North Middlesex baby-fest 1997!

Inspired by our recent highschool reunion, several of us from NMRHS class of '97 and '98 got together over the holidays for food, beverages and to pass around babies. Below is me with Shara's brand new beautiful daughter Madeleine.

Although I am familiar with Shara's ability to multi-task and maintain perfection, now that she is a mom I expected some "less than perfect" situations but I was wrong. 1 week postpartum she arrived for the party 5 minutes early with beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts for Sydney and Ciara. She had made homemade brownies and she looked amazing! She didn't seem tired at all and was able to breastfeed while walking around doing stuff. This picture shows her nursing her new infant while entertaining Geoff Clark. Go Shara!

Will came with his parents and, as always, was a mover and a shaker. He kept us (and Sydney) quite entertained. Although he didn't seem totally sure about his Mom with another baby in her arms he really tolerated it pretty well.

We decided that Kyle and Ciara looked very similar (round, bald heads, fair skin and blue eyes).

Sydney holds her Cousin Ciara.

Sydney and her Auntie Erin.

The Group Photo sans the LaPointes, Erin and Ciara who had to take off a little early.

Meghan we missed you!!

More Christmas

We visited with the Tisdells and Tuapiers shortly after Christmas (it seems our schedule there is becoming traditional!). We first get together with just the Tisdells and give gifts. Then we head across the street to the Taupiers' house where lots of cousins have usually gathered and order in great food and consume Teddy's excellent wine! Joyce (Jon's mom) and Dorothy (her sister) are seated below:

Opening Gifts at my parent's house later on Christmas day was a blast (if a little cramped) as all the children and their spouses were present expcept Avanti who was with her Family in TX.

Christmas Morning we usually spend at home. Mike comes down and opens gifts with us. In this picture Sydney reads through a new "betty and veronica" comic book. The rest of her Santa booty surrounds her.

Making Christmas Cookies

We are having a very busy Christmas eve, but we managed to make time for some cookie making and silliness, we were very pleased with our green tongues.

Sydney's Christmas Concert

The third grade held their annual Winter Recorder Concert on Friday which was awesome! It was much less squeaky than we expected.

Ciara and Daddy

Madeleine LaPointe

Announcing Baby LaPointe

After about 18 hrs of labor Shara delivered her daughter Maddy LaPointe today at around 5:30pm. Brian says she has a full head of black hair and weighed in at 7lbs 15oz. Congratulations Shara and Brian! We can't wait for pictures!

botched Christmas photo

We try to send Christmas cards every year but usually fail. This year we've made a more reasonable goal of sending "New Years" cards to our family and friends and spent yesterday morning taking pictures for it. I absolutely LOVE this photo because of Sydney's face while she tries to restrain the dog. The dog was the most difficult part to control and many photos ruined from his inability to sit still.

Roberta's annual dinner party

Each december Roberta, my sister, hosts a gathering with the theme of "make your own......." Past years have featured potatoes, nachos, and this year pizza.

The hostess passing out food.

The new Wii was a big hit until my enthusiastic father "grazed" my mother's ear with the controller.

Just prior to the grazing.


Jon's Steven Tyler impression - always a party favorite.



Dad, Roberta and Debbie.

Mum and me.

Grammie and Sydney playing Wii, they were quite possibly the two best players there.

An extra picture of Dad for our Russian friend (by request)

"Kee-Kee"

....Sydney's name for her couz