Catch up! Birthdays, Engagement, Half Marathon & More!

Both Grandma Carol and Grandma Barbara celebrated birthdays recently. Both are doing so well, and we are thankful the kids have been able to grow up with Great Grandparents. The kids love anything that includes blowing out candles and eating cake!

Dub and JJ outdid themselves on a Little Mermaid themed party. The kids had a blast, and tired themselves out, leaving me with a peaceful car ride home. Dub loved visiting with you and hope we can get together soon!

 

Giada has been so excited to move up in gymnastics; beam and bars here she comes!

 Gino and Giada had tons of fun with Matt and Steph while we were working Spring Wine Show. Cookies and Smores...who wouldn't be happy??

 

These are the kind of faces I get for pictures lately...awesome...hope its a phase!

 

Nonni and all the grand kids!

 

Gino was teaching Cole a thing or two. Cole is sitting up now, and starting to figure out crawling. I think to the kids he is way more fun to play with now!

 The saddle in the office, has always been a hit with the kids.

Sully is such a favorite of Gino's. When I did the KCRA segment for Calivirgin, my dad came with us. Always and adventure with Pops. So, the segment before us was about kid toys. My dad tracked this guy down in the parking lot and persuaded him to buy it, after the guy repeatedly said he had to take them all back to the store.  This guy didn't know who he was dealing with, and he was right, Gino loves it.

 Another half marathon in the books! Shamrockin! I do always like to have some goal to work towards, it does help motivate me to run.  Everyone did a great job, and it was a beautiful day!

 Stella and Matt met us at the finish! Not only did I score an awesome sister in law, her friends are pretty awesome too! Great to see you Kyla!

 Congrats on your 1st half Bri!

 Princess Birthday for Kiara. Dress up, and watch Frozen, the party was a hit!



 Baby Boy Pearl will be here soon. So nice to see Marina and John while they were here for a visit and baby shower. Sisters did a great job on the shower, and brunch was delicious. Will be so hard having her SO far away in D.C. Move back soon Neps!!!

 Our little chefs prepping for Nonno's birthday dinner!

 

Happy Birthday Nonno!

 While the boys were having fun in AZ, Nicole and I had a wild night out! Pizza and ice cream with the crazy kiddos!

 Cousin love, our little Stella is growing up!

 It didn't take 2 minutes for the kids to use the pool water to make a mud pit! Good times!

Love is in the air! Big congratulations to Phil and Summer! He surprised her with a weekend that will be tough to top!  Looking forward to all the wedding festivities! Love you! XO

These two are so cute! While the big kids play soccer, they play around on the sidelines, waiting for the day they can run in. They will for sure give their siblings a run for their money.

The Downtown Bear is always a popular stop. 

The kids had a fun outing at the Mud mill with Nana and Ran.

Dress up happens multiple times a day in our house, and when you have an older sister, you think it's really cool to wear dresses! Sofia is always his choice, and accessories are a must.

Last but not least, and in honor of orange Friday, GO Giants!

Seve turns 4, Marathon, Dress up

Happy 4th Birthday Captain America! AKA Seve. The rain kept us indoors but the kids could have been none the wiser. GoGo's Playroom kept them busy! 

So lately Gino has been thinking it is a good idea to wake up 4-4:30 ish. I've been trying to get this problem under control but a few mornings I gave in!  Soon after the first pic he is wide awake diving over chairs! He's an active one!

Steph snagged this cute pic of the kids when she was watching them. Monkey See Monkey Do. 

Gino copies EVERYTHING she does...big or little!

Capes are not just for kids...didn't you know??

 Rainy day weather = fun for kids! 

Helping Nana decorate the tree!

 After 3 months + of training the day was here to run the CIM marathon. Wouldn't it be my luck the weather forecasters were calling for an Atmospheric River!! Whatever that is!  I felt like I had done the training the best I could. Drank a TON of water the week leading up but how do I prepare for this rain??  So after a week of debating what to do..... I put on a light raincoat Mike found which was awesome, and wore the headband over the hat to hold in my headphones and that was about it!  I was getting calls from the relay girls even that morning to see if I was still going for it. I think they were hoping I would bail so they could! What great friends they are- they ran in the crazy weather too.  Lindsay ran the 1st leg with me we had a lot of rain, wind and hills(which I had no idea about). Leg 2 was Trisha and we just laughed. It was coming down in sheets, what else could you do?? Funny thing is we would try to not step in puddles but quickly that was not an option. Leg 3 Mel and it was pretty rainy. If I hit a wall I would say it was leg 3; at one point I said to Mel "4 more miles" it seemed far.  Then before I knew it her leg was done, it was sunny and I was on the home stretch. KR ran the 4th leg, and Tricia wanted more miles under her belt so she joined in the fun.  It was beautiful for that last hour.  Don't be thinking KR didn't get wet! They were all soaked when they met me at each relay point. Mike was taking video and photos - check out this water!  I did feel like the training paid off. The miles were not a problem. I SO lucked out on no cramps, blisters etc. Good times, I'd do it again. But I have to say the relay made ALL the difference. Being able to chat with your girlfriends, versus running for hours with just music, made all the difference. Thank you again girls! xo. Thanks to Mom, Mickey, Bruce and Giada for surprising me on the course; to Mike and Jason for driving and supporting us; to Anna for the early morning car ride; to Linds for a delicious pre race meal; and Jeanne and Mom for watching the kids!

 

 Just a sprinkle. The one time the weather forecaster was correct!!

POST RACE BEERS!!

Big props to Dub AKA Christie Wells on her 1st Marathon and Trent Diehl too!! Great job!!

What??? Your child doesn't wear a headlamp to dinner? NO masks while vacuuming??

 Dress up and outfit changes ALL day long! "Mom, put this in my back like brave"

Who knew raking leaves was so much fun?

Stella Days! All 3 napping at the same time = miracle!