O'Brien Family

A New Years spent in New Orleans with family...

2009-01-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful New Years visit to New Orleans. We stayed with Granny & Pawpaw as usual. The kids had a great time playing outdoors in the 70 degree weather, a nice change!

The looked at flowers, played football, fished in the pond, and really enjoyed their grandparents and cousin.

David and I really enjoyed sitting on the deck drinking our morning coffee and seeing so many of our family members. We were able to see all the Uncles on David's mom's side and one Aunt on David's Dad's side. We were also able to visit with David's sister and her boyfriend & her son, our nephew Christian.

We are excited to visit again this summer. This time we hope to visit our friends too.

Christmas has come and gone...

2008-12-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

And I have to say, I am glad. Although I cannot threaten Santa Claus anymore...

We had a wonderful Christmas in our new home. The kids woke up at 8:30 and came to our room saying "mama, santa!" We make them wait until daddy gets the camera set up.

They were so cute! They loved all the gifts Santa brought. It was so cute seeing them checking it all out.

David loved his wii game and his Reggie Bush Fathead (big, lifesize poster). He also loved a magic kit he got!

Maddie loved her baby stroller and her bendaroos. It was a great morning, a great Christmas.

Nutcracker 2008

2008-12-21T12:40:00.000-08:00

Every year my husband gives Maddie and I tickets to the Kansas City Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker.

This year we went December 14th. Maddie and I dressed in our Christmas dresses and headed off. We had a wonderful time. Maddie had a really hard time not dancing.

We love this holiday tradition.

fun survey to recap 2008

2008-12-21T12:35:00.000-08:00

This is a fun survey that recaps 2008 (from myspace)

2008 Recap
Twelve Months of 2008 Survey
JANUARY1) Spent the New Year in New Orleans.Had a great time!
2) Did you have a New Year's Resolution this year? to get back to hanging out just as a family and not inviting friends along always.
3) Does it snow where you live? Yes
4)Do you like hot chocolate? kinda.I like it after playing in the snow but I prefer a chocolate flavored coffee
5) Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop? No
FEBRUARY
1) Who was your Valentine? My husband
2) Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not? no, the only thing I care about that day is my husband. It's our anniversary.
3) What did you receive for Valentine's Day? can't remember??? Flowers I think
MARCH
1) Are you Irish? by marriage
2) Do you like corned beef and cabbage? if it fixed correctly (aka New Orleans style) It is really bland in Kansas
3) What did you do for St.Pats? a Cheer clinic during the day and then a parade with my cheerleaders BRRR
4) Are you happy when Winter is pretty much over? YES, I love Springtime in Kansas City
APRIL
1) Do you like the rain? yes
2) Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year? Yes. I told my coworker that I was taking another job. I built it up for weeks and then sent her an email that day.
3) Do you get tons of candy for Easter? the kids did
4) Do you celebrate 4/20? no (passover begins)
5) Do you love the month of April? My son's birthday is that month.
MAY
1) What is your favorite flower? roses & lillies
2) Finish the phrase "Aprils showers…" bring May flowers
3) Do you celebrate May 16th? Armed Forces Day? Not really
4) Is May anything special to you? Mother's Day, end of school, bought our new house, moved in
JUNE
1) What year did/will you graduate? 1996 highschool 2001 college
2) Did you do anything fun during this month? ISummer Cheer Camps, lotsof home improvements, Lake of the Ozarks, Maddie's Birthday
3) Have a favorite baseball team? my sons :) TBones
JULY
1) What did you do on the 4th of July? Cheerleading! A parade in the morning (won 2nd place trophy) and Leawood Celebration that night.
2) Did you go to the fireworks? yes
3) Did you blast the A/C all day? yes. That is one thing I will not be cheap on.
AUGUST
1) What was your favorite summer memory of '08? Big Cedar Lodge, the Lake with friends.
2) Did you have a sunburn? probably a little one at the beginning of the summer
3) Did you go to the pool a lot? yes (kids)
SEPTEMBER
1) Are you attending college/school? I teach school
2) Do you like fall better than summer? no, but I like Fall
3) What happened this month? my birthday, school began, Soccer, football, gymnastics & cheer classes all begin too, husband had surgery...
OCTOBER
1) What is your favorite candy? Reeces peanut butter cups (pumpkins)
2) Anything special this month? went to New Orleans with just my husband for a friends wedding and had a great time
NOVEMBER
1) Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving? Had it at our house for the first time
2) What are you thankful for? My family, friends, our house, our life
3) Do you love stuffing? not really.
4) Anything special in this month? kinda a blur
DECEMBER
1) Do you celebrate Christmas? yes :)
2) Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe? yes
3) Get anything special last year? not really
4) What do you want this year? just a happy Christmas for my kids
5) What do you love most about December? the excitement about Christmas.Making cookies, decorating, presents, and famliy

Anniversary!

2008-12-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

David and I just celebrated our 12 year anniversary of our first date :)

He had his friend call me while he was visiting Kansas City on Thanksgiving break. We went with two other couples to see Ransom (with Mel Gibson). It snowed SO much that night.

We played in the snow, had a snow ball fight and made snow angels!

It sure is a great thing he asked me out way back then. Who would have thought we would be married and with two kids (and two cats) 12 years later... I sure am lucky.

Snow Day, November 2008

2008-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

Snow What Fun!!

David and Daddy had a blast making forts and having a snowball fight.

Sled races!

Our Awesome snowman "Frosty"

Cousin Campout 2008

2008-11-30T12:07:00.001-08:00

We started a new tradition at our house this year...

Cousin Campout!

We invited all the kid's cousins (most came!) The only rules were to drop off at 4 p.m., if they are in diapers pick up at 10 p.m., out of diapers pick up at 10 a.m.

The kids had a blast making pizzas, playing games, making smores, and watching a movie. The next morning Uncle David got them donuts and hot chocolate. Yummy!

We can't wait for next year and more cousins!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

We had our first Thanksgiving dinner at our home. I am happy to say it was A SUCCESS!

Maddie helping cook...

The Feast...

a turducken...yummy!

All the desserts (and there were more!)

Adult tables

Boy table (David, Jake, Therron and Uncle Mark)

Girl Table (Maddie, Reina, & Arianna)

The fishing pond, our family tradition...

David caught a shoe! (he said that was the best thing that happened all day)

Playing outside...

My beautiful niece, Arianna & Maddie

David giving all the cousins a ride on his new go cart.

New DO's

2008-11-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

loving each other...

Both kids received new haircuts this month...

CurlySpiky

Fun :)

Chiefs vs. Saints

2008-11-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

This past weekend the Kansas City Chiefs took on the New Orleans Saints. My husband had great tickets, (two tickets), my hometown vs his hometown, and who does he take....

our son of course, the perfect combination of Kansas City & New Orleans AND a die hard football fan. (especially for HIS teams)

The week began with a count down, everyday...(D to daddy) "How many more days?"

Finally, Sunday morning we woke our children up in the same way we usually do, cheeks other cheeks! EXCEPT this time "D, do you know what today is???" D, "donut day??"

Mommy, "yes, and...the game." D, "Donuts and the football day!"

They had a wonderful time, and it could not be a bad game. They were cheering for both teams!

David made two signs, 1st said Go Saints, 2nd said Go chiefs

AND, two shirts, Saints & Chiefs

What can be better; football, cottoncandy & DADDY!

Home Improvments

2008-11-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

Now that the plumbing is fixed,

we moved in and on to bigger and better things.

No need for baby steps.

Outdoor Work

We had to pull out these horrible, dead bushes

We put in some bushes and flowers. We left the roses and transplanted ones from the backyard. We plan to move them eventually but we did not want to shock them too much.

David made his son a homemade swing, Maddie's was soon to follow. They love them!

Indoor Work

First step...Paint it all beige! (with LOTS of frien help)

Rip out tile (and the wall) install the new appliances and all new tile

LOVE the tool belts :)

Finally have the kitchen done! David did so great on the tile. I promise to NEVER pick slate again.

We then took out the Cobalt blue tiles and put in slate again! (just one last time with the slate, sorry honey!)

The dining room, our newest project. We were given this table so we are updating it too. You know, in our spare time.

The bedrooms (last one is in the basement)

More to come... Next up finish the basement, fence, Master bathroom.

Starting on the house...

2008-11-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

First steps while owning our home.

It's official!

First step, clean it. Thanks Heidi!

David was so excited to mow his lawn. We have alot of work. The yard was neglected for a long time.

Yep, that a tractor tearing up the yard...roots in the pipes!

They found it, good work D!

House Update

2008-11-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, we bought our first home at the beginning of the summer. We are so happy! It has been alot of work so far, but so worth it.

I am attaching some before and after pictures. We are really having a great time doing the work ourselves and with friends help :). (THANKS GUYS)

House before we purchased

the lovely kitchen...please notice all the brass handles! The previous owners tore out the microwave & oven and put in this old stove (dirty!!) Oh yeah, check out the faux stain glass over the light fixture.

LOVE the wall paper

again, notice the brass fixture! It could have been a pretty color, but a bit much. The dining room was red, the living room & Kitchen blue, the halls yellow, and the breakfast nook wallpapered with flowers!

David's New Ride

2008-11-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

Little David is SOOO excited. My grandpa, David's Great Grandpa, has made him a go cart.

We went to the farm a couple of weekends ago to try it out for size and spend the day.

I was VERY nervous having David and Maddie in the thing, so Daddy gave it a whirl first.

Once it was daddy approved, David stepped in and had a blast!

A few things are being tweaked and then it comes home. I am not sure where to keep it as the garage is jammed packed as it is.

I was able to take some great photos while visiting the farm. I have such great memories growing up visiting there. My grandfather is one of the neatest people anyone can meet. He is 82 years old! He had a really good time making this go cart, he is already starting one for my nephew.

The farm is over 100 years old! One picture is a "Century Farm" marker. Really Cool.

Pumpkin Finding

2008-11-14T21:07:00.000-08:00

What a great time! We had a wonderful time searching for pumpkins this year. The crop was not so great, all rotted and mushy, but we still had fun.

We saw all the baby farm animals, went on a hayride, went on the search for four great pumpkins, and looked for Fall flowers to decorate our home.

We were muddy and tired, but had a great time.

Once we got home we carved pumpkins. Each year we have a contest with friends to see who can make the coolest carved pumpkin. Well, those friends moved away so we decided to carry on the tradition as a family. It was close between Daddy's NOLA with a Fluer De Lis and David's "I love mommy" with a ton of hearts. I bet you can guess who won...