I blew out my candles- and now I'm THREE

Marissa's Birthday party was this weekend!! She had a "Princess Theme." It was a wonderful party- everyone had a great time.

Even though Marissa's actual birthday was on Tuesday, she was convinced that she didn't turn THREE until she blew out her candles!

Below is a picture of her cake and also a cup cake tree that Lisa decorated which was awesome!!

Marissa loves playing dress up- and usually wants to dress as a princess. She loves changing from one dress to another... and continued the tradition throughout her party. James and I counted NINE outfit changes during the Birthday celebration... below are the ones we got on camera- she looks so cute and had so much fun!!!!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY MARISSA- WE LOVE YOU!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

James and I enjoyed our Christmas celebrations with both the Lewis family & Moseley family- below are some pics...

We celebrated with my Mom, Dad, Grandma Hembree, Bryan, Lisa, Abby, Marissa, Steve, April, Audra, Sklar and Clayton (and Audra's boyfriend Jake). We ate lots of food and open TONS of gifts!! We all had a great time.

James and I drove up to Wisconsin Dells to enjoy Christmas with the Moseley family the weekend before Christmas. We made cookies and enjoyed lots of sled riding. Above is a picture of James, me, Sophie, Ellie (mom), Ben, Bill, Julia and Harry (dad)- and of course Lacey!!

We enjoy the Holidays and love traveling to spend time with everyone- but we are also happy to be home!! Merry Christmas (a little late) and Happy New Year!!

ALL THE BEST IN 2008

THANKSGIVING

This year James and I hosted the Family Thanksgiving Dinner- which included 16 people (James and I, his parents, my parents, Grandma Hembree, Steve, April & kids and Bryan, Lisa & kids- also there was Sieben and Lacy... the dogs)- it was a full house!!

Here is a picture of James' dad (Harry) taking the turkey out of the oven. Notice how close Lacy is to the turkey... she was very interested!

Next is a picture of the dining room table set (we had to use two tables this year). We used James' Grandpa's china and I bought new tablecloths and napkins.

James' parents stayed with us the entire weekend. Ellie and I went shopping and made cookies and got to catch up on all the family stories. James and his dad spent time building a new work bench in the basement... here are a few pictures.

James and I both enjoyed having family over and being able to have Thanksgiving Dinner in our House!

SCUBA Accident

I've never written a blog like this- and quite honestly, I don't know where to start...

This past week James and five of his SCUBA buddies traveled to Ginnie Springs, Florida for their annual Cave Diving Trip. This year was different...

On Thursday afternoon one of the guys, Jeff Thompson, had an embolism during one of their dives and died. I know that James and the others guys have many questions about what happened, what caused it and why... It's so scary because it hit so close to home- it could have happened to any one of them. It makes me realize how short and precious life is (below is Jeff's obituary)

Jeffrey D. Thompson, age 46, a life resident of Lockport, New York, died suddenly on Thursday, November 8, 2007 in Ginnie Springs, FL. Born on April 25, 1961 in Lockport, NY, he was the son of Richard Thompson and Constance Wynes. Jeffrey graduated from Lockport High School. Jeff was an enthusiastic technical diver. He dove the Andrea Doria as well as caves in Florida and Mexico. He enjoyed hunting and maintained a healthy active life. Above all of these, Jeff loved his family. Jeff was on the executive board of IBEW 966 and also served as a steward. Jeff worked at the AES plant from the time it was built. He is survived by his wife, Lori J. Blackley; daughter, Nicole Thompson; son, Joseph Thompson; brothers Richard Thompson and Steven Thompson.

Even though I didn't know Jeff personally, I know that James has a great deal of love and respect for him. Our prayers are with Jeff's family at this difficult time.

My thoughts are also with James and all the SCUBA Divers that witnessed the event and are dealing with so many difficult emotions. I wish that I could say or write sometime to make Jeff's death easier to deal with... but I don't know what to say. I just hope that you all continue your passion for SCUBA Diving and honor Jeff's memory.

I added a picture of the Cave Diving Group taken last week- James is on the left and Jeff (who passed away) is second from the right in the light blue shirt.

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet

This past week has been packed full of Halloween fun.

Below are pictures of me painting pumpkins with Abby and Marissa...

Here is a picture of me and James dressed up at Chuck and Andrea's Halloween party...

Below are various family pictures from Aunt Eileen's Halloween party last weekend...

The costumes were great- I believe Bryan dressed up like a woman!!!!

The last picture is of Abby and Marissa right before starting Trick-or-Treat...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

THE KIDS

I just realized today that I haven't posted many pictures (if any at all) of my nieces and nephew on the "Lewis side" of the family... I have some fairly recent pics- so they are included below.

The first picture is of Skylar, Abby and Clayton. Clayton and Skylar turned 12 and 11 years old this week- and Abby is five (remember I posted her Birthday party?) I can't believe how grown up all three of them are!

Here is a picture of Audra this past summer... she has grown up really fast too (she's 15, has a job at McDonalds and is getting ready to start driving). The picture below shows her sporting her "fashionable cast" which she had to get this summer after a minor wrestling match with one of her friends.

Next are the pictures that I took of Abby and Marissa this past weekend with the family of scarecrows that made and have displayed at their house for Halloween this year. Bryan & Lisa went all out this year with decorating- and their place looks great!

I will try to post more pics of THE KIDS when I can. I'm sure that you will all be amazed to see how quickly they are maturing... They are all growing up to be so beautiful and smart (must run in the family- hehe) I love them all sooooo much!!!!!

Hot Air Balloon Ride

James and I just did the coolest thing ever!! We went up in a Hot Air Balloon...

For our 1st Anniversary- I wanted to go along with the "paper theme" and I bought James a gift certificate to go up in a Hot Air Balloon. Because of bad weather (the conditions have to be perfect)- we weren't able to go on the Hot Air Balloon ride until now... it was the coolest thing that we have ever done! One of the guys we work with has a Hot Air Balloon- and he took us for a ride.

First they fill the balloon with air using a large fan- the picture below shows them filling it.

I was able to climb into the balloon while it was still on its side, and they were still blowing it up, and take a picture of the top of the balloon from the inside.

After the balloon was blown up, James and I climbed in the basket and flew over Minerva. We started at the old Jr. High (that was recently torn down), flew Northwest and landed in a yard over by Kiko Meats.

Below is a picture of is flying by PCC Airfoils (where James and I both work) and a picture that Kyle took of the two of us riding in the Hot Air Balloon about 500 feet in the air.

We had a great time- though I think I had butterflies the whole time. It was a little scary- but well worth it! We landed fairly smoothly- hitting a tree in the process (oops!) But besides that- everything was great!!! We finished the ride with a champagne toast (one of Kyle's traditions).