Dad's & Tom's Birthdays

Let's have more birthday celebrations! Dad's birthday is December 16th and Tom's is the 18th. We typically celebrate them together and we did so this year on December 18th with dinner at Mom and Dad's. We had tacos, one of Tom's favorites, and instead of birthday cake, we had birthday pies - peach and apple - with ice cream. Of course, there were presents for both of them!

Tom and Dad open presents! A sweatshirt from me for Dad and I finally started Tom's album of his August 2004 trip to Washington State!

Lordy, lordy I am 40!

My family had a surprise 40th birthday party for me on Saturday, December 17th! We had dinner beforehand. Mom made deviled roundsteak, mashed potatoes, and baked corn - my favorites! Then they cleaned up and sent me in the living room with the kids, which I didn't mind. Photo ops, you know! I was messing around with my camera, and looked up and there stood Linda and Mary and Jim!!!!!! As the evening went on, more family and friends stopped in. It was a great party! One that I will remember always. And one that I can't wait to scrapbook!!

Me and Matty, Corie with my cake, and making a wish!

Benny and Matty - 12/16/05

I babysat Benny and Matty on Friday, December 16th while Ben and Wendie went to dinner and then Christmas shopping.

The boys were well behaved and fun, as always!

RTW Staff Christmas Party

The RTW Staff Christmas Party was held at my house on Wednesday, December 14, 2005. We held to all our traditions -- stocking stuffers, searching for the pickle, and our meal. However, this year, I cooked the filet mignon!! It was a fun, delightful evening. Unfortunately, Judi didn't make it - she got a flat tire on her way and wasn't able to get it fixed in time.


Lois found the pickle!

Lois, Betty, Mom, Susan, Jo, and Mrs. Gilbert

Andrew's 7th Birthday!

Andrew's 7th birthday party was held on Sunday, December 11, 2005, a day before his actual birthday. Vickie had the party at Kranzel's Raceway. The kids got to race cars around a race track with a control. They loved it! They also loved the pinata, filled with chocolate candy! Andrew got lots of cool gifts, including a big truck from Dad in Kuwait!

Caleb's Acting Debut!

Caleb performed in his second grade class's play, Anansi and the Talking Melon, on Wednesday, December 7, 2005. Mom, Dad, Corie, and I were able to attend the afternoon performance. There were various animal parts and Caleb played the elephant. Each child made his/her own costume! It was a very cute play! Way to go, Caleb!

Mom's 61st Birthday

We celebrated Mom's 61st birthday with dinner at Corie and Caleb's. She received gift certificates to Red Lobster and some pajamas. Ben and Wendie weren't able to celebrate with us because Benny was sick. Wendie did stop by for a brief visit. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Benny and Matty - 11/30/05

I went to visit Wendie, Benny, and Matty on November 30th. Ben was teaching class that evening. Here are some cute pictures of the boys!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mom and Dad hosted Thanksgiving at their house. Of course, there's was lots of yummy food! Mom stuffed and cooked the 20-pound turkey that was donated by Corie (Giant grocery reward points!), and she also made mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. Corie made a green bean casserole, and I made pumpkin pies. Tommy brought the Cool Whip! We are so blessed and enjoyed a wonderful time together. We missed Ben, Wendie, Benny, and Matty. They spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York with Ben's Aunt Louise.

Corie's Birthday

We celebrated Corie's 37th birthday on her birthday (November 15th) at Mom and Dad's with dinner, cake, ice cream, and presents! We (Mom, Dad, me, Ben, Wendie, Benny, Matty, Caleb, and of course, Corie) were all there to celebrate.


Corie makes a wish and Caleb looks on as Corie reads a birthday card.

Matty Turns1!

We celebrated Matty's first birthday two days early, on November 13th, at Ben and Wendie's. Matty's grandparents - Mammy and Pappy & Oma and Opa - came to celebrate, as did his Aunt Corie, cousin Caleb, Uncle Tommy, me, and his Aunt April and Uncle Mike and their four kids. It was a great celebration! Matty loved it when we sang "Happy Birthday" to him! It took him a while to dig into his piece of cake, but eventually he stuck his hand in the icing!

Right to Work Annual Meeting

The Right to Work Annual Meeting was held on Friday, November 4th. We gave out several awards: one to retiring House member Representative Sheila Miller, one to 20-year Board Member Tom Beckley, and our first Ronald Wilson Reagan Award to Matt Brouillette of The Commonwealth Foundation. And then, the Board Members surprised Susan with the Everett M. Dirksen Award! Senator Piccola presented her with a citation from the Senate and Representative Teresa Forcier offered the promise of a citation from the House of Representatives. It was not ready in time for the meeting. Additionally, Fred Anton of the PA Manufacturers' Association was our keynote speaker and Representative Daryl Metcalfe and Jeff Zeh of PA Associated Builders and Contractors offered remarks.


Susan and Rep. Miller and Susan and Matt

Representatives and Susan

Fall 2005

Fall is my favorite time of year - I love the warm days and cool, not cold, evenings!


This is a tree in my development.

My front porch.

The Alvarez's fall decorations!

Benny and Matty - 10/31/05

I babysat Matty while Wendie took Benny out trick or treating on Monday, October 31st. Ben teaches on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I went to help out Wendie.


Benny is ready to go trick or treating and Matty is ready for bed!

Scott's Farewell

Scott got called up for active duty to serve in Kuwait. He left for training on November 1st. Vickie had a farewell get together on Sunday, October 30th. Please keep him and Vickie and the kids in your prayers.

Penni in a paper bag

While I was updating my blog this evening, I looked over and found Penni in a paper bag with some tissue paper that I had brought upstairs to put away. I thought it was so cute that she crawled in the paper bag. She slept there for a while!

Trick or Treat

Last night was Trick or Treat! We all converged at the Alvarez's! Corie, Caleb, Ben, Wendie, Benny, Matty, and the Bucher's. Matty and I stayed at the house to hand out candy.


Corie and Caleb and Andrew, Caleb, Benny, and Austin
Matty waits for trick or treaters