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. : )

Jackpot!!

That's what the kids hit when they were at Tiffy's house in May. We had family dinner at Tiff and Robert's house. It was the week that we were going on a trip to ATL. Tiffy mentioned that she would pay 5 cents per pine cone that the kiddos picked up. Before you know it, word spread, and all the kids were out in her yard cashing in (except for Ethan and Gigi). This came at a good time for the kids to earn money for souveneirs. I think that they ended up having to put a $5 cap per child. Don't you just love child labor?!

Jonah picked up multiple bags.

I love this picture of Amber! She had a good time.

It felt like Easter, Round 2!

Ali and Su getting a piece of the action.

Happy 9th Birthday, Ethan!

This year Ethan wanted to have a sleepover, but they had a baseball game on Friday night. So, we decided to go all out and have a 7 hour birthday party. I am a nut job! Anyways, the kids had a blast. That's all that matters. Here are some pics of the kids playing in the water.

Here's Amber, Camron H., Jonah, and Conner

Here's Jonah and Vince showing the other kids how the Del Priore's do a water balloon toss. We actually filled up 200 water balloons. That amounts to about 10 minutes of fun.

These pictures speak for themselves. You know that Roc had to get a piece of the action. I love my "big kid"! He looks too happy!

Ethan...so vicious! Attackkkkkk.

Vince and Jonah are usually on the same page.

Bittersweet-Part 2

Welcome our new family pet, Sunshine. We had a nice little break from pets for a few months. But, we could no longer hold the kids off. So, after Family Home Evening we went and picked this little guy up. I much prefer cute and fuzzy to scaly and shedding. Ethan wanted yet another reptile. But, it was someone else's turn to pick the pet.

Bittersweet...Mr. Iguana

Well, we finally hit our breaking point with Mrs. (not a typo) Iguana. After a trip to the vet. We decided that Mrs. Iguana held no place in our future. So, reluctantly...Rocco took her back to the Flea Market. She's in a better place. When we carefully broke the news to the kids that she was gone, they acted unphased. I'm pretty sure that Rocco and I were more depressed about the situation than the kiddos. They just said, "Can we get another pet??". Stay tuned for part 2.

Easter 2010

I've probably already touched on this in years passed. But, real quick...Roc's family's tradition made it into our home. The kids have to find their baskets on Easter Morn. Enjoy!

Ethan found his basket in his clothes basket in his closet.

I'm sure you can figure out where Jonah's was...

Amber had a basket in a bag.

Giana found hers in the "refrigerator"!

Where did this guy come from?! Brandon was still crashing with us on Easter. Sorry, there are no pics of the festivities. The files are too big. I'm gonna just scrapbook Easter pictures. They are hard to narrow down.