Lots to be Thankful for

Here we are.... rednecks gone wild! No its not a family photo by a professional. Its taken by a family friend and my mom with her throw away camera in her garage!! BUT.... this picture taken during Thanksgiving is the first time this family has been all together in over 4 years! Over the course of this night we laughed, we cried, we debated, loved and spanked on kids, shared stories we have missed. We heard a story of one of the kids calling his grandmother a not so nice name. We played any kind of instruments we could find. Sang until our hearts were content, most of us off key. We ate, and ate and ate. Then we had to say goodbye!!! I am thankful for this group of fun loving, beer drinking, music loving, dedication from every stage of parenthood, unconditional love and support. We may not be the prettiest looking bunch, but I know who I can call when I need someone to back me! Just sad they are 400+ miles away!

Until next time.....

A haunting we will go.....

Pumpkin carving, tricking and treating and what not.... Fun was had by all this year at the Kapka house!!! Our dear friends from Austin came up and celebrated with us!! We had so much fun!!! Now time to recover! Until next year....

Explosive!

This is what I woke up too -- its a great monkey bread recipe, if you use the right amount of rolls!

growing old....

The first granddaughter on one side, and first grandchild on the other, and first child to us, arrived on October 10, 2002 at 10:35am. You were destined to be spoiled!!! But actually quite the opposite - You are full of grace, compassion, and have a very unselfish heart for a 7 year old!! You were beautiful from the beginning, bigger then expected at 8 lbs 2 oz and almost 20 inches long. You exceed our expectations, and make us proud everyday!!

Happy Birthday Emily Grace!

MeMoRiEs

One of the many things I remember about my Nanny is she is the one who first introduced me to Shrinky Dinks. I spent hours with her creating and imagining and talking while doing those! So when I found them today I couldn't pass them up!!! My little avid colorers loved them!!!! Too bad we didn't have these last weekend when the rain kept us indoors all weekend!

These are for you Nanny!!! Hope you enjoyed watching us from above as we did!!!!!! Love and miss you!

Play Dates

With all older sibs in school, we've scheduled some play dates.... not sure who had more fun? The kids or the moms????? Gotta pass the time sometime right?

a brief moment of insanity

Meet Gilbert or Sugar (Blaine can't make up his mind) and we aren't 100% sure its gender..... she (or he) is all spunk. Just like Blaine. My favorite part of this cat, is his trade mark grey circle on his (or Her) butt that travels the length of the tail!

And Cally (Cat) She is Emily's cat. She is very timid and shy..... and very beautiful. humm..... so much like their owners.

I am not sure why we decided to get 2 cats, seeing I don't have a very good track record with one. But hopefully with fall just around the corner, hopefully we won't have a mice problem!