I'm Thankful....

I was online looking for a new US Navy sweatshirt for the kids. While surfing the net I found this website - http://www.cafepress.com/ and they have alot of cute shirts...however this one brought tears to my eyes. I'm so thankful David isn't anywhere else but home. I know that could change at anytime. I know of a possible "opportunity" that could happen in the next 9-12 months, but in the meantime, I am extremely thankful that every night when we go to sleep, the five of us are under the same roof.

Welcome Home Daddy1 InfantToddler T-Shirt
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Designed by An Army Girls Designs

Costume Preview

I'm sure I'm the only one that appreciates the cuteness....but please humor me. Have you ever seen a cuter butterfly??? The good thing about this costume - Gianna actually liked wearing it! She never tried to remove the hood!!! She'll look great trick-or-treating with her big sister "The Fairy" and her big brother "Red Power Ranger"! I call dibs on all the Recee's Peanut Butter Cups!

Let's Go Rollerskating!

Gemma went to a rollerskating party today and I couldn't help to take a few pictures of her. Not only was she dressed in her adorable Halloween clothes (note the candycorn pants!), but she wore her rollerblades for the first time. She got them for her birthday back in April!
Here she is in action - she even skated towards the middle of the rink! I can't believe how fearless she is...however I am probably the one to blame for lack of coordination. Oh well, you can't have everything!

Sick of being sick, Part 2

Gemma went back to school yesterday, though she did visit the nurse's office twice complaining of a stomach ache. Today, I was awoken by Spencer announcing that he threw-up in the sink. A sink is much easier to clean than the carpet, bedding, furniture....oh well, looks like we're not done yet! So much for having a fun 4 days off from school!

Sick of being sick!

Gianna came down with a stomach virus on Sunday morning....2:30 to be exact. Then by Sunday night - 7pm I was cursed. Both of us were on the upswing by Monday, BUT Gemma stayed home today. She hasn't had an "episode", but she hasn't had a thing to eat all day. It's 4:20 and she is on her second nap of the day....this isn't looking good. Oh - and Gianna took a giant step back today when she threw-up while in the living room. The ironic part....I was on the phone getting a quote from a carpet cleaner!
Please let this virus be out of my house soon!!!!!!!!!

Gianna's 1 year appointment

Just thought I'd share Gianna's stats -

She weighs 27 lbs and is 31 inches long! She is such a big girl...

Unfortunately this visit with the doctor also came with shots. Gianna was a total trooper; she did scream, but within just a few minutes she was smiling and laughing. We even stopped at the grocery store before heading home. Currently she is napping; and for those who are aware of her poor sleeping habits, she has been down for about 90 minutes at this point. That's a long time for Gianna!

Our Family Photos

We had family pictures taken in July at Harriet Island by a friend of the family who happens to be a professional photographer. The weather was perfect - the sky was a pretty blue with puffy white clouds and the green of the grass and trees was just gorgeous. As pretty as they were in color, I decided that black and white gave the pics a more timeless look.

I finally got around to ordering some to put on the wall in the dining room....this wall has been bare since we moved into our house 10 years ago because I was always looking for the "perfect" picture. Then we started having children and I just never got around to deciding which photos to hang. Well, our (my) problem has been solved. Now, I just need to decide on a photo for our Christmas card and I'll be good to go!

We did this photo at the very end, I love that Gianna is looking at the camera. You can't see it, but Gemma and Spencer were holding hands too!
I love, love, love this photo of Gemma. For some reason, she was being so shy and didn't want to look at the camera. Sarah got her at the perfect moment!

Spencer was such a ham! He and David took a few photos together wearing their hats too - Spencer really likes his Panama Jack hat, and he looks so handsome in it!
Here is the princess before she had teeth! Gianna loved the grass - when this photo was taken she was pulling grass and dropping it all around herself. I think Sarah photoshopped some of the random blades of grass out.

An oldie, but a goodie....

Gianna has a new favorite song. I have to say, she has good taste!!!

Another reason why I love my boy....

So when I picked up the kids from school yesterday, Spencer had a note to show me. It was from a kid in his class apologizing for hitting him at recess and saying he'll never do it again...blah blah blah. I immediately asked Spencer what happened - he told me that this boy, "R" was trying to push Gemma, but Spencer wouldn't let "R" get to her. He was using his body as a shield and "R" got fed up with Spencer and started hitting him. My big surprise was Spencer DID NOT hit him back!!! He kept his arms out trying to stop "R" and then told the teacher what had happened! (Part of me wished he would have hit the kid back - we know this boy from soccer and he is a pain in the a*s.) "R" was sent to the office and Spencer was a hero in Gemma's eyes (and mine too!) and he seemed pretty proud of himself for protecting his sister! Something worth mentioning - he never cried during the altercation. Which is a pretty big deal since Spencer can be a little too sensitive at times!

Gianna's Birthday Party

This past Saturday we celebrated Gianna's first birthday with a party fit for a princess! The weather was perfect and she was over her cold. Here she is with her Titi Edmee showing off her fancy party dress. It should be noted, that Titi Edmee and Titi Evelyn came to Gianna's birthday party immediately after landing at the airport after a 4-day girls weekend in Las Vegas. We know how tired you must have both been, but we are so glad you came to wish the little girl a happy birthday! Now when most people think of a "first birthday party", I'm sure pinata comes to mind! Well, Gemma and Spencer thought it was a great idea. The kids had fun trying to break it open - you would have thought it was made of cement! It took 6 kids, 2 turns each to crack it open....with a metal bat!!!! Thankfully, no one hit David with the bat.

Here Gianna is chilling outside with her cake and ice cream. I think she looks like she is going into a sugar coma from the expression on her face!
After a wardrobe change, Gianna tore into her presents. As usual, the wrapping was more fun than the gifts! It was especially nice to share the gift opening with Gianna's godfather, Chris. He had been in the hospital most of last week and didn't get discharged until Saturday afternoon. Most people would have wanted to go home after that, but not Chris. He and his parents came straight from the hospital just in time for cake. We had a very nice time visiting with them and watching Gianna play with the wrapping paper. Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated Gianna's big day with us!!! (You'll be getting something in the mail from her in the next week or so!!!)