It's Been WAY too long!!!

My, oh my, it's been a long time since I've posted....probably because life has been so rich and full I've really not taken the time.........so, here's my best shot at that (mostly in pictorial form). Since November when I last posted Ric had his left knee replaced, Thanksgiving (with a great bacce ball tournament), Christmas, Daniel got a new puppy, Lucy, New Year's Day, a visit from Rachel, a visit from the Olshefski's, Daniel's birthday, the baby of 11 turned 50, Valentine's Day, a trip (mini vacation) to Wickenburg with the Ondashes and friends Matt & Cindy Vandiver, Rachel's birthday, my mother, a WASP, receives the Congressional Gold Medal, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Gabrielle's 2nd birthday, all four kids had changes in their jobs in one form or another, 4th of July, & another suprise visit from Rachel! Like I said, a rich and full 8 months...........in a nutshell!!! Here are a few pictures from Thanksgiving. The rest of the pictures will follow in the next posting. Enjoy!

Update to Veterans Day

Did a little digging and found these photos of my 4 nephews. Thanks guys for your service!

Peter and Robert Lucier - USMC

Kevin Lissner - USMC as of January, 2010
Antonio Harris - USMC

Honoring My Family this Veterans Day!

Below are pictures of my family (just the last 3 generations - there are generations before and after) that have served/are serving my country. They have selfishly given themselves so that I can FREELY CHOOSE the way I live, the way I raised my children, that I may choose the job I have, the way I worship and the freedom to speak/write my beliefs. Thank you seems so inadequate......but it is said with much love and deep, deep gratitude! Thank you Ralph, Phil, Charley, David, Robert, Peter, Antonio, and Kevin. I love you all!


(Paternal Grandfather) Ralph F. Lucier - Lt. - Army Infantry - WWI

(Father) Phillip J. Lucier - Lt. - US Navy - WWII

(Mother) Marcella "Charley" Fried Lucier - Pilot - WASP - WWII - recently bestowed the Congresstional Gold Medal

(Mother) Charley in her flight gear

(Brother) David F. Lucier - Army Special Forces (Green Baret) - Mike Force - Vietnam

(Brother)David recently inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame

Not pictured: currently serving: nephew Robert Lucier- USMC; nephew Peter Lucier - USMC; nephew Antonio Harris - USMC; nephew Kevin Lissner to begin serving in January, 2010 - USMC.......thank you for your "yes"!

Bumble Bee "G"

Last night we went out to Thomas and Lindsay's to "watch" Gabrielle trick-or-treat for the first time. She dressed up as a bumble bee complete with her flower pail because bees LOVE flowers much more than they do pumpkins! Of course, she was just adorable - the absolutely perfect costume for her. What really made the costume SOOOOOOO special is that Lindsay's mother, Kathy, made this costume for Lindsay in 1982 for Lindsay to wear for her first trick-or-treating adventure! Thanks Kathy......thanks Thomas and Lindsay! Truly makes the memories special! Enjoy the pictures!

Big Brother's Induction into the Arizona Veteran's Hall of Fame

Yesterday 9 out of my 10 sibs (brother Larry was with us in spirit and brother Charles was not able to make in from St. Louis - we missed you both) gathered to honor my oldest brother, David, as he was inducted (along with 18 others from around the state) into the Arizona Veteran's Hall of Fame. We were just so proud of him and honored to be with him/part of this very special moment in his life. Below are just a few pictures and a video of the actual induction.

The Colonial Color Guard from Marcos de Niza High School - presented and retired the colors

The Honorable Hugh Hullman, Mayor of the City of Tempe, close friend and personal guest of David's

Some of the inductees with Gov. Jan Brewer

The Fam - all 7 sisters, 2 brothers (including David), 2 nephews, 1 brother-in-law, 1 significant other

David with his plaque and medal - you rock bro!!

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Happy 28th Birthday Thomas! Just want to tell you how much we love you and how very proud we are of you. You are a wonderful son, brother, husband, and father!!! But most of all, we want you to know what a blessing and gift you are! Love ya bunches!

p.s. a little trivia - the night you were born was the 7th game of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers - Dodgers won - go National League!!!

It's Pumpkin Time & It's Party Time

This last weekend was spent going to a Halloween party and picking pumpkins with Thomas, Lindsay & Gabrielle. Saturday night our good friends Matt & Cindy held their 3rd annual Halloween/costume party. We had an absolute blast. Ric went as Caeser and Daniel went as Ric/Dad. I was a Roman Goddess! There was quite the group of characters that showed. We played Rat toss (aka Corn Hole) and mummy wrap complete with prizes for the best team as well as a prize for the best costume! The catered food was fabulous, spirits were high (both kinds), and fun was had by all!

Sunday afternoon we met up with Thomas, Lindsay and Gabrielle (as well as some of Lindsay's family) at Mother Nature's Farm. Every year they put on a "festival" for the entire month of October. It's a great place for families of young children to go and have some Fall fun! I love the way they post their admission prices. It reads: Children $7, Adults that want to tag along $3. Wonderfully, the $7 also includes a pumpkin and all the fun foam stickers you want to decorate the pumpkin of your choice. All of us, kids/parents/& grandparents, had a great time. They really have it down to a science - just enough "stuff" to do (very hands on) and all geared for little ones. Just look at what we did!


This was a nice big, SOFT hay bed for the kids to jump around in and throw the hay "high in the sky"!


Peek-a-boo


Gabrielle didn't just pick up the hay, she picked it up and CHUCKED/threw it as fast and hard as she could - she thought that was pretty cool stuff - that is once she got over her hands being a little dirty!

Look how tall I am!

Prettiest scarecrow on the farm!

I think I want this one!

Ooops, it's heavier than I thought!

Hurry up Grandpa - come on Papa!

Piece of cake!

See, I can do this myself!

Heading to the finish line!

Moooooooooooo.............

Ya gotta just LOVE fun foam stickers!

I'm a budding artist!

I'm ready to get otta here - anyone want to join me?

Daniel (aka Dad complete with Circle K coffee) & Ric (aka Caeser)

The cast of characters! Note the coffin/corn hole board!