Thanksgiving 2012: Again, Just So Sweet!

Namaste!

Thanksgiving 2012: My Sweeties on their Bikes!

My darlings!

Thanksgiving 2012: My Texas Ranger!

Here's my little Texas Ranger and my goddaughter!  Am I lucky or what?!?!!

Thanksgiving 2012: My Wild Ones!

Here they are! My little herd, a few weeks before the 4th herdmate arrived!  Namaste!

Thanksgiving 2012: My Beautiful Talented Goddaughter!

This past year, my mom and I spent Thanksgiving in Texas and had a wonderful time.  My goddaughter was improving her tricks and skills on her bicycle. So, here's a photo of my lovely athlete, as she takes a break from wowing us!!

My Little Chefs, Again!

They were just too cute, so here's another photo of the happy little pastry chefs. They thought breaking eggs and using the mixer, and filling the cones, and decorating was too fun!

My Happy Chefs

When we went back to Rhinelander, mom had set up a wonderland for her grandchildren.  The girls had presents of dolls, outfits, and special princess beds.  And mom had purchased them chef's aprons and hats and helped them with the fun task of making cupcake ice cream cones which the girls loved, loved, loved!  They thought the task was truly brilliantly fun.  So, here are photos of them working hard!

Happy Dancing Boy

This summer after teaching my two summer classes, I went to visit my family.  Elena brought Emma, Clara and Stephen to visit mom and dad, so I tagged onto that trip.  We went and stayed at the Kalahari in the Dells and spent two days at the Noah's Ark Waterpark which was a real blast.  And then we went home to Rhinelander to hang out for awhile.  I love my nieces and nephew and baby Stephen thought I was cool because I could act so silly.  Anyway, the very first few moments I saw them at the Kalahari hotel, I had a good good laugh.  They'd been traveling by plane all day and then took a 3 hour car ride, so they were pretty wired.  The first thing Stephen did to unwind was dance and rock out to the music on his little fire truck.  What a rockin' boy!

My Girls Waiting to Open Presents!

Here are my girls, waiting to open their Christmas presents. They were so excited. Little Clara got a Dora the Explorer backpack "pack pack" and was so delighted to pack everything she owned into it. Do you see what Emma is sitting on? It's a pair of cuddle duds. One Christmas, she and I slept in the same room and she woke up and grabbed my cuddle duds and made them into her safety blanket. She wore that pair out, so her mom had to buy her a new pair. And when she gets tuckered out or overdone, she wraps them on her head and ties it with a bow under her chin -- kind of like Nora Charles with her headache ice pack! Cool girls! Totally cool Berg girls.

Merry Christmas, Off to the Pageant!

I just arrived home today after a wonderful but whirlwind Christmas adventure at Elena's. Here's a photo of my nieces and nephew moments before we left for church. The services were a wonderful singing pageant and my Emma sang and danced beautifully. Today I came home and settled my animals and went to the stable to meet my farrier. Rick and I had a nice conversation and I chatted with many St. George friends, including C and K. C rode Violet and it was just wonderful to see Miss V happy and moving forward and light and joyful. C rode her "on the buckle" and you could just see my red girl's contentment. She even jumped some combinations and then got pampered and groomed by her two talented new friends. Violet is really loving her new life, I can just see it all over her! She is happy happy happy with her friends and life and job!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Many blessings to you in the coming year!

Baby Stephen! Taking a Break at the Children's Museum!

On the Saturday after Stephen's birth, mom and I took his sisters to the wonderful Pittsburgh Children's Museum. They spent a morning and early afternoon, playing with water, visiting Mr. Rogers' neighborhood, painting, and preparing art work, lunching, and listening to a storyteller. We had a great time and then returned home to enjoy their new brother!

Baby Stephen! Sister Tweaks his Hat!

I love this photo. Here is Clara, holding her baby brother while her sister adjusts his little hat. Emma is always careful to have a fabulous hat or tiara on, as you can tell by her fairy godmother hat here, so I am sure she wanted her brother to be absolutely comfortable and snappy in his little baby cap.

Baby Stephen! With my Favorite Girls!

Here they are, meeting baby Stephen, in the very first few hours of his birth, the morning of the 18th. The girls had already given him very careful, loving pats on his head and praised his handsomeness and now are smiling with delight for the camera!

Florida '08: Emma and Me at the Animal Kingdom

Namaste.

Florida '08: Giving Princess Ariel Advice

My sweet princess, Emma, was completely into the entire scene of breakfasting, lunching, and supping with princesses. She was quite elegant about it and always had her Belle or Snow White outfit ready. She became quite expert at all things regal, and so here is a photo of her with Princess Ariel. You can see by their chummy pose and their comfortable relaxed demeanors that they both know that they are in the company of likeminded royals. And my little Emma appears to be giving her some small piece of advice about managing royal duties, etc!

Florida '08: My Dad with Emma!

Here is a photo of my dad in his scooter and his first granddaughter, Emma. They look very comfortable after their satisfying breakfast, and they are waiting to tool around the Animal Kingdom Park, enjoying the sites, trying the treats, and playing! Happy pair of troublemakers!

Florida '08: Mom and Her Girls!

Here is a photo of my favorite ladies by far! They are sitting under a palapa roof on a beautiful morning. They are very happy!

Florida '08: Giggling in the Morning!

Here is a photo of my mom and her grandchildren. She could not be happier. Her girls just saw a savannah full of African animals and she knows that they are happy and ready for a day of adventures!

Florida '08: A Magical Morning

Here is a photo taken one morning on our porch at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The girls were relaxing, Clara was still in her nightclothes and Emma too was in her nightdress, given that she had slept as Snow White! What a cutie! Anyway, the girls are looking out over our backyard which was filled with giraffes, zebras, water buffalo, deer, ostrich, and other amazing creatures. We were marveling that morning at the tall sweet giraffes and their babies!