February 2016 (everything but Disney, I'll devote way too many posts to that)

This is just a post of random pictures, essentially. Here's Joe just being Joe. So adorable.

The boys ready for school and showing me their skills.

Apart from Disney, and like I said there will be posts to come, seeing Gianna perform Irish step dancing for the first time was definitely the highlight. She looked so cute in her costume and she did such a great job. It was so fun to see the older girls too. And they were so sweet and encouraging to Gianna. It was great practice for her first competition coming up next week. We know she'll do great!

Despite her appearance, Gianna was not unhappy in this picture. I think she truly did not know how to handle the applause and praise. She just looked like she was angry, instead of shy and nervous as I know she was, LOL!

January 2016

Joe got new shoes for Christmas. I think he likes them.

The children styled my hair.

In January Gianna's school hosted a family fun night titled "Minute to Win It." It was a bunch of different minute-long games for the kids to try and "win." Some were impossible  difficult and others were easier. It was so fun, creative, and cute. The kids had a ball. Kudos to the people who created it because it took a lot of man power. I was impressed!

This game is sorting M&Ms by color with one hand; a pretty easy one.

This one is keeping a feather in the air for a minute by blowing at it. This was quite impossible. Doug says he may have been able to do it if he had about 3 times the square footage!

This one was hilarious. Scoop cotton balls with a spoon into the bowl on your head...blindfolded. Mark missed every single one.

On the homefront, we finally "finished" our family room. I didn't think I wanted curtains, but after 2 years, I decided they would warm the space up a bit. And it only took me forever to decide on curtains and how to hang them. And then thanks to my mom and dad it only took 5 hours to get the rods and curtains up. We also got new tables and a new cream colored chair. I love it all!

Mark is playing indoor soccer this winter...usually reserved for first graders there was space for a couple kindergartners. He couldn't be more pleased.

And why shouldn't you wear your sister's clothes?

And then, of course, came the snow. The mountains of snow. Thank goodness it came on a Saturday or the kids would have missed 3 days of school. So just one day off. If I needed any reminders that I don't live in VA anymore, this is a big one. They were out for a week for the same amount of snow that came on the same day. What a difference a couple hundred miles makes.

The snow was almost too much to play in. Joe certainly couldn't walk through it (and didn't really enjoy it) and it was even tough for the big kids...though they loved playing in our snow banks.

Most of the year we love our long and wide driveway. But in a snow storm we realize just how long and wide it is. Holy smokes. We couldn't keep up with the snow. 

A lot of games were played when we were stuck inside. Even batman joined in a totally age-inappropriate game. His ever patient big brother was happy to oblige in the insanity.

Christmas 2015 and New Years 2016

Christmas Eve was a balmy 70 degree, hence my boys are in shorts and t-shirts. We did the traditional Italian-style Christmas Eve at Nick and Elizabeth's. It was a big crowd. My parents, my in-laws, Julia and Josh and their 4 kids, and friends with their 3 kids. So 13 kids and 12 adults and LOTS of delicious food. And this pic of the kids on the couch watching a Christmas movie is the only one I took. That sounds right.

Christmas morning was as exciting as ever. The kids got awesome big gifts from Santa: Lego Friends, a Power Ranger Mega Zord, and Wild Kratts gear.

We got a new game for WiiU. Grandpa and Joe could use some more practice at dancing.

My 3 best gifts, in formal wear and lounge wear.

Gianna in a super cute new outfit.

A few days after Christmas we headed to VA for some extra time with the grandparents for more Christmas and new years fun. Mark missed our summer time excursion to the mail on the metro, so we HAD to do that again. It was as big a hit the second time around!

They had this enormous tree outside the mall.

The boys watching a movie in the Disney Store. How cute are they?

You could pay a couple bucks to ride these giant animals around a section of the mall. It was one of the sillier things I've ever seen. Doesn't seem safe, but it worked out all right. And the kids loved it. Doesn't give me much hope for their driving skills in the future though.

Happy 2016!!!

December 2015

And just like that it's time to get ready for Christmas again. I just love it. All of it. I love getting all the old books out and rediscovering them every year. Now Gianna can read them to Joe.

I love the lights. We went to lights at the zoo. An event we skipped last year because it's outdoors and I think the high temperature for all of December last year was 10 degrees or something. But this night was 55 degrees and it was delightful!

I don't know what mustaches have to do with Christmas, but they're funny. 

I love Christmas jammies and snuggling together.

I love tree lightings. This is at our church. They do a lovely program for the children. Tree lighting, carols, crafts, cocoa, and cookies. It's so sweet.

Joe got a haircut. This lady takes her TIME! And Joe just sits through it happily. The promise of a lollipop at the end is too much to risk I suppose.

Gianna had crazy hair day at school. This is cupcake hair. It's a little hard to tell but there are candles sticking out of the buns.

We made a successful gingerbread house this year. I usually don't attempt them because the box makes them look huge and then you open it to discover that you have to somehow fuse together walls that are only 1 square inch. This was a good kit though. Great size and the kids really enjoyed putting all the candy on it. 

Every once in a while we do an activity that really highlights the differences between our children. Ice skating was one of them. Gianna has been once before and she was definitely more fearful this time, but she stuck with it and made some good laps on her own pretty quickly. Mark, on the other hand, basically quit after one lap. I managed to force him around one more time at the end and he did much better. If he'd actually stuck with it at first, he may have been pretty independent by the end. Interesting.

He's just cute. That's all I can say about this picture.

Of course, preparing for Christmas cannot be complete without a trip to visit the real Santa. This guy is great! He's so patient and personal with the kids. The minute Joe sat on his lap, he said, nay commanded, "Say Ho-Ho-Ho!" Also, I think they enjoyed the candy canes as much as the man himself. I don't remember ever loving candy canes at all. These kids devour them with great commitment!

Mark's 6th Birthday!

To say Mark was excited to celebrate his birthday was a bit of an understatement. He had his first on-location party with lots of friends. It was so fun to see how much he enjoyed himself!

The only girls present, Gianna and Bella did some hanging around at the party. 

 Mark got more presents than we knew what to do with! Such kind and generous friends he has!

Mark, you are such a great kid. You make us laugh with your silly jokes and voices. You make us proud with your kindness and caring. I love playing games with you and I love the way you look out for Joe. You are such a great playmate for little kids! Daddy and I are so proud of how well you're doing in kindergarten! We love you!