Happy Everything this holiday!

Christmas Eve 2011 was a huge success! This is our 4th year hosting xmas eve for 45 people! WOW we've been hosting for 4 years now! Next year is year #5 - I'll have to pull out all the stops next year! Oh boy Steve I think we need all the reindeer and Santa with his sleigh next year...the ideas are already coming! It really is my favorite party to host! I love all the glitter and the sparkle of it all. My table is set weeks in advance and I fuss with it everyday until the day to only have it all torn apart when the family hit the table to make room for the food - jeesh can a candlestick get any respect?

Let's eat!

Kids opening gifts! Yes that is Steven's "OMG it's exactly what I wanted" face!

Organized Chaos

This year Santa came and it was the highlight of the evening. I can't speak for any of the other parents but my kids were just in complete awe of it

Samantha's face above Bella's face below say's it all:

Sam and her cousin Frank

Anthony and his cousin Michael:

Some of the men:

Here are just a few from christmas morning:

Insanity:

Steve all excited over his dinosaur:

New PJ's from Great Grandma:

It was a great weekend and that's why I really shouldn't focus on any of the negative but alas there was, as there usually is in some family's, when the holidays come around. Let me just say this - there were family members missing over the last 2 days of festivities. It is a shame that their differences couldn't have been put aside even during the holidays when this is the time that family should be together. It was disrespectful to parents and grandparents that only wish to see their family all together. The anger and bitterness that has been so consuming over the last few months should have been put aside during this time of year. After this I sadly see no resolution in sight and it will not be my loss nor will I let it be my children's. We all have choices to make to live our life to it's fullest and it saddens me to think that my family would have such a negative impact on someone else's life that they would feel the need to remove us from theirs.

So to my family that loves and respects me I wish you a wonderful 2012 and may all your hopes and dreams come true!

Don't be mad!

I know I promised to come back the next day and it's been like 3 weeks. I am a bad blogger! I have no excuse other than life and all my chaos!

Here's a random mess of pictures enjoy:

Samantha turns 10:

The best friend!

The boys:




There was a halloween party at the kids school I organized:





There was a 40th birthday for Steve. This picture sums it all up!





The cake!!!



The birthday boy:



Celebrating Guiseppe's 40th:



Breakfast with Santa last weekend:



OK I'll be back!

Oh My God! It's November 13th!!!!!

I can't even begin to say how crazy life is at the moment but seeing how my last post was September obviously I'm not crazy well I am crazy but in addition to that I'm crazy busy.

There is a lot to to update you all on but at the moment I am fitting this in between waiting for the wash to finish and needing to fold the clothes fresh outta the dryer before the wrinkle and then I am forced to rewash - YES I do that don't judge me cause I'm wrinkle free :)

So in short - Sam turned 10! 10 holy cow where did the years go?!?! They really do fly! We gave her a big over the top party cause well i'm crazy and Steve just comes along for the ride and I like to do big over the top birthdays! Plus she's a super great fabulous kid and deserves crazy over the top parties! Pictures to come!

Steve turned 40! He came out of it unscathed. He really hasn't had time for the mid-life crisis yet due to his current work schedule. Please check back on that in a few months. We celebrated with a "small" dinner party. Small meaning 36 people cause that was all the restaurant would hold and of course after the fact he admitted he should have let me throw that big over the top party I wanted to - there would have been less mad relatives that way. Pictures to come!

What else...what else.....I am drawing a blank right now but I know there is more a lot more. The kids are all having a great school year so far which is always good! They all had a great soccer season! I coached Sophia's team and it was a fun season with 10 little 5 yr olds with 2 left feet. Sophia though she was good - I called her the ringer. She was tiny and she would get on the field and would just score one goal after another the other side never knew what hit em! Pictures to come!

Today was a good day to be Mom to my kids. Bella came in 1st place for her last cheer competition and with this win it made the UNDEFEATED for the season! That is incredible! I know they are only 6 but if you ever saw her compete you would get it. I am so proud of her! must celebrate in some big over the top way! Steven had his last soccer game and they lost but that didn't matter. The best player on the other team after the game came up to my son and shook his hand and said "you are awesome"! How great is that! Made Steven's whole day and I am sure he won't forget it!

It's a busy week coming up. Steve and I are taking a few days to recharge. Looking forward to not having to hear a kid, see a kid, change a kid, feed a kid , wash a kid, tutor a kid, drive a kid, essentially anything to do with a kid - I welcome the break.

We have our annual holiday shopping fundraiser on Saturday! It's always a good night with lots of friends, booze, food and of course shopping - what could be better?!?

OK I have already spent to much time trying to catch up and now I fear the wrinkles have set in.

I promise to be back tomo!

11 YEARS

It's 11 years ago today that Steve and I said I do. I know how people say all the time "oh it feels like yesterday.....". For me - it really does. I remember every detail of the day from the sweet note that Steve sent over that morning as I was getting ready. To seeing the rose bush finally bloom for the first time just one single yellow rose. To getting to the church and walking toward him knowing that we were meant to be together and I would never let him be without a pair of shoe laces again. Ask him - it's his story.

We have a lot to show for the last 11 years. I can truly say I am more proud of the last 11 years of my life than any other time. We are a perfect match and we compliment each other well.

Steve, I will love you forever and ever. We have created an incredible life together and I am thankful everyday for it and for you!! We have 5 amazing children that make us the luckiest parents in the world. I don't hope I know that the next 11 years will be even more remarkable than the last.

This one's for you - you got moves.....

OMG Anthony is 2!!!!!!!

Can someone please tell me where the last 2 years went?!?!? I'm so sad :( Anthony is the baby and is spoiled spoiled spoiled! Get's what he wants when he wants. The faster he screams the quicker he gets what he wants. He is by far the most photographed of all the kids. I know it's supposed to be that way with the 1st kid and by the time you come to the last there should be none but it was the opposite here. Why?!? Cause he's the last baby and I don't want to forget ANYTHING!!



Complete:




omg look at how adorable!








So handsome




Where's Anthony:



Ughhh I won't miss cleaning messes like these:

He loves his Daddy!

making deals:







Brothers:

Look at those curls!!! Happy Birthday to my Chukka's - I love you forever and ever!

Famerfest 2011

It's summer, it's August so it must be time for Farmerfest! It's out annual get together with our friends. It all started when Farmer (only the chosen few know his real name) moved far far away south. He makes the looooong trip every summer with the family to visit. To make life easier so he can see everyone in one shot we have a BBQ - hence Farmerfest!

The boys:



the kids:









trouble here:



The annual "throwing in the pool" of Cheryl





Ughhh one year can we not throw me in:




The summit - this is where your voted IN or OUT of the group:



Kevin your such a pig:



Your a perfect match for these pigs....



seriously get a room: