It's been a long time...

and a lot has happened!
So sorry it's been so long, I know many of you have been loyal viewers just waiting for some updates.
Christmas was fantastic, as always. How could it not be, it's CHRISTMAS!
Riley woke up Christmas morning and wondered to the tree all sleepy eyed and suddenly grinned ear to ear, eyes twinkled and I heard just the faintest "ssswwweeeetttt" come from his lips. I guess Santa did good in bringing the R2D2 robot!
We enjoyed the rest of the day playing with our new toys and just being together.
Mom headed out on the 28th. We really had a fantastic time together and always look forward to her next visit.
The 30th, we packed up our car and headed to Southern California. We left at 7am in order to get there in time to catch the Alamo Bowl on TV. Then that evening, the Hilbrant's made it in! Yeah! We were all so excited to be together and to meet Hadley (now 3 months old). We spent through New Year's day all together in Southern California, all of Jim's sisters and all the cousins together, it was a wonderful time.
Then Theresa and I agreed to switch Riley for Hadley so that Riley could head with them to Knotts Berry Farm and San Diego Zoo. He had so much fun hangin' with Ian, but we really got the better part of the trade being able to cuddle and just bond with Hadley. She really is a beautiful, fantastic, happy little girl.
They all arrived here from San Diego on the 4th! It was so exciting having the house so active with 5 bigger kids running and laughing and just having fun.
It was sad to see them leave on the 7th, but we know we will be together again soon. The boys miss each other already and meet up occasionally in WEBKINZ world.
The 8th was back to School and back to Work. Riley and I had both been off since the 22nd. It was tough getting ourselves together that morning to get back to the "real" world. The work week was spent on a large project working long hours which eventually wore me down as Friday, the 12th, yes, my Birthday, I was miserably sick!! Yuck... I laid around all day taking medicine which got me better enough to enjoy a nice dinner (Outback Steakhouse to go)and cake. Gabe made me a strawberry cake with relay strawberries sliced all around it. It was really wonderful.
So, it's been a crazy couple of weeks and a New Year! I'll keep up on the blogging now. I hope you enjoy the many pictures that have been taken over the last several weeks.
Love to all...
Jessica