From Our Family to Yours...

 

Isabella & friends

This morning, Isabella went over to Morgan's house for a fun play date! These pictures are some her Mommy's (who went to high school with Amy - small world again) posted on Facebook. The girls ate lunch, played Wii dance, decorated cookies and then had a tea party with their American Girl dolls. So much fun to have girl-friends! THANKS ELEANOR!

 

Baby Jesus Birthday Cake

One of our traditions is to make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing him Happy Birthday after we ready the Christmas Story. Each year I try to think of something different to make and find something relative to read. We have done a candy cane, snow man, and Christmas Tree. This year we made a Holly Wreath and I read the little poem below.

 

 

Getting close to Christmas!

Boy, Christmas is coming faster than I expected this year. Every year I am going to be done early so I just have to sit back and enjoy the holidays. We will see what year that will actually happen!

We made these goody trays to pass out to Popi's work, Daddy's work and Aunt Doris & her friends.
I found out that AW was closed and no one was in the front office (we had to eat those goodies - shucks) and I couldn't make it down to Newport Beach, so Chris just took the tray with him on Friday morning.




Friday morning, Kendal came over in her PJs and we had some hot cocoa and girl time. I had a wonderful time chatting with Stephanie for the couple hours while the girls played with Vincent. I just love her and their family and am very lucky for their friendship :)

I guess I didn't get a great picture!

After that, we picked up Grammy and met Popi in Long Beach to visit Aunt Doris at assisted living. Aunt Doris is  my Mom's Aunt and the oldest living on that side of the family. She is my Grandma's sister. After my Grandma died, she was married to my Grandpa for a short time. She was kind of a Grandmother figure to me throughout growing up since my own Grandmother passed away when I was 3 or 4. I would always go to spend the night with her and my Grandpa and just remember great times with them. Unfortunately her dimentia is getting bad. She kept calling Isabella Becky and me Nancy. I cried some when I left because the place is so depressing and it is hard to see people you love get old. But boy those old folks loved Isabella and Vincent. They wanted to talk to the kids, some even sang - Vincent gave the old ladies hugs and kisses. It truly made their days and I loved seeing the smiles around.

 

 

 

We are looking forward to a mellow weekend and blessed holiday. Wishing you all the same!

Christmas Tea Party

Thank you so much to Serchya for inviting Isabella and myself to her annual Tea Party on Thursday afternoon. Isabella had a blast playing with her friends from school - several are in her class (Ashleya, Mckayla, Ashley) and a couple in her CCD (Nic and Emma). Most we have known since Kindergarten. The girls played, had Tea and goodies and also did a gift exchange! Adorable!

 

2nd Grade Party!

This morning Miss Isabella had her 2nd grade party. I realize all the posts have been about her lately, but I promise I love my little buddy just as much. You all know that! Anyhow... the kids had donuts and milk (with red and white straws that I have had from the Fireman party) and Penguin plates/napkins (that I got praise for because of the Christmas program,but really was just a coincidence). They also did adorable finger painting artwork. SO MUCH FUN and now...VACATION!! WOO HOO!
 

Student of the Month!

Miss Isabella received Student of the Month for November. She makes me so proud! I was unsure how she would do with Mrs. Lyall, but she has done great so far. It was also fun to see both Leila and Kendal receive awards - two of Bella's besties! Go WICKMAN!

 

 

Piraino Family Christmas....

Pure Awesomeness! :) We had such a great time on Saturday night at Mom and Dad's House. They hosted the Piraino Family Christmas party. Should I say, "Feliz Navidad" because there was so much Mexican food it was ridiculous. Chris says, "I thought we were Italian". LOL. We save that for Christmas Eve.

 

 

There was seriously a party in every room! And it was pure craziness trying to get a good group shot of everyone.We took the 2nd generation cousins, 1st generation cousins + our spouses and then the picture of the elders. We were missing Uncle Tony and Uncle Steve. We were also very thankful that Uncle Danny could be there after a stint in the ICU.

I certainly love this family and all the joy they bring!

 

School Performance

On Friday morning, Isabella had her Holiday school performance. It was ADORABLE!! Vincent, Daddy, Popi, Grammy and I attended - She was so happy to see us and wave. She belted out all the songs and was so fun to watch.

 

LOVE HER!

Isabella has been doing really well in school. She brought home this Outstanding grade on her Holiday Traditions and a note that said she will be honored as Student of the Month!! I am very proud of her.



Last night she decided she wanted to leave this cookie out so our Elf, Toodles could take it to Santa. You can probably figure out what it says but just incase..

"Dear Santa, Merry Christmas Santa. I wanted to tell you thank you for all the presents you give me every Christmas and good luck on the big night. Here's a cookie to get you going. The cookie is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. Love, Isabella."

She wanted to tell him what kind it was, just incase he was allergic. That made me laugh and I told her Santa wasn't allergic to ANY cookies!

 

Leave No Trace

Friday afternoon, we went to Isabella's Girl Scouts activity where they learned about taking care of nature and leaving no trace behind...no carvings on trees or squashing leaves, picking up your trash, etc. It was a great lesson for the kids! And I think I found my family picture location for next year :)

 

The "Girls"

 

As Caitlin says, "Are we still considered Girls?" Haha! Thank you Holly for having us over to your lovely home for some girl time. We all had such a great time chatting and catching up. Love you all!

Wednesday, the 11th

We had a very nice evening on Wednesday. We went to pizza at one of our favorite places and then headed to the Christmas Tree lot where we found a beautiful tree! Vincent says "our tree is humungous" and it is....Come visit!!
 

My gift...

It has been a year today since we lost Nick and Heaven gained an Angel. I wanted to do something special, but wasn't sure exactly what. I remembered the first day we were in the ER waiting room, there was a bag of coins taped to the vending machine. Since I never carry change, I actually did use some of them to purchase the kids snacks. I decided to go to the same ER room and tape my own bag of coins for someone else to use....

 

 

I also remembered the days we sat in the ICU waiting room. How good my kids were even though it was long hours and lots of emotion. I took coloring books, crayons, a Bible and two containers of Fudge and left it on the table in the waiting room.

 

It was really hard to be back in the same Hospital, but I am glad I did this. I think it will be my own tradition to uphold every year in honor of someone very special to us. We have our family coming over tonight to get a Christmas Tree, decorate it, eat pizza and apple pie and talk about all the fun times we had with Nick.

We love you Brother and miss you EVERY day!!

 

 

Party Weekend...Two Photos!

We had 3 parties this weekend and I came out with only a couple of photos. Friday night we had Chris' Branch party. On Saturday during the day we had Russ Basset's Christmas Party. They had so much for the kids that I am really sad I forgot my camera chip in  my computer and got zero pictures. They had pony rides, petting zoo, games, cotton candy and movies, etc. Saturday night we had a party at the house of a customer/friend of Chris. I had a blast each night and thanks to my Parents for watching the kiddos!

YUM!

These are the yummy treats I am taking to Chris' branch party tonight!

I think the Hot Cocoa cupcakes turned out adorable...



And I snuck a bit of the Peppermint fudge and Dark Chocolate fudge. Both rather yummy! I'm a sucker for sweets! 

 

Naughty or Nice?

You be the judge on which one of these darling kids is Naughty and which is Nice - both told Santa they have been very good this year! Isabella asked for an iPod touch (in which Santa looked at me and laughed).Vincent asked for a Serpent Pirate Ship. He has seen this at the Titone household and of course it isn't sold in stores anymore. GOOD LUCK to Santa this year...

 

Wild Explorer

I still can not believe my boy is 4 years old. Saturday we had a "Safari" party at Party Kingdom here in Chino Hills. The kids and us adults alike had a fabulous time playing around! Vincent is so blessed with so much love from family and friends. He got wonderful presents and has been playing non-stop. More than the presents, I know he has wonderful memories because he will tell anyone who listens that he had an "animal party at the bouncy place".

Happy 4th Birthday Bub!