Day 365

We woke up to snow, reflections and dozens of geese on the 

lake.  It was beautiful.

Day 364

A gorgeous sunset over the lake last night.

Day 363

Last night's beautiful half moon.

Day 362

We are getting better at the two person selfie.

Day 361

54 degrees on December 26 took me right out to Lake Michigan for a lovely walk with my hubby.  It was perfect!

Day 360

I'm not sure who had more fun with Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, Jack or Uncle Myles?

Day 359

Merry Christmas and God bless us everyone!

Day 358

Look who's coming tonight.  I hope you've been good.

Day 357

I know I'm probably in the minority, but this is what I would love to wake up to on Christmas morning.

Day 356

The older I get, the more true this rings.

Day 355

I borrowed my picture today from my daughter Katie.  This is our sweet Haley sitting in her mommy's old rocker listening to poppa read the story of the Night Before Christmas.  This picture melts my heart on so many levels.  Old memories, new memories!

Day 354

It's an old one, but it's a favorite.

Day 353

Jack and I at the preschool Christmas party.

Day 352

It's such a powerful word.

Day 351

I love Chicago.  You couldn't get me to live there in a million years, but I do love to visit.  

p.s.  I wonder what it takes to be able to go to the top of Trump Tower?  Maybe I can figure that out for my 61st birthday.

Day 350

Here I am.  25 floors up over the city of Chicago taking a picture of my feet.  Maybe I'm getting a little weird in my advanced age.

Day 349

Our daughter Sarah meeting us at the train yesterday. 

She's so silly.  Can you read that her sign says Collins?

Day348

The view from our hotel room last night.

Day 347

Heading into Chicago today for a fun overnight.  It's a birthday gift from some of the best friends ever.  Theatre tickets, a nice hotel and dinner at one of our favorite places and if the fog holds off, we are heading up to the Sky Deck.  We're excited.

Day 346

Look who I got to see on my birthday!

Day 345

The new home owners are busy painting.

Day 344

Look who's coming to school tomorrow.  I was taking a half day off and leaving at lunch.  Now, I'm not leaving till 1:00.  I am not missing the big guy!

Day 343

I saw this guy on my walk the other day.  This picture doesn't do him justice.  He was huge and his wing span was at least three feet.  Not something you see around town every day.

Day 342

With the help of the grandkids and a couple daughters, the Christmas tree is back up and beautiful.

Day 341

Last nights full moon.

Day 340

God blessed me beyond measure when he gave me the honor and privilege of being the mother of these four beautiful ladies.  They are taking me on a 60th birthday adventure today.  No idea what it is, but I can't wait to find out.  I love my girls!!  

Day 339

As I begin the countdown to turning 60 next week, I can't help but think about how it all started with this little girl with the chubby thighs.  I still have those thighs, but boy have I come a long way.  I honestly don't think I have ever been as excited for a birthday as I am for this one.  It has been an amazing year and I have loved it.

Day 338

One week from today I turn 60 and this is exactly how I am feeling about it!  I couldn't be happier.  What a gift!

Day 337

Do you think that if I wish really hard, a little Christmas magic will put this back in my living room for me?

Day 336

Can we please just lose the Santa hat, you guys?!?!

Day 335

Once again, he has beaten me to the punch and decorated outside before I could decorate on the inside. 

Day 334

I am truly blessed!

Day 333

It is a beautiful day for November 29 in northwest Indiana.  If I could have one wish, it would be that Notre Dame was playing at home, I had a ticket with this same seat and they'd win.

GO IRISH!

Day 332

This picture was taken two years ago on Black Friday morning.  This morning, I'll be meeting some of these same people and some others from my class for our annual Thanksgiving breakfast.  I'd much rather catch up with them than shop any day!

Day 331

Could there possibly be a better prayer on this Thanksgiving day?

I think not.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Day 330

Back to the beach.

Day 329

Our Jack just melts my heart.  You can't help but smile when he is around.  I love him so much.

Day 328

My little town is getting ready for Santa to come to town in the parade on Saturday evening.

Day 327

Even the world's cutest cheerleader couldn't get a win for Notre Dame yesterday.  It's been a very disappointing second half of the season for we Irish fans.  

Day 326

Proud grandma alert!!!

This is Natalie waiting her turn to do her poetry reading with her class at Barnes and Noble last night.  She was awesome!

Day 325

I'm none too happy that they have changed the Santa parade to next Saturday instead of Friday night.  Please don't mess with my long standing traditions.  Some things shouldn't change.

Day 324

22 days and counting.

I can't wait!

Day 323

I was thinking about the upcoming holidays and looking at old pictures.  I came across this one of the girls with Santa.  They look so little, but so adorable.

Day 322

The very happiest of birthdays to the best friend a girl could ever ask for.  Love you, my dear!

Day 321

We are blessed to live so close to this incredible place. 

Day 320

Peeking through the beach grass.

Day 319

A cold, wet and windy week has left me with little time and effort to go out and take new pictures.  I'm pulling from the archives today from a trip to the Shedd Aquarium in October of 2011 when the jellyfish exhibit was there.  They are so cool.

Day 318

Looking up at the inside of the Golden Dome at 

The University of Notre Dame.  Man, I love that place!

Day 317

I have to get this shirt!

Day 316

I really love this shot from the 3 dune challenge.