Maxx was in the Oxford Hills Christmas Parade again this year! We are always so happy to see that old-fashioned Oakhurst wagon coming up the street!!

Under the Table

I'd like to say that I drank her under the table...but no, she was looking to see who crafted the table because her father-in-law built some of the tables in this bar! Unfortunately, it was gross under there!! Ugh.

Marching!

Today she joined her fellow OHCHS Varsity cheerleaders and marched in the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade down the Main Streets of Norway and South Paris.

Lazy Dayz

Thanksgiving Treats

Puppy Love

Another Fantastic Rock Show

2 of my favorite rock bands played in Portland last night. First up was Breaking Benjamin. They put on a great performance, including pulling some kids out of the crowd and giving them the opportunity to sing a song with them. It was so cool for them to be able to do that!

Next was Shinedown. This was my second time watching them perform, and I do not regret going to see them again. They were just as awesome in concert last night as they were 5 years ago! One of my friends and I chose not to fight for a spot in the front row so that we could find space to sing and dance to our hearts' content further back in the crowd. It was a great decision! We had a blast!!

We got our first 'dusting' this morning!

Sent to me by a friend...

Her Idea of Heaven

This morning we started helping out at our local animal shelter, Responsible Pet Care. The work may have been hard, and sometimes quite yucky, but she did all of it without a single complaint because she loves every single one of those fur-babies!

For Deb

Surveyor in Training

Yesterday our youngest son did a job shadow with Matt Burke of Riverside Survey in Bolsters Mills. He brought home a copy of the deed that he was working from, and a map of the plot points that he had helped to locate. He's quite proud of his work! It was a great day, and he is hopeful that he will be able to help again in the future!

Good morning!

My oldest step-daughter shared this amazing photo! She's developing quite the eye for photography. We have lots of colorful skies over our way, but for a good photo you need to wait for the right moment - those dramatic clouds and that fog hanging down low over the trees made it the perfect time for this shot!!

As easy as...

Well, pie would have been good, but we decided to make a cake with our apples instead...

Here's the wicked easy recipe:

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

Mix together and then add:

2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

6 medium apples (peeled, cored and cut in chunks)

Blend all ingredients well. It seems too dry at first, but keep mixing and it will come together. Pour batter into a greased 9x9" pan, and bake in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for around an hour.

Stitching Time

3rd Annual Turkey Trot

The girls decided to take it easy this morning, but Amber and I had a great run together with our friends!

Her creativity never ceases to amaze!

Fireside

This is my favorite part of cold weather and long evenings - snuggling in front of the fire...

I think Amber might agree.

Wall of Fame

He conquered the 20' tall warped wall at the Maine Warrior Gym last night!

Training Begins NOW

This afternoon they participated in a Parkour/street-running class and then Open Gym at this new facility that offers 'American Ninja Warrior' type obstacles (salmon ladder, warped wall, climbing, flipping, tricks, etc.) and training in Westbrook. They had a great time, or as my younger son told me, "It was the BEST time ever!"

Starting over again...

Grammie & Grampa brought her a new pet?!

Early Morning Ride

Sharing breakfast with this crew...

I let them have ALL of the hay, but they let me eat some of the apples and bread that I brought for their special treat!

I won the cook-off!

Nordic Team Fundraiser

Creative Spelling

A Successful Season

Today they received their Cross-country Athletic Awards, and for 2 of them - Varsity Pins, at the End of Season Awards Ceremony. It was a low-key gathering, and it included brownies, so the kiddos were happy!

Commemorative Bracelets

I decided to put together charm bracelets for each of the half-marathons that I have completed. I searched and searched until I found just the right charms - a Niagara Falls, Canada charm and a Canadian maple leaf to commemorate the Niagara Falls International Half-Marathon last fall, and the State of Maine, a loon, and a piece of tourmaline to commemorate the Maine Half-Marathon that I struggled through a few weeks ago - along with year and distance charms for each.

I'm very happy with my choices. I wonder what course is next?

Sweaty Mare

This is what being in love with a yak will get you - sweaty and tired. I was so psyched that I had time to ride this afternoon! Unfortunately, it turned into a bit of a battle because all Lily wanted to do was turn around and race back home to Cooper. Well, that wasn't in my plan, and since I'm the boss...we ran controlled circles and figure-eights every time she bucked, kicked, reared, or tried to take the bit and run away. It was hardly the relaxing ride that I had envisioned, but maybe she learned her lesson? Maybe.