But we're not even Italian.....

Sweet baby B' and Little Miss L' enjoying their pre-dinner snack.

D' and C' anxiously awaiting their pizza making

Check out that concentration

Yay!  Cheese!!

Auntie K' hard at work



Sweet baby B' was ready for some pizza

Shocking isn't it?

What??  Round Table is hiring??

Can she get any cuter?

So proud of their pizza

I think these belonged to Miss M and Mr. J, jr.

Last night, we had my beautiful friend and her darling little boys over for dinner.  We had "pizza bar" and each kiddo got to build their own pizza.  I think it was a hit with everyone  gauging by the smiles. :)  Auntie K' and I have been friends since the third grade, and we share a lot of fun memories from our childhood, teen years, and adulthood.  She has been a wonderful friend, and I cherish her friendship so much.

9 months.....

Hard to believe, but our little darlin' is 9 months old already.  She is now able to get around pretty nicely, can pull herself up on everything (which makes life interesting for mommy:), isn't very fond of solids unless it is some sort of pastry, or bread product (LOVE this....just like mommy!), and still just has her two bottom front teeth although the top two are right at the surface and ready to pop thru.  She is above the 97th percentile for her height and head size and at the 85th percentile for her weight. 

Sweet little L' melts my heart with her sweet smile and her "full body" giggles.  She loves to watch her big brothers and sisters play and often tries to join in on the fun.  She is very fond of everyone, although she is especially happy to be with daddy and mommy.  She get EXCITED when she hears the bath water going because it is one of her most favorite activities.  She has been such a wonderful addition to our family, and we are so thankful that God has blessed us with her.

And my heart aches....

Please pray for this sweet little boy.  Pray for comfort and strength for their family, and that God will surround them with his peace.  Their blog can be found at www.acashofhope.blogspot.com.

Sledding on flat ground......

Snow!!!  I'm not sure who had more fun (the driver, the "passengers," or the dog).  It was certainly fun to watch the smiley faces.



Just so I remember.....

Aw....raising a tween.  It's.....well.....interesting to say the least.  It has given me a whole new appreciation for my mother and father.  I don't know how my dad did it.....4 girls in the house w/one bathroom.  Dad, you are my hero! 

Anyhoo, I had the privilege of taking my darling daughter and her bff for an outing last night.  We went out for ice cream, which apparently made yours truly "cool".  I listened to Miss M and her bff banter back and forth in the ice cream shop and was having flashbacks of my youth (Auntie K'...if you are reading this....think burritos, popcorn, cows, etc....good times!).  Miss M' and bff were using terms such as "smootches," "kisses," "epic-coolness," etc.   I (giggling right along with them) proclaimed "smootches" to my darling daughter and was quickly shot an "eye roll" and demoted from my "cool" mom status. :)  Ok.....note to self....leave the "trendy talk" to the juveniles.

We then headed off to the mall.  We actually had a great time!  We tried on silly clothes, went into all of the "cool" shops (apparently Walmart doesn't qualify as "cool"...jk!), and then I witnessed one of the most entertaining conversation I've heard in a LONG time.  The girls were listening to some music in my car, and Miss M' (who is a huge country music fan!) heard a song by Reba (if you listen to country...no last name is necessary!) and she said, "Reba is like.....100 years old."  Since when did Reba become a centurion?  Where have I been?  Then, M's bff turned the station to one that I've never heard before, and bff screamed, "Oh!!  I love this song!  It is totally is EPIC-RAD (rad....now there's a word that I can relate to!)  It makes me cry every time I hear it."  I am thinking to myself, "Oh fantastic!  Finally a song that I can relate to.....Journey, Foreigner, White Snake." You know... a gool ole' love song by a "timeless" group.  Just as I was channeling my inner-mullet, leather-jacket wearing 80's self, a hideous rap song started to blare from the speakers.  Seriously? Um...n.o.t.s.o.m.u.c.h.  And it happened again.....I turned the radio station and with that I was "uncool" again.  I was, however thrilled when my daughter said, "I don't really like that kind of music anyway.  I'm more in to country."   YES!!!!

I just had to record this on my blog...more for myself. :)

New Years Eve....

This year we brought in the New Year at our favorite place.....home!  We had quite a party, too (well, by kid standards, that is (:).  We started the night off with pizza and root beer floats.  Dunk, my sweet little nephew joined us for a sleepover because his mom and dad had festivities to attend (if I know my sister, she probably sat and worried about Dunk.  Dunk is 5 years old and has only left her side 3......yes, 3 times!  fyi Amanda...he did great!!  He is quite fond of D' and J's bunk beds.  We renamed them "Dunk Beds").  After dinner, we set off some fireworks compliments of Uncle Mark, and they were IMPRESSIVE! ;)  I think that they were the highlight of the night for the kids.  After spending nearly 5 minutes outside watching our festive display of illumination, we retired back to the house (mainly because it was FREEZING!!!! outside) and played a few hours of Wii Dance Party.  The kids conned J', Sr. and I into playing a game, but it just reminded me of why I don't dance.  Can you say "two left feet?"  I DID however have fun, and the kids thought it was hilarious (I'm sure we were a sight for sore eyes).   Dunk was the king of the game. I think my nephew may be double-jointed because I have never seen a kiddo shake his little hips quite the same way as Dunk.  Anyhoo, after a rousing night of fun we retired for the evening (around 10:00....we are a wild bunch down here).  L', however decided it would be fun for her to "bring in the New Year" and woke up for a little snack at 12:00 (girl likes a good party).  All in all good times were had.

Wishing you all many blessings in 2011!