Overdue Quality Time Together!

We woke up on Saturday morning to find Toni and the kids at my parent's house...unexpected surprise for us since the original plan was for them to stay at her dad's that night. The kids were sooooo excited to be together! The morning started off with Kaden and Gianna playing puppies, Cash joining in too, and then Kaden brushing Gianna's hair for her! He would follow her around as she walked, brushing it!

There is something very special about waking up at Grandma and Grandpa's house, with all of us there together, kids yelling (happily, most of the time), pots of coffee being brewed, Finn biscuit lathered with butter, sitting around the living room visiting the morning away. If we lived in the same town, we most likely would not go stay the weekend as a family there...we would just go home at the end of the night. I love mornings at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Cousins together, G getting her hair braided by Auntie Toni.

Gianna missed Auntie Toni so much!

The boys did a TON of fishing...Nick would just head down to the lake independently, sometimes taking Dom (if he wanted to go) and go fishing. It was such a fun even to witness. BTW-this is the look of a 12 year old...did I look like this when I was 12?!

Fake smile for the camera!

Casting his line

Dom had a lot of fun fishing this weekend too.

2 totally different looks...and that is how his days have been going as far as moods lately too! Will this cycle last for weeks, months, or years? Up and down, up and down-help us get through this time in one piece!

Cousin Kaden, dipping his toes!

Kaden and Dominic were having such a fun time with the oars!

An oar is kind of like a balloon for kids in the sense that-who needs fancy toys when you have an oar (or a balloon)?!

The lake was beautiful Saturday afternoon! I had missed sitting on the dock, enjoying all that is "lake life."

Grandpa consoled Cash after he was doused with water in the hottub...he was NOT happy about that!

Chaos in the hot tub, loving life on the deck

Our little water bug, dunking herself!

Dominic did it too! This is a big deal for him. He does not usually like to go under the water, but he went down deep, and even smiled afterwards!

Cash loved the feeling of being "free" and ran around the deck so happy

I got this face from Gianna when I asked her to stop and smile!

Snuggling with Grandma, getting lots of loves

While Toni and I were preparing for Dan and Jody's baby shower, Vinny and Jared were MIA (aka smoking cigars and enjoying some drinks in the shop), and these 3 guys were living it up, because apparently no adults were watching them! They got themselves a snack, crumbly too, were munching away on our bed, while watching a movie, all at about 10:30 pm (with no naps, and up since 6:30 that morning...oy!

Toni's diaper cake, no thanks to Jared! Toni and I thought the dads were watching the kids...boy were we wrong!

Gianna sharing her drink with Cash

We had such a fun afternoon and evening with Jared and Toni and the boys. We just want to dominate all of their time when they come to town because we miss them so much!!!

Back to the Good Ole Days

No picture for this post, just a short story...

The other night after we moved in, Vinny went to the next door neighbor to ask about the day of the garbage pick-up. He took Dom with him. When he returned, he said that the lady next door was very elderly, probably senile, had not many teeth, not much furniture, and "I (dena) should make some cookies or something and take them to her."


Since that day, Dominic (our sweet hearted, always thinking of others boy) has made suggestion after suggestion for what we can do for this lady next door. One day he thought we could take her some extra chairs that we had (since we had so many), another day he thought we should take her some of our extra dinner, and yet another day he suggested bringing her some flowers.


Tonight as we were finishing dinner and there was watermelon-a-plenty left, Dominic wanted to take her the watermelon. So our family packed up a plate of Tilapia, Lemon-garlic greenbeans, and watermelon and took it to our next door neighbor...June was her name as we found out.

June was soooo sweet, as her 2 dogs were yapping continuously at her feet in the wheelchair, and I was so happy to stand and chat with her (no matter how much she repeated herself, and I did end up finding out some important things about her) for 20 minutes. She was lonely, and the sight of our family perked her up instantly! She told us how she had told her yardman that "he was handsome, but not as handsome as that principal next door" and how she was a hard-working Scandivanian for many years, and now all she could really partcipate in was her hobbies of "knitting and baking bread, but not fancy bread, it was plain-good bread." She also told us that she has a daughter, and about her...


and that made me sad. I would never want my mom to live by herself, alone, fending for herself with only part of her mind working. I don't want to judge her daughter, but why isn't her daughter doing more? Why doesn't June live with her daughter, or her daughter live closer? Questions, questions...I made a decision...no matter where we find a house to buy here, our family will housecall on June and be there for her. She seemed so alone...I hope someone looks out for me when I am at that stage. So our family will look out for June. If she needs us to pick up something at the store, or mow her lawn, or make her dinner, or change a lightbulb.... we can make a difference...and all because Dominic, our 6 year old, was determined to help her!

We've turned a corner...

Soooo, this was neither the first time for a shower nor the last time of the bath. I always wonder if I will catch "the last time" of the things that happen with our kids...the last "run, jump, and hug me in my arms" the last time "sleeping with the blanky" the last "nightlight night" the last "slipping their hand into mine as we walk across the parking lot"...and the list goes on! BUT our kids HATE, and I do NOT use that word lightly...HATE showers! Daddy was known as the "bath nazi!" But since we have moved into this rental and that is the only option, they have come to ENJOY a shower! Yes, I said ENJOY!

A couple weeks ago we had the kids start taking showers in leui of baths. Screaming, crying, general upset voices could be heard throughout the house...I (the mom) of course, hid, while Daddy had to deal with the sadness. I would have given in to the bath.

But now, they LOVE the shower! Who knew? Tonight, after a cry-less haircut (another big first), Dom hopped in the shower with no prodding or poking, and said, "it tickles mom, I like it!"

WOW! is all I could say! This boy of ours is growing so fast!

A New/Old Fad...

Dominic REALLY wanted a bandana (like his friend Pryce)! It's like they think this style is NEW or something...little do they know I wore bandanas in college (my gangsta days:)) for certain events! Hebought 2 bandanas with his own money at Wal-Mart-black and camo. OF COURSE little sister wanted to be like her brother and so she had to wear one as well!

"so adorable" G said, once she had placed the stool in front of the bathroom mirror and climbed up to examine herself! As you can see, Daddy thought she was "so adorable" as well!

Long Awaited Family Bike Ride

Heading off on our bike ride...several of the bikes have been out of commission this winter and we just got all of them repaired-just in time for summer! (wait, summer is coming right?)

Can't resist a bridge picture! I am a sucker for bridges! Especially wood ones!

The first of MANY flowers that Dominic would stop and pick for me on our trip. He is such a sweetie!

Next, a daisy:)

While we were eating our lunch the ducks ventured very close, knowing the kids would LOVE to share!

Sharing with the ducks

Our 3 Pumpkins

Love this guy!

She Had A Bad Day:)

These pictures just crack me up! Whenever Daddy dries Gianna off after a bath this is what happens to her hair! She does NOT like this look...if you can imagine!

Moving Time Fun

As our house was in disarray during the packing and moving stage the kids found there was all kinds of fun to be had! They loved sliding down the mattress and climbing back up it.

Boy's Day Out

Vinny took the boys golfing on Sunday afternoon. They had such a great time and they even got a cart! Nick tied Vinny on the back 9...wow! So glad they can share this time together.

Nick's PR

On Friday our family headed down to watch Nick compete in his track meet in Shelton. The kids were so excited to see "Nicky."

Getting ready to race...can you see the look in his eyes that says- "I am 12 years old and kind of embarrassed that my step-mom is taking pictures of me, and my dad is cheering me on, out-loud, not in his head!

Giving it his all, and getting a PR in the 800: 2 mins and 56 seconds! YEAH Nick! We are so proud of you!

Playing on the slides while waiting to watch Nick run...

Daddy was having such fun with G on the slides!

Our two kids...loving each other!