So looking forward to 2014!

May God bless you all!  2014... Bring it On!

 

Christmas!

Christmas was F-U-N and exhausting! These pictures speak a thousand words. I will catch up soon with Vacation pictures, Christmas parties, Christmas Eve and Day, etc. It has been a great season but I am excited for the next week off school and the New Year.

 

Naughty or Nice....

You decide which one is Naughty and which one is Nice!

Christmas Photos 2013

Christmas pictures turned out awfully cute this year! I think they both look adorable and very grown up. 

You wouldn't know Isabella's dress is actually purple. These are from the JCP website - my collage is on the way which has all of these pictures except the bottom right of Vincent (forgot to put that one in). 

2013 School Photos

I love these two. Vincent with his cheesy smile and Isabella said, "Mom, I didn't smile very well." I said, "Bella, it is still so so cute!" I love her big green eyes and sweet dimples. 

Sometimes...

the world slows down, the kids stop bickering and I feel like the most blessed Mommy ever.

O Christmas Tree

Last Saturday we had a party at our house with some college friends. It was awesome! First thing in the morning we went to pick out our Christmas tree. We made it just in time before the down poor of rain. It didn't take me long to decorate because we got a smaller size tree this year. I know, smaller to me. 

 I made these cute little centerpieces with some greens from the tree lot and sparkly pinecones.

And below is a beautiful wreath I made!! 

I just love Christmas and entertaining. Looking forward to two parties this weekend - seeing my Piraino family and all you girlfriends on Sunday!!

Jedi Vincent

Our Vincent boy had the best Birthday ever! He specifically asked for a Lego Star Wars party and that is what he got. No one would know Mommy threw the party together after getting home from Vacation - it turned out so cute. There was a special surprise and the Master Jedi and Darth Vader came to battle. They put on a small fight, taught the kids how to be a Jedi, did some games and tattoos. It was worth every cent to see how happy Vincent was. Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated! Our boy is so very blessed and we are looking forward to what age 5 has in store for us! 

God's Pantry

Last Saturday morning, the Kids and I went to help pass out food through God's Pantry. It was an amazing experience to see the line of people waiting to get food. We are so very blessed and I hope I was able to teach my kids just how much. Looking forward to the December event.

 

 

Pre Thanksgiving

On Sunday, we had a small Pre-Thanksgiving with our family. We went over early to Grammy and Popi's house to watch the Bears vs. Rams game. Grammy, Bella and I cooked Pot Roast together.



Aunt Amy and family joined us! We packed up boxes for 3 soldiers and mailed them off as our service project this year.   

I am so very blessed with my family!

Native American Feast

 Last Thursday I was able to help at Isabella's Native American Feast. All of 3rd grade made these adorable shirts, traveled from class to class doing crafts and enjoyed an awesome feast.



Isabella's friend Gianna's family descends from an American Indian Tribe in Oklahoma. She wore awesome "regalia" with bells on it. It is a prayer dress for her Mother who is sick. Her Grandma Eleanor is one of my friends from Kindergarten and she showed the kids a bunch of authentic items.

 

So many of my awesome Mommy friends in this picture above serving the kids.

 

Vincents TK Birthday Celebration

A few weeks back, Vincent's class celebrated all the November and December birthdays. He was so happy to have my in class and wanted me to follow him from center to center.

 

Vincent has also been such a good boy recently that he has moved to purple (the best color) 4 days in a row. He is so proud when he comes out with a prize and extra stamp on his hand. My little boy is growing up! * An extra photo of the turkey we created for Vincent's class - we disguised him as Batman!

 

Season's Over

Isabella had a great Winter Ball season! We are excited for a small break before Spring starts. Hopefully we can work during the off time to get her to the infield this coming season.

After her last game I gave her this adorable Sparkle figurine I had found months ago. She was so excited and said, "Mom! This is SO PERFECT!"

9th Anniversary

 

November 6th was our 9th Anniversary! We both worked and I had CCD duty that night. When I got home Chris was preparing his world famous, Cowboy Spaghetti. SO GOOD! We decided to take the weekend away and head to Vegas. We stayed at our (well maybe MY) favorite hotel, Encore. The rooms are wonderful, I love the vibe there, it is across the street from the Mall and they have a fabulous Sunday brunch buffet...What more can a girl ask for? I had a very "glutonous" weekend as my friend Brittany called it. HaHaHa. Of course, we vistied our engagement spot (Bellagio Conservatory) which was all decorated in Fall. I enjoyed the relaxing and time with my Love! Until next year  and the big 1-0! xo

Halloween 2013

We had a super great Halloween! We started off the day with Crazy Hair Day and Miss Matched day at the kids school. I was able to help at Isabella's Halloween party and it was so much fun. The kids had a blast. I am not the Room Mom this year, so it was nice to just help and not be in charge.



After school, Lana came home with us for a few hours. The girls ate, did homework and decorated cupcakes! The kids also carved their pumpkins.

We got ready and waited for our friends and family to arrive.

The kids had so much fun trick or treating with their friends Lana and JJ! They got so much candy that I promptly put away so we don't eat it all in one day!

 

And so begins the Holiday season! Looking forward to all God has in store these next couple of months before the New Year... Love you all!

Pumpkin City - Pumpkin Patch 2013

We had a blast at the Pumpkin Patch yesterday morning with our family! It was so  much fun seeing the babies, riding the rides with our cousins and just hanging out. We had lunch together afterward to end a perfect day. Thanks Grammy and Popi!