I know you are singing the song in your head now too. Sorry!

I can finally post a few pictures from us. Like I said, I know you are going to be so sick of seeing us now that 'shoot season' is wrapping up. I'll still have some client images thrown in here and there, but it'll mostly be us for a little while.

I had a shoot in NYC a few weekends ago for a 2 year old birthday party, and walked my way down from 68th and Columbus toward the tree at 50th and 5th. I thought since I was alone it would be a perfect time to take some pictures of city christmas stuff without the boys getting bored/annoyed. When I reached Radio City, it was a WALL of people. That kinda thing generally dosen't bother me but when it got to the point that I couldn't even walk with my bag on my hip (I had to hold it in front of me in order to squeeze by in the crowd) that was IT! So I didn't make it to the tree, grabbed the first cab I could find (yeah, that took a while too) and jetted back to Penn for the train ride home.

A few of the shots… (from top: giant christmas ornaments from 50th and 6th, Columbus from Columbus Circle, Radio City, lights from shops at Columbus Circle, Liza from Times Square (taken from inside taxi), and Lincoln Center (under construction but still pretty windows))

I just have to mention that this weekend was the first weekend since August that I haven't worked! (except for Columbus Day weekend in October when we went out east).  I don't think I have EVER worked this hard in all my life. But I am truly loving every minute. Even the minutes at 3am! John was good to me and let me sleep both Saturday and Sunday mornings- till 11:30am Saturday and 12pm Sunday. Think I needed it. But I'm still so tired!!

*[disclaimer]: all photos following below were taken with the point n shoot, usually with me holding out the camera in front of me. i was having a photo-free night, but i couldn't give it up completely. and i wasn't dragging out the big guns for the bar.

A girl's gotta have a break every now and then. So we went out last night to see Brian (and Pat too who I thought wasn't going to be there- but that was a nice surpise) play at Gabrielle's in town. John and I went over with Sharon and then Mary Ellen and Kenny met us. We also ran into George & Tricia and Jim & Sue who were having dinner there.

There was quite a bit of drinking (even by me!) and a lot of good music (by brian and pat). Brian's family was there as well. It's so nice that they always come to see them play. We all had a great time and didn't leave til after 1am.

On the ride home John decided that it was time to blast N.W.A in the car (his taste in music is not really mine) and then proceeded to open the sunroof. There was about 2 inches of snow on the car and it all came falling in. Somehow a HUGE snowball fight insued INSIDE the car. Mare and Sharon got me so good (I was drenched and freezing with huge chunks of snow falling down the back and front of my shirt, in my eyes, all over my hair) but I got in a few good hits too! We were all laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. And everyone who started the night all pretty, was far from pretty after the vehicular snowball mele.

We dropped off Kenny and Mary Ellen who then proceeded to dance on their front porch to the N.W.A song BLASTING from the car. We really are grown ups!!! No, really!

A little recap of our day. Jeez, it's been so long since I posted personal stuff that I think I may have forgotten how! The picture above and the next one below I took with my new Lensbaby. Still working on getting the hang of it, but it has one sweet spot of focus and the rest is all blur.

Timmy and I watched the parade (aka hoorade) in the morning for a while, then the big boys helped me make brownies (the helping consists of them cracking the eggs into the mixer bowl and eating all the batter left on the spatula and in the bowl!).    

Do you remember Graeme (our adorable soccer coach who was here for Thanksgiving in 2006 and stayed with us for 3 weeks in summer 2007)? Well, his parents happened to be in NYC this week and joined us for this years thanksgiving dinner! They are like our non-related English family. We had such a great time having them with us for the day and I really feel like I already knew them even though we had only spoken by phone once and via email lots of times. Now, if I can just save up enough for a trip over there…

I think they had a great time too (I hope so) and had nothing to say but "gorgeous" about everything- the food, the house, the boys! It was so great hearing that accent again and hearing some of my favorite expressions…half seven, cheers, brilliant, etc. We all even got to speak to Graeme on the phone! We miss him so much, but apparently there is hope that he is coming back in the summer for a visit or maybe even back to NY to live permenently! I sent his mom home with a ton of brownies for them all to share. They brought us some great gifts as well. A beautiful royal dalton crystal clock for us, new Liverpool soccer sweatshirts for the boys which they LOVE.

We went to dinner at John's parents with the usual crew in attendance (my parents, Joe & Gail, Uncle George and his sons Billy and Bobby, Aunt Anne, Uncle Jim, Dr. Meagher and Feather). My father in law did his usual speech/poem before dinner. Here's how it went (it's long but worth it!):

We gather again on Thanksgiving Day. We're happy you came and hope that you'll stay.

We have an assemblage of all stripes and shades that ranges from old folks to young dashing blades.

There's my brother George the wisest of guys, he's much more than welcome cause he brought the pies.

And our nephew Bobby and his brother Bill, Aspirant broadcasters with consummate skill.

And who is that angle no poet can scan, well I do believe its' my kid sister Anne.

And then there's son John who's had a long journey from Levittown rascal to top flight attorney.

And of course his bride Beth a permanent fixture, if you're nice to her she might take your picture

And my grandson Jack a spirit so free, watch out for this guy, he reminds me of me.

Of course there is Patrick as good as it gets, who always says Grandpa don't sing Meet the Mets.

And then there is Timmy whom we all admire. Well that's no surprise, his last name is Beyrer.

Now Marilyn's happy, her husband's a dream In spite of the fact that Ken is a dean.

When some states are blues and others ar reds, their state is bliss cause they're newlyweds.

And then there is Joseph, my younger son He bought Jack the Dog, we thought he was done.

Then Gail said "hey Joe, I've got something to say. there's a bundle of joy that's well on it's way.

This brought glee to Heather who went on a rant and said, I can't wait to be the kid's aunt!"

And elicited pleasure from good Dr. Rich who simply exclaimed "well, son of a _______"

There's someone else, who's free from all sin. He's well known in Cornwall as Mr. James Quinn

Now I've not forgotten the love of my life for two score and five she's been my loyal wife.

I love her dearly she's highly prized How she's hung on this long I'm sometimes surprised.

Now these days are filled with far reaching drama and as we reflect on this great panorama

We shout out "oh lord, oh man, or my mama" for that great son of Erin, Barack Obama.

Now some time ago, Graeme brought untold joys when he crossed the Pond to help coach the boys.

They were inspired, took kindly to him and we welcome his parents Diane and Jim.

This is a day that we all celebrate cause we live in a country so grand and so great

Freedom's a blessing there's no inbetween, God bless america…god save the queen!

Dinner was delish (or "gorgeous") and we all stuffed ourselves. I brought my brownies and paperbag cookies (Ivy, if you are reading this, I'll save you a few- don't worry!) for dessert. Billy got a hold of the cupcakes- poor thing didn't stand a chance! Also had to mention to be on the lookout for Billy- he'll be making it big soon. He just did an improv show with Robin Williams!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Fall’s pretty. The view today from our backyard. 

Been a busy week for Timmy with some adventure.

Some of the kids in his class at school stay for lunch, but he is one of the ones that leave to come home for lunch. Until this week. He asked me if he could stay for lunch too. We could only do it for two days out of his four day week, as the other two he has PT and OT and we eat lunch in the car on the way. So now he’s like a super big boy with his lunchbox and his tons of excitement. This kid LOVES school. Really loves it. When he asks me at night if he has school tommorrow and I say yes, I hear "thank you, Mommy!!!". He really is enjoying lunch at school and bringing his lunchbox. And it makes me just a little sad seeing him go off like such a big kid. Just a little. Cause that extra hour is golden!

Then a little playtime outside where I raked the whole backyard into a HUGE pile of leaves. Ready? Set. Go!!!