Carlie's Room Make-over

Our youngest daughter has decided the days of pink and Tinkerbell have come and gone! She informed us that since she will be in middle-school next year, she should have a room that reflects this age.

Good-bye Pink and Frilly

Good-bye Fairy net
Hello Blue and Green!
The Wall of awards!

Tim's childhood dresser, that has seen many different colors over the years!

The blue on the wall is really fabulous!

It looks better in real life!

Doesn't this picture fit in so well with the color

combo?

Tha hanging letters, that injured my finger!

How could the hammer mistake my finger for a nail?!

Carlie loves her new space!!

Happy Valentines

Look what showed up at our door yesterday!

We were so surprised that the man of the house would send yummy treats to all his girls! He had even done this while out of town on travel!

Since he was coming home that evening, we only ate the box of chocolate strawberries, and saved the boquet for him to see!

It was de-lish.............

Christmas in California

Snow was on the ground in Southern California, when we landed! It was colder here than Maryland! My brother Mike and I

Jet Lag

4 generations at our favorite place to eat

Granlunds!

Hiking in Joshua Tree

The whole gang:Grandpa Grandma Tim Carol Ashley Bethany Carlie Mike Christie Megan Collin and Joshua

Christmas Day

Corvettes in San Deigo

Hotel Del Coronado in San Deigo

Merry Christmas!!

We opened presents early this year....as we will be a Grandpa and Grandma's for Christmas!

Bethany got her wish...a TV w/DVD for her room...I guess Santa thought she had been good this year!

Ashley is into music, music and more music...she can now play all she wants with headphones on!!

Carlie awaiting the anticipation of what could be in the box!

Watch out Hannah Montanna....here I come!!!!!

Come in for a Christmas Tour..........

Step on in....sit down and have a mug of hot cocoa!

We apologize for the small tree...but we kept it more low scale this year, since we will be gone!

The Candy Tree...one of my favorite!

I bought these ornaments at my favorite candy store in CA..Granlunds.

This tree is our collection of places we visit tree.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

The Pooles

Tim Carol Ashley Bethany and Carlie

Ashley in Marching Band

Ashley is in the Great Mills Marching Band this year! She usually plays the clarinet, but they needed an extra barritone player, so that is what she played. She has done a really great job, and the band put on a great half time show at the football games. Ashley compete in many band competitions throughout the Fall and has enjoyed every minute of it!

The Magic of Forty!

Hitting a certain age can cause one to stop and take pause. I have just reached the big 40! I have been saying that today's 40 is the new 30, but I have to admit I am still in shock over turning what I had always considered middle aged.
So in turning 40, I started to think about what that meant! Today, I don't feel how I thought 40 would feel. I don't feel old, and yet I know I am not young anymore either. I would like to think with this age has come some wisdom, as I have been around the block a "couple times" now. I have been through hard times and have survived! I have stored up wonderful memories from the past 40 years, that are mine to keep! I have a wonderful husband, three fabulous girls, a loving family and some incredibly special friends. Its been at times a long journey, but yet in retrospect an incredibly swift journey. So to quote " Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.”

This quote will always work too-"
“35 is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years.”

So here are some things I have been told by fellow 40 somethings: "You will make it through", "It's not that bad", "I feel more in control at 40 and happy with myself", "You don't look 40 at all" (I like that one),"It's about time you joined us" and "40 is great"! So I guess I will just embrace it and move on...........................................

National Junior Honor Society

Tonight Bethany was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at Spring Ridge Middle School. To be asked to be in the Society, you have to have a 3.5 or better (Bethany has a 4.0-okay parents can brag a little) and have been a leader in your community. We are very proud of her and her friends who made it in!

Allison, Ashley, Amanda, Krista, Michelle,(not sure), Bethany!