Grapevine General

Ryan's Snow Day

2010-02-12T17:32:00.005-05:00

Actually it was more like Ryan's snow 5 minutes, lol. Since he's sick I didn't want to have him out there too long but I made sure to take him out today for a few obligatory snow pics before it starts to melt (yeah right, ha ha!)

Snow Baby

He looks lost in all of that snow!

I'm just humoring Mommy. Maybe she'll take me in soon!

Cutie Pies

Ok, I'm SO done with this snow! Let's go in now...

Trying to sit up in the snow suit... not an easy feat!

The Aftermath

2010-02-11T15:44:00.005-05:00

It finally stopped snowing around 1 am this morning and we were certainly left with a LOT of snow to dig, shovel, blow and plow today! Oh, and to play in too! :-)

From yesterday:

When you could still see our railing

And today's pics:

Uh-Oh, po-ta-to!

2010-02-10T22:48:00.004-05:00

I noticed the other day after I said "uh-oh" that Ryan repeated me. Now he says it all of the time!

The first part is Katie asking to call Aunt Karen to thank her for her enchilada recipe, :-)

The pics are from dinner tonight where Ryan fed himself mashed potatoes. What a mess but he had a great time!

Hmmm, what's this for?

Nevermind, I'll just use my hands!

Mmm, mmm, mmm!

(Another) Snow Day

2010-02-10T22:36:00.004-05:00

Today was our second huge storm in 5 days and we're buried under 30+ inches of snow! Maddie and Katie are enjoying it but Ryan hasn't gone out yet. Last time I took him out in the snow, he didn't like it much and he's also sick now so if I do take him out, it'll just be all about the photo op!

Ryan checking out the snow

Yes the snow is really up to Katie's chest!

Snow Bunnies

"Chillin" in the snow

Playing in the snow fort with the neighbors

Snow Bunnies

2010-02-08T23:08:00.000-05:00

Maddie is staying with us for a few days so she and Katie went out to play in the snow in our yard today. We built our own "ski slope" and the girls had a great time sliding down it.

Snowball Fight

Trying to escape from Maddie

Building the sliding hill

Maddie whizzed by so fast I missed her!

Getting ready to send Katie down

Downhill sledding team

And they're off...

It's Gonna Take A While...

2009-11-23T16:56:00.000-05:00

but I'm actually going to attempt to update the blog all the way back to the beginning of August. I have (obviously) been remiss in updating but I'm trying to get back on track. At the very least I'm going to keep it current moving forward!

Rubber Ducky

2009-10-26T11:33:00.004-04:00

Ryan had his first bath in the tub today. Usually I just bathe him in our big sink but Katie wanted to get a bath with him so we gave it a try. He loved splashing in the water and playing with Katie!

Pucker Up!

2009-07-31T14:14:00.001-04:00

Katie was so excited to make her own lip gloss this morning! We made summer mango flavored gloss from a Spa Factory kit and added some food coloring to make it red. To me, it felt pretty gritty on my lips but Katie is proud that she made it and she likes it so I guess that's all that matters, :-).

Playground

2009-07-30T14:53:00.000-04:00

We went to Mason's Mill Park for a little while today and Ryan is finally big enough to sit in the swings. We still can't push him too hard or he falls forward, lol, but he seemed to enjoy it. He was most interested in inspecting how the chain was attached to the seat. He must have some of Daddy's engineering blood in him!

Oh god, I better hold on!

This is fun!

Hey, where'd Katie go?

Me likey swing!

Katie playing under the spritzer

She was having such a great time!

Running, dancing, even tumbling in the mist, :-)

She was soaked (and filthy from the tumbling although you can't see it here) but very happy!

It's Like Butta, Baby!

2009-07-29T22:00:00.000-04:00

The other day Katie asked me how we get butter so I decided that we'd make our own homemade butter so she could learn where butter comes from. We stopped at Genuardi's on our way to Poppy's house and got some special milk (heavy cream) so Maddie could make butter with us too. I think I have tennis elbow from all the shaking required but after it was all finished, I have to say we made some pretty yummy butter. Next up, making bread with Uncle James!

The Secret Ingredient and Supplies

Now for the complicated instructions for making butter...

Taking the whipped cream out of the container

Maddie was having way more fun than Katie!

Put it all back in, give a few more shakes and viola, we have butter!
The liquid around it is buttermilk. Guess I better find a recipe for buttermilk pancakes, :-)

Sampling the goods

Mom, see I made my own butter!

The Finished Product

Butter Fingers

Ryan and Kyra enjoying the butter making, LOL

Katie and Amy

Like my new hat?

2009-07-26T17:55:00.000-04:00

How To Keep Cool On A Hot Summer Day

2009-07-26T16:53:00.000-04:00

Ice cream and a dip in the pool. Can't beat that! :-)

Shorties

2009-07-25T16:45:00.001-04:00

Katie has been bugging me for the longest time to get her hair cut short. I've been reluctant (and still am) but told her she could get it cut after Jen's wedding. So this morning she woke up and asked to get her hair cut today so I took the plunge. She wanted it even shorter but I couldn't do it, lol. Maddie was with us and she got her hair cut much shorter too. Guess it's the thing to do this weekend since Karen got a new 'do yesterday!

Congrats Jen and Steve!

2009-07-24T23:47:00.001-04:00

Lots of pics...

Waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Mongone

And here they are!

First Dance

The Bridal Party Dance

Katherine giving her awesome speech

Cheers!

Katie taking a sip of her champagne

Then going in for the kill, LOL. I had to pull it away from her!!!

Be nice!

Katie and Poppy

Katie, Poppy and Rudy

Learning some new dance moves.
She's got way more rhythm than I do, that's for sure!

Dancing with Poppy

Uncle Dave gets the first "dollar dance"

Jen and Katie
(I love this pic!)

Steve plotting how he will remove the garter

Take One
(caught by one of kids)

Take Two
(to get someone "legal" for the garter part)

Jen and Steve's Wedding

2009-07-24T23:23:00.004-04:00

Jen and Steve

Katherine aka "The Fluffer"

A Reading from the Song of Solomon

Katie getting antsy

Do you? Yes. And do you? Yes.
I now pronounce you Mr. & Mrs.!

You may kiss the bride!

Bringing up the gifts

Trying to get a pic of the grandkids.
We thought we could do better than this one but...

Apparently not! LOL
(Poor Kyra)

Ready to get back in the limo

Getting Ready for the Wedding

2009-07-24T23:15:00.000-04:00

Katie getting her "hair did"

Next up... make-up!

So pretty!

Jen and Kyra

Katherine, Alicia (yeah, she's behind Jen's flowers, lol), Jen, and Christin

Maddie had no where else to sit so she had to squeeze
in Katie's car seat to get to the church! LOL

Jen and Steve's Rehearsal Dinner

2009-07-22T23:04:00.003-04:00

Patiently waiting...

Mike and TiTi

Maddie giving Ryan some lovin'

Kyra Bynira

The KKK, lol

Maddie and Chris

Oh no, they caught me eating my toy!

Katie and Kyra

Favorite Spot

2009-07-21T23:02:00.000-04:00

Ryan's favorite spot to sleep

Big Boy

2009-07-20T23:55:00.002-04:00

Ryan started eating baby food this past Friday so we decided it was time for a 'big boy chair'. He wasn't too sure about it at first but then once he realized he was going to get to eat in it, he was ALL about the seat! :-)

Save me!
(Before I showed him the food...)

Ryan's 4 Month Portraits (at 5 months, lol)

2009-07-18T22:15:00.000-04:00

Ok, so maybe it's true that the second child gets the shaft on things like portraits. With Katie, I was diligent about getting her to the studio for pictures. With Ryan, it seems hard to find the time. But we made it! Just a month late so not too bad, :-). Ryan was in a great mood and was really happy and smiley the whole time. We got a lot of great pictures. Here are some of the highlights...

Cuties

2009-07-18T08:38:00.000-04:00

I think I'll save this picture for ten years from now when they most likely will be arguing/picking on each other all of the time! :-)

White Girl Afro Puffs

2009-07-17T12:49:00.000-04:00

Need I say more? LOL

Ryan's First Food

2009-07-17T10:44:00.000-04:00

Ryan started cereal on July 4th but he wasn't too crazy about it. However, he was trying to get to our food when we were eating and even was chewing along with me while I ate lunch one day, LOL. So Joseph and I decided it was a good time to move him on to baby food. I started with bananas and he seemed to like them a lot! When I tried to feed him cereal tonight he wasn't having any of that. He was like "Give me the good stuff!"
(Pics compliments of Katie. I think she smudged the lens!)

Kate, get that darn camera out of my face!
(She is constantly taking his pic)

Posing her subject

Mmm, bananas!

Yummy, :-)

Please, sir, I want some more. (Oliver Twist)

Banana-Face and Katie

Shore Pictures

2009-07-16T23:03:00.001-04:00

Just some random pics from our trip... (Mostly taken by Katie and/or Maddie.)

Miles trying out Ryan's swing

These paparazzi are killing me!

Can we go to the boardwalk now???And another thing... I'M in charge of the camera!

Don't know what I do without all of Maddie's help!
Ready to go out
Maybe Ryan needs a little more sun, LOL
Beautiful x 2! :-)

Boardwalk Again

2009-07-15T22:43:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Mom Mom and Pop the girls had a ton of tickets to go on the rides so we went back to the boardwalk again today. They had a great time going on all of the rides. Katie was excited because this year she was tall enough to go on a lot of rides that she wasn't big enough for last year.

Next thing we know, it'll be a real car! :-(

Truckin'

Um, who's driving this thing?

Day 2 - Old pro!

Maddie's first ride on the go-karts
(even though she wasn't really old enough... shhh, don't tell!)
The 14 1/2 year old... to be exact...
(that's what she told the ride operator) survived the drive!Not so sure she liked the big kid ride Maddie was on!
Hmmm, I'm feeling a little blue... LOLMmm, cotton candyFollowed up by ice cream
(Followed up by trip to dentist for cavities from all that sugar, LOL)

Taking a break from the upside rides

Scared at first

But then she was lovin' it!

Flapping her "wings" to bring it back down

Yikes Mom, are they really going to let Maddie fly this thing?

Daddy, like my stick-on earrings? Can I get real ones???

Boardwalk

2009-07-14T23:28:00.001-04:00

Another first for Ryan... His first visit to the Wildwood boardwalk!

YEA, I'm on the boardwalk! Take me to the upside down roller coaster!

Mom, stop taking my picture! You're cutting into my fun time!Arrrrgggghhhh!!!
Keeping her promise to Uncle Joseph to (loudly) salute
the pirate on the boardwalk, even though he's no longer there!
Katie's favorite new ride, :-)

Like Daddy, like daughter

First time on the bumper cars. She did pretty good...

Look Ma, no hands!

At the top of the Giant Wheel.
Katie looking scared to death, lol.

Ryan's first ride, :-)
As you can see, he was just thrilled.

Cotton candy? Sleep? Cotton candy? Sleep? I guess sleep won!

Ryan 'enjoying' the boardwalk

Game time

Beach Bums

2009-07-14T23:13:00.004-04:00

Diane, Fran, Pat and Harry let us use their beach house for a few days this week. We went down yesterday and are going to stay until Thursday. Karen and Chris were supposed to come too but they had a pipe burst in their house and couldn't come, :-(. Chrissy and Miles came for a night but couldn't stay longer because Chrissy has to go to work. This morning Joseph got a call from work and they needed him to come in right away because his relief's grandfather passed away. So, that left me with the kiddies. Before Chrissy had to leave, we trekked to the beach. I think it took us longer to pack up and get there than we were actually on the beach! LOL

It was Ryan's first visit to the beach and I think it might be his last for a while. Taking a baby to the beach is more work than it's worth!!!

Katie showing me her 'trick'

Waiting for their bus, lol

Hmmm, I'm not sure we brought enough stuff to the beach!

Hanging out on the beach

Dancing

Building Sand Castles

Having fun!

Guess it was too much fun for Ryan.

Katie asked me "why do the seagulls always make this face?"

No Free Rides Around Here

2009-07-10T13:59:00.000-04:00

Joseph put the girls to work today raking the lawn and gathering up the extra "hay" after he seeded the bare areas.

Family Dinner

2009-07-08T23:57:00.000-04:00

We had our weekly "Dinner with Dad" at our house this week because Dad's house is a wreck since he's redoing his kitchen and living room too. Karen, Chris and the girls came too since Karen had to come up for a check-up.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Karen from Katie's point of view

Strike a pose?

Maddie and Katie, before the fighting for the pillow started!

Show me those baby blues

2009-07-06T23:54:00.000-04:00

Isn't he so cute? :-)

Mom, one day could I have sushi?

2009-07-05T20:22:00.002-04:00

Sure, but you'll be eating it alone! LOL Katie has been bugging me to try sushi so I got her some today when we went to the Chinese buffet restaurant. I got her the kind with no raw fish (California roll?) and let her give it a try. She didn't like it but I'm proud of her for trying!

Waiting for the taste tester

Brave Girl

Aunt Chrissy and Miles' Sleepover

2009-07-05T20:10:00.003-04:00

Aunt Chrissy decided to spend the night at our house with Miles last night so she wouldn't have to worry about driving home after the fireworks, etc. We had all of these ambitions for today (errands, pool...) and all we wound up doing was grabbing a bite to eat and going to Giant because we got a late start. Bums! :-)

C'mon Miles, smile!

Relaxing

Bumbo Boy
(much better than the last time when he just fell over, LOL)

Reminding me of Jared with the thumb sucking
and hair twirling (although Miles has no hair to twirl!)

Best Buds

Cutie Pie

What'chu looking at???

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T16:57:00.002-04:00

We went to the Rockledge parade this morning with Mom-Mom and Pop. Ryan was unimpressed and Katie was scared of the loud 'pops' from the gun salutes. But I had a good time! :-)

After the parade, we went to the swim club with Jenine, Chris, Chrissy and the kids and then we went and watched the Abington fireworks at night. Both of my kids were sound asleep though so they missed them. Oh well, maybe next year...

Little Firecrackers

Katie and Pop watching the parade

Katie ditched Pop to go back to the stroller after the gun pops.

Liam in the parade with his karate class. I couldn't get a good pic
because someone walked right in front of me as he came by. Go figure!

Kelly and Jenine stopped for a picture

I give up on the parade.This towel is so much more exciting!

Katie wants Daddy and Uncle James to learn how to do
tricks on their motorcycles like these guys.

Sharing a bathing suit, LOL

Miles, just put your hands up like this...

Almost nap time

Our Visit to Delaware

2009-07-03T23:45:00.002-04:00

Katie, Ryan and I went to stay with Karen, Chris and Kyra for a few days this week so I could help Karen if she needed any help getting settled in. Instead she let me sleep in the first morning there and she took Katie with her for Kyra's check-up. I love her! :-)

Here's a few pics from our stay. I don't know why there's none of Katie. Probably because she was too busy chasing the cats to settle down for a picture!

Early BirdsSleeping BeautySo excited to be out running errands

Yee haw!

Go Phillies!

2009-06-30T23:42:00.000-04:00

The kids decked out in their Phillies gear, compliments of Mom-Mom and Pop

The Budding Artist

2009-06-28T23:39:00.000-04:00

Today we finally broke out the finger paints that Aunt Karen gave Katie 2 Christmases ago! Katie had a lot of fun... maybe I should have let her play with them sooner, :-). I feared the mess though. Notice she's outside and in her bathing suit for easy clean up. Yeah, I'm a little nutty like that, lol.

Ryan's New Tub

2009-06-27T23:35:00.001-04:00

Now that our kitchen is finished, Ryan has a new "tub" a.k.a. our kitchen sink, lol. It's the perfect size for him and much easier to use than the baby tub!

Kyra Breaks Out!

2009-06-25T23:19:00.000-04:00

Karen and Kyra busted out of the hospital a day early so we went over to Mom's house to visit them for a little while before they headed to Delaware. Katie was very perturbed that she didn't get to hold Kyra when we went to the hospital on Tuesday so I think if she didn't get the chance before they went home, Katie would NOT have been a happy camper!

Hey, who's this cutie next to me?

Stealing Karen's caption... Happy, Sleepy and Grumpy

Aunt Karen and Ryan playing

Kissy, Kissy!

Two Mom-Mom with her greats (minus Maddie, who was at her Dad's)

Ryan's First Night In His Crib

2009-06-24T22:50:00.002-04:00

Tonight was our first night back in our house after moving out on May 18th for our kitchen/living room/dining room remodel project. So I decided we would get Ryan into his crib instead of bringing him back into our room. To my surprise, he slept straight through from 9pm to 7am. I thought for sure he'd wind up in our room at some point over the night!

Katie, are just gonna leave me here???

Yikes! I'm all alone in this big crib!

Hey, this is kinda fun!

Sneaking out so Ryan can go to sleep!

I've Got Her ALL To Myself!

2009-06-24T13:06:00.002-04:00

Since there was such a big crowd at the hospital last night, I didn't get to hold Kyra... actually we barely even got to see her! So I went over this morning and no one else was there besides me, Karen, and Kyra (Chris was catching up on some ZZZs!). I got to hold her with no one 'in line' behind me. Lots of QT with our new cutie! :-)

Hello Kyra!

2009-06-23T12:24:00.000-04:00

Kyra Kennedy, the newest addition to our family, arrived this morning at 8:51 am, weighing in at a teeny tiny (for our family) 7 lbs, 5 ozs and 20.5 inches long. Despite being born 2 days earlier than Ryan was, she luckily didn't have to spend any time in the NICU which was great news! :-) Kyra and Karen are both doing great!

Congrats to Karen, Chris, and Maddie!

Kyra Kennedy

The Big Girls

Aunt Jeanne's baby blanket, lovingly restored by Two Mom-Mom

Jimmy Buffett Concert '09

2009-06-18T23:13:00.001-04:00

Well, this year was definitely much drier than last year but still it rained! Luckily by the time the concert got going, the rain had stopped and before the end of the night we could actually see stars in the sky so all of the clouds had finally moved out. As usual, we had a great time and can't wait for next year's concert!

Jumper Seat

2009-06-17T09:18:00.002-04:00

Here's Ryan in his jumpy seat for the first time about 3 weeks ago. He loves being in it! :-)

God Bless Ryan Joseph!

2009-06-14T11:31:00.006-04:00

Unfortunately we forgot our camera when we went to the church so I lifted those pics off of Karen and Sandy's blogs. I'm waiting for them to send me the pictures they took. (Hint, Hint!) I didn't take many of the party either because I with getting the food out, etc. If anyone has some they'd like to send me, it'd be appreciated! :-)

Getting ready
Thanks to Aunt Sandy for the adorable christening outfit!

Ryan and his godmother, Aunt Sandy

Grandma and her girls

Joseph, James and Marie

Blessing with Holy Water

Our family, :-)

Ryan with his parents and godparents

Godparents

Ryan with his "Moms" - Two Mom-Mom, Mom-Mom, and Mommy
This never works out, LOL.
Someday we'll eventually get a good pic of all of them together!

The gang's all here...

Aww, how cute! LOL

So sweet!

The Party-Goers, Part 1

The Party-Goers, Part 2

Chris keeping the kids busy

Juli enjoying the party

Knoebles

2009-06-12T23:14:00.000-04:00

Mom and Pop took Katie and Maddie up the mountains for a couple of days to visit their friends Kelly and Andre and to go to Knoebels. Looks like everyone had fun!

Grab a drink, take a seat!

2009-06-09T00:33:00.004-04:00

You're going to be here a while! I finally got some time to update our blog. There's new posts all the way back to May 7th so be sure to "Older Posts" at the bottom so you get to see everything. Now that the kitchen project is nearing the end, I hope to be able to get back to normal soon and to be able to update on a more regular basis again!

Up for Grabs!

2009-06-08T13:12:00.000-04:00

Ryan has started to intentionally grab things and grasp onto them (and immediately put them in his mouth, lol). Before that, he might accidentally grab something while flailing his hands all about! It's so funny to watch him stare at something so intently and then his hands start moving all over until he succeeds. Then he's so thrilled with himself!

Relaxin'

2009-06-06T22:17:00.000-04:00

I put Ryan in his swing and then turned to help Katie with something. By the time I got back to him he had wiggled his way around into this position. Guess I better always make sure to buckle him in so he doesn't wiggle his way right out of it!

Dance Recital - The Real Deal :-)

2009-06-06T16:05:00.001-04:00

Today was Katie and Juli's first dance recital. The both did wonderful and looked so beautiful. Juli even danced right through her prop malfunction. Hey, the show must go on!

Ready to hit the stage...
Katie

Juli

Brenna

The Finale

Katie - bottom row to the right of the teacher with a little girl sitting on her lap

Superstar!

So cute!

Striking a ballet posePoppy and Katie

Mommy and Katie
I was laughing because Katie was so worried about her M&M's.
Poor thing was really hungry because she didn't eat lunch before we left for the recital.

Maddie, Me, and Katie
The sun was making it hard to keep the eyes open.
That's why Maddie looks all scrunchy faced!

Katie and Aunt Karen
(and those infamous M&M's!)

Saturday Morning

2009-06-06T13:21:00.002-04:00

Joseph said I hadn't sent him any pics lately so I took one of each of us this morning so he doesn't forget what we look like, LOL. So here they are...

Dance Recital Dress Rehearsal

2009-06-05T23:01:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow's the big day but tonight the girls had their dress rehearsal at Archbishop Wood HS. They had a lot of fun getting all dolled up. Katie especially liked the make-up Aunt Sandy put on her!

Getting ready

Our prima ballerina

Katie and Juli

Katie, Juli, and Brenna

Bird's Eye View
I almost didn't get Katie in there, oops!

Class Photo
Check out Juli striking a pose!

Katie,
compliments of Aunt Sandy the photographer
(and she's much cheaper than the package I got sucked into!)

Good Morning!

2009-06-03T11:56:00.002-04:00

This morning I let Ryan wake Katie up. I laid him down on the pillow next to her and he started babbling right away. Katie cocked open one eye to see what was going on and then as soon as she saw Ryan laying with her she got so excited! He looked like he was enjoying their QT also. At least they were happy... It was my first day back to work so I was less than thrilled!

Ryan looks like "Excuse me Mom, why are you bothering us???"

Happy to be hanging out with Katie

Ryan's First Day at Day Care

2009-06-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

Of course I forgot to take a picture but he had a great day. :-) I was much more upset about it than he was, that's for sure!

Aunt Karen's Baby Shower

2009-05-31T22:59:00.001-04:00

Mom and I threw Karen a baby shower at Jenine's house today. Everyone was so generous and Karen and Chris got tons of great stuff for Kyra! Now we just need Kyra, lol. Only a few more weeks! :-)

I don't have any pics though because I was the 'gift recorder'. So now I'm shamelessly stealing pics from Sandy!

The Cake

The Favors
The Gifts

Surprise!

The Happy Family
Karen opening gifts
My Cutie

Ryan hamming it up for all of the ladies

Hat Lady

Ryan and Miles gave up on this 'hen party'!

Uncle Chris' Birthday Party

2009-05-30T21:45:00.002-04:00

Karen and Chris had a tailgating party at FDR park before the Phillies game to celebrate Chris' 30th birthday. We all went to the party but I decided not to torture myself by taking Ryan so Aunt Karen took Katie with her and then Katie had her first sleepover at Maddie's. She was so excited but I don't know if the excitement was more for Maddie or Tom and Reese (their cats), LOL.

I shamelessly stole these pics from Karen!

Enjoying the beautiful weather and good company

Ryan chillin' out in the park

Rudy and Miles

Fake blowing out the candles because they wouldn't stay lit in the wind

Katie and Uncle Chris

The future's so bright... I gotta wear shades!
(And check out that big cheesy grin!)

Happy 60th Birthday TiTi!

2009-05-26T23:53:00.000-04:00

We celebrated TiTi's 60th birthday tonight at Hibachi. As usual, the food was delish! :-) And the company wasn't half bad either, lol.

Happy 60th TiTi!

Jen getting a workout trying to cut the cake.

Showing off her blue ice cream cake tongue!

A smile so big it looks like it hurts! :)

Someday...

2009-05-26T15:36:00.001-04:00

Someday I'll have time to update the blog again! With the kitchen project going on and staying at my mom's, it's been pretty crazy around here lately. I have lots of great pics to post though so stay tuned! :-)

Our "Nanny"

2009-05-24T11:47:00.000-04:00

Maddie aka our nanny, lol, hanging out with Katie and Ryan and keeping them entertained! :-)

Seriously now, who is that happy to change a diaper???

Maddie's Spring Recital

2009-05-19T23:17:00.003-04:00

Katie, Mom-Mom, and I headed down to Delaware tonight to check out Maddie singing and playing the clarinet in her spring recital. We got lost and wound up somewhere deep inside of Wilmington - not good! LOL But we finally found it and had only missed the first song or two. Maddie did a great job!

Maddie's in the top row in the middle

Maddie - top row, 3rd from right
She was totally impressed by the auditorium!
Mom-Mom and her girls
Uncle Chris, Katie, and the stuffed squirrel (creepy! lol)

Peek A Boo

2009-05-19T11:25:00.000-04:00

Ryan looks like I caught him doing something he shouldn't be.
He kept pulling the blanket up over his face and every time I pulled it off he had this shocked look, LOL.

Biker Chicks

2009-05-16T22:57:00.001-04:00

We tried to get Mom-Mom to hop on the bike but we couldn't convince her.
I told her Joseph would take her for a ride on it!

No fear with these two though! Here comes trouble! :-)

Jen's Bridal Shower

2009-05-16T22:42:00.001-04:00

Jen and Steve's wedding is coming up quick! Today we threw Jen a bridal shower (ok, when I say "we", I mean all of her awesome bridesmaids! I just went and enjoyed the good food and great company!). They got tons of great stuff for their home. I hope the condo is big enough to hold all everything! :-)

My camera battery wasn't fully charged so I didn't get to take many pictures. Sorry Jen!

Jen trying to fake being surprised, lol

Katie guessing how much the shoes cost for the game.
Guess what? She won!

So pretty!

Me and Mom-Mom!

Happy 30th Birthday, Uncle Chris!

2009-05-13T22:29:00.000-04:00

Tonight we celebrated Uncle Chris' 30th Birthday at Poppy's house. We had pizza and Rudy's delicious homemade cake. Yummy! :-)

The Birthday Boy

Can you blow out all of those candles, old man???

Ryan and his godfather

We joked that Chris should be careful because Ryan would puke on him so as a joke he put his hand out under Ryan and wouldn't you know, he IMMEDIATELY spit up right into his hand! Ewww... LOL!

Clean up!

Katie and Maddie were sitting in a chair together and I don't know what happened but next thing you know, they were falling in slow motion. Karen and I were on the other side of the table and couldn't do anything to help them from where we were. So being the good moms that we are, we just laughed at them! LOL They didn't find it as funny though!

Dreams

2009-05-12T11:03:00.000-04:00

When Katie woke up this morning she said "Did you know that when I sleep my eyes tell me stories?" I asked her what kind of stories and she said "All kinds of stories... like princess stories." How cute!

Go Penn State!

2009-05-12T10:22:00.001-04:00

My cousin Keri goes to Penn State so when Ryan was born, Aunt Maryann & Uncle Ed's family gave him a Penn State outfit. Something tells me maybe he's a Notre Dame fan instead, LOL.

He was enjoying it for a minute....
(pic is blurry, it was the only one I could get before the next one!)
Excuse me, is this a PENN STATE outfit?
Oh it is? Well then... BLEH!!!! LOL

For the record though, next time he managed to keep it clean, :-)

Play Time

2009-05-11T23:12:00.004-04:00

Enjoying some tummy time

(a rarity... usually he just screams and spits up!)

Whoa, what's with all of the flashing lights?
So happy!

Clarinet Lessons

2009-05-10T23:16:00.004-04:00

Katie is so intrigued by Maddie's clarinet so Maddie is trying to teach her how to play.

Katie manages to blow a few notes but I think she needs a little more practice! :-)

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T23:02:00.000-04:00

Mom and Kevin had a BBQ today to celebrate all the moms. Even though it was pretty chilly outside, we made the best of it and had a good time!

Tom and Kerri getting some practice

Superstar!

Grandmom Eleanor, Chris and Ryan

Maddie, Grandmom Eleanor, Matt, and Ryan

Uncle Chris and Katie

Ryan and Mom-Mom
(Ryan's wearing the wrong bib for the day, LOL)

Samantha's 3rd Birthday

2009-05-09T22:04:00.001-04:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Sammy! We celebrated at the Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, NJ. Katie had a great time and enjoyed going from place to place in the museum non-stop. Guess she wanted to make sure she didn't miss anything!

Singing to Sammy

Make a wish!
She was not letting go of those purple crayons, LOL.
If she's anything like Katie, she was probably afraid someone else would take them!

She shoots, she scores!

Go Flyers!

No fear

Exersaucer

2009-05-07T10:01:00.000-04:00

I put Ryan in his exersaucer today for the first time. He seemed to like it but it wasn't long before he was too tired to hold up his head. Katie was having more fun playing with the toys on it than he was to be honest, LOL.

Hmmm, what's this contraption Mom put me in???

Ohhhh, it has toys!!!

"I'm With The Band"

2009-05-05T23:22:00.001-04:00

Maddie was supposed to play the National Anthem with her school band at the Wilmington Blue Rocks game tonight. So Aunt Sandy watched Bubba and Katie, Juli, and I braved the threat of Swine Flu and ventured down to Delaware to see her play. However, it was a wash-out! :-( It's been raining for days here and tonight was no different. The game got called before it ever even got started so we went to dinner instead. The girls had a good time hanging out with Maddie. They didn't even care that the game never happened, they just wanted to play with her. The Maddie Fan Club, LOL.

Maddie playing for us

A video of her solo
(I can't figure out how to rotate it though)

The field crew trying (unsuccessfully) to keep on top of the downpours

Juli enjoying some cotton candy

Katie was so scared of the "Blue Phillie Phanatic with horns"

Having fun
Although you wouldn't know by Juli's face, lol.
I caught her between laughs and smiles.

The Kids Meet Miles

2009-05-03T23:11:00.000-04:00

I took Katie and Ryan to meet Miles today and it seems like Ryan and Miles' friendship might be off to a rocky start. Ryan spit up on Miles when I held them both and then Miles got him back by sucking the back of Ryan's head when we put them next to each other in the pack-n-play. Hopefully they'll play nicer together as they get older! :-) Katie "peeked on Miles" (her words) but was more interested in watching TV than the baby. I guess little babies are old news to her now, :-).

Stretching

If you spit up on me again, I'll bite your head!

Ryan's thinking "I was just dreaming that somebody was sucking on my head.
Hmmm, who's this guy next to me and why is my hair wet???"

Not so impressed with each other yet!

I've created a monster

2009-05-03T21:13:00.003-04:00

Katie was in her room going to bed and all of the sudden she starts crying. She's been stalling for the last 30 minutes so I very compassionately said "Katie, knock it off and go to sleep!". She said "but I'm not crying for pretend, I'm crying for real."

The rest of the conversation:
Me - Why?
Katie - Because my room is a mess!
Me - No it's not. I just cleaned it yesterday.
Katie - Yes it is. There's stuff all over the floor.
Me - No there's not.
Katie - YES, there IS! Just come see!

So I go in the room and see a few doll things in the one corner. That's what she was freaking out about. I cleaned up the stuff real quick and Katie rolled over and said "Thanks Mom. Good night!"

Crying over.
Weirdo.
Just like Mom.
LOL

I love talking to Daddy!

2009-05-02T22:56:00.008-04:00

I put Joseph on speakerphone tonight and Ryan was all smiles! :-)

Hmmm, who's on the phone?
YAY! It's Daddy! :-)
I'm so happy I could spit!

The Little Pirate

2009-05-02T22:44:00.004-04:00

Ryan's Pirate OutfitHoodie

Put 'em up!

Ryan just found his hands and he's constantly playing with them now

Liam's 5th Birthday

2009-05-01T22:37:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Liam! And congrats to Kelly who lost her first tooth at the party, :-).

Liam and Kelly

One of Liam's many attempts to blow out the candles

Katie enjoying her cupcake and ice cream

Welcome Miles Alexander!

2009-04-29T16:04:00.001-04:00

Congrats to Chrissy and John!

Miles Alexander
April 29th, 2009
4pm (ish, lol)
8 lbs, 15ozs
21 or 21.5 inches
(I'm a little fuzzy on some of the details, lol)

Miles and his cousin Logan

Tons of New Posts

2009-04-29T14:30:00.001-04:00

Make sure you hit "Older Posts" at the bottom to see them all. I finally got some free time to update!

Pop the Chauffeur

2009-04-25T12:22:00.001-04:00

Ryan had to go to the doctor this morning for a check up and Pop gave us a ride in his 'limo' from the parking lot to the office. It was Ryan's first ride in a golf cart and if Daddy has anything to do with it, it's just the first of MANY! :-)

Oh, all was good at the doctor. Ryan's cold has gotten much better!

Around Town In Newport, RI

2009-04-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

Some of the sights of Newport!

Our new home, lol ...

... with it's beautiful landscaping.

It sits on top of a big hill ...

... and even has a few golf holes on it!

Hopefully the GPS doesn't navigate us straight ahead! :-)Katie, annoyed because I wouldn't give her some popcorn

Dinner in P-Town

2009-04-22T22:02:00.001-04:00

We took a ride out to Cape Cod tonight since I'd never been there. Unfortunately it was rainy and getting late so we didn't get a chance to really do much sight seeing but we wound up going all the way out to Provincetown to have dinner. Since it's still off-season, there wasn't much open but we decided on The Lobster Pot and it was delish! Joseph even ate fish, and loved it!!! (He usually hates seafood.)

It was a long ride so me and Katie passed the time taking some pictures of each other. Gotta love digital cameras! Lots and lots of nonsense pictures...

Ryan's First Dip In A Pool

2009-04-21T20:44:00.001-04:00

I decided not to try to take both kids in the pool myself so we had to wait until Daddy could go with us to see how Ryan would like it. He didn't seem to care one way or the other to be honest. He was more interested in making sure he had his paci than being in the pool.

Going for a swim with Daddy

This is a really big bathtub, Mom!

Looking scared to death, LOL

Katie splish splashing

Providence Children's Museum

2009-04-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

Since it was so rainy today, we took a little road trip to the Children's Museum in Providence. Katie had a lot of fun! :-)

Tug Boat Driver

Pretty Girl

Tractor Driver

Butter Churner

Bicyclist

Playing at the water "table" (really a whole water room!)

I think Katie could've just stayed in this room all day!

Trying to hide from me taking her picture!

Day In The Life Of Ryan

2009-04-20T19:33:00.000-04:00

This is not even 1 day's worth of bibs that we go through with Ryan. He is the spit up king! The doctor said it could get worse between 4-6 months before getting better. GREAT! lol

Hanging Out

2009-04-20T17:23:00.002-04:00

While Joseph went to his Bridge Resource Management class, the kids and I hung out at the hotel. We went to breakfast, played in our room, and went to our private pool (we had it all to ourselves!). It was very relaxing! :-)

Relaxing on the bed

Almost caught the smile!

Under Attack! LOL

Awwww!

Ryan "Talking"

Katie after she "sunk" her hair in the water
This was as close as Ryan got to the water today.

Shower Time

2009-04-20T08:20:00.000-04:00

A lot of times I take Ryan in the shower with me to save time. He loves it! :-)

Room With A View

2009-04-20T07:16:00.001-04:00

When we go to Newport, we always go to Flo's Clam Shack. They have the best clam strips and 'chowda'. We knew the hotel we were going to stay at was close by it but didn't realize it was quite THIS close, LOL. Unfortunately though, since it is still off season, they weren't open while we were there, only on the weekends until May. :-(

This is the view from our room

Margaritaville - Mohegan Sun

2009-04-19T21:48:00.000-04:00

Detour #2! We decided we'd stop at the Mohegan Sun casino for dinner on our way up to RI. When I went online to check out the restaurants there, I discovered that a Margaritaville restaurant just opened there in the fall of '08. Of course, we HAD to go there then! I've decided I'm on a mission to visit all of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurants. So, now I'm 3 down (Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Mohegan Sun), 8 more to go... including a trip to Hawaii, :-) I wonder how long it will take me to accomplish my goal. Better start booking trips!

The Hurricane

Katie was so scared of it for some reason. She was never scared of it at the other Margaritavilles... I dunno!

Our first family photo.
Not so great but still finally a picture of all 4 of us!

Jimmy performing for us

Daddy and Ryan

Maritime College

2009-04-19T16:34:00.001-04:00

On the way up to Newport, RI, we took a little detour and took a quick visit to Joseph's alma mater since I had never seen the campus before. It's in a beautiful location right on the water and there's lots of wonderful architecture.

Trying to remember what these pics are that I took...
One of the dorms Joseph and James lived in.

Same building from the side facing the water.
Their room was 2nd from the top in between the trees. (I think!)

Another dorm building they lived inA new building on the campusWe're outlaws... we entered, LOL

Just a cool picture, :-)

And another...

Empire State
Maritime College's Training Ship

Bridge of the training ship

Flag pole on the Quad.
Joseph was telling me about their formations on the Quad.
My college had a Quad too, the only formations though were
for mudsliding down the hills during rainstorms, LOL.

Your Love...

2009-04-17T00:01:00.010-04:00

Your love has gone through me like a thread through a needle. Everything I do is stitched with your color.

Today is our "date-iversary". Nine years ago today Joseph and I met in person for the first time at the Tioga Marine Terminal between the containers loaded up on the dock. Bravely (stupidly?), I went late at night, in the rain, and alone. Good thing he wasn't a crazy killer, LOL. Sandy wanted to go with me to be safe and when I turned down her offer she told me afterwards that she was seriously considering tailing me, :-). Our relationship started out flat (flat tire, that is, lol, which Joseph kindly changed in the pouring rain!) but once we got rolling there was no stopping us... here we are 9 years and 2 kids later!

So, happy "date-iversary" Joe! Love you! :-)

2000

2001

2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Just realized we don't have a picture of us with Ryan. Better get on that!
"2nd kid syndrome", I guess, LOL

Picture Time!

2009-04-15T22:59:00.002-04:00

We took the kids to get portraits taken today. God bless the photographer! Katie and Ryan weren't that cooperative but the photographer just worked through it. Well, Katie was ok but only when it was just her in the picture. When it was the two of them, she was either choking Ryan by holding him so tight or letting him fall over because she was holding him so loosely. Then when it was his turn for individual pictures, the green monster showed up and Katie kept trying to get in the pictures, LOL. We wound up with some really cute pictures though, :-)

In no particular order...

Our Big Helper

2009-04-15T12:24:00.001-04:00

Katie likes to help out with taking care of Ryan so today I let her give him a bath. She loved squirting him with the bottle!

Ryan's looking like "WHAT is she doing to me???"

Not so happy to be finished his bath

Hoppy Birthday Livi!

2009-04-12T22:26:00.004-04:00

Nonna made this awesome bunny cake for Livi's birthday and she was scared of it! LOL The rest of us enjoyed it though, :-)

Take it away!

Ok, fine, I'll blow out the candles!

Happy Birthday Livi!

Bumbo Time

2009-04-12T22:17:00.002-04:00

Ryan tried out Livi's Bumbo seat today. I've been trying to decide whether to get him one or not... It seemed like he was really enjoying it so maybe we'll have to pick one up for him! :-)

The Gang's All Here

2009-04-12T21:54:00.004-04:00

We tried to get a picture of all of the kids together at James and Sandy's tonight. Not too successful! LOL

This was the best I got but there was a lot of cameras going
so hopefully someone else managed to get a good one!

Juli holding Katie "like a baby"

Then Livi wanted to be held like a baby too

He's so dreamy!

Ok, I've had enough of him... Yeah, well you're boring me too!

And we're done, lol

Sunday Best

2009-04-12T21:28:00.003-04:00

Easter Lunch at TiTi's House

2009-04-12T21:13:00.000-04:00

Katie's take on the day...

TiTi and Jen enjoying some shrimp

Rudy and RyanMike's girlfriend Carolyn

Steve cleaning up

Funny Bunny

Ryan chatting with Poppy

Poppy and the kiddies

Hippity Hop, the Easter Bunny made a stop!

2009-04-12T21:06:00.002-04:00

The Easter Bunny stopped by our house and left us some yummy candy and chocolate as well as some presents. Katie got Barbie Thumbelina movie and a Thumbelina doll. Ryan got Pinnochio movie and a matching cup but I think Katie claimed both for now. She said Ryan can have them when he gets bigger! EB hid some jelly bean filled eggs around the house too and Katie had a great time looking for them.

Ryan enjoying the festivities, lol

While Ryan snoozed, Katie and I went downstairs

to see what the Bunny had left for usKatie checking everything out

Candy? In my mouth? Nope, not me!

Just one more ... please Mom?

Eggs-cellent

2009-04-11T20:44:00.005-04:00

We did our annual eye dyeing at Mom-Mom and Pop's house tonight but this year wasn't as fun without everyone there. Daddy and Pop were working and Aunt Karen, Uncle Chris, and Maddie went to Virginia to visit Chris' grandmom for Easter this year. So it was just me, Mom-Mom, Katie and Ryan which was fine by Katie because she got to dye two dozen eggs herself instead of having to share with everyone. Mom-Mom says Ryan can dye eggs next year but I told her she's going to be in charge of that because I'm not being held responsible for any damage to her kitchen!

Katie hard at work on her egg

Ryan hard at work on his bottle

One for Daddy

One for Maddie
(I had to combine the two sides into one pic because
alone each side had an 'ugly' word!)
And all of the rest...

Gettin' My Nails Did

2009-04-11T20:29:00.000-04:00

Katie went to the nail salon today and got her nails painted for the first time (professionally). She picked a super bright pink color and the lady gave her some glitter to top it off. Katie was in heaven! :-)