Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Yankee Christmas 2014 and a New Family Member

We had our annual family Christmas on my mother's side dubbed "Yankee Christmas" this past weekend. Santa makes a visit with a sack full of toys for all the wonderful little girls and boys.I have 3 uncles and 2 aunts, meaning my grandparents had a natural Brady Bunch, equaling a VERY LARGE extended family to date. This gathering includes 4 generations and a traditional reading of "What Christmas Means To Me". This is a short or however long you'd like writing by the family member who's next on the generation timeline. Many have the tissues handy cause it's usually heartfelt and a tear jerker! Last Sunday completed the 3rd generation of readings and hopefully next year the 1st of the 4th generation (my 2nd cousin Logan) will continue the tradition.
Yankee Christmas reading by Camden

Asa and Gracyn looking for reindeer with grampy

see the binoculars :)

Santa's arrival

Santa asking Asa if he's been a good boy...

He said "Yes"


Gracyn was last to be called by Santa and he was so desperate to tell him he "sawd" reindeer tracks out the window! AND he "sawd" him at Home Depot too! :) :)


We also have a new family member - his name is Ranger and he is 9 weeks old. He is a Cane Corso "aka" Italian Mastiff.


Friday, December 12, 2014

Christmas Tree Hunting

It was snowy and cold for our annual Christmas Tree Hunt.
Ace was looking for the horse and donkey that are usually in the pasture across the way.


Someone was unhappy, cold, and didn't want to walk through the snow. Apparent by the look!

Finding the trunk!

Cutting...

Audience


Gonna help carrying his tree...


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Leaves, Weddings, Buddy Walk and Doctor's Appointments

We've had quite the adventurous week.

The boys got buried in leaves by Grampy and then would "magically" appear.






We went to my cousin Scott's wedding in Bolton Valley, Vermont.


Misty Mountain Morning

The decent down...

down...

down...

And ended the weekend with the Buddy Walk for the Northern New England Down Syndrome Congress at Fisher Cat Stadium!

Asa's fan club, Ms. Patricia's girls, Sara, Gracie and Esther (I hope I got them all right Ms. Patricia!)


looking down at the walkers.

AND we started the week at the Doctor's. Eye appointment yesterday.

Back again this morning to get some antibiotics to ward off Pneumonia!



Tuesday, September 30, 2014

It's the most beautiful time of the year...

I have to say, though where we live has it's negatives. The positives are pretty! Foliage this year is just amazing, it's been a few years since it's been this pretty.
Quechee Gorge in the Fall - Submitted by Shoshana Geller.
Quechee Gorge VT, photo gonewengland.about.com
I drove over the Quechee Gorge last Sunday on my way to a baby shower and though I used to work in Quechee (Qwa-ee-chee, like Queen not Quiche) for many years you forget just how stunning these natural wonders really are.
Courtesy of Burlington Free Press
I've been driving around and really wanting to take pictures, so these are courtesy of the good old Internet. Mine don't come out as good through the windshield... :)

Friday, September 26, 2014

Falling into Fall

We are falling into fall, FAST. With cooler temps and withering leaves, we've been battling head colds and bad behavior. 

The beginning of 1st grade has not been an easy transition for Mr. Asa. His stamina or lack there of and being in school for a whole day is really wiping him out. He's also had some issues with following directions and moving on to new tasks. We'll get there, he overcame these exact tendencies last year and he has a new aid and also getting used to a new teacher. I feel like we took two steps forward by the end of Kindergarten but now somehow back to square one. It's only been a month (and a very inconsistent one) so we'll lay out some new plans and directions and hopefully he'll be back to a good guy who listens and follows along.... 
Enjoying a Rocket Pop
We all have been battling the first colds of the season, I hope this isn't a preview of what's to come!
Super Hero Woody's home sick, don't they look it? (just don't look at Asa's nose!)
Since most of the trees around our house are pine trees we don't get much leaf change, but a little...
For my southern friends :) I'll try to get some really nice pics over the next week and post them on Instagram, we'll be heading north next weekend and it should be pretty!
And this kid just cracks me up! I bought some new nude patent leather heels for a wedding we have next weekend and I had them on to break them in (though they're still going to kill me) and Gracyn says, "What are you wearing?" and I said, "My new heels" and then he asks, "Is there peanut butter on them?" 
Calling all Modeling Agencies, check this kid out... Bedhead chic!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

1st Day of School

1st Day of First Grade! Asa was sooo excited :) He's been ready all week but they didn't start until today to ease into it! We had an open house yesterday and he got to see most of his friends. His best friend Ryan ran up to him, put him in a big bear hug and lifted him off the ground :) :) Asa's entire class loves him the same and it makes this momma feel good that he has such great friends. It also makes me feel good that they are a small class of 16 kids and they are all very close :)


Thursday, July 31, 2014

Gracyn and Asa's Excellent Vacation

Two boys and their cousins are back in Maine with Grammy and Grampy and getting extremely spoiled with beach days and amusement parks.
Evening Beach Time
 Funtown USA!
Chauffeur Asa

Grampy on Carousel with G and A

Asa bumper boats

I guess these two didn't want to share a car


but will share a canoe!
 Splashtown USA!



ended the day with ice cream

Nice beach day while it is cold and rainy at home!

About Me

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My name is Jackie and I am a mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, cousin to many, and a dreamer of sorts. I dream of many things and one is a life full of acceptance, achievement and success for my Super Hero son Asa. He's got extra good stuff that comes with a little thing called Down syndrome. We live in the beautiful state of New Hampshire with our 2 Bulldogs; Rosie, Frankie and 36 chickens.