Potty Training!

I finally decided to just do it! I had been putting it off for the past 6 months, even though Gianna would bring me a new diaper and wipes when she needed to be changed...I had just not had the energy to give to potty-train! (and she was not interested)

This past week, we got up one morning and I said you get to wear underwear today...she was excited. She held it in all morning until nap, which was the time I put a diaper on her, and then she filled the diaper. She then did the same thing after nap, held it until bedtime! ok...as long as she did not go in the underwear...she got an m&m everytime her underwear was dry.

The second day we had a full day planned and while we were at the beach for a playdate she went on the toilet! YEAH! I had to make her stay on the toilet, but once she started going and realized what it was like, she was excited. Later on she told me she had to go again...and she did!

Ever since then she has been doing great...our next hurdle is the tackling of the #2.

Father's Day Hike to Marymere Falls

Getting ready to hike...Dom had the "explorer belt" on with binoculars, compass, safety pouch, and a canteen! It used to be Nick's, but Nick has passed it on to Dom and he was very excited to be the wearer of the belt!

Starting off on the trail...all smiles!

About to enter the tunnel-exciting! The last picture we took in this spot I was about 5 months pregnant with Gianna! How quickly it goes...

It was not long before Gianna needed a little ride!

The kids hypothesized that lightening may have caused this to happen-but then Nick was wondering why there were no burn marks. Hmmm???

This tree was HUGE, and the picture does not do it justice!

We were fixated on all of the overly large trees!

Beef jerky break-we bought some DELICIOUS beef jerky at a roadside stand on the way, and this was only the first of many breaks! Beef jerky is a must on our hikes-Johnson's Smokehouse supplied us with the beef jerky for the first part of the hike, then we moved on to the roadside jerky! Thanks Auntie Jody!

Rock throwing at the river- as you can imagine there were many contests and competitions...we had to please Daddy on his day!

Loving the water-she is my water girl!

The waterfalls flowed down into this river that is behind us.

One of the bridges that crossed to get up to the Falls-it is carved out of a log, and very bouncy!

Crossing the bridge

The bottom part of the waterfalls...it was too tall for me to get a full picture!

The boy picture!

G was done with the pictures-she had just taken a spill down the stairs and was not happy about it!

Enjoying a little "whittling" time!

At this point, the boys went one way and the girls another! The boys hiked up a very challenging trail called Storm King and Gianna and I headed back to the base of the trail.

Picking some flowers along the way

The fields were alive with daisies! What a great Father's Day!

Dominic's First Knife

Before we went on our hike today Vinny gave Dominic his first knife. Dominic was elated! He showed me where he was going to carry it on the hike, and how he can open it. He told me all of the rules that Vinny told him about using the knife...he took the whole thing VERY seriously.

Here it is opened! Dominic was so proud to have a knife of his own.

"Team Nike"

Vinny and Greg were "Team Nike" (they were wearing matching shirts in different colors) for a little Father's Day Golf outing on Saturday. They came home to a delicious dinner cooked by Kim and we spent the evening relaxing and chatting, while the kids played.

Greg and Kim surprised Vinny with an awesome watch-Ohio State-his fave! It was a belated birthday present.

"Ask me what time it is..."

My latest purchase...

I have been wanting this plaque for a few years now...My friend Shelley has it in their bathroom propped up on the countertop and everytime I am in there I LOVE reading it! It is everything that I strive to be-sometimes failing, but never giving up. I believe everyone changes and evolves, that the past does not box someone in or define them...I believe in the message of this sign, and that is why I was sooooooo excited when I found and bought the sign for myself today! I placed it on our kitchen windowsill so that I can read it often. I also happen to know Vinny loves this sign too. It serves as a reminder of how I want to teach my children to live.

Fun Times with Family

At our cousin Ashley's graduation party, Gianna was quite the waterbug! She was jumping in to Vinny and loving the swimming around! She did not want to get out!

All Dominic wanted to do was cuddle up to Uncle Dan. We have yet to convince Dom of how fabulous swimming is!...much to my dismay (b/c I LOVE, ADORE the water) he has NO desire to be in the water.

Chatting with the girls...

Much to Uncle Dan's happiness Gianna let him hold her for a while! As you can see she is cracking up at her uncle!

G loves her Aunt Jody too!

Poor Auntie Toni- no rest for the weary! All of the kids love her and baby Cash! She was surrounded!

Dominic would REALLY like to have another baby he told us-but much to our disappointment Daddy says NO!

Gianna wanted to be involved in anything to do with Baby Cash. She loved holding his bottle.

The youngest in the family bonds with the eldest in the family! Cash and Grandma June held hands!

Grandma June with the newest great-grandchild!

"I have crazy hair!"

Gianna woke up this morning, walked out, and said "I have crazy hair!"

Sticker Earring in the Nose...

Today Gianna stuck an earring sticker up her nose. ( I was gone working out, and a friend was watching the kids for me.) Those sticker earrings are made of hard plastic and are sticky. While my friend was reading a book to G on the couch Gianna stuck the earring up her nose and could not get it out. My friend tried to get it out but the opening is so small so she went to get tweezers. When she came back the earring was no where to be found, and Gianna said she had not gotten it out...did she really push it all the way up there? We looked all over for the earring, but could not find it so it was off to the doctor...

The doctor searched and searched, and Gianna was so patient and good. She was very concerned, but a very good listener. So still, no earring could be found! The doctor said Gianna either got it out while no one was with her, or it is so far back there she would have to have it removed by the Ears, Nose and Throat Dr. We decided we will wait it out...if it is lodged back in her nasal cavity signs of infection should show within a week! Hopefully we never see those signs!

Dominic...

As our family was walking out of Applebees the other night, I was leading the pack when all of a sudden Dominic comes running up behind, hands outstretched, grabbing my rear-end, saying " I love your little bootie-bootie Momma!" Everyone on both sides of the aisle were cracking up!

Happy Birthday Vinny!

I love my husband! How lucky I am to have him as my life partner. He is an amazing father, dedicated and supportive husband, enthusiastic leader, life of the party guy...

Here are the reasons Dominic and Gianna love their Daddy...(in their words)

• Daddy takes me in the golf cart. (Dom)
• Daddy helps me build tents. (Dom)
• Daddy tells me princess stories. (Gianna)
• Daddy wrestles with us. (both)
• Daddy hugs me. (Gianna)
• Daddy brings us surprises from work. (both)
• Daddy loves Mommy and shows us what love is...(Mommy)

I always have liked the quote: "The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." Our kids learn about love and relationships from us, and Vinny is a wonderful model of a husband and father for our children.

HAPPY 41st Birthday!!! Love your PYT