1st day of school

Madie is in the 8th grade!
Michaela is in 5th Grade!
Kelly is in 1st grade!
It's hard to believe we are starting another school year. I can't believe how big my babies have gotten!

Happy 17th Anniversary!

Today Jeff and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! Jeff had planned a wonderful evening for us.

We dropped the kids off at Grandma and Papa's house and drove to Anthony's where we had 5pm reservations. There was a note on the door so Jeff got out to see what it said. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed because the owner and chef was in the hospital. He had a heart attack the night before. Plan B was quickly put in place...Chez Pierre. We had one of the dining rooms all to ourselves, a very polite waiter and funny artwork on the walls to make fun of. Jeff and I had both chosen the same thing to eat:
KOBE HACHÉ ET POMMES FRITES / Snake River Farms Kobe beef chopped sirloin steak with black truffle butter and house fries - $23

Although it was very good, Jeff and I laughed that we paid $23 for a hamburger and fries! We then went to see "Becoming Jane". Yes, my wonderful husband took me to a chick flick and I highly recommend the movie. Before we took our seats Jeff asked me if I wanted something to drink...yes, a water please. I was shocked when the guy at the register said "that will be $7.50". $7.50 for 2 waters, HOLY COW! After the movie we got into the car and started home...or so I thought. My husband surprised me further with a romantic hotel evening, whirlpool tub included....the rest is left to your imagination. The one thing I will share is...watch how much bubble bath you put in a whirlpool tub...they over took me!

Madie got contacts!

Madie has been bugging us for contacts. At the beginning of the summer I made a deal with her that if she watched her brother and sister (and not kill them!) then at the end of the summer we would take her to get contacts . Well, Kelly and Michaela are still alive and so to the eye doctor we went. She is now the proud owner of contacts and is no longer four eyes.

Madie wants me to add that she is happy she is no longer tortured by babysitting her brother and sister!

Check out my Slide Show!

Happy 91st Birthday Grandma Nana!

Madeline Virginia Donovan Harriman was born 91 years ago today in Kansas City, Missouri. She married George Wendell Harriman on July 30th, 1965, worked for AT&T for 27 years, and raised three sons; George Patrick (Pat), John Francis (Johnny), and James Michael (Mike). She has 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Growing up we always called her Grandma Nana.

Some of my favorite Grandma Nana memories:
*”Ye gads!”
*”Yellow” instead of Hello.
*”So what do you know?” to which we would always awnser something like 2+2=4.
*Vacations with Grandma Nana every summer. Every other year we would travel to Kansas to stay with her and visit our Aunts, Uncles, cousins and other family members in Kansas. The other years she would fly to Pennsylvania and we would travel somewhere in our camper…Canada, Washington DC, Maine, etc
*The summer I spent with Grandma Nana in Kansas when I was 12.
*Snoring…I always slept with Grandma Nana when we were on vacation and I always made sure I went to bed before her.
*BBQ Brisket…YUM!

I am sure that after I post this that I will remember many more wonderful memories about Grandma Nana. I would love to know some of your favorite memories and hope you enjoy the slide show.