babies, babies and more babies

the last few days have been full of babies...all of them! kelly and i brought gavin, owen and charlie over to colorado to see the newest baby in the family...alexis...she was born last tuesday...we have been staying at a hotel near their house with kate...tommy didn't make the cut...a bit too little..we've played at the park, gone to the zoo, gav and owen saw some other cousins tonight...we'v e seen little lexie...she and charlie are getting to know each other...a fun little cousin reunion..let's see what i've learned...gavin is the boy...he likes to play boy games like space man, cops, etc.etc...kate is the boss...she tells everyone what to do..and she loves girly games like princess etc..owen is quiet...and he bolts...his new name should be the 'bolter'...all he does is take off running...but,he's always happy, unless the two older ones take his toys...tommy is happy to be part of the gang...he loves his vaccuum...what a doll...the babies..well, they are still perfect you know...haven't got any bad habits yet...so all in all a fun time with some fun kids...

boys in the pool

the little boys love playing with russ in the pool...and they will do it for hours and hours...

10 years

so today was the 10th anniversary of tom's death...before he died he used to tell me...it won't be so long before we're together...and i'd say...yeah, only 40-50 years...so, it's whittling down...not that i'm ready to go...but, i do miss tom...he was a great man, a great husband, wonderful father, son etc. etc...tom would be turning 53 tomorrow...in my retrospect of the last 10 years...my kids have all graduated from high school, 3 from college (kerry's still at it), 2 with graduate degrees. (russ is starting his)...we've added a few people to our family...a daughter and son in law (they both have graduated, jeff as an attorney)...almost 6 grandbabies....our family has doubled in size! i think he is proud of all of them...i know that i am proud of all of them....they have turned out fantastic...and now we have this new generation to watch and be entertained by.... we've had alot of adventures...alot of fun times together...we've had fun traveling...working hard...enjoying our lives...i think that's one thing that i learned from tom dying so young...you have to enjoy what you're doing...you have to be thankful for the life you have...be grateful for everyday....life's an amazing thing..it's not always easy...it's not always fun....but, every day is worth living...tom loved life..he worked hard and he played hard....he loved going to work everyday, he loved working with his dad and brother...he loved to golf, play tennis, run, bike...he enjoyed every minute...that's what we have to all remember...one of my favorite sayings is 'live, love, laugh'....that's what we need to be doing every single day....thanks tom for being my love...

happy 4th everyone!

we are so lucky and blessed to live in this great country...i'm the first one to love going to another country to see the sites...but, there is no better place than the 'good old USA'....i love our flag, i love all the patriotic songs, i love seeing fireworks in red, white and blue...the 4th is a wonderful time....we can remember all those that went before us...that made this country what it is today...my flag is flying in salute to our wonderful America!