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.

A day at Grandma & Grandpa's!

My dad's dog "Nikki" died a few weeks ago and they buried her in their front yard with this headstone. The one to the right is from their grandaughter Vincenza. She is 3 years old and was very upset that Nikki died.

Peter, Brianna & Matt

More pictures, only because I never get them all together anymore with Peter always working. So I took advantage of today and shot a whole bunch of them at grandma's with the beautiful fall colors. I am hoping to use one of them for a Christmas card. We took many, this is only 2 of them. By the time I was all done, they were ready to kill me.

I couldn't resist taking this picture. If you know my dad, he absolutely loves pasta. This was no exception. He was so hungry that he started filling up his plate before anyone even sat down.

Here were are getting ready to did in. Notice my dad is the only one with food on his plate? (lol)! Gotta love him!

Happy Halloween 2008!

We finally got the chance, or should I say, Ed got the chance to carve out the pumpkin for Matthew. We used the stencils and the tools that we needed and this was the final masterpiece. We stuck a candle in it and walaaaa!! He did a great job. Thanks honey!

Peter, Arlene, Bri & Matt hanging out with the pumpkins on the front porch!

Even the dog wanted to get in the fun! He probably would of ate the pumpkin if we let him out.

A shout out to Cuzin Roy....do they have pumpkins in Florida???(lol)!