Welcome baby Thomas James!

We have a new baby. #8 has arrived full of pure and sweet perfection. Thomas James was born on Monday, March 24th to a very proud, but exhausted, Mom and Dad. He was 9 pounds 2 ounces and has the longest fingers and hair I have ever seen on such a small person! We enjoyed the other 7 children for the day and were thrilled to be able to hold the baby at the ripe old age of 9 hours!

Matthew and William have spent the past 6 days here in Traverse City on their Spring Break. Boy, do I have pictures and stories to share. That will come tomorrow :)

I'm being called for the last Ho Rah... Movie in Our bed. I believe the movie of choice is "My Dog the Thief". All the animals are always dragged in for the movie by little Will... I think they are going to be sad to see the boys go... they will sure miss the attention! Don't judge me by the state of my room in this picture... It just goes to show that we have had way to much fun to even think about keeping things tidy.

Lazy Days spent Lying Around

The little prince
(fat)




Best Friends Forever



Lucy picks the silliest places to fall asleep!



I have finally downloaded pictures of my adorable Lazy Little Pets. Winter can be long and hibernation seems to be well accepted by all our furry friends.

Change

This morning was the first morning in a LONG time that I walked outside at 6:30 and took a big deep breath in and smelt the first hint of spring time coming. Even if we end up getting 3 more snowstorms (which I heard is very likely possible) there is still that understanding that this winter will actually end.
Life is always in motion, things are always busy. But, we are managing to keep our heads above water and continue to strive towards our goals and aspirations.
Reilly is narrowing his choices down for medical schools and we will be deciding between living in Detroit or Lansing come July. It is unbelievable to think this year is coming to an end. It is very bittersweet indeed.
I have been keeping myself very busy- I have been cleaning my gym for some extra money and trying to do well in my classes. Marathon training is going very well... I have finally realized that I am actually capable of running this marathon- and I am going to do it well! My goal: RUN THE WHOLE TIME!
Count DOWN: 74 Days.

Next week is very special for me!! My two little rascal brothers are coming to visit! Watch out, they are flying alone! I can't wait to have them, and I feel so lucky that they want to spend their spring break at the Hobbs House! We will surely show them a good time.
Cute Animal Pictures to Come

A Kiss from Me to You

Love is a many splendid thing,
Love lifts us up where we belong,
All you need is love...
(I was having a bad hair day.. don't hold it against me)

Friday Night Date

We decided to go snowshoeing for our Friday night date! It was a beautiful night.. and we pretended we were spies discovering forbidden territories in the trails behind the old State Hospital- Which was at one time A full operating Mental Hospital. Always fun when you spend time with Reilly and Rachael.

This is for Daddy!

Well Dad, I promised that I would capture Reilly's excitement when opening the incredible present you sent him. He was utterly surprised because Rachael is the one who is usually getting the packages and surprises... Why would anyone have thought of Reilly???? Well Dad, you pulled through- You scored major points with the husband.... If this is his reward for getting into medical school, I can't wait to see what he gets when he actually becomes a Doctor- A new Ferrari or a Porche... Vacation for 2 to Tahiti... sounds great! Sorry its sideways... And sorry for the profanities... he was just really excited.

This is for my Mommy!

Lots of Snow, Lots of Fun!!!
We just got home from a 3 mile walk and Lucy still has a whole lot of energy... I don't know how those little legs do it!
I miss you Mommy!

My little Dachshund Doesn't Feel Very Well

Little Lucy had surgery on Thursday and is not feeling at all like her spiffy self. She is so sleepy and sad... :( But, I must admit, it is kind of cute to have her all snuggly and clingy! She is precious.
We are snowed in on Harry's Road and Boy is it frightful out there! The wind is Howling and the snow is Blowing! We have passed the time with very competitive games of trivial pursuit and Scrabble. Papa Hobbs Dominated every game!

Lucy is too Cute

My little snuggle bug

A tale of Christmas Past

The Holidays have come and gone, and not much has changed... We made a few New Year's Resolutions, some that we will actually keep, of course and others- not so much. It was a Christmas of amazing gifts, both materialistic and opportunistic :)
Materialistic Bests: The North Face Fleece, The Beautiful Sparkling Jewelery from William, and my organic homemade Yogurt Maker. Reilly Thought Kate Really pulled through this year with her gift for him... Matching "Rocky" Adidas Jumpsuit looks awfully sharp on the ol' chum.... Hmmm he's actually wearing it right now-
Christmas day in itself was a gift. Reilly and I woke up very early Christmas morning and put on our aprons and headed out to meet the "members" of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health. The Bata buses weren't running on Christmas day so Reilly drove around town picking up various "clients" that didn't have anyone to spend their day with. It was a really a special way to spend Christmas... and it was nice to be able to experience Reilly's job and how he spends every day!
We went to Matt and Mindie's Cabin for New Years and it was wonderful :) We went snow showing on the Marquette River- Beautiful!!!! But, for some of us, snow showing didn't come as naturally- They all blamed it on the fact that I'm from New Jersey. I don't think that has anything to do with it....
And now, I am back in school and having fun in Biochemistry and Genetics. It ought to keep me out of trouble for a few more months until ... THE NEXT BIG MOVE!!!!! More to come :)