Christmas

Wow!  When Christmas came, it came fast and furious.   I enjoyed this year more than any I do believe.  We were busy and busy!  It was great to spend time with family and friends and cherish the reason for the season - Jesus birth!  My son, Gehrig, caught on to both meanings of Christmas.  He was so much fun, watching the excitement and joy in his face.  He really enjoyed playing with his friends and cousins.  Here's to a great 2012!  Happy New Year to all!

Church Christmas Program

We had our Christmas program at church.  It was so cute!  The props turned out fantastic.  The play was based on the story of Jesus birth from Luke.  Gehrig was a game player.  His group, the frogs, sang Away in the Manager.  The kids did a fantastic job. 

Preschool Christmas Party

Gehrig had his preschool Christmas party.  Each of the children brought a book to give for a gift.  As Ms. Kristie read "Twas the Night Before Christmas", the children would pass the book to their neighbor every time the word "the" was read.  Gehrig received a really nice book from a friend and the teachers gave him one too.  The kids had a snack and received some other goodies from their friends.  I was amazed at how quiet and patient this class was when each child opened their gift.  This is Gehrig's last year of preschool.  He has learned so much.  We are very thankful to Memorial for being so wonderful!

Trip to Polar Express

We made a trip to the Polar Express via the Ky Railway Museum.  We had so much fun singing songs, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies.  Santa and Rudolph made a surprise visit too!  Gehrig is so excited about Christmas this year!  We are really enjoying this season. 

Time with Friends

John and I hosted a get together with Josh, Heather, Olivia and Hadley and one of John's highschool friends, Shane and his financee, Carmen and her 2 children, Jaylin and Patton.   John became reaquainted with Shane during soccer season as Patton was on Gehrig's team.  Gehrig has found a new buddy in Patton.  They played together so well that we forgot they were even there.  The rest of us had just as much fun too. 

Christmas Tea

All the Galvin ladies accompanied Grandmother to the Christmas Tea at the State Theater.   We enjoy getting fixed up and spending the time together.  The tea and goodies are wonderful, too. 

Basketball Begins

Gehrig had his first basketball game on Sat. Dec. 3.  His coach is Cody Elmore and his team is called the Suns.  He got a steal, got a good drive to the basket and attempted a shot.  He didn't too bad for his game.  Most importantly, he had a lot of fun playing and is making new friends. 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was celebrated at my mother in-law's house with her family and my parents! We ate and ate - it was delicious. Now that the kids are big enough to play on their own, the tradition of making a craft was reinstated. My sister in-law and niece came with a cute idea of making a wreath out of old paperbacks. Each wreath turned out differently and were really cute. Most importantly was just slowing down and enjoying the time spent together. The turkey butter was made by Kayuko (Kate) our special friend from Japan when she came to visit in September.

New Basketball and Shoes

The third week of little league practice, Gehrig was given a basketball.  He was so excited!  It's his first big boy ball.  I decided to surprise him even further by taking him to get basketball shoes.  You know if he's going to play might as well have the real thing.  He picked them out and tested them out for quickness.  We are gearing up for our first game in December.  G has been practicing and practicing.  He's ready and so am I. 

Photography and the Old Guy

I love photography!  It is really the only creative thing that I truly enjoy.  There is something about capturing a moment that is fascinating to me.  I have tubs and tubs of pictures I have taken over the years.  Each one of them tells a story. 

Our dog, Bentley, is the old guy in our house.   I love photographing him as he relaxes outdoors.  These were two shots of him that I really like.  It's as if I can read his mind.

Deer Season

Deer season in our household is a national holiday.  I become a deer "widow", but I don't mind as it enables me to have time to shop, visit or work on a project.  Gehrig is going to follow his father's footsteps and be a hunter, too.  He likes to get his little knife and help process the meat.  This season has been a successful for our hunters! 

Soocer Season Ends

We concluded our first soccer season this Fall. It's been quite exciting I must say. I really enjoyed being the Team mom. We had a party at Mr. Gatti's and this team mom provided a cookie for dessert. Gehrig likes soccer too, but unfortunately he runs like his mother, which is not fast.  He says he would like to be a goalie someday.  Maybe he will be someday, time will only tell. 

Basketball Begins

Central Hardin started a little league program this year. Cousin Matt invited Gehrig to participate. Gehrig is really liking it and doing quite well considering he has never played basketball at all. It will be interesting how he develops in these sports as he matures and grows up. We'll be there to support him whatever he decides.

Preschool Party

Gehrig's Preschool class had a Harvest Party.  They got to wear their pj's, played some games and received candy from his friends.  This is the last year of preschool, got to enjoy these moments. 

Halloween

Gehrig was Batman, the Dark Knight, this year for Halloween.  Had a beautiful weekend of weather for both Trunk and Treat and Trick or Treat.  We went around our neighborhood this year with Alea and Kayjah.  The kids got lots and lots of candy.  Our neighbors were dressed up in costumes, which the kids loved.  Gehrig enjoyed handing out candy too.  Another awesome year! 

The Corn Maze

Yesterday we went to the Life Adventure Center in Versailles to go through Ky's largest corn maze!  If you are not familiar with the LAC, you are missing something.  It has a lot of neat educational programs for adults and children.  The weather was beautiful and we had an awesome time! 

The Sharks

The Sharks finally won their first game and Gehrig made a goal!  Each game it's amazing how much the kids improve.  They are becoming soccer players!  We have a very good coach, CJ Lennon who is patient and encouraging.   Gehrig has been doing very well on defense, but he needs to get more aggresive on offense.  I'm sure that will come with more practice.  This Team mom is really proud.  Go SHARKS! 

The Zoo

Gehrig loves the zoo!  He had been asking to go all summer long and the weather finally cooled off enough to be able to enjoy it.  His favorite area of the zoo is the Herpatorium to see the snakes.  I don't like snakes and didn't photograph any, but got some great shots of other animals.  It was a fantastic day as all the animals were out and very active. 

The Farm

I knew the day would come, but yet I never was able to prepare myself emotionally for it = the day the Farm would sell.  The farm had been a part of our family since the mid 1800's.  It was my mother's childhood home.  It was the place I most enjoyed as a child.  Unfortunately, it's difficult to farm a small operation these days and also to have the money to afford to purchase something like this.  My father and I bought lottery tickets hoping we would be blessed enough to make the purchase, but it wasn't to be. 

The weekend before the sale, I made my last visit.  I stood by the fence where I used to sit under the big oak tree and look out over Hardinsburg and talk to the cattle.  I wandered to the backyard, remembering when we helped Grandma with her garden and also played baseball/football.  I laughed as I passed by the meat house, thinking of when we used to be scared of it, because of stories my grandfather used to tell.  As I continued around the house, in amazement still sat the "big" water bowl for the dogs.  I remembered how many times we sat out back under the shade tree, the wind so peacefully blowing and just enjoyed the quiet calm. 

The Farm was my place of quiet refuge.  There was always a sense of peace and protection that came over me when I was there.  As much as I hated to see it leave our family, I know the place will be well taken care of, enjoyed and loved as much as we did. 

Hinton's Orchard and Farm

Gehrig and I had a beautiful day at Hinton's.  We packed a lunch, took a hayride, picked pumpkins, went through a corn maze and played on the playground.  Later, we baked spooky brownies and watched a Halloween movie.  I love this time of year and enjoy these special times. 

Wow - what a game!

My son is playing in a fall, instructional baseball league.  Last night during his game, he made a double play and had a huge hit to the outfield!  I was like, "Is that my kid out there? And yes, it is!"  I am very proud of him.  Gehrig practices his baseball game all the time.  What's the saying, practice makes perfect.  Maybe so. 

 

The Sharks

This is our first season of soccer.  Gehrig is playing for the Sharks.  He's enjoying it as his friend, Alex is on his team and Alex's dad, CJ is his coach.  All the boys on the team get along really well.  Our first game was a rough one as we played a very good, experienced Dragon team.  We were about to get skunked, but Gehrig accidently made a goal!   Go SHARKS!



A new big boy bed!

It finally happened!  Gehrig got a big boy bed!   Mommy and daddy surprised him with a new sports comforter.  Our little boy is growing up into a young man, new exciting times ahead.

9/11

There has been lots and lots of media coverage about all the events to commenorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  Do I remember where I was and what I was doing - how could I ever forget!  I was at work, listening to the Howard Stern morning show.  I know, I know - Howard Stern.  He had an employee who was running late.  Howard called him on his cell phone and he stated he was dropping his daughter off at the daycare.  Then, all of a sudden, the guy said, "Howard, I swear I just saw an airplane hit the World Trade Center."  I got live on the spot coverage from this guy until his cell service died.  It was the most frightening thing I've ever listened too.  I must say Howard Stern and his staff did a wonderful job of covering the event.  They were very professional, putting all jokes aside.  Howard Stern's employee who witnessed the event firsthand was okay, too.  It was a tragic, horrible event and I feel sorry for the folks who lost their loved ones. I hope that we never go through that again in our homeland. 

My 6th Anniversary

Today is my 6th anniversary!  I am very blessed to have such a wonderful husband.  It's amazing how easy it is to take relationships for granted.  I must say that I've been guilty of that.  I ask God to give me guidance in learning to be more patient and understanding and to nurture my relationship and never take it for granted. 

The mom on the run and loving it, I think!

Gehrig wanted to play soccer this fall.  And since I'm not exactly ready to see my own kid on the football field yet, I decided I would sign him up.  After sign-ups were complete, I receive word that the fall baseball league is going to include the T-ball age.  Since his dream (at this time) is to be a major leaguer, I signed him up for that. too.  We got two weeks of baseball under our belt when soccer started.  So this past week, we had 2 nights of baseball and 2 nights of soccer.  And of all things, I was SICK!  Went to the doctor and asked to get a shot as I had to keep going somehow!  I made it through, but thought why did I do this?  The answer is easy, I did it because I love my son so much and I want him to have lots of different experiences.  By the week's end, I was feeling better and it was worth every minute of running to see my son's excited face every day.  Here is to many years of fun running.  

More of the birthday party