. It's a sweet story about the joy of playing in the snow and the beauty of a snowy landscape. Yesterday we had our own snowy day.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Snow Angels

Love those pink cheeks

Poor Lily. I shouldn't admit this but unlike her brother who had a complete snow ensemble, she had neither boots nor snowpants. I found a pair of boots that Jack wore last year and put them on her. And, I improvised with a lined pair of Jack's windpants and rolled them up. It worked to keep her warm. But, she couldn't really walk in the boots. Thus, she was pretty stationary. I like how this picture shows how active Jack was and how Lily just sat and watched.

Trying to move

Commanding his sister's attention

Look at the solitary teardrop. Love it.

Time to go inside ...Someone was ready

And someone wasn't

But, hot chocolate/milk and cookies have a way of making you forget about snow

"Ahhh, this is good!"

One happy, tired, cocoa-stained, little boy

Souvenirs

David went to Memphis a few days ago. Thankfully Grandpa Dave is doing well and feeling a little better. Obviously David would have liked to travel for other reasons but the trip wasn't entirely bad. He got to hang out with his entire family, drive a Lexus, fly first class (there are perks, he told me, to having the same name as your father), play Cosmopolitan (an Archer staple) and dine out at a fancy restaurant. He was thoughtful enough to bring us back a souvenir from said fancy restaurant. Aunt Kate and Uncle Matt were also thoughtful and generous to forsake their own souvenir so that we could have an entire set. Move over Waterford and Williams Sonoma juice glasses...there's a new cup in town:

New Haircut

Jack does not like my new camera.

Toyland

Toyland sounds better than what I would really liken it to...the aftermath of a cyclone spiraling through the Toys r' Us warehouse. Needless to say, the kids love all their new toys. Our living room is divided into stations right now and Jack and Lily float around to the different areas kind of like adults at cocktail parties. Behind the entertainment center is an activity toy and various instruments. In the back corner of the room there is the singing farm and the mickey/minnie entourage and shopping cart filled with shapes and cupcakes and mr. potato head parts. Then there are the dolls and trains spilling all over the middle of the room...the computer, the leap frog books, the alphabet bus, the tools, the abby wand, the purse and lest we forget, the leaf blower. That's just a quick scan. Our kids are definitely loved. And, when the temperature outside is 10 degrees it is way more appealing to stay inside our Toyland and enjoy all the Christmas treasures. Thanks again to everyone.

Mr. Potato Head Fun

Lily in her cute outfit from Aunt Kate playing with her new alphabet bus.

Filling their shopping cart

Playing Wii!

Checking out his laptop and taking a break from the accordion

Playing in their new tent

Minnie Mouse was invited to the campout

PS Hope this makes you smile Grandpa Dave. We're thinking of you!