Wow- long time huh?

Hi. Thanks for still reading my blog. It has been a good long time. I'll try not to make this really long and catch up at the same time. We'll see. Ellie, Lily and Bridger were up last night with a stomach bug and so we are home from church. Everyone is pretty relaxed and laying around in their jammies so it seemd like an ideal time to catch up with the blog.

The kids are all doing well. Cassie is DRIVING!! It is a dream though because she loves to drive and do errands and run around for me. I'm sure that the newness will wear off for her and there may be grumbling about it in the future but it is really nice right now. She is involved in show choir and student council. She also has a part time job at our grocery store.

Treven is getting ready for basketball try-outs right before Christmas. He has a great group of friends that he does a lot with and it seem like there are always at least two extra teenage boys over here on the weekends. I love that they enjoy coming over.

Bridger got his cast off but missed basketball because of his broken arm. I can't believe that he will be in middle school next year. I go in and help in his classroom and he is very serious at school but not so much at home. He has a strong spirit and a desire to do what is right.

Ellie is enjoying 2nd grade. She is a reader and one of those kids that just keeps trying unitl she gets it done. She is such a good big sister to Lily and Emmie, very patient and caring.

Lily is almost always happy and she loves making new frineds. After a rocky start ("But I just miss you so MUCH mom that when I think about you I cry" to "I didn't think about you at all today" ) she really enjoys kindergarten.

Emmie is a goer and has the vocabulary of a ten year old which makes her a highly entertaining challenge to her mom. She LOVES her dad the most but will come and snuggle with me if she wakes up first. She likes hair paraphernalia and it is not uncommon for her to have ponytails, plus a headband and various clips, bows and barrets in at the same time. Our Christmas tree is completely un-decorated until the end of Emmie's arm length. It will be a really fun Christmas because she understands what the purpose of Santa Clause is now and wants to write him a letter everyday.

Jared is working hard at the insurance business. He loves being his own boss. I still need to post pictures of our building. It has been a drug store, mortuary, Dr's office, courtroom, florist. I have been trying to find out the history of it because we would like to slowly restore it. Unfortunately it has been neglected and there is a lot of work to do. We just got a new roof put on. New windows are next.

The embroidery business is busy. I am enjoying it more and have discovered that I like the creative process of taking someone's idea and turning it into something that they can hold in their hands and enjoy. I'll post some pictures of some of the projects I've done. Hopefully soon. :)

Four of my siblings and their families along with my Mom and Dad came to Montpelier for Thanksgiving. It was so enjoyable having them here. I love the feeling of a house full of family eating, visiting and enjoying each other. We were sad to see them go. The day ofter Thanksgiving we went skiing and Jared taught Lily to ski. She did great. My favorite quote of the day, "Mom, I did so good and the next time I will do even gooder!!"