Preschool Party-Halloween

As I said, I'm jumping through hoops to keep Gigi engaged this year.  So, we decided to have a Halloween party for some of her friends.  Here are some of the things we did.  Not seen, reading time and Preschool packets.

 Cute little spider plates that Amber helped me make.

 We had to counter all of the sweets with a veggie jack-o-lantern.

 Mummy juice boxes, ghetto style.  I suggest springing for the crepe paper instead of using toilet paper.:)

 We made "Haunted Houses" for our sweet treat.  I was able to introduce the kids to Pop Rocks!  That was a lot of fun.

 They played Ghost bowling, where our pumpkin got split.  We never did carve him!

This is why I do all of the craziness. 

Meanwhile, at the beach-

Here are a few pics from our vaca at the beach:

 Rocco and Gabriel goofing off at the beach.  We had to take Gabriel to experience one of these stores. 

 Some indoor pool time, Jonah, Ethan, and Giana

Notice Giana's feather.  She had to go along with her sister and take part in this fad.

What to do ...

...when throwing a baby shower and you won't be there!!  My family decided to take a vacation together. The only weekend that they could do it, was the weekend of a shower I was throwing.  So, I had to leave the event in the capable hands of my Single Adult friends.  I had thrown a shower with them before and knew they could handle it.  So, I pre-cooked most of the food with them.  We set up my house days before (the day I left).  And lastly, decorated.  Other than an exeptional amount of Walmart runs, it went well!

My "Friendly Reminders"!!

**Breaking News** The Tooth Fairy has been abducted!!

This is what Ethan left for Amber when she lost her tooth.  I always wondered why his handwriting was so bad, because he is a TROLL!!LoL

Citizenship-Oct.

For part of Ethan and Cam's Citizen Pin, they needed to help out with a project in the community.  So, they went to a school beautification project.  This is a tree that they planted near the playground.  I thought that it will be fun for them to look at it in the future and see how the tree will have grown with them. (Also seen: Jonah, not seen: Rocco)

Library Time

Seeing as how Giana is at home by herself this year, I have to come up with different outings for her.  One thing that we do every week is go to the library for story time.  She picks out books and colors pictures as well.  She colored a squirrel on this day and had to take a pic.

Conference Weekend-Oct.3

My whole life, Conference weekend has been an untouchable weekend.  It doesn't matter what is going on, we can not do it.  Fortunately, my husband agrees, and therefore has to sacrifice "Football Saturday" during this.  We have put a new spin on this time.  As a child, I went to church for countless hours.  Circa 2011-We watch Conference at home, dress in p.j.'s, and eat lots of yummy food!  It has become a time that we truely anticipate.

 Rocco make some omelets for breakfast.

 Ethan is pretty cozy on the couch.  I print Conference packets for the kids to do.  This year, we had a candy bar.  At random points during the weekend, if the kids were being reverent, they could go and scurry the bar for 5 seconds.

I love this.  Amber is working so intently.  This year, I also had crafts for the girls to do.

 The last session, we had friends over to make caramel apples.  They would love me putting these pics on.  The caramel was very sticky!

Miscellaneous-October 2011

 Giana has been missing her friend, Norie.  These two were inseperable last year, but she went to school this year.  So, we set up a playdate on an "early release" day.  They had some s'more cups that I made.

This is what I see each week at scouts, a bunch of hoodlums.  We were goofing off this night.  They recently moved me to the Webelos class (10yr. olds).  So, I'll see ya' in 2 years boyz!!

Giana and I dropped Papa off at the airport for a business trip.  "Parting is such sweet sorrow".

Primary Program-Sept. 2011

I had to take a picture of these girlies.  They had their Primary Program and were all coordinating.  I just thought it was so funny, because it wasn't planned.  Amber has a lot of girls her age at church.  One has already moved away.  But, hopefully she will be able to keep this core group of friends.

Amber's Dance Career

We got Amber all signed up for ballet this Fall.  She has been wanting to dance for awhile.  So, we went shopping and got her the supplies she needs.  Her recital will be in May...

Pappy's Pond

As the kids get older, they enjoy my dad's pond more.  We got together for Labor Day at my parent's house.

Amber and her friend, and Giana ready for a Boat Ride!!

Ethan was preparing his pole like a pro.  Amber was making sure that her's even had all of the parts.

Here is Rocco, Gabriel (our exchange student), and the girls.  Rocco is not a fisherman.  However, he does what he needs to for the kids!!

I'm sure my dad wouldn't approve of this pic, but it makes me laugh!!  What you can't see, is that he is standing on a wooden bar suspended on the dock...LoL!

September 3rd, Our 12th Anniversary

This is where we ate.  It's a new restaurant downtown.  Brings us back to our honeymoon!  Funny how quickly we met and got engaged.  But, are still as blissfully happy as the day we met!!

1st Day of School-August 17th?

Everybody looks so fresh and ready to go!  I feel like the first hour of the day is the most chaotic!!  Somehow we make it out on time, (I hate being late).  The kids all used their bookbags, lunch boxes, and tennis shoes from the last year.  I don't buy every year.  Ethan is in 5th grade, Jonah is in 3rd, and Amber is in 1st grade...Giana goes in next year!!

1st Annual Raingutter Regata

We did a real regatta in Scouts this year.  The soap boats last year didn't cut it.  We did it in August thinking that it would be a perfect activity for the Summer.  I think the boys almost hyperventilated though!  They were excited.

Jonah

 Ethan's awards, and boat.

Jonah won 2nd place all around.  Good going!  He must have some good lungs.

Museum with Cousins

We had a lot of fun at the Museum with our +2.  It seemed best to keep everyone busy!

Amber and KateLyn's Shark Attack

 I know they look like a bunch of demons...bc they are!

 We spent about 30 minutes of our trip on climbing this tire! :)

Sister shot

Misc. Summer 2011

These are pictures of our stop in Louisiana.  We wanted to stop at the Louisiana Boardwalk on our way home from Texas.  You can tell it was HOT!  We brought back our neice and nephew (Kate Lyn and Levi).

Amber, Giana, KateLyn, Levi, Ethan, and Jonah 

We were able to go blueberry picking this year.  We were able to freeze a lot more with more workers.  It's a hot job, but it definately saves a lot of $$.

Summer Tennis

FUN FACT-Rocco coached tennis 2 times this year.  He enabled the boys to play for free.  The first season, both boys were on his team.  The second season, they were split into different age groups.  Since Rocco was with Jonah, I was incharge of being with Ethan.  He looks like he could be good at it, if he sticks with it.

My Sista!!!

One of my favorite past times-raiding my Sisters cosmetic supplies.  Then getting all dolled up for T.J.'s!

Strawberries and Birthdays(Apr.28,2011)

This year, our tradition of Strawberry picking was moved to a new location.  We weren't impressed and it's gotten expensive.  So, we took a short trip to keep with tradition and to get strawberries for Mimi's b-day party.

Giana with Aunt Tiffy...Yummy!
We decided to order Mexican food and to make a special drink.  For dessert I had the crazy idea to try out churro making.  They were delish!  And of course we got some good laughs out of the way the churros looked. LoL

Mimi and Pappy trying out our concoction.  It was a winner!

Mimi's present time with: Me(mirror), Summer, Ali, Amber,Jonah

The kitchen crew: Robert and Rocco in the background cranking out the fried dough. Tiffany shaking said dough with cinnamon and sugar. Me-messing around.
Below: This was a successful project.  Dip the churros in the strawberry sauce...Delish.