Holiday Letter 2008

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

This year has been a very busy and fun year for our family…

In January, Regan turned 5 and had a fantastic tea party to celebrate. Our basement in our new house was perfect for the occasion. The girls wore beautiful dresses and Regan enjoyed serving tea to all of her guests!

In January, Doug finished his “Man Room” (which I call the theater room) with official Steelers paint and an amazing ceiling projector just in time to host the super bowl party. That room has already seen many parties, poker games and movie nights this year. And, of course, playing the wii is a lot of fun with such a huge screen!

In March, we celebrated St. Patrick’s day at M’Coul’s Pub as I was a finalist for their limerick contest. After reciting the limerick to the crowd, the judges declared me the winner… Aidan wanted me to win first place so we could get the two night’s stay at Atlantic Beach. And, I did not disappoint him!

A couple weeks later, we drove up to Pittsburgh to celebrate Easter with Doug’s family. It was great seeing the cousins having so much fun. Coloring Easter eggs, the Easter egg hunt and eating Aunt Tracy’s cute bunny cookies were the best!

In April, my sister Liza traveled to the states to visit. We had a great time shopping, going to the Heritage Festival and even organizing my bathroom and garage. What a sister!

In May, Regan and I flew to NY City to meet my sister Greta, her daughter Kadia and my mom. Greta, as well as many other vacationers from France, was excited to shop in the states since it was such a “bargain” with the USD/Euro exchange rate! We had a great time visiting them, seeing the sites and shopping…. (And, shopping, and shopping!)

Later in the month, Doug went to California for a friend’s wedding which, of course, included some fun times in Vegas with his Notre Dame friends. While Doug was away, his parents came to visit NC for Regan’s dance recital. Regan danced beautifully and enjoyed the spotlight!

Before month’s end, we took advantage of the hotel stay I won for the limerick contest and went to Atlantic Beach for Memorial Day weekend. The kids had a blast visiting the aquarium, jumping waves and digging deep holes in the sand. Aidan even took a surfing lesson from Surfer Joe!

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Pittsburgh. We had a great time going to Kennywood amusement park with Doug’s parents. It was also good to visit with Doug’s grandma. The kids sweetly held her hands. Regan, especially, loved to sit and visit with “Great, Great Regan Grandma”.

In August, the kids started school. Aidan is in the 2nd grade and Regan started kindergarten. They are growing up so fast! Soccer, baseball, basketball, dance, church school and school activities keep us quite busy!

Doug and I also went to our 20 year high school reunions this year. In August, we traveled to Dayton, Ohio for mine and in September, we traveled back up to Pittsburgh for Doug’s. Both parties were a lot of fun. We even stayed in Pittsburgh an extra day to go to a Monday night Steelers game!

In October, Aidan turned 8. We celebrated with a Star Wars Jedi Training party. Star ship flight practice and light saber training were a few of the many, fun activities at the party…

For Thanksgiving we went to Florida. As luck would have it, my parents were there over much of the same time and went to Disney with us. We also traveled down to Ft. Lauderdale to visit my Uncle Gerard on his birthday… He took us out sailing on his boat… We didn’t have much wind for sailing but the kids enjoyed driving the boat under Captain Gerard’s direction. On Thanksgiving Day, we met up with Doug’s brother Don and family at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. What fun!

For Christmas and New Years, we are excited to have my family (parents, sisters, niece, brother-in-law and boyfriend) visit us! I’m not sure how we got five people to fly from Paris, France to Greensboro, NC, but we did… And, I couldn’t be happier!

May your holidays be wonderful and bright!!

Love,
Doug, Lara, Aidan & Regan

A Disney Thanksgiving...

Here are the pics and a couple of videos from Orlando... We arrived Saturday evening and met up with my parents for dinner. The first two days of Disney, we went to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Then on Tuesday, we took a break and drove down to a much warmer part of Florida, Ft Lauderdale. There we went sailing with my Uncle Gerard. The next morning, Doug and Aidan returned to Orlando early and went to DisneyQuest.

On Thanksgiving, my parents flew back home but we met up with Doug's brother, Don, and his family in Magic Kingdom. Regan also got a princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the castle and we ended the day with a Thanksgiving dinner in the Akershus Palace in Epcot. Friday was our last day in the parks and the kids were both lucky to be picked for Jedi Training in Hollywood Studios! Here are the pics and videos!



Aidan wouldn't go to the Dark Side... Here's his battle to prove it!



Here is Princess Regan taking on Darth Vadar...

A Sailing Adventure...

Here are the pics from our sailing trip with Uncle Gerard... We got to sail, fish and celebrate Gerard's birthday!!

A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Aidan's assignment in computer lab today was to write his version of a story called "A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day". I hope he doesn't have many bad days like this one. This is what he wrote:

A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
By Aidan Heberle, Age 8

This morning when I
went to eat my cereal,
I spilled my milk on my cat
and my mom said I had to clean it up.
It was a terrible, horrible,
no good, very bad day.

When I went to school,
I started to talk
and the teacher caught me.
It was a terrible, horrible,
no good, very bad day.

I fell down on the playground
and no one helped me.
It was a terrible, horrible,
no good, very bad day.

And, then my sister
got to be in the newspaper!
It was a terrible, horrible,
no good, very bad day.

Finally, I tripped over all my toys.
It was a terrible, horrible,
no good, very bad day.


(Note, no animals were harmed in the writing of this story. We don't have a cat! But, Aidan's sister has had her picture in the newspaper several times...)

I love it when Regan draws...

Regan gets so involved in her artwork. She just created this masterpiece just for me!

When I told her I was going to scan her picture, she followed me to the computer to see what I meant. After the scanner finished making the noises that scanners make, she saw her picture on the computer. It was then that I realized that she was a little concerned... Regan thought that her original would be gone from the paper. The computer took it, right? She wouldn't believe that her paper wasn't blank until I took it out of the scanner to show her...

Too funny!

How do you pack "more fun" into one weekend?

Well, I'll tell you...

First, you go trick-or-treating with the kids. Then, you get dressed up in crazy costumes and go out with your friends. The next day, you take the kids to a fall festival with cotton candy, face painting and games. And, finally, on Sunday, you go to a soccer party and follow it up with a.....

Cheetah Girls Concert!

Both Aidan & Regan enjoyed the concert. It was a little loud and the opening acts were a little screechy. But, each child (Regan, Aidan, Brooke, Alyssa and Erin) "partied like a rock star".

Wow... It's good that the weekend is over. I can get some rest now! =)

Trick-Or-Treat... (and Captain Underpants takes on the night!)

Regan started out as a kitty... but at the last moment switched out to a Cinderella costume... Aidan was super cool as Jango Fett from Star Wars...

Our new subdivision, Highstream, is the perfect place to go trick-or-treating. So, many houses were decked out! Next year, I'll have to have more halloween decorations out to add to the festivities...

Later, we joined our friends in their subdivision, Old Fox Trail. That place was a MAD HOUSE!! Traffic in and out was at a dead stop and required our traffic guiding skills to get people moving... (Seriously, no one was moving. So, Doug and I had to direct traffic in order to get OUT of that subdivision. Crazy!)

Even later, Doug and I went downtown to M'Coul's and the Green Burro for some halloween fun of our own... We met up with Jenny and Ben Bradford and Jason Pierce and his friend Jennifer. Doug went as CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS! and I went as Lara Croft...

Doug's costume solicited MANY laughs and a lot of attention. Even if people didn't know of Captain Underpants, they really enjoyed his costume.

Here are the pics!

The Wizard of Oz Halloween Trail

This was such a fun outing... We went to Castle McCulloch where we got to walk with Dorothy through the Wizard of Oz trail. Of course, we met up with or Glenda the Good Witch, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion along the way. But, we also met up with the Wicked Witch before we got to meet the Wizard of Oz!!

Aidan loved watching the witch melt in the fog! Regan loved the singing... But, probably liked holding Dorothy's hand the most! (The Community Theatre of Greensboro did a great job with this production!)

My girlfriend Jenny and I had a blast taking the kids... We even coordinated the girls' clothes and hair!

See the pics below!

Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

We had fun choosing the two best pumpkins at the pumpkin patch today... The kids even got to sit on a horse! See the pics below! =)

I'm A Good Artist

-- Written by Regan & Aidan's Mom

I'm a good artist. But, my older brother doesn't think so. When I ask him which picture he likes the best, he doesn't answer. Why doesn't he just answer me?

When Aidan doesn't answer me I have to get really loud and ask again and again. And, when that doesn't work, I have to get out of my chair and put the paper in front of his eyes for him to see.

He doesn't like that so much because he can't see the game he is playing. Then, he gets mad. And, yells "REGAN…. Don't DOOO that!"

When Aidan yells, Mommy comes into the kitchen and asks why we are fighting. And, then, I try to explain. But, Aidan gets even madder.

Mommy doesn't like that so much because she doesn't want us to fight. Mommy then yells "REGAN… AIDAN… Be nice to each other!"

But, I tell Mom that Aidan isn't being nice to me. And, I show Mom my drawings.

Mom says she likes them both but I ask her which one is her favorite. She picks the picture with a princess in a pink dress and a purple crown and pretty flowers.

I tell her that is my favorite picture, too.

Then, I take the papers and draw a beautiful butterfly on the picture that isn't the best to make it prettier. I ask Mom which picture is her favorite now. Mom says she loves the butterfly.

Daddy comes home and he gives me a big hug and a kiss. He says he likes both pictures. But, he likes the princess in the pink dress and purple crown the most because it looks just like me!

I smile.

I'm a good artist.

Aidan's 8th Birthday, Neighborhood "Booing", & Jedi Training Party!

On Aidan's birthday (Oct 9th), Doug and I went to Aidan's school and surprised the birthday boy for lunch. We also treated his class mates to ice cream to celebrate. For dinner, Aidan's restaurant of choice was Moe's for Pilot Elementary's family night... It was a dining experience complete with the craziness of school friends, magic tricks and balloon animals. But, I think the most fun for Aidan (after getting his birthday presents) was going "booing" in our neighborhood when we got home.

Let me explain as you may not be aware of what "booing" means. (We are new to this as well.) A couple nights before, there was a loud knock on our front door. When Doug answered, no one was in sight. But, a white ghost bag with candy was left on our porch. Inside the bag were instructions explaining that we had been "booed" and that we now had to keep the Highstream neighborhood tradition of booing alive by making two more bags and delivering them to two other homes within two days. We were also instructed to put the ghost sign that says "We've been booed" in our front window.

As luck would have it, the night of Aidan's birthday, we set out with two orange pumpkin bags filled with candy and instructions. Regan was VERY concerned about giving away our candy. But, Aidan was super excited to be the one to knock loudly and race to join Regan and I in our hiding place. We really got a kick out of watching our neighbors open the door to find that they had been "booed"!

We had Aidan's birthday party the following Sunday. The theme was Star Wars' Clone Wars. It was fun putting together a Jedi training birthday party. I made everyone a Jedi ID and light saber... The Jedis made their own star ships (paper airplanes)!

The kids were some of the best Jedis I have ever seen. They could do it all. In between star ship flight practice, light saber training, and using the force in disc target shots, they played air hockey, foosball, and Aidan's new Wii game, Boom Blox, which he got for his birthday from Aunt Greta, Kadia, Aunt Liza and Uncle Franck!

It was pretty cool that before the traditional "Happy Birthday" song was sung, the boys immediately started to hum the star wars' "Imperial March" song during the lighting of the birthday candles. Too funny!

Here are the pics!

Save this space...

It's been a long time since I have updated my blog. So this is a space saver for all the things we've done since August.... My 20 year reunion in Dayton, OH. The first day of school for Aidan (2nd grade) and Regan (kindergarten). Doug's 20 year reunion and Monday Night Steeler's game in Pittsburgh were the highlights...

Doug is in a commercial... with my girlfriend Jenny!

This commercial makes me want to dive right in..... =)

4th of July Weekend in Pittsburgh

Our holiday weekend was one big party after another....

On Friday, the 4th, we got to visit with Don, Audrey, Connor, Dylan & Corinne before heading out with Grandma and Papa to Kennywood Amusement Park. I have never been to Kennywood and can't believe that this was my first time at the park. It was a lot of fun! Luckily, the weather was cooler than NC and we only had light rain during the day. Rides, food and fun ended with fireworks and one terrific holiday...

On Saturday, we visited "Great Regan Grandma"... (that's what Regan calls Doug's Grandma... Too cute.) Regan was very excited to visit her. The kids showered her with gentle hugs and love...

Later, we went to the Aviary where the kids chased and fed birds. Our visit ended with a bird show but our fun-filled day didn't end there... Oh no... We went home and got ready for a cookout with Aunt Joan and Aunt Mary.

When they arrived, Aidan showed Joan and Mary how to play the Wii. After Aunt Joan figured out where the 'A' and 'B' buttons were, she did quite well for her first time! She's quite the bowler! =)

After dinner, Doug and I left everyone to celebrate our 14 year anniversary... (Yes... 14 years! It's hard to believe!) We went down to Station Square and had a great time dancing the night away at the Matrix...

The next day, we heard that the kids also stayed up late catching lightening bugs and playing with sparklers...

Here are some pics from our trip...

Memorial Day Weekend at Atlantic Beach!

We had a blast going to the beach. I loved... Waking up early with Aidan to be the first people on the beach... Regan catching creatures and watching them swim and dig in the sand in her bucket. Aidan's first surfing lesson with Surfer Joe... (Aidan wants his own surfboard now!) Eating yummy ice cream after going to see Narnia 2... Jumping waves with the kids... Regan and I, the "Hula Sisters", beat J-Lo the mean wave! Watching the kids dig DEEP holes in the sand... (They were so busy!) Going to the Aquarium twice... before we checked in and after we checked out. Snake volunteers: Aidan "Venemous Snake" Heberle and Regan "Longest Snake" Heberle. Pushing Aidan off the float in the pool... Regan showing off her coloring book masterpieces before bed... "Appare" to be amazed! What I didn't love was getting a "Butterfly Back Sunburn" and not applying lotion on the kids well enough... Ouch! Despite the sunburns, Aidan still wants to live at the beach. He said he is willing to give up our big house in order to move! See "Surfer Aidan" and "Hula Girl Regan" in the short videos below. =)

Go Yellow Jackets!

Aidan's first baseball game of the season was on Thursday... It was rainy and just down right awful. After the dance recital was Aidan's 2nd game. And, the coach, team and weather were great... Luckily, this is the game that Doug's parents got to see. Pics are below! =)

Regan's Dance Recital

It was a lot of fun... Regan danced her heart out and was very cute in her costumes... Check out the pics below. (Yeah... I know. There are way too many pictures. There are pics from their picture day and dress rehearsal as well on that album. And, in the world of "digital freedom", I don't know when to stop!)



Here's the tap routine!



And, here's her ballet routine...

NYC!

We had a blast meeting my sister, Greta, and her daughter, Kadia, in NYC. My mom even came...

We had front row, center seats to Mary Poppins. We also saw The Little Mermaid. Fun broadway shows for the girls... and, fun even for me! =)

Here are some pics...

Regan's Dance Recital Invitation...

It's almost here... All are welcome to come cheer Regan on... Let me know if you can make it. The recital is on May 17th at 10am at the Carolina Theater. =)

My sister Liza visited us!!!

My sister Liza flew to the states to visit and I got her from Friday night until Tuesday (yesterday) afternoon. I was so excited to show her our new house... We also had fun at the Heritage Festival downtown, going out Saturday night, getting our nails done, shopping, etc. She even helped me organize my bathroom and garage. (What a sister!)

At the Heritage Festival to celebrate Greensboro's Bicentennial, we got to pose with two of the four A&T students who made history on February 1st, 1960 with a sit in at the Woolworth's store in downtown Greensboro. That was pretty cool. See the pictures below.

Easter in Pittsburgh

I'm still uploading pictures... However, you can click on the picture below to see what is uploaded so far.

Easter in Pittsburgh

The results...

There were over 600 on-line entries and 10 finalists.... After reading our limericks to the crowd, the judges voted and...

I won FIRST place!!!

I won two nights at Atlantic Beach and two tickets to the NC Aquarium... It definitely was a fun St. Patrick's day!

St. Patrick's Day

This morning, I got the following email from last year's winner, Mike Davis. He's so funny, I had to share this with everyone. =)

Lara,

Congrats on winning the Limerick Contest. As a previous runner-up and winner of the contest I can tell you that this will be one of the most rewarding years of your life. Just remember to conduct yourself with grace and dignity at all your public appearances. Remember you're a role model now. Kids who lay there at night and dream of being a limerick contest winner are now dreaming of being you. Also, you'll be asked to come up with spontaneous limericks. Don't get sucked into this, stick with the tried and true limerick that got you there.

Pace yourself, and don't succumb to the pressure like I did. I got so wrapped up in being the "Limerick Champion" I forgot who Mike Davis is. It's just a title. At the end of the day, put the crown back in the closet. My problem is that the crown REALLY looked good on me. I wanted to wear it all the time.....and the sash.

Anyway, the pressure got so great that I couldn't even submit an entry this year. Every attempt I made to write a limerick turned out to be a Hiaku. (M'Coul's rhyme contest. Nothing funny comes to mind. Guinness pints for all). It was really weird. Please don't let this happen to you.

Again, congrats.....keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

Mike Davis

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

If you don't have plans for tonight and want them, come out to M'Coul's. I entered the limerick contest and am a finalist... I'll be reading my limerick to the crowd sometime between 7:45 and 8:30 tonight.

http://www.mcoulspub.com/

Cheers!!
Lara

Ode to the Green…

There once was a pub called M'Coul's
That hadn't enough bar stools
At the Patty's Day party
We drank wheat and barley
And now we are all drunken fools.

One of the things I hold most dear
Is wearing my green brassiere
For Irish I am
'Tis whiskey I slam
Oh, to celebrate but once a year.

I'm writing you all this Irish toast
To remind you, not least but foremost
To drink a good beer
And, to be real sincere
When "Kiss me I'm Irish", you boast!

I also wrote this one since Doug didn't write one...

My husband, his name is Douglas
I begged him to enter this contest
He quivered in fear
And ordered a beer
So, I left him alone with his Guinness.

Easter Egg Hunt

The kids enjoyed the neighborhood Easter Egg hunt today...



Here's the Easter Hunt album...
(Click on the picture below to open...)

Easter Egg Hunt

February... My Birthday, Valentines Day Dance & Basket Ball Champions!

February was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures...

Birthday Parties, Tea Parties and Snow...

January has been quite fun... Doug officially turned 38. Regan turned 5. We celebrated by playing Wii with the Idiotboxers on our HUGE projection tv wall and by hosting an elaborate tea party for 10 little ladies... All was very fun.

January also brought snow... and, snow balls... and, a day off of school. The kids were VERY excited that they got to see snow this year. Although, in most people's opinion school didn't have to be called off. It was a very light snow. But, it did give the kids a chance to play...

Last Saturday also brought a super fun surprise 40th birthday party for our dear friend, Mike Davis. Claudia's party planning skills were amazing (and expensive)! But, I think the heated white tent with two chandeliers, couches, chocolate fondue, shrimp, etc. was worth it. It was a great reunion for many of us.

This weekend marks my "21st" birthday (plus 17... ugh!) and the Superbowl... So, the fun shall continue... What a way to begin 2008! Cheers!

Regan's Birthday Invitation

Here is a copy of Regan's 5th birthday invitation. (I just finished making it.) I'm looking forward to a tea birthday party. It should be so fun and cute!

Happy New Year!

I hope your holidays were wonderful... Now, we are on to the next event... Doug & Regan's birthdays are on January 11th.