Valentine's Festivities

This year Valentine's Day seemed to carry on for a week!  Lizard valentine's were prepped for Giada's class. What kid doesn't love a sticky lizard!?

I had Stella work on a special "LOVE" project for Matt & Steph. She is by far the messiest painter I've had the privilege of working with, which is saying a lot considering the last time we painted Gino made his hair red! This was just the start before she did the real damage, good thing she is so cute!

 Always glad that I sign up for Stephanie Moe's Mini Sessions for the year, it forces me to take pictures all year with the kiddos.  As I have mentioned before, Giada has mastered that fake smile and encourages Gino to participate so they can go get ice cream! I'm always down with a kid bribe! This time it was raining so we had some fun outside with umbrella's too.  Gino almost blew away!

Last but not least, Gino's new favorite grin!

 

On actual Valentine's Day we went to visit all the grandparents and great grandparents to bring them some Valentine's treats. The kids even did some painting at Grandma Carols, good times at her new digs.

We also took some cousin pictures with Bre! (BW Photography). Nonni & Nana love the pics with all their grand kids in them. Of course we all look like a circus act trying to get them all to even look in the direction of the camera! If everyone is looking, it is considered a success!

 

I told Gino to "freeze" meaning stay still and quit moving his body around for 2 seconds so we could get a picture...and this is what we got - lol!

While we were waiting for everyone to get there Gino brought the chair over and did some lounging, while Giada took a momentary break from trying to get candy out of the jar next to her.

We took the kids to Graeagle for a couple of much needed days to do nothing! We made some delicious dinners, watched movies, and played. No snow yet, odd for this time of year. Last year we were snow shoeing!

The bear had his winter coat (tarp) on so tight we couldn't even see his face! 

I'm always happy as long as I see some deer. This time we saw a group of about 9! 

Lounging with dad in our new matching Graeagle PJs

New kiddo pics, lots of birthdays & a half marathon!

Awhile back we took some pics for Stephanie Moe Mini session. How could I forget to post them!?Love these cutie pies!

Also can't remember if I ever posted these. Stephanie announced early on that if the Giants won the World Series she would do Giants family pictures.  We were happy to participate.  I should not have worn my Will Clark jersey; as you can't see the back anyway...what was I thinking?? And it took a LONG time for our Lou Seal to participate, but we have gotten a lot of use out of that costume and some cute pics as well. Thanks Steph for your patience!! Go GIANTS!

 

Stella is a big girl, eating real food now! The kids are so good with her, but now we have to make Gino not share with her. He wants to share all his food; much of which she isn't ready for! She has a ton of teeth, the fangs are no longer the front 2 teeth have arrived.

Play date with Nico! Finally Renee and I were both free on the same day. We spent a few hours at a bouncy house place then ice cream, kids had a blast and we finally got to visit. 

Best  Show and Tell EVER.  Madison's dad brought a calf to school.

  Giada still hasn't stopped talking about it. Way to go Adam!

 Lots of birthdays the last couple weeks. Happy Birthday Nana, Peyton, Brooklyn and Nico!

 The Busalacchi's should be professional party planners. They leave no stone unturned. The pirate party was a complete success! Argh Matey!

 

So great to see the softball girls! Love having you in CA tuuubbbb! Gino and Livi in heavy conversation!



 A little chocolate from Auntie in the KR...... only slightly melted!!

Bribe the kids to behave at the mall, and everyone's happy. 

So I signed up for the Shamrockin Half Marathon in hopes that I would continue working out after I did the CIM marathon in December. That was an epic fail! I instead took 3 months off. Ran a handful of times, never over 6 miles. These runs are a funny thing, and mostly mental. I knew I would get through it somehow, just unsure of how fast. I was very pleased with how it went! And congrats to Mr. Diehl for surpassing his goal!