Zach - 1st Grade basketball

Magna-tile FUN

Thanks Opa & Yaya!!!

Presidents' Day at the Zoo

Zach had the day off from school and it was a bright sunny day so we decided to bundle up and head to the zoo. Unfortunately, Eric had to work or we probably would have hit the slopes!!

Valentines Day 2013

We did our traditional chocolate fondue again this year! Happy Family!!! Lots of LOVE in this house!!

Zach's #7

Yes, our baby is SEVEN!! Oh my! Hard to believe it has been that long....but then again, I can't remember life without him!! This was the year of the desk...that is all he wanted...and we took him shopping at IKEA and let him pick it out. We had one happy/excited little guy!!  He is very thankful for the desk....and has said on multiple occasions that this was his best birthday ever!   We celebrated with friends after school on Monday by having a sports themed "free for all" at the gym at our church. It was heaven for little boys.....lots of room to run and play.....lots of friends....and a lot of junk food!!

 

 

 

Zach's birthday

Bahamas 2013

TUESDAY. After a long morning of traveling, meeting Oma and Papa in DC, customs, taxi ride - we arrived at Atlantis. As quickly as we could we changed into our bathing suits and hit the pool and checked out the beach. We cleaned up and walked to the Marina village, checked out the yachts, and had a tasty dinner at Bihimi Road.

WEDNESDAY. We walked over and had coffees in the morning and then changed into our suits and headed over to the water slides. Eric and Zach raced down the challenger and the boys checked out some of the kiddie slides. It was a breezy, cloudy, cool day so we decided to walk around and check things out. We visited the Dolphin Cay but decided to pass on swimming with the dolphins this visit....the boys didn't express much interest. We had some really good pizza (and salads) for dinner at Anthony's. Eric and Papa checked out the Casino after dinner.....they stayed out for quite a while....and did not come home with more money than they left with! :(

THURSDAY. We woke up and watched the fish get fed (8am) at Predators lagoon. We could watch from our balcony but walked over for a better view and to listen to the trainer. The trainer let us know that Atlantis was "releasing" their 13 foot Mantra this morning because it had gotten too big for its tank. A few minutes later we watched a helicopter arrive and pick up a huge net carrying the mantra.....it flew from the resort right out to the ocean in front of the resort and set him free. It was very cool to witness! More coffee and breakfast before heading to the cove beach and pool for the day. We all (except Oma) tried the rapids tube ride - it was a lazy river with some waves and "rapids" - fun for all! The boys played football on the beach and just enjoyed a beautiful day. We decided to get subs for dinner and ate back in our rooms while watching college basketball. Unfortunately Jake got sick Thursday night.....he complained of a stomach ache before dinner, didn't eat....and then was up all night sick- yuck!

FRIDAY. Jake and I hung back in the morning while the rest of the crew watched the animals get fed and picked up coffees. Jake seemed to be doing okay - but definitely was not himself. Mid-morning we checked out another pool at the resort and decided to spend the day there. Friday was the best weather day.....and the only day that I would consider actually hot. The boys played ping-pong by the pool, football, checked out another lazy river, etc. Eric and I took a beach walk and saw some beautiful homes/beach. Unfortunately Jake was just not feeling up to par - he relaxed/slept in the shade by the pool most of the day. Friday night we decided to be adventurous and headed to the "Fish Fry" for some local Bahamian food. It was a $35 cab ride across the bridge (from Paradise Island back to Nassau). Twin Brothers was the name of the restaurant the cab driver suggested so we decided to check it out. It was quite the experience. So Conch is the infamous food of the Bahamas. We tried the Conch fritters (pretty good) and the Conch Salad (not so good) as our appetizers. The menu was pretty interesting overall - Eric, Papa, and I all chose the grilled shrimp skewers but I talked Eric into choosing something different so that we could see another option - big mistake. Eric chose the snapper and it arrived at the table WITH EYES. At this point we got a tad out of control....the kids were a little in shock and the adults at the table could not stop laughing. So, the shrimp was good, the salmon dish Oma ordered was good, the grouper sticks Luke ordered was good.....otherwise....we will chalk it up as an experience.

As a side note, Jake seemed to be feeling better until he downed a can of cranberry juice at dinner (after not really eating too much all day). The bumpy cab ride home was another experience not to be forgotten.

Friday night Eric and I went out to meet up with Centric folks for a happy hour. It was a beautiful night and the event was held outside on the Big Deck.

SATURDAY. Saturday was the day we tried to do all the things we had yet to do and wanted to do before we left. We went over to another pool/area and checked out a few more water slides/tube rides. Eric was the brave one who did the plunge thru the shark tunnel.....no one else attempted this. Zach, Papa and I went on the tube ride thru the shark tunnel.....unfortunately you had to be 48 inches to ride most of the slides. Jake and Luke did find a few more water slides and enjoyed playing in the pool and doing the rapids river again. Saturday was fairly overcast and at times "chilly" (probably in the 70s) - it did not bother the boys but had some of us covering up with towels at times. After a full day by the pool we went back to clean up for a night out. Oma took the boys to see Frankinweenie at the movie theatre at the resort and then they all went to Jonny Rockets for dinner. Eric and I had a Centric "Dinner and Dancing" in the Grand Ballroom. It was a fun night for all!


Unfortunately we had an afternoon flight to Charlotte (all together) and then had to part ways with Oma and Papa to head back to the Burgh.  It was an amazing vacation and we are so glad that Oma and Papa were able to join us.....fun memories for all!!!

Enjoy the album from our trip below:

Bahamas 2013

First Ski Adventure

We woke up early on Saturday and headed to Hidden Valley for our first day of skiing. Eric and I were a little nervous as to how the boys would do but were pleasantly surprised that everyone had a great experience!!   The boys were signed up for "little rippers" ski school and we had to check them in at 9:30. By 9:45 they were geared up and out on the mini-slope with the magic carpet ride. We watched for a little bit but then decided to take advantage of the day and got ourselves geared up for some skiing.

Everyone had a wonderful day and we were amazed that after ski school until 3 the boys wanted to head back out and show us what they learned!! Jake & Luke had mastered the pizza and Zach was just enjoying his out of control zipping down the hill (needs to work on control!).  We packed up and headed home, stopping for dinner and then getting home just in time for bed......everyone was exhausted!!   We had a great day....and all went to bed with smiles on our faces.

Hidden Valley 1.5.13

Missing teeth

 

Zach lost both of his front over the Holiday break resulting in a new look as he headed back to school in the new year. On Saturday 12/29, we headed out to Dormont Park with Opa and Yaya to sled and the second time down the hill Zach wiped out. We ran over to him and he was sitting at the bottom of the hill holding tooth.

On New Years Eve, we sat down to dinner and after Zach's first bite of pizza his other front tooth was just dangling. Eric ran upstairs to grab a washcloth and came down and pulled it out. Everyone was in shock.....added a little excitement to the dinner!!

 

 

 

Holidays 2012

We were very fortunate this year to have both sets of Grandparents come visit. The weather cooperated and the roads were clear from Rochester so Oma and Papa arrived before Christmas and stayed until the 26th, leaving early to avoid the snow. Opa and Yaya arrived the 28th, after the roads had been cleared and stayed through the New Year. The boys loved every second of having them here and a lot of great memories were made!!

Highlights from Oma and Papa's vist:

• Eric sick with the flu (lowlight I guess)
• Primanti brothers dinner
• PITT basketball game
• Gingerbread houses (and Tubby eating one...or two)
• Church on Christmas Eve
• Campouts with Tubby & Papa

Highlights with Opa and Yaya:

• Sledding at Dormont Park and Z losing his front tooth
• Another Xmas morning
• Creamy crayons and magna tiles - FUN!
• Snowy walks and hikes
• Sledding at the Golf Couse...Opa loses his hat!
• Visit with the Smithleys
• New Years Eve.....Zach loses another tooth!

See the album of pictures below:

Holiday 2012

Kingdom Kids Christmas concert

So proud of Jake and Luke for their singing in the Christmas concert at Preschool! So cute!! Click the below album for more pictures from the night....

(unfortunately Zach had to stay home with Maria (babysitter) because he was sick)

Kingdom Kids concert

Afternoon downtown

Tree 2012

This year we decided to cut down our tree.....and it was the perfect year to do it as it was close to 60 degrees the afternoon of our adventure. Click the below album to see how we got the finished product below. Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

Xmas Tree Adventure 2012

Lite up Night - Sewickley

We went up to have dinner with the Scerbo's and checked out the lite up night festivities in downtown Sewickley. Another fun night!

Craft night at MLUPC

Thanksgiving 2012

We traveled back to Hilton for Thanksgiving this year and celebrated with Opa and Yaya. It was a great mini-vacation for us and a much needed break from the norm. We were able to see Oma and Papa and visit the Rochester Planitarium and also go to the Garden Center with Jane, Doug, and Jeff and then have a little pizza party.   Fun was had by all!

Thanksgiving 2012

Holiday Spirit

Jake and Luke broke out the Holiday pajamas a little early - too cute!!!

Get together with Cousins

It had been too long since we had gotten together with Katja, Ron, and Ryan so in mid November we had them over for a little pizza party. The boys had a lot of fun together and it was great for us to be able to catch up.

Never ending raking

Our large tree in the back is the last to blossom in the Spring and the last to drop its leaves in the Fall. This makes for a never ending raking season!! But lots of fun for the boys and their friends.

1st grade picture - Zachary

Long days

Jake, Luke and I were still adjusting to Zach's full day of school. Most days fly by because they are all at school in the morning but Monday is our day together and we often check out a park, the library, etc.....and of course Costco and the grocery store too!