Girls

Couple random girl shots from vacation and some of Jo since we've been home. I'll add some of the cute snow pics I have of them and a video when I get back from the bank. The girls fight, a lot. But they can be so sweet together sometimes, I guess those little times will have to tide me over till they get bigger and hopefully get along better.Chillin', watching morning cartoons. Jo's usually nicer in the morning.
5 seconds after this Jo was pushing Rye off the rocking horse
At least Rye and I are looking...
My baby, she's getting so big

Conflicted

I know I haven't written a non family related post in a while....I guess this is kind of related, some what. I'm having this inner conflict.

On one hand...I see my friends with new babies and I want to try again. I want another member of our little family, I new child to love. I mean, most days I love being a Mom and taking care of my family.

On the other...I have friends that are finding their hobbies and their passions and turning them into a job. And I'm slightly jealous of that. To have time to myself, to work on something I care about, to earn something.

I just don't know what path to take, what's right for me. I know no one can tell me what to do, that it's a decision we have to make...I'm just putting this out there. Something I can look at and read. Doesn't it help to see things written out.

Why can't there be a little guide book we each have. That, when life puts one of these life choices and you're having a hard time figuring it out you could just pick up said book, thumb through the pages and find out which choice would take you where. I mean, there are choices that I have no problem seeing where we should head. This has just always been a tough one for me.

I hate it. Bah! Maybe I'll feel better in the morning.

New Years

We started out our night at the Hibachi. It's one of those Japanese Steak Houses where they give you a show with dinner. Jerry & Emily were brave, I mean great, enough to watch all the kids so us couples could have a dinner out, kid free. *insert the hallelujah chorus here* We had a lot of fun. Everyone caught a shrimp, except me. Of course I had to get shots of everyone at dinner. R&L
B&S
US
G&M
After dinner, before the house making we took a crap load of pictures of the family. It's not very often that we're all together so we have to take advantage of it.
Had of take a self portraitFeel the love
Blue meets Joey
REady to ring in the new year, or at least make a bunch of noise for a while
Our girls
Rye
The grand kids
The Couples
The brothas
The Wifeys
Das Family
Then we put the kids to bed and did our houses. After making the houses, we counted down with mini toasts of champagne, in little chocolate shot cups. We all then welcomed in the New Year with a kiss with our better half.
R&L
G&M
J&E
B&S
US
All in all, it was one of the best New Year's I've had in a long time. I think that's all I'll be able to post at this time. I'll try and get back on later tonight and catch up some more.

Gingerbread Madness...

Gingerbread houses were all the rage this holiday season in the Longo family. It all started with Rye & Meghan building houses. Then Eric made a tiny one out of graham crackers for Jo. He "helped" her decorate it, which really means he decorated it while she ate M&Ms (because she didn't want to get icing on her fingers). Then we got the brilliant idea that each couple in the family should decorate one on New Year's Eve. Some didn't take it as seriously, you know who you are (Randy & Greg). We had so much fun. Each house turned out so different from the others. It was a blast.
Here are the girls and their houses.
Rye
Meghan
Jo eating while Eric decorates
notice her chocolatey teeth
most of us, hard at work
Eric & I worked until the last second
Hog Heaven
The Hermit House
The Dawg House
The "Rainbow" House
The Longo Inn
I think we'll do this again. For sure, I honestly can't wait.