roller skating gives me a better buzz than percocet, and without the constipation

I even look a little high in this picture.
From age 3 to 9 I had a best friend named Adrienne. She got roller skates for her birthday one year. I didn't have any. Because she was and still is one of the sweetest friends I've ever had, she would let me wear the left one and she would wear the right one. We would skate all over our neighborhood. Grownups would always ask us where our other skate was. Stupid question. I finally got my own skates and we spent almost every summer day skating. Ahhhhh those were some of the happiest days of my childhood.

No it is not girly to roller skate! No child should miss the chance to learn to skate.

Gwenyth was a complete natural. She refused to hold my hand and she got right up after she fell.

How do you like that action shot?! Sarah was like Bambi on ice the first time we went skating but the second time she was just as good as her twin sis.

Jax, AnnaKate and Emmaline getting more confident and feeling pretty cool.

Did I ever mention.....

Did I ever mention that my life is a beautiful happy place to be because of my decision to marry Nathan Morris? I am really quite certain that I'm not near the person Nathan is. I'm lazy and selfish and overly emotional for starters. I try to keep up on all my apologies and promises to be better. He forgives me and reassures me that I not THAT bad. See those 5 kids? Those are 5 of the luckiest kids in the world. And one damn lucky woman. (did I mention he never cusses?)

Did I ever mention that Nate comes home from a long days work and will make me dinner without complaining?

Or that he makes the best apple pies I've ever eaten?

Or that he is still so young and athletic even though we are 36?!

Or that he is such a great brother to his 3 younger brothers and sister? Well, if I haven't mentioned it then I should have a long time ago.

I have some serious catching up to do!

So Halloween 2009 was one of those days I really loved being a mom of 5. Excuse me but Gwenyth, Sarah and Suzie make the cutest puppy dogs ever!!! It was also not even cold outside for trick or treating. Awesome.

So How do you like Emmaline's little get up? A month before Halloween she told me she wanted to be a French play director. What?! My shriveled little brain had not the creative capacity to picture what she was talking about. She told me all the different things she needed for her costume. We gathered them from neighbors and relatives and walla! I think she looks pretty cute. Wish her coat wasn't on in this picture.

AnnaKate drew the cutest witches. This was my favorite. I kinda don't know what the witch is saying though.

My hunky Nate totally taking over the pumpkin carving. Good thing, I have no patience for this activity.

Some people don't like dogs. I even have some family members who don't like dogs. (I won't name any names) Just look at my Tabitha...... That is pure love in her eyes. She still loves me even though I put her in a witch costume that she hated and tried to bite off. She was just so happy I put her leash on so she could come trick or treating too. She was of course completely darling and loved trick or treating as much as the kids.

Welcome to Emmaline's Haunted House

Some real live ghosts walking through her haunted house. No, not really, just me and my great camera skills. These are our horrified neighbors who are walking through the wood shop that Em has converted into a very scary haunted house.

This dead bat was donated by Grammy. She found it in her house and now it is Sarah's best friend. I have since hidden the bat from Sarah so Em can use it next year. I just couldn't handle Sarah taking this thing everywhere she went. For one, its in a glass jar that she could drop and break. For two, its a dead bat.

The sign says "try if you dare" Emma told the customers that they were werewolf toe nails. They were candies almonds.

Emmaline and Lily making some disgusting witches brew.

the finished product.

Perfect Zoo Day

We went to the Zoo with Grammy and Sister in law Ali and her 5 kids and Sister in law Melissa and her 2 youngest girls. It was very fun.

This baby orangutan was about the cutest most entertaining little creature. We stood there for a long time watching him swing and jump and throw straw, while his sibling and mommy napped.

I'm pretty sure this giraffe liked me. I made eye contact with her and she bent her long neck down and licked my hand. Then 10 minutes later I was standing there again and looked at her and she bent down and sniffed ME. There was a line up of people but she only sniffed me. I'm taking that as a giraffe compliment.

How could I say no to a train ride when they are sooooo cute? Naughty, but cute.

I have so many nieces and nephews. 20 on Nate's side and 9 on mine. My kids will never lack in the cousin fun department.

The Little Camry That Could

This is the story of why a successful attorney is driving a 1987 Camry. Why would this handsome professional drive a 23 year old car? I'll tell you why. About 3 and 1/2 years ago we decided it was time to get Nate a nice car. We finally had the money, the family minivan was paid off. We were soon surprised to find out that I was expecting twins. We were glad to know our minivan could seat 5 children. On the day that we were going to go buy Nate a car, Nate realized that all 5 of our kids still had to be in car seats. He tried to fit all 5 car seats in the van. That was when his dreams of a new car were crushed. Instead of Nate getting the new car I got a bigger van. I felt so bad for him.

That was 3 and 1/2 years ago. He is still driving this ancient car because by the time we had enough saved to get him a new car.........we bought a bigger house. Once again his dreams of a nice car were put on hold.

The time is coming close that we will have enough saved and the van paid off. We will be able to buy Nate a new car.....He is getting a little antsy in his pantsy. The other morning his car wouldn't start. We had to have it towed to the mechanic. Did the car finally die of old age? No. It was bone dry. Nate had "forgotten" to get the oil changed. It was 2000 miles past. I asked him if subconsciously he was trying to kill the car so he could get a new one instead of wait a few more months. He admitted that maybe subconsciously he was trying to kill the car. Can you blame him?

The mechanic told him the engine was shot. Were Nate's dreams of a new car finally going to come true? Nate told the mechanic to put oil in the car just to see what would happen. By this time he was feeling guilty for the attempted murder of the Camry. What do you know! It started! It has been running great! It even passed emissions and inspection! My prayers were answered!
Poor Nate. He will just have to wait a few more months. The fact that Nate drives this car is one of the many reasons I love him. How did I get so lucky to be married to such a selfless, humble, hotty? I'll never know.

Lifting-Burdens

Lifting-Burdens