Looking back now, its started off bad, so maybe we should have called the whole thing off, but we didn’t… I was almost an hour late due to the boys being bad, as I was walking out the door Grayson decided to poop so I had to change him, I lost our cat and had to hunt her down, oh the list goes on and on… I met Melissa at the King Of Prussia Mall and it took us a while to figure out where the other one was ha ha… Poor Melissa while putting everything in my car drops her really nice camera and breaks it… so despite all that off we go to have a fun day at the zoo… we get to the zoo and we park in the parking lot where there is a 2nd entrance only to be told we can only exit there we have to walk a mile to the main entrance to get in… we huff and puff to the main entrance and get in and then proceed… we were there for probably 30 minutes to an hour before we get to the monkey house, where Logan steps in a big pile of brown mud… It looked gooey and gross so I decided to not trek it in the monkey house and clean it off outside… glad I did cause after a few seconds the smell hit me… it wasn’t a pile of  mud, no no it was a huge pile of poop… aka crap!!! I gagged my way threw cleaning him up as best as I could, it was all over his shoes, socks, pants and leg, I didn’t carry an extra pair of pants, socks or shoes, seriously who does when their child has been potty trained for almost a year now… Oh my goodness it was so bad I am still gagging!!! ick!!! So we proceeded and actually eventually had an ok time… but we only lasted 3 hours tops and it felt like it was days… So you’d think that would be the end of our terrible horrible no good very bad day… but no no, we finally had enough torture and we go to exit where we were told we could exit at the 2nd entrance right by our car, and there is no opening to get a stroller out… yup its only one of those turning gates!!! AHHHH we wanted out so badly that we totally unpacked our strollers, folded them up pushed the kids and the strollers threw and guess what??? I forgot my purse and our food bag and my very expensive camera… luckily (the only bright side to our day) there were some nice people who handed it threw to us and we were FREE… we pretty much ran for the car, we were so done Good thing Melissa still loves me and she got a nice new camera from her awesome hubby… I gotta say next time its that difficult to get to the zoo I’m calling it off way before Logan or Grayson step in Poo!!!

we did have some fun so here are a few pictures of our fun times

This is Logan dressed up in the afternoon at my parents, he was having a great time, Grayson on the other hand melted down… Poor guy just didn’t understand what was going on….

Here are a few pictures, since it was raining I didn’t bring our big camera on the trick or treat part so these pictures are courtesy of our friends (the O’Malleys and the McLaughlins), and family… Thanks guys!!!

Leah (snow white #2) and Grayson (who refused to dress up, so hes supposed to be a cowboy #2, see the boots, and the shirt is sort of cowboy-ish, but no hat or scarf, he threw a fit) but he LOVED trick or treating and wanted to eat all the candy he got as soon as he got it fun fun!!!

Aubrey (Snow white #1) and Logan (cow boy #1+ Woody from toy story)

Logan (Woody ), and Jake (Peter Pan) they wouldn’t take their candy out of their mouths even for this one picture it was funny!!!

Aubrey (snow white #1) and Logan (Woody) trick or treating… they are so cute!!!

Logan and Jake (this is one of my most favorite pictures from that night) too stinkin cute!!!

yee haw cow boy!!!

Here they are the BIG group picture…. (L-R, B-F) Leah (snow white) on Aubrey O’Malley (snow white), Maddie McLaughlin (Bell), Emma Steckiel (60′s chick), Avery Steckiel (Mariposa Barbie), Abby Steckiel (genie), Grayson (throwing his normal fit- Cowboy), Evie Steckiel (was a chicken, but out of her outfit in this pic), Logan (cowboy), Jake McLaughlin (Peter Pan), Abby McLaughlin (Tinker Bell)

another favorite: Howdy Ma’am it even looks like hes smoking HAHA

I know we don’t have many pictures of Grayson but he was half miserable the entire night, he did enjoy trick or treating half way threw but once done he got grouchy again… Oh well, maybe next year

The other day we went to hang out with some friends and as a fun activity we got the kids to wash the outdoor play items, they loved it and Missy loved it cause now the items are clean

Here are some cute pictures:

(Missy I know you have pictures of this too and I have been waiting for you to put them up so I didn’t steal your thunder- sorry)

Memorial Day is a day we are to remember those past and present who fought for our country, some gave more than others, but they all gave something!!! Every day we take advantage of the freedom each and every soldier has fought for and on this one day, ONE day, we remember them… I think that is sad…

Everyday, I remember my fallen hero, and those whom I know, who are fighting for our freedom… I hear the  song below on the radio all the time and I LOVE it, it makes me think of Brandon every time I know he would have loved this song and the last verse is the best one, I put it in bold… I hope you all think and pray for all the soldiers who are fighting for us right now, there are a few whom I know and love putting their lives on the line and I really appreciate it! THANK YOU To all the US. armed forces I thank you today and everyday for all of my freedoms!!!

Since Brandon died 3 years ago, I have been planning on buying and flying an American flag, but we have so many rules in our community, I can’t hang one on our house so these little flags will have to do until we get a new house!!!

Chicken Fried by the Zac Brown Band

You know I like my chicken fried
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
Well I`ve seen the sunrise
See the love in my woman`s eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother`s love

Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia pine
And that`s home you know
Sweet tea pecan pie and homemade wine
Where the peaches grow
And my house it`s not much to talk about
But it`s filled with love that`s grown in southern ground
And a little bit of chicken fried

And its funny how it`s the simple things in life that mean the most
Not where you live or what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There`s no dollar sign on a piece of mind this I`ve come to know
So if you agree have a drink with me
Raise you glasses for a toast
To a little bit of chicken fried

I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
The ones that give their lives so we don`t have to sacrifice
All the things we love
Like our chicken fried

I love this picture it just shows me how proud he was to be a marine and how comfortable he was in this position this picture makes me smile

Corporal Brandon Michael Hardy

March 8, 1981 – April 28, 2006

I am remembering you today and everyday, my friend and our fallen hero!!!

I miss you everyday!!! I miss the light in your eyes that brought peace and joy to others around you, your laugh, your easy going ways, how much you love to joke and how it always seemed like nothing could hold you down… I miss the fun times we had and the many fun times we should have had…

I am so sad that you never got to meet Logan or Grayson… I hope and pray that they grow up to be like you… I pray that they would be joyful and happy, brave and strong just like you!!! Thank you for being our hero…

Even in death I know that God prevailed and I look forward to the day that I arrive in heaven and see you waiting there to show me around heaven!!! Until then I will think of you and miss you everyday!!!

We had a play date with Carolyn Purtell today- and all the kids played so well together… They all loved the kiddie couch so we put them all on it and took a picture, serious CUTENESS!!!

Brandon Hardy

March 8, 1981 – April 28, 2006

On Memorial Day we celebrate and remember those who have served our country and died protecting us- Brandon was one of those who gave his life, and today I am thanking the Lord for him and remembering him. Even though he died 2 years ago I think about him every day and know he died doing what he loved and what he knew God called him to do, I know he felt good about serving and giving his life for the country he loved. I wish he didn’t (that no one) had to give his life for us, BUT he did and I am so thankful that he was willing to give the ultimate gift to keep me and my children free and safe.  I know he served his county well, and I am so proud to call him my friend and hero…

THANK YOU Brandon and all of the other soldiers out there who have given their lives to keep America Free!!!  We are celebrating ALL of you today!

Brandons mom wrote the poem above I hope you can read it- I thought I would share it with you all- please pray for all of our soldiers they fight for all of us and our children and our grandchildren…

Two years ago, myself (chris), my Dad, my brother Nick met up with my Dad’s best friend Norm Galvin and his son for our first “Weeny Welding” trip to the Grand Canyon. Earlier this year, we decided it was time for WWII, Weeny Welding II, and this time, we were going out to Reno Nevada for the Reno Air Races, and do some hiking around Lake Tahoe.

So yesterady my dad, brother and I flew out to Reno yesterday, and met up with Norm, his son Jay again. It was a long day of travel, and after arriving at Jay’s house, he and his wife made us a wonderful spagetti and meat ball dinner – THANK YOU JAY AND MELANIE! – then we went to bed.

This morning we got up and went to the air races. Already there had been two deaths the two days before so we were interested to see what happens today. We had pit passes, so we were able to go down and see a bunch of really cool planes, the ones that were racing. We heard some of the planes racing, so we decided to watch a bit. Just as we were walking up to the line where we could see, we noticed some dust and smoke a bit in the distance. Turns out that there was another crash. Later we found out that another person had died, when two planes collided and one man was killed instantly and the other was able to land his plane with non-fatal injuries.
    
The races were canceled for the rest of the day, which was a bummer, but there was still some really cool exhibitions. We saw several trickster planes, and also the Canadian Snowbird team perform, which is the Canadian version of the Thunderbirds. My favorite part was when an F-16 was putting on a show. Man, that engine is incredible and LOUD.

 

Anyway, check out the photo’s that I posted. More coming tomorrow.

Photos

Here are some pictures of us, BL (before Logan), visiting them at the hospital shortly after the birth of Aubrey. For more go to the O’Malleys blog by clicking here: O’Malley Clan

Wednesday, Gene Cascarella’s Mom found her husband in the basement, having died of heart failure. He was 83

The services are Monday at Marcus Hook Baptist Church in Linwood. The viewing will be at 10:00 and the service right afterwards. Then there will be a public burial than people are welcome over my mom’s house in Essington.

Here are directions:
Take 202 south to Route 1
Left on Route 1
Right on 322 East towards 95
Pass Wal-Mart, Dunkin’ Donuts & Bowling Alley.
After next light, bear right onto ramp for 452
Right onto 452.
Stay on this road under 95 and into town.
Church is on left.
Our prayers are with you!