All you need is a hiking stick

Over the river and through the woods at Grandmother's house we go! Lots of fun exploring in the woods. We built lots of bridges so we could explore new territory. 11.29.08

Family Hike

Trying to get all those Thanksgiving calories burned off by taking a long walk in the woods with the kids. The adventure was lots of fun for the whole family. 11.29.08

The hiking fun continues

The kids thought it was really fun to finish off our hiking adventure by climbing up the big hill with a rope. 11.29.08

Thanksgiving Fun

To kick start the Thanksgiving celebrating Michael got out the paint ball game and the kids enjoyed shooting practice with the family. Dominic also enjoyed some relaxation with the cat Obi-Wan (I am sure I am spelling that wrong....sorry to all the star wars fans). 11.27.08

How many parties is this kid going to have?

Since the Paoletti side of the family doesn't get to be at Dominic's party we always take a bit of his birthday to them. He got some pretty cool toys: Hungry Hungry Hippo and a toy car that you get to assemble with a drill. 11.26.08

Time to put up the lights

This is the best part of fall, when the kids get to get on the roof with daddy to see what the world looks like from up there. They think this is pretty awesome. Michael didn't seem to mind the 20 minute delay in getting the lights on the house. (don't worry they were safe the whole time they were up there) 11.22.08

The real Birthday

In our house we always have a mini party on the kids real birth date. This year Dominic had a snowman pancake to start off his real birthday. He got some cool tractors from Mom & Dad and some tough armor from Isabella. She also went to a lot of work to make him some little cards. Somehow we still had the main "tractor" portion of the cake left over from the party so we cut into it tonight for his real party.

Today I am 3!!!

Dominic really wanted to share his birthday with his best bud, Jude. They were able to come over and have lunch and tractor cookies in honor of Dominic's actual birthday. The best part of the party was the green teeth from the tractor icing. The kids found that incredibly amusing. 11.18.08

Storage container becomes a boat

The kids were thrilled when I decided it was time to clean and minimize the clutter. They turned the laundry basket and the storage containers into boats, train cars and hiding places. Hours of entertainment. 11.18.08

Family fun at Dominic's 3rd B-day

Here are some pictures from after Dominic's birthday party. The kids had so much fun playing with uncle Chad. They had him tackled on the floor and were crawling all over him. There are also some really good pictures of the girls and my dad with Dominic. 11.16.08

It is officially gone

Here is our sweet little "baby" with his last nighttime paci. His party is tomorrow and that means he has to surrender the paci to us in the morning or else---no party. I am thinking he would probably surrender the party over the paci but we are really not giving him much of a choice.

He cried for about an hour tonight begging for his paci but he eventually went to sleep. Ever since there really hasn't been too big of a problem for him. He is taking it in stride. I can tell he misses it but it was time for it to go. I was asked if I would do it over again...letting him keep a paci until age 3. My answer: totally YES.

Happy 3rd Birthday Little Dominic

Here he is in all of his green tractor glory! My three year old Dominic. I will post more later about the party. But here is a sneak peak of the party.

I can help you momma

Dominic has been very interested in dinner preparation this month. He is always pulling up a stool to see "what you doin" and he is always willing to offer his help in trying food or in preparing it. Today he was quite pleased when he could help stirring the apples as they were cooking. He is such a big boy. (11.12.08)

Halloween fun.

I know that I still have two months to get into the blog but here is a peek at Halloween at our house. The kids were cowboy/girl this year. This is our first year of having them be a team costume. It was pretty fun. I will be posting more pictures next week after we are past the birthday stress. (yes, it is almost Dominic's 3rd bday)

Autumn Craft

Autumn is such a beautiful season watching the leaves turn to a beautiful crimson color. It is always sad to see them all go. This year we took some of our favorite leaves that we were able to collect from our many hikes and walks, and we turned them into our fall decor: butterflies using sticks, googly eyes and fall leaves! We had a blast hanging onto Fall a bit longer. Isabella even made a little Fall tree. (11.6.08)

Consolation in the midst of Pain

Today is a hard day for those who fought for life in this years election. But I thought that today's scripture reading had great consolation for those of us who are trusting in God and following the path of his Son.

Reading 1
Phil 2:12-18

My beloved, obedient as you have always been,
not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
For God is the one who, for his good purpose,
works in you both to desire and to work.
Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
But, even if I am poured out as a libation
upon the sacrificial service of your faith,
I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.
In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

Trick or Treating Grandma Mary & Papa Dave

We were able to meet up with my brother Jeff & his two little girls to trick or treat mom & dad. Trista was Tinker Bell and little Trinity was a pumpkin. The kids had fun playing outside together.