WE ARE FAMILY....

There is nothing I love more than spending time with my family....

Last weekend, I was able to spend time (like the old days--NO KIDS) with my whole family!

I love talking with my mom without interruption, 

I love being silly with my brother,

I love dancing with my dad!

I love eating nothing but Italian food,

And of course....

I love spending time with just my husband....

no kids,

nothing to do,

 but spend time together....

I know everyone is biased to their own family, and that is the way it should be,

I am sure YOU think YOU have the best family,

and YOU probably have the best family for YOU.....

So let me show you why

I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH ANYONE BETTER FOR ME!!!

We are an awesome family,

we are ALL different, 

that is why when we are together.....

it is so good, so fun, so filling to my heart!!

I am ME because of THEM.....

 Me and the love of my life!

 I love my brother!

 Why didn't we think of those...

 Doesn't she look awesome.....especially since 2 hours before this picture, she passed a kidney stone!

 My Aunt and Uncle.....

 One big Italian Family

 Besty and Bert 

 my other brother.....

 Me and my Mom!

 Pretty much my two favorite Men (plus my daddy, of course)

Daddy's Girl...

My life is so blessed because of ALL of them....

Week-End Recap

So...Here is my week-end recap....

 Starting off this week I was feeling a little under the weather...  I was pretty sure that it was because I had too much fun (which I will never do again, but that is for another post) with my family over the weekend.  However,  I am thinking now as our week is ending...it in fact was not attributed to the amount of fun had over the past weekend, I was more than likely SICK!  (that will not effect my decision to never have that much fun again though...)
Sick? Well, since Wednesday I have been taking temperatures, cleaning up vomit, and nursing sick children!  UGH!!!!

Gigi was the first to fall and now it's Garyn.....I hope that we are all back to 'normal' before the Bunny arrives...

But germs and ALL, we still managed to have a pretty fun week!!

The kids found their Easter baskets.....any guesses of what's on them???  Ding, Ding.....to NO surprise, Cars and Princess'.
We dyed and painted a few dozen eggs.

Gigi made Easter Bunny cookies and Ice Cream Sandwiches.

This is Gianna at her finest...she clearly is feeling better!
(just as a side note- she has NOT STOPPED TALKING ALL DAY TODAY....she obviously is making up for her lack of it over the past few days....)

The few activities we were able to "fit in" between the fevers and pukes were ALOT of fun!!


I hate seeing my kiddos sick....and they HATE seeing each other sick too.  If fact, they both cried when we told them they had to sleep separately... (if you do not already know, my kids have to be next to one another to fall asleep.  Usually to fall asleep, they have to hold hands or their heads have to touch one another.)  So, when they can't be together, it makes for a harder bedtime for EVERYONE!

To make it a little easier for everyone, we let them stay up and have a 'party' while the other sick one was resting....
Since Gigi was first to fall, Garyn had his party first.  We ate chips and sipped on pop (a treat in and of itself) while he experienced his first viewing of American Idol.  He had so much fun....and we did too!!  While we were watching Idol, I asked him if he would like to take a trip with just Mommy and Daddy (their own special trip) and he QUICKLY said, "What about Gigi?"  "We can't go without her."  Very sweet and thoughtful and just another example of how they cannot be separated....

And then it was Gigi's turn, we ate pretzels and juice and watched My Little Pony....she loved her 'sleep over' but definitely didn't last as long as Garyn!

Even though my heart was sad to see my kiddos each sick, I was confident they both would recover quickly... so I took advantage of my one on one time with each of them....
It was a tiring week, but a fun week too!

I love being their Mommy....in sickness and health!

Water Changes Everything.....Share the word.....

Why I love her.....

Love....just listen, listen.....

Spring Break 2011

I am so sad to see the week come to an end....

We had such a wonderful week!!

Our break started off with an awesome visit from GaGa...

The kids were spoiled with lots of love, attention, and, of course, presents...

We took the kids to Toys R Us...

OH MY WORD...

They both were so excited, everything they saw was "AMAZING."

 Gianna still wants everything, and most things will end up in the cart (and then Mommy will secretly take them out.)  But, Garyn finally, finally understands the 1 toy rule and no longer gets upset.....His deliberation time may be a bit longer, but he always makes confident decisions!!  Let's just say, we

have come a long way....(proud mama moment)

We took GaGa to our Children's Museum.  Although we go often,  our trips never disappoint.

Our favorites on this trip were: dinosaurs, barbie, water works, and Dora and Diego.

Of course, GaGa let Mommy and Daddy enjoy some "spring break" time too.  Ryan and I enjoyed a Sunday Mass ALONE, grocery shopping together and ALONE, a night to shop and go out to eat ALONE.  It was a great night....UNTIL.....

the story....

Ryan treated me to some new work out clothes, spent more than I wanted (man, those work out clothes are expensive....) Therefore, an expensive meal was out, so we went for a small meal at Chili's (which by the way is my favorite place to eat...much more my speed than an expensive meal at a 'fancy' restaurant.)

Anyways, if any of you know Ryan, you will know he is 'THAT' guy.....the guy who parks away from everything and everyone so his car doesn't get a door ding....

BUT for whatever reason (being at the right moment at the right time), this particular night, he decided to park "Hollywood," and park in front of the restaurant.  So of course, I questioned it.....but he responded, it will be fine.....

WELL,

No more than a few seconds passed, I was closing the door and WHAM!!!!!!!!!  A young man driving a large truck pulls out of a parking space and SCRATCH, BAM, hits the car and up on the curb he goes....I took one look at the guy and yelled for Ryan to call the police.  It was clear this guy was under the influence of something....

Long story short, police were called, the guy blew a 1.9 and was arrested on the spot....

Result of the evening:

Scratched car will need repaired BUT that is IT.....a car can be repaired....Thankfully, he hit our car and not another person on the road....
Moral of story- DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!

On Wednesday, our GaGa had to go home, but our break was far from over...

We packed, jumped in the car and drove to St. Louis, MO, for a few day getaway!
It was a WONDERFUL, FUN time
First stop, dinner at Fitz's Soda Shop; Rootbeer floats and good eats!

Garyn and Gigi looking and investigation the Soda factory

The kids looking through the glass at the city


We visited the St. Louis Zoo....
(for those of you who do not already know, we are taking our kids on a "Zoo Across America" adventure.  Last year we visited Cincinnati, Indy, Pittsburgh, and Louisville Zoo.)
The St. Louis Zoo has received 5 stars and is currently number 1 on our list of visited zoo's.
The best part about this zoo...IT WAS FREE!

Our favorite animal:
the Black Jaguar!!
Garyn has been waiting to see a black jaguar/panther/puma in person, and when Ryan researched the zoo, he mentioned to Garyn the zoo had a black jaguar.   So of course, it was the only thing he 'really' wanted to see....
Well, much to our disappointment, he wasn't out....the spotted jaguar was out for 'show.'  (Well, if you know Garyn, you know he wasn't going to be content until he knew why the black jaguar wasn't out.)
So, all by himself, he found a zoo keeper, approached them by himself, and asked about the missing jaguar.  He learned they do a jaguar change at 3:30pm because the two do not get along.....
Therefore, our day was planned around the 3:30 time of the "changing of guard."
Garyn learned how the change takes place...they use feeding time and bones to lead the animals to their appropriate spots.
We returned to the Red Rock just in time to watch the change....
I will say this:
IT was AWESOME!
Awesome to watch Garyn so excited, to see a Black jaguar that close was amazing....beautiful animal!!

 spotted jaguar

 the bone for the black jaguar

one happy, happy boy!


It was a full and fun day followed by pizza, popcorn, and ice cream!

Gigi watching Dewy's making our pizza!

On Friday, it was off to the Magic House.  This is St. Louis' Children's Museum.  It was an amazing place for kids.  Full of imaginary play, music, math, poetry and so much more!!!!!
Here are a few pictures to capture the day....

 We were capturing them in a bubble...awesome!

 I loved all of the different "did you know signs."

 Magnet fun!

 secret hideaway house

 this is what he said he wants to do when he "grows up"

 loved fishing

 ice cream anyone

just for you PapPap!

my little Jack and the Beanstocks

 Playing store was her FAVORITE

Future baby doctor??

Louis and Clark Adventure

Needless to say, it was a VERY fun and educational getaway!!!!


My life is good, my love is full, and my family makes my heart laugh!!!!