Romantic table for 4

We could go out on a fancy date to a restaurant but it wouldn't near as fun as a candle lit table for 4 that includes chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling wine and two boxes of chocolates.  Sharing it with my super cute kids makes it priceless. 2.14.12

Valentine's Day 2012

The kids did an amazing job making their Valentine's boxes. I am so proud of their creativity.  We had a great Valentine's breakfast with scones & eggs. 2.14.12

History Fun King Charlemagne

Studying Charlemagne in history prompted some fun activities making crowns and learning more about kings.  2.8.12

Super Bowl 2012

Super bowl...what a great reason to eat yummy appetizer foods and watch commercials. Oh, I hear there is some football that happens in between.  Fun family tradition.  This year Dominic wanted to stay up to see who actually won the game. I think he likes football.
2.5.12

Wonderscope

It has been a few years since we have been to Wonderscope, Children's Museum.  The kids had a great time practicing their skills as physician's and vets.

Jedi Wars

Good thing Obi Wan can regenerate his head because Darth was really hard on him. The Jedi Wars of 2012 begin.

Sweet Stella

This cat is amazing. She tolerates a lot of "love" from the kids.  Dominic never tires of holding and playing with her.  1.2012

Welcoming Ava Irina

 My brother had his first baby, a sweet little girl: Ava Irina. The kids are so excited to have a cousin to play with. 1.19.12

Emily's first day of School

Isabella got her first American Girl doll for Christmas and she wasted no time getting her enrolled in school.  They even have matching school uniforms.  1.2012

Fun with the Cousins

We did a kid swap with my aunt. They had a weekend away and we watched their kids then they watched our kids for a weekend so we could have a weekend without the kids. The kids saw this as a win-win situation since they got to have 2 weekends this winter with their cousins. Here is a couple pictures from the weekend at our house. This most likely will be an annual event. 1.8.12

Festive decorations

Every year I mean to take pictures of our decorations for Christmas. The house wasn't the cleanest when I finally got around to taking them but....at least I finally did it.  1.4.12

Favorite Christmas Books

For several years we have been doing a book study for advent called Christmas Mosaic by Cay Gibson. We throughly enjoy reading 80-100 books in the 4 weeks before Christmas (ok sometimes we don't finish until closer to the Epiphany). I feel so Blessed to have such a great book list to pick from each year. After doing this for many years the kids and I have put together our favorites out of the many that we read. Some we all love. Some the kids love. I am sure the list will change each year. I hope to update it and repost it before Advent so that others can share some of the greatest Christmas books we have found. Please share if you have a favorite.

Family Favorites
Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
The Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
The Little Fir Tree by Margret Wise Brown
The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans
The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop
The Light of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Josie's Gift by Kathleen Bostrom
Candy Maker's Gift by David & Helen Haidle
The Baker's Dozen: A St. Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard
One Candle by Eve Bunting
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell
The Last Straw by Fredrick H. Thury
Marta and the Manger Straw by Virginia Kroll
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Jonathan's Gifts by Louise Mandrell

Kids Favorites
Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo
Allie the Christmas Spider by Shirley Menendez
The Attic Christmas by B.G. Hennessy
A Small Miracle by Peter Collington
Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
The Grinch that Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess

New Year's Fondue 2011

It just wouldn't be New Year's Eve without our famous fondue. Toasted bread & vegetables dipped in cheese sauce, meat & chicken in oil and fruit & marshmallows dipped in rich chocolate. All of that screams Happy New Year!!

Jedi Warrior: Dominic

First light saber, thank you uncle Jeffrey & aunt Amie. Now the force is with us!

Isabella's new American Girl

Isabella was so thrilled to get her first American Girl doll, Emily and lots of fun accessories.

Papa is good fun

Dominic having fun playing Play Mobil Pirates with Papa.

Christmas with the Paoletti Family

Happy to have the whole Paoletti family all under our roof.

Christmas Stockings

This is my favorite photo of Christmas morning. Here are some other photos from previous years:2010, 2009, 2008, 2007. I love the sleepy faces filled with anticipation.

Christmas Morning 2011

What kid wouldn't want to wake up on Christmas morning to find shiny new bikes? I mean that is almost like getting a new pony. It will be hard to top this years Christmas. To make things even better, the weather was unusually warm so they actually got to ride their bikes on Christmas morning. It was a bummer that there wasn't any snow but who needs snow when you have a new ride? Even the cats got a few cat treats under the tree. A Merry Christmas for everyone!

Happy Christmas Day 2011

All dressed up after returning from Christmas Day Mass. Praising the day that our Savior came into the world. Merry Christmas. I am loving the red and black theme we have going this year.