Ali's Baptism

My neice was baptized July 2010. My Mom made her dress, of course. It's beautiful, isn't it?! She was excited to have her big day, as were we. Her grandparents came from California. It was a special experience. In attendance was my family her grandparents and 2 friends. So, you could feel the Spirit there.

The girl cousins. These girls really enjoy being together. Summer, Ali, Amber, and Giana
The kids were able to sing "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized".

Ali asked her aunts to give the 2 talks. It was great to be able to participate in this time of her life. I look forward to being with her at the temple one day too.

August 2010

I'm out of chronological order. These pics were taken by Uncle Robert. They are high quality, so I have a hard time uploading them, but they are good. Tiff and Robert went to a drive-in movie with us. It was kinda a last HURRAH before the kids went back to school. We watched Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me. They were 2 good ones, and it was an interesting experience. We took advantage of our van's transforming abilities.
Here below is Jonah sitting on one of the seats. Amber is getting herself a beverage.

Doesn't it look like there should be plenty of room?! And yet there wasn't. We had some good laughs that night.

Here's Amber, Gigi, and J-man being entertained before the shows started. This "train" just went round and round in a circle! They must've been desperate. : )

Preschool

After 3 kids made it into school, I finally got around to an organized preschool. I've had desires for the others to do preschool with me. However, unless others are involved, I'm just not devoted enough. But, thanks to a close friend, we committed. I must say, it's been needed. Giana has been so lonely at home alone. I have enjoyed exploring my creative side to come up with fun learning opportunities.

Here are the girls learning up and down. They also took turns getting flipped up and down by yours truely.

This is what they do as soon as they get to preschool to get them going. I was lucky enough to be the first preschool day. They were very excited. I'm grateful for the tools that I've acquired so that I can teach these girls. (First day was the first Tues. in Sept.).

#11

Well, we made it to 11 years. It's hard to remember life without you babe! Here we are sharing in our love for food (Charlotte).

Go Cocks!

This year we decided that we should make it a tradition to watch the kick-off game together. So, we all dressed in our USC tees. I even went and got Cocky tattoos for the kids cheeks (which I was informed was a No-Go for the boys). When I dropped the kids at school, everyone was wearing their colors proud. You could tell that my kids felt good about showing their team spirit with everyone else. I got choked up(j/k). But, seriously...I often wonder if other people feel the same about their teams as Gamecock fans. I mean, I get gitty when football season is here! So, here's what our tailgating looked like:

Is this shirt not perfect for Roc? I almost bought a matching one for Frank! The boys wearing their colors.

I hate that I didn't get a pic of her in the morning. She looked cute, and not so tore up.

Again, next time in the morning. Amber wasn't wearing a poodle skirt, and had her hair in pigtails. She's drinking a milkshake that Ethan made.

Jonah helped my cook. Can you tell that this boy loves his Mama's ribs?

Here's Ethan looking up recipes for some treats.

The End.

Say What?!?

Since I'm in Cub Scouts, I pick up 2 other boys on the way to church. It is a trip listening to 3 boys talking. Ethan is getting so big, and catching their conversations reminds me of that.
So, here's a peak at what I get to hear each week!

Friend: "I hope this caterpillar isn't making babies on me."
then- "Oh...it can't make babies 'til it becomes a butterfly."

Ethan: "Duuhh! It's not like they turn 18 and shoot babies out of their butts."

Where do they come up with this stuff??!!

August 17th-Back to School

Brace yourselves! I had pink eye & a sinus infection when the kids started school. But, thank goodness Roc was able to take the kids in. He was accomodating, and agreed to take pictures of the kiddies for me. It was Amber's first day of school! We were so excited for her, she had a pre-K program for about a month before school started. So, she was familiar with the school and her teacher already. Jonah started 2nd and Ethan started 4th. They are getting so big!


I know I look scary, but this is what me and Gigi looked like on the kids first day. I love this pic of her!

Ethan putting his stuff up.

Amber loves her teacher. She is so excited, she finally made it! K's theme is Candy Land, cute.

3 down and one to go!

Amber is always willing to pose.

We always go back and forth with breakfasts and lunches, however this year we have a good system down. I don't like sending the kids to school after only cereal. So, I make a "real" breakfast and Roc makes the kids luches. This has been a big help. I'm so grateful for a husband who is so willing to share "the load".

Tic Toc, School's almost Here!

Before the kids went back to school, we went to 5 points for our "last hoorah"! I've been hearing about this candy shop, but hadn't made it there yet. As a parent, it's fun to be able to let the kids enjoy something like this! (August)

Back Home

But of course we were glad to have him back home. It was tough not being able to talk to him. In this day with so much technology, we talk all the time... While he's at work, on the way home from work, or wherever we go apart. But, as if having him home wasn't enough-he brought home some goodies!

He was pretty jet lagged by now, but managed to stay awake to shower the kids with souveneirs!

Rocco's Scotland Trip-July

Rocco got to go to Scotland for work. Here are some of the photos that he brought back to share with us...

Really?! He brought back these pictures, and this is the only one with him in it!

Del Priore Girls

Sweet memories. I love my girls. My biggest wish is that you will feel close to me.

Summer storm power outage

What do you do when the power goes out? That's what the kids found out this Summer. We didn't have power for about 2 hours, which never happens.
Gigi wanted to take pics of herself.

Jonah had some reading time with Mom.

Ethan did pretty much the same thing...played Legos. He just made sure to do it by the window!

ATL Part 2

Our last day on vacation. Went to worlds largest aquarium. Our kids are huge animal lovers, so were so excited to get to do this. We finished our trip with a stop at "Varsitys". Uncle Alex told us about this joint, and we passed it several times, so we had to stop.

I'm seen here holding a take out box of hot dogs, etc. Gigi fell asleep while we waited for our food. It had been a long day. The other kids (seen below) enjoyed some frozen treats!

There were several touch pools at the aquarium where the kids could really experience the creatures. Kristin, Ehtan, Jonah, Amber, and Gigi really enjoyed themselves.

Again, its so nice to have a pic together. My boys are so helpful. They are always willing to give Gi piggy backs, help with the bathroom, and they are concerned for her well being. Just this morning, Gi was crying for me. I asked Ethan to bring her to me, and the girl freaked out. Ethan comes in, holding her against her will and he was crying. He thought she was hurt and was so worried about her. He said, "It's just so sad". Ethan is tenderhearted, I hope he is that was for his wife one day.

Here's a cute pic of Amber crawling under a fish tank.

I'm so grateful that we have been able to expose our kids to the things that our world has to offer us. I look forward to experiencing more things with them.

ATL Part 1

In May, we took the kiddos on a sabatical to ATL. Roc had a conference there, so we took advantage of a free hotel room. Kristin came with us, since he would be MIA. She has become an extention of our family. So, our first day, we went to a museum and The Chascak Factory.

Here's Kristin, Ethan, and Jonah infront of the cakes. Jonah was in heaven-and so was I!

Here's Ethan and Jonah at one of those electricity balls.

Me and Gigi acting silly. Some sort of giant shell. We had to get creative, this museum was not all that.

Here's the boys infront of a gigantisaurus fossil.

Thanks Kristin for the family pic, these are few and far between. I love Amber's hair like this.

It's only a 4 hour drive!

I thought it would be fun for the kids to not only remember their vacations, but the trip as well. I know that a couple of cross country trips brought for a lot of memories! We were well prepared for our Atlanta trip. Kristin came with us to help out and lend support since Roc was really going to work. There's more to come.

Jonah is modeling our travel version of Chutes and Ladders.

We brought library books and rented their dvd's to play on the laptop.

I would just like to take a minute to pay tribute to my computer. This laptop is like a Mother; it is expected to be several things. And, it has never let us down. It doesn't seem to mind if the kids step on it, spill stuff on it, throw it, open/close and open/close it, has to perform as a car dvd player, etc...

Ethan is always found with his nose stuck in a book. Love it.

And this was the view that the adults got. I swear there was like 10 different cords. It was insane, I love modern technology. : )