Family Football Fun

After a family game of football in the front yard, we warmed up with hot cocoa topped with heart marshmallows.

While sipping our hot cocoa, Nick and Vinny played catch, trying to outdo one another with catches!

Walking on air

Every picture of Vinny had him smiling! He can't help being his cheerful self!

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

Dominic and Pryce at their second basketball game, I looked over and there they were, just sitting on the bench with arms around each other! Dominic got over his shocked frozen state that dominated his first game, and really stepped it up his second game! He even made a basket! He was way more aggressive, and stole the ball a couple times! (He would not "steal" the ball his first game, bc in his mind that was a terrible thing to do! We talked all week about how that is how basketball works...it is OK to steal the ball! I think it also helped that Grandma and Grandpa were there to watch!

Dominic reading his book he wrote about Florida and the lightning storm to Grandpa.

Another one bites the dust!! All of sudden the chair collapsed with Grandpa in it! Guess that can happen when you buy your chairs second hand! But-funny thing-this was the SECOND chair that collapsed on Grandpa!!

Candlelight-Picnic-Snack

Experimenting with pictures for Valentine's Day cards...

"I'm just thinking" she told me. Eveyone needs a good thinking spot!

Gianna, the great defender...

When Vince was telling me/teasing me about misplacing a cup:

You need to think about where you last were, and then you will find it.

Gianna busts in with a gravelly (hilarious) voice:

"Dad, you don't talk like that to my sweet mom! That's what I'm talkin' about honey!"

My great defender that one is!!

We found this on our doorstep last night...

When we got home last night we found a plate of yummy cookies and a card from Dominic's teacher on our front step...what a treat!

The last part of her thank you letter to Dominic for the Christmas gift he gave her included the sweetest message about him and his effort each day. This is a keeper for sure!

Growing up...

On Sunday, after Gianna's shower, we wrapped up her hair "just like mommy's" I have a picture when I was about her age with a towel wrapped around my head like this. She was so excited to get ready with me in my bathroom, with lotion, hair gel, the hairdryer...

Blurry, but her expression had to be captured!

Football Sunday...Fun times even when the chips are down!

Getting ready to leave for the game, all geared up!

Gathering for the Flag Raising Ceremony outside of the bunkhouse. Kimmie had the honors this time!

Let's go Seahawks!

Greg was so "helpful" holding Kimmie while she stood up on the bench to raise the flag.:)

Intensity, watching the first half...

This group soon disappeared into the barn to play. The game didn't hold their attention that long!

Took about 5 attempts to get these guys settled down for a picture! lots of wrestling and joking. They always play a game of football at halftime. It is such a fun tradition!

So even though the game was disappointing, we had a great time!!!

Just some thoughts from the day...

"I got bleed" when G is bleeding.

Hey Bob, Ok Bob...G calls people "bob" when responding to them in conversation.

"Why is Mom the only one who always has to make dinner?" Dom...(thanks buddy for noticing!)

"Is this fiction or nonfiction?" Dom, about a book that was nonfiction but had some cartoon pics in it. (can honestly say I never thought about that as a first grader!)

I woke up to G serenading me this morning and stroking my cheek. Her songs go on forever, where any thought in her head gets into the song, along with anything her eyes notice as she is singing. "Mom do you want me to sing a song to you to wake up?"

"I just LOVE having your son in class. He is so much fun." (Dom's teacher on Friday) kinda makes my heart jump and smile to hear it...of course I feel this way, but it is so wonderful to hear it from a teacher.

Snow Day Sunday!!

What a wonderful surprise today!

The kids couldn't wait to get outside into the snow!

Saving for Florida!!!

Our tickets are bought, but after doing that we realized we need to get SAVING if we want to have any fun while in Florida this summer. We are going to visit Vinny's family for 10 days in July.

We went to the Goodwill today and each kid picked out a "Florida Jar" where they will save their money from now until July. They decorated them with stickers I found in "my attempt at scrapbooking phase box."

They each had $20 to start out their jar from Grandma and Grandpa Ricco for Christmas! Perfect!

The fourth jar is for Vinny and I and it is designated the "family jar." We will use that money for family outings, ice cream, and fun little events.

Wish us luck!!!

Ringing in the new year with lots of CHEER!

Getting ready for Oceans 2011 Dance Party USA at Glassers! Our New Years Eve tradition always is a much anticipated event!

Getting ready to go out and play flashlight tag...once all of the boys had arrived, we did not see them until after midnight!

What a bunch! Apparently Shawn was Gordon Gecko or something like that??? I don't even know who that is!

Cathy, Kimmie, and Brittany

Crackin' up over something...don't remember what though!

Parents and Children! Kimmie and Shawn's mom and dad

the drinks have started flowing...

Awaiting the start of the first "performance"

Hope was a star performer! She has no qualms about getting up and singing in front of everyone! Gianna and Ali were her back ups!

Cheers! Rootbeer was very exciting!

Singing her heart out!

Getting ready to play Bunco...such a loud, fun time!

Best buddies

Rolling up the rug to get the Dance Party started!

Moms and Daughters-Kimmie's best friend came from Lynden with her family for the fun night!

Kim's dad and her grandma dancing for all of us-they were so sweet!

Shawn wanted to dance with Grandma Tots too!

Once Shawn took over the song selection process, Greg decided to dance to his own tunes on his ipod! As a side note- Greg was locked out of his ipod after spending 3 hours selecting music for the night...he got locked out for an HOUR!!

the love of my life

thanks for inspiring all of us in this event each year Kimmie!

beautiful Mother-daughter combo...as if there is a question that they are mother-daughter! Not only do they look alike, but they are both witty, smart, have a great view on life, and are so very gracious in relationships with others! Love them both dearly!

Hope arranged for Gianna to perform in a recorder concert for us...she sat right up on the stool and belted out some "music" for the audience!

loving on Daddy

Stats of the Night:

48 guests

4 concerts

90 eggs in the morning

too many bottles of wine

too many buckets of beer

too many bottles of liquor

50 songs

20 kinds of appetizers

1 Ipod lockout

5 Buncos

4 Prizes

249 pictures

4 hours of sleep for the kids

Dance Moves - Priceless!