Ice Station Zebra (a bit of trivia for the movie buffs)

St. Joe has made national news by being the recipient of a major ice storm. Luckily, we had some notice so we were prepared. My husband who is always preparing for the revolution goes into hypermode during these opportunities. Filling gas tanks, water cans, checking flash lights, and stock piling milk. He loves it. Mary and I spent the the day putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree while Katiebug took the finishing touches off the Christmas tree. All-in-all it was a great day. Tim baked "the great pie" (a bit of trivia for you cartoon fans) and we had a day of bonding with one another at home watching the ice blanket the world outside. According to the local electric company, they have 45,000+ customers and 35,000+ were without power. We have been lucky so far but we are keeping our fingers crossed hoping we don't get hit again this week - we will keep you posted.

Julia

Julia Machados lives down the street from us with her husband, Marco, and their four sons. She is a wonderful friend and an inspiration as a mom. As I said she has FOUR boys under the age of ten (Miguel is pictured here with Katiebug) and still manages to make time for her husband, her friends, and (most importantly) herself. Julia inspires me and all of her friends to keep working out even when it is the last thing that we want to do. She has also been a life saver in emergencies - like when we had to run Katiebug to the emergency room and Julia took Mary so we wouldn't have to put her through what could have been an ugly night.

Music Class

We have been taking music class with the girls once a week since before Katiebug was born. Their teacher, Jill Robinson, has a masters degree in music therapy and she does a great job stimulating their brains with exercises we can do at home. The girls' favorite part of the class is when they get to play with all of the different instruments - there is always a mad dash for the drums.

Tumbling class

Mary has been going to "dance" class for several months now. She normally has a ball unless the teacher makes her put her stuffed dog on the side of mat. Mary is a lot like her mother - she doesn't hide her emotions well as you can tell from the pose she is striking in the last picture.

Bathing beauties

To my daughters . . .

The Miracle of You

For just a while I carried you
Close to my beating heart
You were loved and cherished
Right from the very start

Each day I felt your presence
As I watched you quickly grow
Each day your heart beat softly
As only I could know

And now I hold you in my arms
And I've found it is so true
I will spend a lifetime
Of tomorrows loving you

The Kissock Clan

Thanksgiving 2007

Our snow bunny prepares to go outside!

Hello, again!

It has been a while since I have posted any recent photos. We got a new digital camera for Christmas and it has taken us this long to figure out how to get the images on our blog. We are covered in snow here in St. Joe this cold February day but we can't complain because everyone is happy and healthy. I am busy at school. We are now into the fifth week of our fourteen week semester at MWSU. Tim is busy keeping all of us safe on campus - something he does very well. Mary and Kate are wonderful. Tim and I often look at them and wonder how we got so blessed. If asked how we are doing our only response can be: better than we deserve (as Dave Ramsey would say). I hope everyone is staying warm and driving safe. I will try to post more soon! Love, Suzanne

The Play Room

These are a few (sideways) pictures of my favorite room in our house. These are actually from before we bought the house when we were doing our final walk through. We spend a lot of time in the playroom especially since Kate was born. The girls are just beginning to interact in a way that kind be descibed as "play". Really it consists of Kate finding a toy, Mary discovering that Kate found a toy, Mary taking away said toy, and us trying to get it back to Kate. I guess that doesn't exactly qualify as play but we get lots of giggles from Kate so we'll take it for now.

No no, Katie Bug!!

Mom - she wants my candy!
Mom - she is touching my pumpkin!
Mom - she is looking at me!

Mom - I love my little sister!

Our little Halloween Ballerina!

Kissock Family Times

Kissock Family Times

Katie bug loves snoozing on Daddy's shoulder

Kate is now four months old and is growing like a weed. She is such a sweet soul. Her latest new talent is hooting and howlng at the top of her lungs whenever the mood strikes her. She seems to have figured out how to express her joy and is having a ball trying it on for size especially when she is watching big sister run and play.

A visit to the orchard

Here puppy . . . . good puppy!
Here goat . . . . good goat!
Here chicken . . . . here chicken . . . .
here chicken . . . . bad chicken!

More fun family photos

Where did she get those beautiful blue eyes?

Hmmm, I wonder?

What a beautiful smile!

Cousin Lily doesn't miss an opportunity to ham it up for the cameras. She is a natural born entertainer. I think she is destined for the lights and cameras of Hollywood!

Kate's Baptism

Kate was baptized by her Great Uncle Tom Meyer on Sunday, October 17th at the parish of St. Cletus in St. Charles, Missouri. We feel truly blessed to have such wonderful godparents for our little angel. We know that her godmother, Angela, and her godfather, Kelly, love Kate and will be there to guide and support her throughout her life. We hope that she will emulate her godparents kind, thoughtful and loving ways. Also in attendance at the baptism were Grandma and Grandpa Meyer, Great Aunt Alice, Great Uncle Steve (my Godfather), Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Susie, and cousins Courtney, Nick, Abby and Lily. Of course, mommy, daddy and big sister Mary were front and center for the big event. Despite the rain, it was a picture perfect day. We spent the weekend surrounded by family and thanking God for all the blessings in our lives. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Welcome To Our Home

When I am not changing diapers or washing clothes I am taking care of my ferns. For some reason, that has become my favorite pasttime - or as Tim calls it my obsession. Every summer I get two ferns and see how big they will grow. This summer has been particularly good. They have loved the location of our front porch. The days are beginning to get shorter so soon they will have to come inside and see if they survive the winter indoors. I have not been as successful with them inside as I have been with them outside.

One of our favorite things to do is sit on our front porch swing and eat ice cream especially on a beautiful summer night like this night. It reminds me of some of my favorite childhood memories when I would sit with Aunt Alice on her front porch. That is why both of our houses have had a front porch with a swing. As Dad would say "it just doesn't get any better than this." The only way it could is if all of our families were there to share it with us.

Aah, to sleep like a baby again . . .

Happy Anniversary!

Tim and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary on August 21st. Seven years goes by fast when you consider two kids, two houses, two cars, and four jobs. I am so proud of all that we have done. I am especially proud of the daddy that I picked for my babies seven years ago. No father loves his babies more than Tim. I don't tell him enough how grateful and proud I am to be his wife. I love you, Bear!