The Riccobenes

Grandma-Helping in Dom's Classroom

My mom "grandma-helped" in Dom's classroom today. While she was there she taught them the 5 Little Snowmen song. What a fun memory!

Joysong Victorian Carolers Concert

My mom has sung in a Victorian Carolers group for many years now and it is always a highlight of the season when we get to attend a concert of theirs. This year they were in Port Townsend for a concert and it was a wonderful time for our family.

Grandma and the grandkids

The whole concert Gianna was begging us to get up on the stage with Grandma. When asked what she was going to do once she was up there, she said "sing the ABC's and Jesus Loves Me" She has the most unbelievable desire to be on stage-each Sunday at church she begs/demands to get up on the stage and sing with the choir! I am shocked b/c that is the farthest thing from what I would ever desire! Being on stage is a TERRIFYING thought to me. G must have her "Bramma" in her!

Doesn't she look like an angel here? WELL- she was not acting like one! She was not happy we wouldn't let her up on the stage and was testing us in every way she could think of...we were willing her with our eyes and "stern" faces to STOP when she was too far out of reach and knew we did not want to cause a scene...this girl is far too smart for her own good.

On the last song, as Joysong walked out down the aisle, Grandma grabbed Gianna and had her walk with her- Gianna was very happy!

Our friends the Glassers came down to the concert with us. We were so happy to share this time with them and so thankful they were with us!

Hopie loved the muff of my mom's!

After the concert, waiting for Grandma

Idle time turns to wrestling time...

and kissing Nick...embarrassing the 12 year old!

Dominic really can't get enough of his big brother!

Sequim Santa Breakfast 2009

Each year we attend the Santa Breakfast and get the picture with the kids and Santa. The breakfast is great in a couple of ways...the kids get to see Santa (pics are free), it raises money for the levy campaign, and the breakfast is huge! Thanks for being a good sport Nick!

Dom was telling Santa he would like a horse trailer-what are we to do now? His Santa gift has changed! UGH!

Grandma and Grandpa have been here almost every year for the Santa Breakfast with the kids. Lucky us!

"the grils" according to G!

Home Depot Workshop

Dominic attended the Home Depot Workshop with Nick and Daddy this weekend. They made a trailer...perfect for Dom since he is always "hooking up" his cars, trucks and trailers! He was very happy with this product!

When I took a picture of Dom with his trailer, Gianna of course needed to have a picture of herself with something...she chose the pillow!

Gingerbread Houses 2009

We have been making these same gingerbread houses since I met Vinny and Nick. Nick was 3 and they lived in a little yellow house in East Olympia. I always made these houses with my second graders each year...milk cartons, graham crackers, frosting, and donated candy! Nick loves this tradition and when I offered to just buy the kit one year he was quite offended! That was not the tradition!

This year Gianna was much more involved in decorating, although I think she ATE more pieces than she placed on the house! Every time I turned around she was asking, " I eat just this one?" HA- just this one?!!

I love this time with the kids.

Decorating the Tree 2009

This night is probably on the Top 2 of our all time favorite Christmas activities. We LOVE the night of decorating the tree. I never thought I would be the mom that stepped back, and said "go for it" but I am. It actually is stress-relieving! We grew up knowing my mom would make the tree look perfect, putting our ornaments from our own boxes on, and letting our mom do the rest...and it always did look wonderful, but now as a mom- I don't want that responsibility! I love how the kids clump their own ornaments in their own ways- by territory, by type, by shiny-ness...it is a joy to watch!

I love watching as each child pulls out their ornaments from their own personal box (this comes from my childhood experience) and comments on EACH ornament-"oh I remember when I got this one, oh Remember who gave me this, this is one of my favorites..." Then they find the perfect spot for the ornament on the tree, placing it ceremoniously on a branch. I know how they feel...all of the ornaments that my Grandma Hayes made-needlepoint, pasta angel, starched doily angel...they create such a deep longing in me of times past, for people I love that are gone...and still here too because of these ornaments. I had no idea these ornaments would mean so much to me.

2009 Ornament Gifting (they are sleighs)

Decorating the tree

This is the first year Gianna has really taken part in the decorating...she fixated on this cookie ornament. She held it gently, gazed at it, wanted her picture with it...she was really taken with this one in particular! Gianna does not take part half-way either, everything she takes part in is with GUSTO!!!

My two guys!

Last year I bought a case of the Thomas Kemper flavored creme sodas for this night...of course I had to repeat after seeing the JOY on their faces! Dom LOVED the Orange Creme...he could not believe his GREAT fortune! Funny that our daughter wants nothing to do with pop...just like her momma!

This was Nick's year to put the star on the tree.

A job well done!

Our three elves!

Day 3 and 4 of the Holiday Fun Calendar!

Decorating Christmas pillowcases was the activity for Day 3 on our advent calendar. We made a night of it with the Glassers!

WOW Payt!

Hope was very meticulous about her design!

All Gianna cared about was Rudolph in her arms...we had to set the timer for every 10 minutes-her and Dom can't get enough of this stuffed animal. Originally, this Rudolph was what Dom wanted Santa to give to him...he was persuaded to ask for something else, (since Santa had run out of these Rudolph characters!)

We found out Dom may have his Mommy's perfectionist qualities...there was a smear of paint and he was devastated! (I can understand how he felt.)

Thanks to our friend Katie we learned about these "curly-q" ornaments. Easy to make and they end up so cute!

Gianna working hard to make the paper curl around the pencil.

Kinzley and Gianna happy with their ornaments!

Basketball season has started!

Nick has made the JV team at his Middle School in Shelton. He is #2!

Go Nick!

Sweet Grandma

Before we left to go back home on T-Day weekend Grandma had a surprise for the kids. Here they wait...isn't Dom's face priceless?!

All three waiting...

Grandma got the kids new sweaters/sweater dress for the holiday season.

Thanks Grandma!

"MAN DAY 2009"

Every Thanksgiving is followed by the traditional "Man Day." This is where "men will be men" and they will eat beef jerky, hike, do all things "MAN." Here they are, setting off on Man Day. This year Man Day is shared with other fellow Mans! (yeah I said mans, not men!)