Miss you Nana.

One year ago today was the last time Nana was happy, healthy, and not in the hospital, the last time she was celebrating. Her last Christmas. The last time she was out, not at her own home.

One year ago, we were all celebrating. We were all happy, healthy, and Nana had a good enough buzz for the whole house.

Nana was, and always was the life and heart of any event, of any single day, any moment.

Just a few moments ago my father brought out my mothers gift from Tom, my children, and I, to show my dear Aunts Alice and Agnes.

Inside was a photo of Nana. We all started crying. This morning when my mom first opened it we all started crying.

This somehow managed to be the best Christmas, gift wise, food wise, everything. Only two things wrong. Alice not doing the cooking and not being here between 9-11am, and... Nana...

Man.. I miss her so much.. I haven't even been to her grave sight since Mothers day. I need to go.

I need her.

Nana, you are the heart and joy of the family.

You are the old lady with the dirty mind who made any shy person comfortable.
You were the light in all your grand children's eyes, even when we got into trouble.
We will miss you forever.
And you are always here, in our hearts.
With Love, Nicole

My Amazing Husband

Tom gave me my Christmas gift tonight, in front of my parents, his, my brother, sister and her fiance.

I have been asking for a bracelet, with my kids birthstones since last Christmas. A week or two ago Tom told me he didn't get me it, again, but wanted to get me something "nicer" than I described. All I wanted was plastic beads in the right colors for my kids stones, on a plastic/wire bracelet thingy from an arts an crafts store, I just wanted him to throw one together..
This is why, I am terrible w/ jewelery and break everything, or never wear it because of lack of dressy occasion..
I bitched, I moaned, told him I was going to hate whatever bracelet he got me, told him I was going to throw it back in his face.. I was a rotton bitch. I deserved to have been bitch slapped right then and there.
He explained how much this bracelet meant, cost, and how important it was that he did this his way. He explained how I wasn't going to hate it, how I wasn't going to throw it into his face, how infact I was going to love it.

This is my new bracelet, that I cried while reading, and am still tearing up over:







Each of the 5 ovals say:

Nicole A. Montgomery
Jan. 23, 1987

Thomas H. Montgomery, Sr
June 6, 1979

Thomas H Montgomery, Jr
Sept. 6, 2005

Collin P. Montgomery
Jan. 17, 2008

Collin Bailey
Oct. 3, 2006
Forever In Our Hearts

When I saw the baby we miscarried included on my "family" bracelet.. that was it, black eyeliner was all over my face, lets just say it is a very good thing my battery died on my camera right after I first first first saw my beautiful gift.


I will be forever greatful for this, I probably will not take it off until it is lost or broken..
(I mentioned I am terrible w/ jewelery..)

Gingerbread Train

Forever Tom and I have discussed building a Gingerbread house with our children. This is the first year Thomas is old enough to participate. We haven't done the house yet. We did our train this afternoon. Yes! We found a gingerbread train, how neat is that? We also saw a gingerbread tree, but didn't have the cash to grab it.

It was tough doing a craft project while living with my parents since they don't believe in any noise during the afternoon, since they snooze all day on the weekends on the couch/chair. Tom was shushing Thomas every three and a half seconds, not letting me put in any input. Thomas and I weren't able to help build it at all... Even most of the decorating he did.. It is so hard when Daddy/Tom is such a "perfectionist" when it comes to these kinds of things, which puts a damper on Thomas's creativity.. Basically Thomas and I put the candy/icing where we were told, and whispered the whole time. With all my bitching and moaning, we had fun. I love when the four of us our together, doing something, anything together..

Santa

Adults can give Santa a Call!

1-772-257-4656 to give Santa a ring.

Just don't let the kiddies call, please.

2008 Lalla Gala

Since as far back as I can remember my father's side of the family, the Lalla's, have gotten together one Sunday in December for our annual Christmas party. This year was no exception! Traditionally, my wonderful Aunt Julie, as the oldest Lalla sibling, plans the entire Gala, complete w/ Secret Santa for all the children who are under 18 or haven't graduated highschool, whatever comes last. Grab bags for the adults. Pot luck dinner, complete w/ birthday cake for those who's birthdays are in December, and other deserts. And the best part of all, for the past few years, my Father has been the big guy himself, Santa Claus!

This here is my Aunt Julie, who puts all of it together each and every year:


This is my newest cousin on this side of my family, Nicholas, he is my wonderful cousin's Wendy's youngest son:


And with his mama, Wendy:


My Thomas nervous, he doesn't like large crowds:


My Mommy:


My Daddy, getting dressed as Santa:



Thomas, with his Poppy, er.. I mean with Santa:


Collin's 1st time sitting on Santa's lap:



The big guy and me:


My parents, brother, husband and two boys:


My beautiful, wonderful, amazing family:


The Lalla Elders, and their spouses.
From left to right:
Uncle Jack, Aunt Julie, Uncle Henry, Aunt Ann, Aunt Marianne, Aunt Carol, My Daddy Paul, and My Mommy Grace:


And lastly, my tired little Collin, after meeting Santa:

Thomas's Trolley Ride

In our town of East Haven, CT, there is The Shoreline Trolley Museum. We have been wanting to take Thomas there for ages now, just never have. Finally, since Santa is there every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we decided to go. Thomas was memorized by the entire experience, from the things on display, to the trolley ride from East Haven to Branford, to the trip to the "North Pole where we met the big guy himself, Santa!" Thomas was a nervous wreck in front of Santa, still a bit nervous about the big guy in the suit, lol. Santa gave Thomas an activity pad. We got some hot cocoa and cookies. Looked at all the trolleys from the 1920's. Collin was in his Snugli most of the time we were there, but he loved every single moment as well! While we were at the North Pole we totally missed the Trolley back to the station, we were too involved taking photo's.. We were told hop on the next, hed to Branford again, then to the station, or walk the mile and a half back in the dark. We got on that last trolley!

Here are a bunch of photographs of our afternoon at the Museum:
(Sorry there are so many)























Again, so sorry there are alot of shots, I cannot believe I took well over 200.. I need to chill with my camera!

And off to see another Santa today, at the annual Lalla Gala

Fantasy of Lights @ Lighthouse point park

Every year Tom and I go to the F.O.L. This year Thomas was so involved and loved every single moment!