Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Graduate

Congratulations Michelle!
Michelle has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Special Education and has completed this program Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas, San Antonio, accomplishing all this while being a wife, mother to a teen-ager, and taking care of a horse, two dogs and a cat. She has also received a “full ride” scholarship for her Master’s Degree.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Hip Hop Elves!!

All Because Two People Fell In Love











Everyone together now . . .

AAAAHHHHHH!

We love you Mom and Dad!

Mom and Dad go to Texas!

Mom and Dad went to Texas to see Michelle walk the walk.
Chelle earned a Bachelor's Degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude from UTSA with dual certification in Special Ed and Elementary Ed.
Standing Applause Everyone!
What a nice picture!
Looking good teach!
You can take the farm boy out of Idaho . . .

Um . . . Mom, those aren't horses.

This is a horse.
Good thing Dad knows a few things about the farm.
Mom would make a good farm wife, don't you think?
Can you just hear her saying, "Bite your tongue!"
Dad and Chelle in sunny, beautiful Texas.

Ahhh, Luckenbach.
I wonder if Waylon, Willie and the boys were around?

Even the grass grows bigger in Texas!

Homeschool Days at Great Wolf Lodge

Remember how beautiful the James River looked in October?
This is the James River in December.
Yes Virginia, those are ice chunks.
The weather outside is frightful!
But Great Wolf Lodge is so delightful!
And they hosted a Homeschooler's week last week.
Great discounts and great fun!

The view from the 4th floor down into the lobby.
Who'da thought that antlers with faux snow and Christmas lights
would look so nice?

Inside the water park is always a balmy 84 degrees.
Yes, that would be me . . . in a swimsuit.
Sigh, the things we do for our kids.
Kaili, (Cali's friend), Cali and Gabriel, who is almost as tall as I am.
Gabriel, Cali and Kaili after riding the Alberta Falls water slide.
This is the best water park we've ever been to.
Our family's favorite hands down.
Next family to visit us here in Virginia wins an all expense trip there with us.
Any takers?
I promise the adults will have just as much fun, if not more, than the kids.

Argondizzo Family at Casa de Stalford

Vinnie, Dre and Sweet Baby James took a trip to see Momma Monk and Uncle Doug. From what I heard, Casa de Stalford was the rockin place to be that weekend.
Mom, she's playing with my toys again.

Hey! Bring that back here.

Good stuff.

Little Drummer Boy or Future Hair Dresser?
Come, they told him, pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.


Would you put that camera away already?
No one, but no one, can keep up with Momma Monk.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Baby James First Cookie! and . . . pickle?

How sweet it (and he) is!
Look at what Mama Monk taught me Mom.
Almost have my entire fist in my mouth!

What the heck is this?
Not a cookie, that's for sure.
Leave it to my mommy to give me the ol' sweet and sour combo.
Gotta love her.



Monday, December 6, 2010

O Christmas Trees . . .

O CHRISTMAS TREES, O CHRISTMAS TREES~
HOW LOVELY ARE THOSE BRANCHES!
I love Christmas trees . . .
How much? you ask.
I am a Christmas tree fanatic.
Come, let me show you.
This one is in the front room, aka our school room.

This little tree is in Gabriel's room,

This little tree is in Cali's room,

This little tree is in the kitchen.

And this little tree . . . do I dare say it?
Oh yeah.
This little tree is in the room
where we go
wee, wee, wee,
while we're at home!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TREE EVERYONE!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Wow! Snow!

Okay. I admit it's pretty lame compared to say . . . Buffalo or Castle Rock snow,
but the kids love it and will take whatever Richmond will give them.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Practice

We've been trying to get some pictures done for our Christmas cards this year, but it's been quite a challenge with Dog.
Todd is off camera holding a doggie treat.
Merry Christmas minus Dog.

On the bright side, Michael's had a great sale on wreaths.

We picked up a couple and had a great time decorating them.
I love the holidays!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Congratulations Michelle!

The University of Texas at San Antonio
College of Education & Human Development
Announce the Graduation of
Michelle Shaffer
(Woo-Hoo Chelle!)
on
Friday, the Seventeenth of December
Two Thousand Ten
with a
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Special Education
Early Childhood Education
Summa Cum Laude!!!
We're so PROUD!!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

My Finished Kitchen

This is a view from the laundry room looking toward the front of the house.

This is looking toward the laundry room,
which still needs a floor, so don't look too hard.

And this is where I spend the first hour of my mornings, sittting right there in the chair.
So thankful it's done after 3 years.
Although come to think about it,
those walls do look a bit bare,
maybe some pictures are needed.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Dre, Vinnie and James

Do they get any cuter than this?
Beautiful Family
Dang Yankees!