I'm Not Kidding...Big news at end of post.

 Time has moved fast, time has moved slow these last few months.  There were a few more snow storms since the last post, Easter came (Poor Ethan was sick as a dog but we dragged his ass along.  He slept the entire day after the egg hunt.)  We all drove down for a weekend at Auntie's house.  Jason arranged for us to all go ax throwing!  Quite an experience.  Fiona had an awards banquet and art opening for her gold and silver key winning art pieces. Fiona  had her prom!  She was a stunner.  Jacob looked great too...  We even squeezed in an overnight in North Conway and a hike to Arathusa falls!

Then it happened.  Scott got laid off.  Bit of a surprise to say the least, but not necessarily bad news.  Four weeks of job offers streaming in.  Some that were fabulous options, others that were OK but not very exciting...but one that had potential to be amazing...this is the one he landed!  As a family we have weathered uncertainty before, and we did it again by supporting each other (especially Scott).  The kids have been so mature through it all.  Never complaining as we discussed various scenarios.  We are excited to embark on a new adventure this summer.

Waiting for the "go" signal before egg hunt.

"Go!"

So glad kids are still enthusiastic about the hunt!

Fiona and Jacob after a serious gun fight out in the snow.

Fiona designed this shirt for a high school project!

Her Gold Key artwork.

Fiona and Pamela.  Her mentor over the last few years.

Scott playing with my sisters toys.  Look at the image on the TV!  The timing of the shot was perfect! 

Getting instructions for ax throwing.

Oh Gary...little sisters are such a pain.

On my leg begging for food at dinner.

Fiona built a snow fort that even a dad can fit in!

PROM!!!

I got Betty a teddy bear and it didn't disappoint.

She's a BINGO shark.

Evelyn coloring.

I had Morton and Evelyn over for a 94th birthday celebration for Mort.

Here is Betty.  A happy 95 year old.

Backyard fire pit is the best.

Hiking to Arathusa.

We made it.

Found a stump.  Stumps are fun.

My amazing long jumper.

Pro baller.

Picking a kid off first.

Pitching.

Getting on base.

They got to play on Seadogs Field!!!!!

He played third that day.

Theo taking his tubby.

First bouquet of the year from the yard.

Fiona having quiet time in the swing.

I pushed Betty for an hour walk in her wheelchair.

Snuggles.

Mother's Day walk at Audobahn.

Me.  Now.  Creating this post.

                                                                                       

It has begun.  Moving.........to........
New Bedford area MA!!!!!!  Some time in August.

He Cut his HAIR!!!!  Change all around.

2023 is old news...The Big News Is That ETHAN IS 16!!!!!!!

Feels like the year is WAAAAAY further along than just a few months!  The kids and my parents enjoyed another fun filled New Years in Merrimac.  They played Chinese Checkers, Bananagrams and baked cookies.  I literally don't remember what Scott and I did!  Must have been mind blowing!  

I have been continuing to care for Evelyn and have also been working with a new client named Betty.  She's a spunky 93. I love this lady.   A month or so after I began caring for her in her home, she took a nasty fall and broke her hip.  Since then I have become a friend, and visit her while she is in the rehab/nursing home. We watch old "Carol Burnett" and "All In The Family" episodes while she teaches me to knit.  I'm hoping to resume employment with her in the future, but either way she is a wonderful new person to have in my life.

We got our first substantial snow on January 15th.  We were beginning to think we wouldn't have any!  Now we have been going from one storm to the next.  None of them have been too bad though...  I'm thrilled to be using my cross country skis.

Oh, and ETHAN IS 16!!!  Yup.  He had a long and drawn-out celebration.  The weekend before his actual b-day we traveled to mom and dads and combined Ethan and Meagan's birthdays.  It was a fabulous day with family.  Ethan was thrilled to get tickets to a Red Sox's game in June from his Uncle Jason and a trip to a bat making facility from Gampy for a custom bat!!  Baseball, baseball, baseball...

Fiona won a Gold Key award in the Scholastic art competition for the 4th year in a row!  This is a very big deal.  There will be a gallery opening at Maine College of Art this weekend where all gold and silver winners from across the state will have their work displayed.  We are all looking forward to seeing the show.  The awards banquet will be the following weekend.  It's nice to have things back in person.  The last few years winning the award was pretty lack-luster due to everything being online.

Kids baking cookies together at Gammy and Gampy's over New Year's.

Take a close look at this menu.  I found it at Morton's in a scrapbook his mother made from a vacation they took in 1938.  Most everything is UNDER a dollar! 

Love the last two lines!  Again, from the 1938 scrapbook.

I squeaked in ANOTHER tattoo.

On the back of my calf.

Each flower represents one of my oldest friends birth month.  Skull laughing is 'cause we plan on having a blast long after this life.

Our first real snow.

Taking a photo break from skiing.

Winter walk with my boys.

Fiona's Gold Key winning painting!

I just love these before and afters from my organizing jobs!

We had quite the cold snap a few weeks ago.

This was ice on the INSIDE of our bedroom window!

Trapped inside and cold, I baked LOTS of cookies.

Ethan and my dad listening to the bat maker.

A quick hike up a tiny "mountain".

Tiny mountain view.

From my solo hike around Mackworth Island.

I bought Evelyn this pink bear for Valentine's day.  This was how she fell asleep!

From my Valentine.

Fiona and Jacob on their way off to a date.

Ethan's b-day cake.

The dogs were helping...

He likes to be awakened with donuts on his real birthday.

Presents at home.  He was a happy boy.