Rain Rain Come And Play

Playing in puddles is so much fun.

 "Mommy, I see me!"

 After Lilly carefully picked out her perfect puddle jumping outfit, she had fun playing in puddles while Oliver chewed on her rain boots.

Clean Boy

Oliver is 12 weeks old.  He is a dear dear puppy.  We love him so much.  Last week the kids and I took him to Pet Smart for his first professional bath!  The staff loved him and paraded him around even playing peek-a-boo with his ears.  When I picked him up they said they didn't want him to leave.  Love our baby boy!!

Black dogs are very difficult to photograph.  I haven't a clue how to get him to look like he does in person in a photograph.  Apparently this is known about black dogs but it really is surprising every time I see the pictures I took.  

For example, this picture below makes Oliver look like he has a long poodle nose when he does not.  Look how clean and fluffy he was after his bath!!!

 This is a more accurate portrayal of his nose/face.  I didn't think I'd love a dog this much.  I figured all my love is being given to my human family but apparently there's plenty to go around!

 Oliver is great with the kids.  Gabe lays on him when he eats.  I guess he feels like a fluffy pillow!

 Clean fuzzy butt.

 Right now Oliver weighs about 22 lbs.  He's growing steadily and is too heavy for Lilly to carry around.  I can and do carry him but I'm sad that I won't be able to for long.  I love carrying him like a baby.

Snow Day

Like everyone else this year, we've had a super mild winter.  We did see a very small amount of snow one day and the kids had a blast outside.  It was just the right amount to not become annoying.  It was really the first time the boys were in snow.  Luke took the plunge first...

 I dug through our array of snow clothes; mostly hand-me-downs from friends with girls.  Luke was in super puffy snow bibs that made it hard to walk and Gabe was in comfy snow bibs that were lavender.  Luke had boots but Gabe did not.  The girls were good to go with Ella being the luckiest of the bunch.  Thanks to my dear friend Krissy, Ella was styling in a matching Lands End snow ensemble!!! 

 Gabe was happy to stay on the shoveled driveway...

 My sweet sweet baby boys.

 Ella loved the snow.  She doesn't complain getting dressed, doesn't get cold, and finds plenty to do in the snow on her own.  

The kid is easy...

 Attempt at a family shot.  Love it.

 Happy girl.

 Family shot pre-Oliver.

 Falling apart...

 

Luke is our helper.  He loves to help Daddy do anything.  

He is such a sweet dear.

Lilly is like me.  She doesn't like getting snow gear on and she doesn't love the cold.  I totally understand!! 

 Sweet girl.  She was just sitting on the start of her snowman watching the kids play.

 Luke did not want to go inside.  He and Lilly rode around the front yard while Daddy pulled them.  

This is my most favorite snow day picture...

 Oliver had a blast in the snow.  He greeted every shoveler and played with the kids.  At one point he stole Lilly's hat and ran away with it.  The kids came in and dropped their wet snow gear and Oliver passed out.

Daddy Turned 44

Andy is old.

Heh heh.  

For his birthday he got his favorite cannoli cake from Sweet Eats.  The cake is good.  So good.  It made me a cake lover.  Me.  I never liked cake.  It is that good.

Daddy and his boys...

 Daddy and his brood...

Happy Birthday 'ol man.  

I couldn't do it without you.

Giants

I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging.  

Life.
We've just survived the stomach virus.  It was oh so much fun.  I'm glad to be alive, that's all.

My goal is to take more pictures of my girls! In looking at the latest photos they're mostly of the boys since Lilly's in school and Ella plays off on her own a lot.  The boys are always busy.  I thought this was really funny. One day, Luke brought me the dollhouse furniture and was motioning for me to put it down for him to sit.  I told him, "It's too small for you buddy!"  He proceeded to place it on the kitchen floor and try his hardest to sit at the little table.

How cute is this?

 Later that afternoon, Gabe woke from his nap and Luke was still sleeping.  I looked over and saw Gabe doing the exact same thing!  He didn't see Luke do it in the morning because he was sleeping.

 Gabe discovered sitting on the table was easier...

 Our boys are 18 months old now.  I can't believe they've been here a year and a half!  They're unbelievably awesome.  They are starting to talk, play nicely, love reading books, have screaming matches, are so stinking sweet, love their sisters and playing with toys, and are generally awesome babies.  I don't want them to grow up anymore!

The girls are doing well too, as is Oliver and Daddy.  More posts this week on everyone else!

Random

I have computer issues and life's a bit hectic but I found a few random photos on my camera that I took this week.  I need to pull the camera out more often when Lilly is home. I tend to take more pictures in the morning when she's at school.

Ella's hair is long!  I don't think we've ever had it cut.  She rarely lets me put it up but on this date I convinced her to try braids.

  Tomorrow I am starting Music Together with the twins and Ella.  I'm excited but hope I can handle having all 3 there on my own.  Usually it's 1 parent with 1 child.

Gabe giving his brother his binky.  

 They're so adorable together lately.  They play and make each other giggle hysterically.  They share (Luke more than Gabe at this point).  Luke takes Gabe his blankie when Gabe is upset. 

Both boys like to carry the girls' bags/purses.  I think it's adorable. 

They love to sit on the pantry floor and eat their snack with the door closed so Oliver can't bother them.

 Lilly's doing well in school and loves playing with Oliver.  He's already outgrown her and she can hardly carry him around.  It's sad to think we won't be able to carry him around soon.  I already struggle holding him.

My computer needs a new hard drive.  When I take it in it will be gone for 2 weeks.  That will be hard for me but thankfully I have my phone.  I'll have to see if I can blog from my phone.  I'm sure there's a way...

Oliver 9 Weeks

Our youngest baby boy is 9 weeks old! 

He is the greatest puppy in my opinion.  He sleeps through the night in his crate, lets us know (most of the time) when he has to go outside, plays gently with the kids (except Lilly because she plays wildly), and is loving, adorable, and friendly.

The best part of all is that I'm not allergic to him at all.  I haven't kissed a dog or put my face up against a dog's fur in years.  It's such a wonderful feeling to hug him and have no difficulty breathing.

 I love the brown color that comes out in his fur when the sun shines just right.

 Oliver is great with the boys and rarely bothers them.  He's in a pretty good puppy chewing stage but leaves them alone.  They know to give him a toy when he starts chewing on them!

 For now, the couches are the safe spots for eating a snack or relaxing.  It won't be long until Oliver will easily be able to get on the couch but for now he has to settle for the cheap seats...

Accidents

I forgot about the toddler accident-prone phase.  With the twins it's times two as is everything else.  The boys have had their fair share of accidents but Luke's are more regular.  The day we had Oliver's first vet appointment I was running around trying to get everyone ready when I heard Luke's pain scream.  I found him like this:

  

The only witness was Ella.  She said he hit his head on the door.  That's the only details I could get out of her.  I tried to get her to reenact the accident but she would not.

About a week after the above injury, Gabe fell down the basement steps (carpeted!).  Andy and I were both here and very close but accidents still happen apparently.  Gabe knows how to go down steps so we're not sure what he did but the only injury was a cut on the inside of his lip.  Thank God.

A few days after that, we took the kids to Chic Fila.  We were all in the play area when I saw a little boy, maybe 3 years old, going toward Luke for what looked like a hug.  Next thing I know he was biting his face and had him penned to the ground.  Luke was left with two complete bite marks.  My poor baby boy. 

 We took him to the doctor and everything was alright.  My poor sweet baby boy!!! 

Here's to a year of few accidents!

Christmas 2011

On Christmas morning our sweet Lilly awoke first and waited for her brothers to wake.  She didn't mind nor did she even ask me if she could go downstairs!  We laid in bed and watched TV with Gabe and waited until Luke woke up.  Then, we woke Ella up and headed downstairs.

In my family growing up mom and dad always took a stair shot on Christmas morning and the tradition lives in our family!

 Lilly quickly ran through the room and opened all of her presents.  She was a whirlwind of excitement.  Ella saw a barn that Santa had not wrapped and sat down and played with it for 30 minutes.  We had to coax her to look at her other gifts, including the dollhouse she asked Santa for.

 The boys were happy playing with stray paper, looking at the girls' toys, and drilling.  They were very calm and peaceful.

 Oliver had been with us for 3 days and was as good as gold (and remains that way).  We really lucked out with this puppy!

 My favorite picture of the day!  All of our kids hammering together.

 The boys love the huge dollhouse.  Gabe was trying to fit inside.

 When they heard my flash pop up for the picture they both turned around in sync. 

 After we opened presents, ate sausage and egg casserole, and relaxed a bit, we headed over to Thomas and Jackie's house as we do every Christmas morning.  They are definitely our family away from home.

Stephie loving on Gabe.

 Jackie loving on Luke.

 As usual, they spoiled our kids.  They have such a warm and loving home.  The kids feel so comfortable there and I love that.

 The next two pictures melt my heart.  Luke opening his gift...

 Gabe opening his gift...

 I love their reactions!
And our sweet Ellabell...

 Before we left Thomas tried to take a family picture.  This is the one I chose because the whole thing was so ridiculous all we could do was laugh.  There were two injuries in the process.  Totally insane but so worth it.

 Love the Di Nunzios so much!

 When we got home the boys napped and when they woke Babcia came over to spend the afternoon and have dinner.  Santa left one surprise for the kids in the basement.  He set up a cafe for the kids using their play kitchen.  There was a window, curtain, new table and chairs, new food, etc.  Luke sat right down and drank the water Lilly poured for him. 

 Apparently I stopped taking pictures and don't have any evidence of our delicious dinner except for the turkey...

 Andy made a delicious meal and we enjoyed time with Babcia before calling it a day.  A great day. 

Oliver says, "I hope your Christmas was merry!"