Not Me! Monday of Silence

Please take a few minutes to pray for Stellan today.  He has been in SVT again for the last three days and things took a turn for the worst last night (you can read about it here).  I snagged a couple of Jennifer's photos for those of you who do not follow her blog.  This family really needs your prayers today.

Alphabitty Moments--Week 22

Remember when the Atari was the height of sophistication in gaming?  I decided to document this generations gaming devices, though, truth be told, I would need to add more photos. Between the Wii, XBox 360, PSP, DS and iPods, I am sure the boys will love to see how outdated their technology will be when they are grown.  So the layout needs work, but the concept is a good one, I think. I am not at all happy with the photo for this one.  I think I am gonna stage one with their RockBand paraphernalia.  Kinda makes Pong look silly, doesn't it?

Alphabitty Moments--Week 21

It's been a week already??? This week's letter in MamaBear's blog carnival is U.

This layout took me FOREVER to generate.  I had no idea what to do..."underwear" didn't seem appropriate, though it seemed to taunt me from every corner of the house as I attempted to tidy up around here.  (I don't know why I bother!)  "Umbrella" seemed do-able, especially given the copious amounts of rain we have had this summer, but wouldn't you know there were none to be found in this house of mine? Umbrellas are kinda like that one sock that disappears from the pair each laundry load around here. No Hartle offspring one knows where they go!  I finally landed on "upside down" and decided to utilize the playground pictures I took this spring.  Hey Carrie--thanks for the layout tip!  I love how this page came out!!!

Don't forget to stop by Mamabear's campground to see some more U's. I am already preparing myself for the forehead-slapping that is sure to ensue when I realize I have overlooked some obvious possibilities!

Baby's First MLB Game!

Nicholas enjoyed his first Mets game, and he may just be a good luck charm for our downtrodden Mets, who scored back-to-back home runs in bottom of the 7th and managed to win the series with the Reds.  How cute did my littlest fan look?

His big brother looked pretty cute, too!

Aunt Annie bought tickets as part of her bachelorette weekend to celebrate Jim's and Jack's birthdays.

We all had so much fun!

Catching up...

It is amazing to me that a mere 7mm object can wreck summer for a family of 6.  But it can! Who would've thought that a kidney stone and all of its ensuing complications could be so debilitating? Since I was admitted to the hospital on June 15, a lot has been going on here, though little has been documented, since the archivist usually known as Mom was knocked out in bed for three weeks. But I can report that:
Will turned 14, and has been celebrating, it seems, non-stop since school got out with a dance, 3 graduation parties, 2 trips to a local amusement park, and an upcoming concert;
Jack turned 13, finished his final little league season as one of only 3 boys in the state to play in the majors for 5 years (wait for the plaque installation...ha!), and rotated right into all-stars where his team remains undefeated;

Jim turned 40, and

Nicholas visited the lake for the first time, though he wanted to wait on the water til he can share that with the Ganios!

That leaves Gabe...Gabe is Gabe. Laid back and trying to go with the flow, unless anyone makes a wrong turn and leaves him with the impression that "We're lost!" Talking about timing haircuts for the boys so that they could all look their best for Aunt Annie's wedding, Gabe remarked that he would like "Business hair in the front and party hair in the back!" Gabe: he makes me smile!

Alphabitty Moments--Week 20

The brain-child of Carrie over at 4 the Love of Family, Alphabitty Moments helps us preserve our family memories, one letter at a time.

This picture takes me right back to Valentine's Day of this year, when I was confronted with the sad fact that my children are spaced too far apart to continue to have shared interests. My parents and I had taken the boys to the zoo, and Will, then 13, spent the day making sarcastic comments and behaving in the obnoxious manner that all teens seem to perfect well before their 13th birthdays.  This shot always makes me laugh, though, because as cool as he thought he was on this afternoon, the tiger seems to get the last laugh as he marvels at the man-cub exhibit.  With 2 teens in the house now, I often find myself with the same expression the tiger wears! I'm thinking the aquarium visit this summer will be an optional one for my older boys...which will assuredly mean that they will have a burning desire to come! :)

Alphabitty Moments--Week 19

Bare bones today, friends, because I had surgery yesterday on my gargantuan kidney stone, and today I am in so much pain! I shoulda planned ahead, I guess. At any rate, these are pictures from Nick's first snow. The left picture is the view from our front porch in his first house. I love the look of bundled up babies! (And the intensity of his trying to find his hands in his mittens!)

Cruise by Carrie's Campground to see more S's. I'll get around to you girls when I am less medicated and feeling better.