Christmas is Coming!

We don't put up many Christmas decorations, but this year I did "decorate" our island....now it looks like Christmas by the sink!  Can you see Mama's decorations mixed in with newer decorations?  :)  Remember how much fun we used to have decorating #37 and 1847 all together?

Also, I had 3 special visitors today at 1814--the 3 Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist: Sr. Miriam, Sr. Thomas Aquinas, and Sr. Maria Jose!  They wanted to drive all the way to my house to drop off a Christmas gift.  Here is the gift:

When I opened the box, yummy scents escaped!  This will be great to eat for many desserts this upcoming week.  I am so blessed to know them and to call them friends.  "If God leads you to it, He'll lead you through it"---they have helped me "through it" this school year; praise God! :)

From DRAB to FAB!

Hi Family,

Well...someone has to post--the last post was in June, come on! ;)

So here are some updates from 1814...

1. Found some great Target pillows:
BEFORE:

AFTER:

Do you like the upgrade!

Then, you remember our entryway...for my birthday Bri bought me a bench from Pottery Barn (it happened to be on sale at that time, yay!) And, because that's how we roll, we ended up getting 2 for the price of one (we complained about a slight imperfection, and they sent us another one, for no cost!  And, they reimbursed us for the initial shipping.  So one is upstairs and the other is here.  I'll update about the other one another time.

I've been inspired by the Nate show that mom turned me onto when she was here for my recovery.  Someone needs to write to the Nate show so that we can get on it!  Either 1847 or 1814! :)

Now just to add some more for your viewing pleasure:

1. Here is a photo of me & Nicole from my fun birthday dinner w/ the family!

 2. Here are some photos from the retreat I led last week.  The retreat is for the sophomores.  I added THE MOST EPIC CATHOLIC SCAVENGER HUNT, which started off with students having to compete to eat a hanging donut without using their hands! (I stole it from Mrs. Willett, who used it for our 3rd grade Halloween party!)

Okay, time to finish making dinner (pasta bake w/ garlic bread).  I am almost finished knitting a scarf that I am going to donate to St. Anthony's.  If anyone wants to learn how to knit over the holidays, hit me up! ;)

LOVE YOU!  GO TEAM FERRIS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIDGET

Bobathia!

Happy Birthday!! 

I love you when you're getting ready and have the fan on so your face "doesn't get sweaty." I love you when you're stretching your legs and arms while lying on the living room floor. I love you when you hug Daddy Doug so tight, his tummy almost pops. I love memories of you wearing your CK grey shirt that you were obsessed with. I love how gentle you are with Papa. I love that you put all my stuff in a pile in my room when you clean. (no I don't) I love when you read at mass. I love when you tell Dad to eat dinner because it's after 9pm. I love YOUUUU.

Here are some pictures in honor of your 27 years of beauty. 

Yes, we're related

Doug giving you a birthday cupcake

Pretty Lady

Crazy fam

Best Picture EVER!! 

You and Papa :)

Yummy!

You and Barbie doll

Gotta end on Doug's face

EASTER 2011

 It's a Ferris Easter at Connie & Dutch's place.  35 adults and 10 kids and 3 babies!   A great gathering.

Here are some pictures - mostly of the little kids.

Becky wins for cutest kids in the world!!!!

Okay, one adult -- Danny Baedeker!



Henry Ferris Baedeker





Mila Ricks with her mother, Kelly.  She is 9 months old and adorable!



Henry is sure about this outfit!

Grace DeValle (Becky's #2) and Faustina (Annette's #3)

Sammy Altamirano

Grace (she will make her First Communion in May)

Antonia Altamirano  (her mom, Annette, is having a boy in September)

Eislinn  (not sure of spelling)  Kelly's #1

Becky and Dominique  (called Niqua)

Phyllis and Sierra (called JoJo)

Jeff holding Sarah (so tiny!)



Bella



Claudia & Fred brought gelato in a portable version

Happy Gelato customers!

 Andrew is posing for a publicity shot for Dulce Gelato!

 Grandpa and Grandma love their gelato!

Who has had too many old-fashioneds?

Spring Garden Show at the White House

On Saturday morning I decided to take a walk through the city, and I ran into a group of people handing out tickets to a free self-guided tour of the White House gardens. This is one of the only times you can get close to the white house and see the front yard. It was exciting! Enjoy the pictures.

 Took this on my walk: this is the area in the back of the White House

Getting close to the White House

 White House

If you look closely, there was a military band on the porch playing great music

 Front Door!

 This is the view from the front door, that's how far the public is from the White House

 Where they walk Bo, the dog!

 Along the front yard

 The girls' playground

 I think that's Obama's office because I've heard him say he can see the girls play while he works

 You walk along the driveway and here's another view of the House

 This is in the front yard too!

 I spotted a basketball court

 Michelle's Kitchen Garden