Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2010

It is Thanksgiving Day- 2010! There is so much to be thankful for over this last year. The birth of our son, the move to the NW and our friends... new and old.
I was in Mass yesterday and I wept. It hit me- it has been ONE year. I have a new home, new life and new friends. It has flown by. I also have a beautiful family that is healthy and happy. We have had friends from Texas come and visit us from summer to November. It seems strange that they left and hard to think we might not see them until next year. Our best friends are here visiting us for Thanksgiving. WOW!
Nine years ago we started a Thanksgiving tradition with one of my college roommates. Her father had passed away and we didn't want her or her mother to be alone. Since then we have spent EVERY Thanksgiving together. It has grown.... into more friends who might not have family around. It has gone from cooking to catering over the years. It has been at Michelle's childhood house , our house and our ranch. There are many memories and many, many, many bottles of wine that have been enjoyed. We have sang karaoke. (I have LOTS of pictures) It has been a great 9 years!!

Thanksgiving 2008

Over the years my other college roomie joined in the fun. So did our friends, our priest, my ObGyn and others who would wander in and out throughout the day! It has been great!

Thanksgiving 2009

Now there is a new page that is turning! We are so blessed to have the Slevin Family here to be with us. We have spent MANY a family holiday together. I hope they will come back! My friend Michelle now has her own family ( twins as of 4 days ago) so she too will start a new tradition. I hope, my friend, we will reconnect and gather again in the future!! I am blessed. I have a husband who loves me unconditionally ( even when I gripe about cooking a turkey, dressing, etc) and a beautiful family that is healthy, strong willed and fearless! My grandmother is still with me and helps me in every aspect of my life. My Mom is here with us living in Wenatchee. I am making some lovely friends. God is good.
I cannot believe it has been a year. I miss some of the tradition... but today we start a new one.
I have made a Turkey, dressing from scratch and sweet potatoes. I have "catered" the pies. I here the children fighting and giggling in the background as I type. My husband and David are talking politics and the football game is playing. Tonight we go to the Tornabene's ( our first friends in Wenatchee) for dessert, drinks and a game of "flashlight freeze tag" in the snow. Tomorrow is sledding!
So, when you sit at your table.... slow down for a minute and REALLY take stock of what you are thankful for this day. Remember the past, remember the moment and pray for the futures.
May God bless you all and remember we love ALL our friends and Family!!!

"Father all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite. OnThanksgiving Day we come before you with gratitude for your kindness: open our hearts to concern for our fellow men and women, so that we may share your gifts in loving service. 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. "

November

Well the snow is coming and the leaves have fallen from the trees. Every minute the leaves fall like snow and by the end of this week most of ours will be off the trees!
I am posting a short blog and will not post again for a couple of weeks. We have GUESTS coming for the next 3 weeks!
Our friends Mark and Brenda will be here this weekend. Next is Dr. and Mrs. Helmer ( Dick and Angela), he was one of Thomas' partners in Texas. They get to go to a Gala with us! Finally Alisa and the rest of the Slevin Family will join us for Turkey. Alisa will stay for a couple of weeks--- yipee!!!! :}

I will post pictures as they come along but will post in a couple of weeks. Keep us with us via FB.
Till then- Happy Turkey and be safe in your travels!!

October 2010

Hello Friends. It has been a WILD October for us. It seems that is flew by and now it is time for TURKEY!!! :}

Thomas was chosen to drop the puck for a Wenatchee Wild Hockey game. He took the boys and they walked the "red carpet". So fun! This was a huge honor- not everyone gets to do put out the first puck.

Thomas and I got away without kids for the first time since Feb. 2009. We went to Seattle and had a lovely time eating and shopping. We went to a Seahawks game. WOW, WOW, WOW- are those fans loud! It is an outdoor stadium and we wore earplugs. Great seats and lots of fun. It rained but we were covered- sitting on the 40 yard line. We yelled, screamed and drank great micro-brew beers. A great way to end a fun weekend.

We came back to gymnastics, iceskating and the screams of "MOM". It was bitter sweet! :} I missed them terribly but enjoyed being away for some R/R. The week picked up pace and soon was speeding along. By Wednesday it started taking sharp curves. Blaise came home saying his "knee" was hurting. Whimpering is not unusual for Blaise when needing to rest or trying to get out of something. I saw a scratch/bruise. Again, not unusual since Blaise and gravity are BFF. By Wednesday evening it was the size of a grapefruit and he could no longer put weight on it. Ice and motrin. Thursday morning he was still swollen but could put some weight on it. He went to school but knew I would try to get him seen by a Dr. (that is a whole other story!) By Thursday afternoon I was staring at his knee with my mouth wide open. It was huge, red and burning up!! WHAT???
The clinic here has a "walk-in" hours-- not like an ER and not a "free clinic". You are seen by a Dr. and if it is serious, the clinic has an ER.... ANYWAY, you know there is a problem when the Dr. comes in and takes 2 steps back! We did and xray and was thrilled to find out it was NOT an infection of his bone (Praise God!) but they were not thrilled to culture it because that could lead to secondary infection. Instead we are on 2 super duper antibiotics to kill the staff, strep or other crazy things growing in his knee. All said, he is doing good. Trying to get that boy to sit still is impossible!! He is doing much better but will have to miss iceskating this week.

On Friday, after the 2nd Dr. appointment, we headed to Chelan for a new doctors retreat. All family was invited. They offered free babysitting while the parents had dinner and met other physicians. On Saturday there was breakfast and Thomas went for a discussion with the CFO and CEO of the hospital. The kids and spouses went on a hike and to a petting farm. Fun times. The couples all seemed super nice and it was nice to see so many families with SO many kids. This medical community is simply amazing. They take a LOT of time to find people who will be happy here and will benefit the community. Then they bend over backwards to show you how glad you are with them. It is a atmosphere of "team work" and family. They will do whatever they can to help you in any situation. It lets Thomas be what he wants to be -- an EXCELLENT doctor and Dad!

Saturday it was back to Wenatchee. We dressed the kids in Halloween gear and head into town. The city provides a night on the "AVE" of Trick or Treating. Businesses dress store fronts and sit outside handing candy to the kids of Wenatchee. Then there is a party with games and crafts. WOW! We met up with some friends and went Trick or Treating. We did not stay for the party because we had Mass but- HEY- one extra night to wear costumes and trick or treat was worth it!

Sunday I took the kids up to Mission Ridge to see the first snow. We should have gone earlier in the week but they had a great time. Even Henry liked sitting in the snow. Looks like the weather is getting colder so soon there will be more.

Halloween we went to a friends house for homemade soups and cornbread! YUMMY! We took the kids  for all the candy they could get. The nice thing is- all the houses are close together. When we lived on Marshall- it was hard because it was half a block to your neighbors.
Today- I put up the Halloween and pulled out the Thanksgiving. We will be having guests soon. Friends from Austin will visit November 13-15 and then the Slevins come for Turkey! Totally excited!!

Brenda La Tremenda

Me and Alisa enjoying my last favorite margarita in San Antonio

For the final update- I had put my "Jillian" DVDs on hold for 2 weeks. Life happens..... but today I was back full blast cursing myself for putting it off. The constant struggle between good and evil. Its never easy. Now- I have maintained the weight I lost ( the most important of this story) so I just need to "shape things up". I am now focusing on ski conditioning. I don't want to be in pain or exhausted just from one day of skiing.
Last but not least- Henry is trying to walk. We are done with nursing and he is 100% on table food. He is  a chunk and L-O-V-E-S food! He is a Tucker!!
Hope all is well with your families.... miss our friends but we do love it here!
Hugs and prayers.....

FALL!!

It is Fall here in the Northwest and absolutely beautiful! Last weekend we went for a drive and took many pictures of the gorgeous leaves. Even caught some family pics! The kids were wonderful in the car. We took a bunch of head phones and movies and off we went. Madelon got to bring a precious friend. We stopped for a yummy lunch with super yummy shakes. We stopped at a covered bridge that looked like part of an old train route. The kids played on a little school playground. Folks- this is a one room school.... tiny!
They were troupers and rewarded with taffy at the end of the trip. Gonna show you the pictures but keep scrolling down and will give you the rest of the story.....

 Look at my BABY!! Not a baby anymore!! :{

So the rest of the week was a little busy. Thomas started traveling to Moses Lake ( a satellite office) and I caught a cold. You know the kind that just makes you feel totally off and you never know if your nose is going to run or be stopped up. 

The kids got costumes via online and got the box. Excitement was brimming in the house and everyone had to "try" it on!! It was a lot of fun. Thomas was thrilled to see the kids all dressed up when he got home. He tries to act like things come too early but when he sees the joy in their faces--- he forgets he is a stick in the mud! :}

Tonight- the boys are at a hockey game with their Dad. This is exciting stuff. The Wenatchee Wild dyed the ice pink and are wearing pink jerseys for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Thomas got to drop the puck to the guys and the boys got to go out on the ice. I don't think they understood the magnitude of this event. People just don't get to go do this every game. I hope they had fun!! Total awesome "dude" bonding moment!!

I, on the other hand, stayed home with my girls and big H... and Memom. We painted fingers and toes, dressed those up with Halloween stickers and topped it off with glitter top coat. We ate popcorn.... after I burnt the first 2 ???? WHAT????

Then sat and watched MADELINE.... OMG- cute, cute movie. Total Mommy and girls movie! I even cried!

So- the evening ended up with a tickle fest- lots of kisses and a memory I pray they store in their brains! They are awesome, goofy, silly ,BEAUTIFUL and loving girls.

I am blessed with ALL my kids!!

On a final note--- I get to go to 2 yes TWO social events (big ones, my understanding for Wenatchee) in November! I ACTUALLY get to dust, yes dust off my gorgeous high heeled shoes and put makeup on and a nice dress and go out! WHOO-HOO-- Jillian, get ready to kick my $%#*!! Wanna look killer! I am saying that because I have to GET into something that is smaller than me at the moment!! SIGH!!

Oh- one other thing- cut my hair off and love it! Its a little too dark, but it will lighten up in a week!

Hugs and Blessings to all

LONG week!

Hello, Hello! I am sure you thought I am abandoning my post but it has been a LONG week in Tuckerville.
First- I should update you from the Harvest Fest- since this is where my week began. Sept 26-27 was a lot of fun. Games, crafts and kids running wild. Seriously, I didn't have to "watch every move" of my kids. They had a blast and the teachers, parents and Sisters that were helping with the Fest all knew the Tuckers at this point. (Shocker!)

Campfire at the Harvest Fest!

The scarecrows went between $45-100. So, I think that is good. Of COURSE I have ideas on how to get better monies coming in and better advertising. This will be NEXT year. A lot of fun and sweat.

So the longest week.... The Harvest Fest went well... then Monday came. Thomas left early and came home late. He said "good-night" to the kids and then said "I am not feeling well". WOW! It went from bad to horrific. The noises and the ups and downs that night. I slept 1.5 hours. I helped him through the night and early morning. I got up and with bleary eyes- went on my way. I can't recall what happened from Monday- Wednesday but it was bleak. I prayed for no one else to get it- and it was blessed on us--- for now! OH- and it is starting to look like FALL!!!!

Trees changing in our driveway! More to come!

Apples from our backyard!

Thomas left for work on Wednesday then off to a conference in Seattle till Sunday. Sooooo- if you are counting- I was single Mom for 7 days. Yes, he did not return till 6pm on Sunday. For me- this was huge. I had some great times.. till this weekend and then I yelled. They were tired and I was tired.
To look on the up- this is what happened.
Tuesday- Iceskating lessons. Great fun and Memom got to go watch. Everyone showed off!
Wednesday- Gymnastics. While the rest "spazzed" on the trampoline, Ebeth jumped around them and almost did flips. She is amazing!!
Thursday- Music for the boys.... now it is up to me to get them on a practice schedule... OH WHY can't they be Mozart where it just "comes" to them without practcing...It is hard on a parent when it comes to adding ONE MORE THING to the schedule. UGH!
Friday...  Can you guess this meat? We were invited for a cookout by our Master Gardener Jim and friends.....

A. Elk
B. Bear
C. Mountain Lion

Haircuts and later I had a migrane. Seriously- hit me like a ton of bricks. WOW!
Saturday- party with a classmate. Ok, really it was the Tuckers saying- HEY, lets celebrate!! We are our own party just showing up in the parking lot. This was a family new to St. Joe's and  Dad is off on a 4 month business stint and Mom didn't plan anything. So I called up and said- lets celebrate!!! So we had pizza and bowling then back to their house for icecream cake and fun. Thanks Nevada Black!! Hope you had a great Bday!!
Saturday evening- Our friends the Kellys- ( 3 boys) came over for some "trial" enchiladas. Her's were better than mine- but it was good. Of course she made AMAZING dessert-- and that was worth the cooking!! Total fun. We also decorated for Halloween.
Thomas, of course, thinks its too early but he has NO say when he is out of town. OH- and I had 5 children to entertain.... so shhhhhhut the front door!
Here are a couple of pictures of the Halloween village. Remember- time for me to upgrade my Iphone- but hey- its a picture.

Sunday... Church and hanging out! Waiting for Daddy to get home! Overall- they were excellent examples in Mass and really good for grocery shopping. They are good kids but do pick on each other and after 7 days it was "ENUFF" for all of us.
I realized.... I love my children and if I HAD to do it on my own, I could but really don't want to experience it! I need my husband and so do my kids!!!
I know I get things done- it is my job- but my job would not be worth it without my husband or my kids.
For those who feel- it is hard... it is! It is a challenge just to get out of bed! But in the end- it is worth it!
Not to mention- my husband acted like we were "dating" when he saw me for the first time in 7 days!!
 Totally worth it!
More later this week....
BTW- it is bear meat... like butter melting in your mouth! Wonderful!!

Kids in Church!

3-year-old Reese : 
'Our Father, Who does art in heaven, 
Harold is His name.. 
Amen.' 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

A little boy was overheard praying: 
'Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. 
I'm having a real good time like I am.' 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

After the christening of his baby brother in church, 
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. 
His father asked him three times what was wrong. 
Finally, the boy replied, 
'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, 
and I wanted to stay with you guys.' 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 


One particular four-year-old prayed, 
'And forgive us our trash baskets 
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.' 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they 
were on the way to church service, 
'And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?' 
One bright little girl replied, 
'Because people are sleeping.' 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. 
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. 
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.. 
'If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' 
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, 
' Ryan , you be Jesus !' 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

A father was at the beach with his children 
when the four-year-old son ran up to him, 
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore 
where a seagull lay dead in the sand. 
'Daddy, what happened to him?' the son asked. 
'He died and went to Heaven,' the Dad replied. 
The boy thought a moment and then said, 
'Did God throw him back down?' 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

A wife invited some people to dinner. 
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, 
'Would you like to say the blessing?' 
'I wouldn't know what to say,' the girl replied. 
'Just say what you hear Mommy say,' the wife answered. 
The daughter bowed her head and said, 
'Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?' 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Scarecrows, Festivals, Ice skating and Jillian.

It has been a VERY busy September. I have lots to share. We started out the school year with a bang. Kids really seem to be adjusting well to their new friends and school.
Since the last post we have done the following..... Salmon Festival, Iceskating lessons and Scarecrow creating/stuffing for the school's Harvest Fest. OH- Lets not forget me taking on Jillian Michael's challenge.
So- sit back- get some popcorn and get ready..... here we go!

Let us start with a gorgeous vision of a margarita.... a FRESH lime juice margarita! There is a God! We found a place that makes FRESH squeezed margaritas..... oh thank heaven!!

 Next on the list- Scarecrows!! Our school has their annual Harvest Fest that is this weekend. It is a huge fundraiser for them. Not to mention a great time. We will work the pumpkin patch....The community really helps support this school. I was going to help make a scarecrow. It ended up me producing 5 scarecrows. It was fun.... a great family tradition to start! The kids had a blast and seemed sad when the stuffing was over. I will let you know how they do.... cross your fingers!

Sister Sings a lot.

Early Morning Mom

Mother Nature In Fall

Scare- E- Crow

Wenatchee Venom Player
Arena Football

 Iceskating...... Oh have times changed! Back when I was learning to skate they strapped skates on and pushed you out there. Now kids have to wear helmets and a lot of them wear elbow, knee gear! Oh- come on!! No one was concerned back in the day.... why now? Its like seatbelts. When your parents threw you in the car with 12 kids and no "toddler seats" etc. It was good fun!
Anyway- my pictures have not been so good. I must take the REAL camera and not just the Iphone. The kids are learning to skate and they L-O-V-E it. It is very funny to watch. Imagine- big bobble heads on ice....cheap entertainment folks! I am the only one laughing. Of course I am also the only one who tells my kids to get back out there and skate- lessons are not over! People look at me like I am cruel. NO! Just you are not allowed to quit because you are cold. Put your mittens back on, zip the jacket and keep going. I will post more about this later. They will continue this for the "fall sport". It wears them out.
They will also do cross country skiing..... get ready - this will be funny or torture for all of us!!

Salmon Festival- In Leavenworth they host a festival celebrating the salmon and the importance to the indians and the area. It is amazing! We were there 4 hours and didn't see it all. The kids did an "animal" parade to celebrate the salmon with story time. There were shows with Bald Eagles... gorgeous.
Kayaking lessons ( very funny to watch my mom), "snow shoeing" , archery, gun safety, indian tribes, customs and dance and much, much more! A great time.... oh did I mention it is FREE!!!!
BTW- Madelon got a bullseye in archery and bb guns..... that's my "Bonnie&Clyde".

 Total Fun for everyone... I can't wait to do this again next year! So well put together!
Last but not least... my update on my working out with Jillian..........
Well, it has been 3 weeks. I have missed 3 days out of those 3 weeks due to sick kids, me and of course a real bad day with my knees. As my kids say- "Why do you have crunchies in your knees?"
I have had a lot of injuries in the past. Bad knees, bad rotator cuff, nerve damage in arm from chemo, 5 csections. So, I have a lot of issues when it comes to work out! No rods in me (yet) but lots of aches, pains and scar tissue. Lots of starting over every time.....
So- I still go out there and do my thing. Kicking, screaming, grunting, cursing and at the end being glad I did it. I feel better everyday. OH- and I remeasured and weighed.
3 inches gone in the chest, waist and 2 in the hips. I have lost almost 12 pounds. UMMMM- close your mouth! Yes- I too am amazed. I have done everything in the world- and NEVER seen results like this.
So- I will let you know what happens on day 30. Oh - a couple of other things:
I do NOT have a six pack or even a flat stomach. My arms are still wiggly and so is my booty. I just got some of my "fuscle"  to change shape. FUSCLE is a combo of muscle and fat. When one cannot tell if it is all fat or is there a glimpse of muscle. It hurts when it is worked out.... and can even go into spasm.
Anyway- the point is- I will still be working on this new me. I like it- even if it hurts.
More later....