Aunt Gina visits from FLA!

Aunt Gina's week started with reading to the kids...she brought gifts of books to the kids. She also brought the heat with her from FLA! Poor Aunt Gina-she hates flying, but did it to see family, and then the ride home from the airport was VERY long in high heat-no air conditioning in Vinny's truck, no radio...basically no anything! They were stuck in traffic on the Hood Canal Bridge for an hour-ugh! But when she made it here to Sequim we were so excited to see her!

Our first day with Aunt Gina brought a trip to Hurricane Ridge. We had a great time hiking on the trails and enjoying a picnic, looking at this view!

Gianna loved being with her Aunt Gina!

The kids followed Aunt Gina around like little ducklings.

Sibling love!

On the second day Gina and I enjoyed visiting the Lavender Farms and shopping at the little stores in downtown Sequim. She LOVED our town! After shopping, we went to the Sunland pool- yes we were able to go in...no longer banned!!! Let Vinny Swim, Let Vinny Swim!!

Vinny took his sister to the Dungeness Spit Rec. Area and walked along the beach path!

The third day we took Gina to Port Townsend and walked along the waterfront. We also visited Fort Worden-one of our family's favorite places to go!

Watching jellyfish below was fun for the kids!

Dom and Aunt Gina climbed to the top of the bunkers at Fort Worden.

We walked to the lighthouse at Fort Worden and watched the boats, enjoying the breeze on the hot day.

On our last day we headed to Oly, wanting to dip into our favorite lake, and see my parents. We had a great last day swimming and feeling a break from the heat.

Both kids went for a boat ride with Grandpa.

Dom let Grandpa hold him in the water, not screaming with terror! (Dad tried to take him earlier in the day and it was very traumatic!)

My best friend Marissa's family came out for the afternoon...what a treat!!

We could not get G out of the water-she is such a waterbug. What a difference from her brother! We ended with a barbecue, and had a wonderful close to our visit with Aunt Gina. Catch you on the East Coast in 2 years!

7 years...no itching!

Vinny and I have been married for 7 years now. This pic is from our 1st year anniversary trip to San Diego. I was a couple months pregnant at this time...feeling the morning sickness! Little did we know the blessings that would be bestowed upon us in the first seven years of marriage!

We went out to dinner for our anniversary, (Vinny's sister was visiting from FLA and she watched the kids for us!), and had a great time just being together. I love my husband with all of my heart and can't wait to see what the next 7 years brings us.

Women of Faith Conference

Lucky me...My friend Kim gave me the gift of a ticket to the Women of Faith Conference. We were off for 2 days of inspiration, bonding, laughing and crying, and singing. I had been wanting to go the conference for a few years but the timing had not worked out, and so this was the best gift...the stories inspired hope and music renewed my spirit.

While there the president of World Vision (who used to be the CEO of Lenox) talked about the organization and I was drawn to sponsor a child...Pheello is now a part of the Riccobenes! Her and Gianna have the same birthday and kids are so excited to write letters to her.

Kim-thanks for being an "Immet" to me! I can't wait to go again.

Summer loungin....

Today I am thankful that my friend Kim bought this incredibly cozy, comfy, soft outdoor living set for her back deck! I spent a solid 2 hours on this couch sprawled out!

Ahhh, I can't wait to go back...

Nick Turns 12!

Nick's party started with a Nerf gun war at the high school gym. They had the lights out and made walls of garbage cans, benches, and mats to hide behind. You would have thought it was real war with the way they were sooooo competitive! It was really fun to watch.

Team 1

Team 2

Rule #1-any talking back or disputing that you were hit results in 10 push-ups! Can you imagine how many push-ups happened???? The boys were great sports about it!

Dom's present to Nick

Air soft gun goggles-thank goodness!

Lovin' the water balloons!

Nick requested an ice cream cake so that is what he got!!!

The "bike formation" that they made up and rode around the neighborhood doing!

The spectators for the games/competitions...popcorn included!

The race was on!

When Vinny's team won first, the boys started stretching...they were amping up their chances!

The boys who stretched...were the boys who won!

The crew...such a fun group of kids! As the evening got later, the boys set up their sleeping bags and we all watched America's Got Talent until it was dark enough for flashlight tag. It was very cool just hanging out with all of the boys and talking...I don't think I would have ever wanted my parents around when I was 12 at a sleepover with my girlfriends...these boys thought nothing of it!

12 Great Things about Nick!

1. Nick makes friends wherever he goes-camping, the pool, the park...kids are naturally drawn to him!

2. Nick has amazing manners for a 12 year old! We always get compliments when he comes home from being away.

3. Nick can see how things work together to make a whole-even when others can't! (tent)

4. Nick is a keeper of family traditions...he loves the traditions that are dear to our family.

5. Nick loves to go on family walks...one of his favorite Sunday activities!

6.Nick guards our secret ingredient for the best chocolate chip cookies!

7. Nick is naturally talented at golf and running!

8. Nick has grown tremendously in the area of "persisting when things don't come easy."

9. Nick has AWESOME curly hair!

10. Nick is still a "spicy Italian"-loving all things spicy!

11. Nick is a great cuddler...we share a love of cozy blankets!

12. When Nick gets a gift for someone he really is thoughtful about the present-he notices things about the person, along the way, and remembers that when it is time to give a gift! (Someday his wife will be very thankful for this characteristic!)

Summer 2009 VBS Pics

DCC VBS Crazy Hair Night

Faith Lutheran VBS Performance-Gianna did not actually attend the VBS but she did not hesitate to join her brother and friends on the stage for some singing and dancing!

Out of Africa was the theme for the week and that is right up Dom's alley-since he has a fascination with Africa!

"Gianna's heart is happy!"

A couple of weeks ago we were driving and talking (the kids and I) and they were asking about God and where He lives...we talked about how He is everywhere and how He can also live in our hearts if we ask him to. So then Gianna said, "I want God to "yiv" in my heart." Once we got home Gianna and I said a little prayer and asked God to come and live in her heart. When we were done praying she said, "My heart is so happy!"

Camping at Cape Disappointment with the Eyfords

We had a great weekend camping on the coast with the Eyford family...the state park was BEAUTIFUL! Definitely the kind of place that requires a repeat!

Pop guns were all the rage!

Hiding out in the log forts on the beach

The man bike ride!

Resting and relaxing in the RV...

One of the sand sculptures in the contest at Long Beach

Working with the trick-kite was quite tricky...

We had a speed-racer on our hands! He zoomed out of the starting spot and did not decelerate until the end!

Gianna got a ride with her daddy! Nick went on the "fast track" but those pictures are on Shannon's camera...the Go-Carts were a highlight for the kids!