Christmas morning 2008 (cont'd)

I finally got my sweatshirt...thanks to Peter. No matter where we live I will always be a "Jersey Girl"!

Grandpa opening up his gifts...

Grandma got a hand mixer from Peter.

and a nice warm snuggly blanket from Brianna since she is always cold.

Christmas morning 2008!

Matt finally got his guitar ...Peter is teaching him to play.

and Bri finally got her own digital camera! Now she won't have to use mine...

and Santa got Matt a bike which was a real surprise for him since it was not on his list....

Peter, Matthew & Brianna waiting patiently to open up gifts.

Christmas eve after Santa dropped off all the gifts under the tree!

Christmas Eve service 2008

Brianna's buddies....Emily, Bri & Arlene

Lynne & I

Some of the kids from the youth group

Christmas Eve Service 2008. Merry Christmas from the Torres Family!

The Worship Team before service started!

Happy 4th Birthday Vincenza!

Vincenza celebrates her 4th birthday!

Riley, my god daughter & niece.

Noah, my great nephew

Uncle Ed and Noah

Christmas time 2008!

LBA Christmas Party 2008

Ed & Alan at the Christmas party!

Pat & I at the party!

Shadow

Merry Christmas from the Torres family!

Having fun!

Peter, Bri, Matt and Shadow having some fun with their hats on.....it's was freezing outside!

Peter, Bri and Arlene being silly after service.

Peter and his pals....Ronnie, Peter & Matt

Ronnie doing what he does best.....eat!

Pastor Gary's last day!

Pastor Gary was our intern here for the past 6 months. He goes to Bethany Bible college and will be finishing up his semester. Today was his last day with us at Faith Chapel. It has been such a blessing having him here to help Ed with the Youth & kids ministry.

A bunch of us went out to Frank's pizzeria after church with Pastor Gary. Frank's has the best Italian fast food in NJ!

Ed & Pastor Gary...

Gary thanking the congregation for a great 6 months. We will miss you Pastor Gary!!

Christmas decorating 2008!

Matt my cutie pie!!

Trying to get Shadow in the holiday spirit!

This one came out a little blurry (Ed did it), but it is the first time ever that we did white lights on the tree. We always have multi color. I like the white, but I think I like the multi colored blinking better.

Mom's big helper!

Mom's other elf!

Christmas Tree Hunting!

Peter & Bri trying to stay warm by the fire while the tree was getting cut down!


Bri looks like she is in pain.....she walked into a closet at school on Friday and got a nice knocker on top of her eye lid, she said it hurt to smile!!

Ed & I tagged a tree during the week, so all we needed to really do was go back with the kids and make sure they agreed on it. It was so cold out there, they said it was beautiful (lol)! This was the one I had picked out!

My beautiful family.....they just love when I have the camera out!

Update on The Torres'

It's been awhile since I blogged, so I thought I would get you caught up on what's been happening with the Torres'.

Peter's football season is narrowing down with 1 game left...thank God! He didn't get to play much this year, but he really enjoyed being on the team. Bri started soccer, but due to a broken growth plate in her ankle while playing had to drop out. Matt has finished his football season (first time playing). They went to the finals, but lost!

Now we are into the winter sports. Peter will be playing floor hockey, Matt, basketball and so will Bri. I thought I would catch a break, but not. I do enjoy watching them play sports though.

Ed has been on a medical mission trip for the last 2 weeks. He was in Panama last week and is finishing up in Honduras this week. He will be home on Sunday, midnight and I cannot wait! 2 weeks is a very long time for your spouse to be away.

I have been holding down the fort at church, the house and where ever else I am needed these days. Thank goodness for friends and their prayers during these 2 weeks.

As we move into the holiday season, I can't help but think about all the stress that goes along with it. I just want to enjoy the time with family & friends this year, but how does one do that with the pressures of life???? If you have any hints, please let me know!

I am mostly on "facebook" these days if you want to drop me a line.

Weekend with Riley!

My niece, goddaughter Riley Grace spent the weekend with us last week. What a joy it was to watch her. She is such a good and happy baby. I don't think they get any better than this! If they could only stay little and innocent like this!

Shadow was so protective of her the whole weekend. He's never had a baby in the house before so he didn't know what to do with her. He was a good and gentle boy though!

Riley hanging out!

Me & Peter before he leaves for homecoming.

What a good dad you will make one day Peter! Not for awhile.....I'm not ready to be a grandma yet!

Peter's Homecoming 2008!

Last week was Peter's homecoming. He went with Natalie and the group of girls he hangs out with. He loves it....6 girls and him all the time! What a lucky guy!

So innocent! Peter & Natalie.

Peter putting the corsage on Natalie....he was so nervous!

Here is the group of girls that he hangs with all the time, 1 was missing in this picture. It is usually 6 of them. He had a great time.