Christmas Week 2007

What a busy week!!! We saw lots of family and friends, we got lots of presents, we watched Uncle Jason get married, Mommie's car get totaled, and the Pats finished their season 16-0. Brady got to go riding with our third cousin Hayley on a snomobile too! What a week!

Happy New Year everyone!

-Cameron

I've Lost Erica's Car!!!!

I'm so mad! This afternoon, I parked Erica's car on Main Street in Haverhill and went to get my teeth cleaned. While I was in the waiting room, an elderly guy pulled out of the Social Security Office across the street, then decided to pull a U-turn on Main Street. He ended up slamming into another car, and that driver slammed into Erica's parked car, sending it forward into a snowbank about thirty feet ahead. That car was then lodged under my car. So, I have damage to both ends of Erica's car, and it had to be taken away by flatbed because it couldn't be driven.

Now I'm waiting to hear from the police with their report so I can try to file a claim with the other driver's insurance. I can't decide if I'd be happier if they totaled the car or not. We just bought it in 2004 brand new, and we have less than 35,000 miles on it. I still owe a year and a half on the car. I'd be pissed if I don't get enough $$ from the insurance agency for the car of it is totaled. Our plan was to buy a new car for me once we paid Erica's off in a year. If we have to buy a new car now, I don't think my car will make it another fiver years.

Grrr.....

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2007 has come to a close, and boy was it busy! It all started December 23 with a Christmas wedding for Jason and Christina. Then, on the 24th, we all went to my grandmother's house to celebrate the traditional Polish Christmas with my mother's side of the family. On the 25th, it was great to watch Brady and Cameron (OK.....just Brady) open all his gifts from Santa. Then, we were off to Erica's parents' house for the afternoon for dinner. Christmas night, we headed to my Uncle Mark's house to celebrate Christmas "Stack style". Then on the 26th, we went to my parents' house to open even more gifts.

Brady was very excited to get lots of toys. Some of his favorites from Santa this year included a sit and spin, a keyboard, a baby, a kitchen set (that was actually from Erica's parents), a laptop computer, and a tunnel.

Cameron was just happy to take in all the sights and sounds. It is amazing how much his personality is starting to shine. He loves smiling now and is even starting to bat at toys in his bouncy seat.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My First Wedding, by Brady Stack

So, yesterday I went to my first wedding. Uncle Jay was getting married to Auntie Christina. It was a lot of fun. In the morning, I got dressed in my suit with Dada, then we drove to the church. It was my job to bring the rings down the aisle on a pillow. Then, I pretended to be John Madden during the ceremony and I offered my commentary of the entire thing. At the reception hall, I got to eat, dance, and drink juice from a glass. Santa even came through the hall and gave me candy!!!

Dada was the best man, so he had to give a speech before dinner. He surprised everyone by writing a poem. When it came time for him to speak, he put on a Patriots Santa Hat and then started to speak. Here is his poem:

‘Twas the night before Christmas Eve, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung, by the chimney with care,
In hopes that Saint Nicholas, soon would be there.

Brady and Cameron were nestled, all snug in their beds,
While visions of the Wiggles, danced in their heads,
And Erica in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down, for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like Randy Moss,
Jumping up in the air, to catch a Tom Brady toss.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of midday to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But an ‘83 Lebarron with people in wedding gear.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in an instant it was my grandfather, Mick.
More rapid than the Air Force the courses they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now Nicky! Now Steven! Now Derek, and Marky,
On Heather! On Amy! On Alyssa, and Kayleigh!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild Nor’Easter fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the car full of wedding gifts, and Jason too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard at my door,
Some footsteps, some knocking, and then a loud roar.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
In the door my brother Jason came with a bound.

He was dressed in a tux, with accents of pink,
And although out of breath, he gave me a wink.
A bundle of invitations, he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes, how they twinkled. His dimples, how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose, like a cherry!
His face was clean-shaven, his hear neatly cut,
His suit was just pressed, his shoes freshly buffed.

I said to my brother, “What brings you tonight?
You look like your off to your wedding, is that right?”
He glanced at his watch, and then turned his back,
“We moved the wedding date up, so I can go to Iraq!”

He spoke no more words, but went straight to his work,
He gave me my tuxedo, then turned with a jerk,
He got Brady dressed, then gave him the ring box,
And giving a nod, to the Lebarron we all walked.

We made it to St. Joe’s, without a moment to spare,
The guests had been seated, Christina’s limo was there,
But before we walked out to the alter that night,
I pulled him aside, to give him some advice:

“Marriage is a gift,” I began to explain,
“Its filled with surprises, its never the same,
Christina is lucky, to have someone like you,
Love and cherish her forever, after you tell her “I do.”

Jason turned to me and extended his hand,
He thanked me for caring, for being his best man.
Then he gathered his thoughts, and breathed a deep sigh,
And walked to the alter, to wait for his bride.

“Do you take Christina” the priest said to him,
“To have and to hold, as long as you live?”
He wasted no time coming up with his answer,
“I do now, tomorrow, always, and forever.”

They looked at each other, and then locked in a kiss.
While they walked down the aisle, I started to reminisce.
It seemed like just yesterday it was I getting wed,
I hope he’ll remember the things that I said.

Then they sprang to their limo, to their team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle.
But I heard them exclaim, as they drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!”

Snowbound!!!

This is the most snow I've seen in New England beofre Christmas in a long time. We've been hit wth storm after storm, dumping nearly two feet of snow ont he ground! As you can see from the pictures, we don't have many places left to put it all. With rain in the forecast, I had to go up on the garage roof and shovel all the snow off of it. Also, with Erica doing daycare int he house, I've kept an emergency path snow-blowed all the way around the house.

Oh Fudge!

Its time to make fudge again! This year, Erica and I made close to 60 pounds of fudge to give away to friends and family. There were eight varieties: Chocolate walnut, mint chocolate, dark chocolate coconut, peanut butter, smore, Oreo, candy cane, and white chocolate cranberry orange walnut.

As you can see, we needed quite a few ingredients to make the 19 batches. The recipe is easy:



Erica’s Holiday Fudge:
18 oz. package of white chocolate chips
14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon of salt
20 Oreo cookies, crushed finely
1 8x8 fudge pan, lined with parchment paper

Melt the chocolate chips with the condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Add the salt and cookies and stir to combine. Remove the pan from the heat, and pour the mixture into the fudge pan. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.

Be creative! Substitute the cookies and white chocolate with other ingredients to make your own fudge flavors. My favorites include peanut butter chips, chocolate mint chips, and even English toffee pieces.

Lumbah-Jack Stack!

So, I got a few quotes to get a tree removed last year that looked like it was starting to die. Their price was a little steep, so I decided to try to put it off another year. I was a little worried though, because it was a big tree, and if it could fell, it could easily crush a car in the driveway, or, worse yet, fall on my garage.

Well, Erica called me at Sanborn today to tell me the tree came crashing to the ground, missing the house and the power lines. But, the tree was completely covering the driveway blocking all access to the garage, leaving a car stuck there.

So, I came home from work and set out to cut the tree up. With the help of a neighbor and a chainsaw, we made quick work of the tree, and as you can see, only piles of wood remained after a couple of hours. I put an ad on Craig's List for free wood, and within the hour someone had responded. What a day!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Hello, Blogger-World, Its me, Brady...just thought I'd give a quick update on the family, since everyone else is so busy these days. Where should I start?

Mama and Dada keep talking about how Santa is coming to bring Cameron and I gifts this year. I actually got the chance to see him at the mall last week, but I didn't stop in to say hello, he seemed busy. I've decided that I would like my own kitchen so I can cook for everyone. I'd also like a tunnel I can hide in, and anything Wiggles.

Cameron has been playing with me a lot more lately. I like to share my toys with him, but he isn't always interested in playing with them. He has more fun watching me play. I'm trying to get him hooked on the Wiggles...he watches them every night with me before bed. Cameron has been sleeping much better too.....normally he goes to bed at 8:00 and gets up only once in the middle of the night, like around 2 or 3. That is better than it used to be!!!

Otherwise, not much is new at our house. I'll write more soon!

Love,
Brady

Like Father, Like Son

Some of my favorite memories growing up were the times I spent with my dad playing in the snow. We always had a great time sledding and making snowmen.

Today, Brady and I got the chance to recreate some of those same memories. As you can see from the pictures, our world has changed so much in the past twenty-six years, but the little things remain unchanged. Thanks for the memories Dad!

First Snowfall of the Year

Yesterday, Dada and I went out on the tractor for the last time. We picked up all of the leaves in the yard, and took them out to the woods. He told me that we would have to put the tractor away until next Spring, because it was going to snow last night. Well, snow it did!!! There was no school in Sanborn, so Mama, Dada, and I went out to play while Cameron took his nap. We had a great time making snow angels, eating snow (not the yellow stuff, of course), and building a snowman. Then, we went to Babcia's and went sledding down the big hill. I can't wait to do it again!

Talk to you all soon,

Brady

My First Post, By Cameron Stack

Well, today I'm writing my very first post!!!

I have so much to tell all of you, but I know I won't be able to fit it all into one post. It has been quite an interesting journey ever since that day that changed my life. Did I ever tell you about that?

I can still remember it like it was yesterday....September 25....I was minding my own business when all of a sudden I started to feel pressure, like someone was squeezing me. Before I knew it, I was being pushed right out of my home. I started to see a light at the end of a tunnel, and over the course of the morning, it got bigger and bigger. Then all of a sudden, I felt a huge push from behind, and I went right out into the light! It was freezing out there!!!!

Anyways, I've adjusted to my new home just fine. The people here have been wonderful. Mama feeds me quite a bit, and Dada does too. I spend a great deal of time watching Brady play...he even comes over every once in a while to give me a kiss on the cheek. I can't wait to be able to play with him and all of our toys!!!

I'm starting to sleep longer stretches at night.....almost 4 hours at a time. I've also grown quite a bit, and now I can wear 3-6 month clothing comfortably. I like to smile when I see something funny.

Well, that is all for now. Stay tuned for more posts from Cameron!

Love,

Cameron