Thanksgiving 2009

For Thanksgiving 2009, we traveled to Fort Wayne to visit and stay with Brian's family. We had a good time visiting with everyone. The kids especially enjoyed playing with their cousin, Ben.

Wrestling and dancing was a big time hit with Ben, Jake and Lizzie.

Molly and Chad

Karen kept the kids busy for a while decorating some left over Halloween cookies.

We played lots of Uno.

Lizzie and Ben played their "games." Check out their legs!

Aunt Molly and Lizzie - they really look alike in this pic!

Karen and her sister, Aunt Kathy, who hosted Thanksgiving.

Ben, Jake, Zach, Lizzie and George all hanging out at Aunt Kathy's. This may be the only time they were all sitting still.

Brian and his sister, Molly pretending they like each other

The dancing fools had a great time. Unfortunately, Ben lost his footing in this one!

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving too.

Thank you!

What am I thankful for this year? You!!! Every one of you who has walked with me through this "medical diagnosis" episode! Every one who made a meal, prayed for me, sent a card, called, said a kind work, watched my kids while I had tests, told me you loved me, and flat out supported me in any way. Thank you! You are the reason I am able to be where I am. I do not what the future holds in terms of a diagnosis. But it doesn't matter. It doesn't define me. And with the family and friends like you that God has blessed me with, I know I can handle this. So, know this year as I am counting my blessings and praising God for those blessings, you are at the top of my list!

Reading to Kindergarten Students

Zach's language arts class had the assignment of writing and illustrating a children's book. Zach chose to write about his dog, Sadie. He took all the things Sadie has done throughout the last 8 months and said they happened the first day. "The first day I had my dog, she ate my sister's Barbie. The first day I had my dog, she chased the cat." You get the point. At the end of the first day and all the dog's naughty acts, the dog sleeps with Zach and he can't wait until day two. It was a cute book.

Since I work in the kindergarten building, I got to sneak down to see him reading to the kiddos. It was interesting to see him interacting with the kindergarten students. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't end up being a teacher one of these days!

Laughing at how quickly kindergarten kids can get off topic.

Asking the kids questions to get them interested about the topic.

Actually reading his book to the students.

Basketball and Loose Teeth

Saturday = basketball again this year at the Paragi house. So we all loaded up and headed to Bloomington, Illinois for Zach's game.

The favorite part of the game for Lizzie and Jake? A yummy soft pretzel with cheese. Notice how Jacob is eating on one side? He had a loose tooth and didn't want it to fall out!

Yes, I know it is fuzzy - still working on those camera settings one year later! But here is Zach lobbing the ball somewhere.

Driving with the ball.

Right as the game ended, Jacob came running up holding something. It was his tooth! I love those smiles when the teeth are gone!

The Magic got beat, but we enjoyed our day together. We licked our wounds at BW3's and enjoyed the company of friends as well. We are truly blessed.

Girly Girl Paragi

As I have said before, Lizzie is a complete girly girl. She loves anything sparkly, pink, with bows, etc. And after two boys, I welcome this change. She also likes make-up. This morning, she and I went on a quick shopping trip and ended up in Target. She stopped at the lipstick aisle, looked at me and said, "You really should wear lipstick mommy. You would look very pretty with lipstick. You really should." So, I bought some new lip color! However, I do not plan on wearing as she does. Check her out! Gotta love lipstick covered cheeks!

Jacob's Project

This is Jacob. I am telling me mom what to write. Before we read and watched the movie of Molly's Pilgrim, Mrs. Fritz gave us an assignment. The assignment was to make a pilgrim or an indian out of a clothespin. It is due on the 18th. This is what my indian girl looks like. I picked out the stuff and told my mom where to put it. She used the hot glue gun, and then I pushed the stuff into the glue. I kinda burnt my finger.

Our Addiction

Ok, I am not sure what the technical word for it is, but Brian and I LOVE books. One might even say that purchasing books is an addiction for us. We were very excited to buy these awesome new bookcases that stores most of our collection. Actually most of these books are Brian's and we had to lay them out and organize them by topic before we could put them on the shelves. Oh yea, we also weeded out some books - six boxes! Our hope is that they will take them at Hyde Brothers (an INCREDIBLE used bookstore in Fort Wayne, Indiana) and we can get some more books in exchange. Just what we need - more books!

And yes, we realize that part of our Ansel Adams is covered. We are deciding where we want it in the room before we take it down. That is the next project. Will it ever end?

Picture Shoot

After church yesterday, we headed to Lake of the Woods for an amateur (read mommy and her camera) photo shoot. The kids were not happy to be in their warm "fall" clothes when it was 74 degrees outside.

I found this tree and HAD to take a picture on it.

Walking on the path.

We found a fun tree in the Botanical Gardens.

Jacob - 7 years

Lizzie - 4 years

Zach - 11 years

My favorite of favorites. It also happens to be the last pic we took.

Swinging afterwards

Zach's friend told him that everyone should catch a falling leaf before they die. So, here is Brian trying to catch one while holding on to the dog he strongly dislikes!

Basketball '09-'10

Basketball has started for the Paragi family. Zach and the Mahomet Magic have started their season. They are 1-3 so far. Jacob will start playing after Christmas. Here are a few pics from today's games.

Zach runs the point.

Sitting on the bench thinking, thinking, thinking. Man, he looks like his daddy in this one!

Watching the other team shoot a free throw.

I love this pic. I bet the guy on the white team was ready to choke him! :>

Bringing it up the court

Warming up before the first game.

Yes, basketball season is long - August through March - and crazy for us. But, I absolutely love it. I love watching the boys do something they love and I love the game itself! Will someone please remind me of that in February?