Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Break: Thanksgiving Photo Dump

The best appetizer ever- club crackers with parm cheese on top, wrapped in bacon.

My first pie.  Getting fancy with the top.

Elia and G helped make name cards.

The kid's table.  Thats Martinellis.

The table all decked out.



Nutella mousse.  Yum!

Sarah and I!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving Break: Uncle Danny's Visit

On Tuesday, Uncle Danny flew in from Kansas where he goes to college so he could spend Thanksgiving with us!  He was so ggod with the girls, and Elia had seen him a week or 2 earlier at the funeral so she was even more excited.  Uncle Danny also really loves My Little Pony, so everyone (even Chris) bonded over that.
Chalk with the girls

All the brothers, and Elia.

He helped Chris cut down a tree.

King of the Ring

Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanksgiving Break: Ice!

Thanksgiving Break week, we joined up with my cousin Kevin and his family to go see the Ice exhibit at the Gaylord.  It was pretty cool and cold.


A christmas tree of ice!

Hot cocoa afterwards.  Elia stole the show in the rest of the pics.



We went back to Kevin and Amanda's for dinner and a quick swim in the hot tub!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Croup-tastic Marschner Visit

Chris' grandpa passed away so Chris took Elia out to Napa for the funeral.  That left G and I to fend for ourselves for 5 days.  He left on Monday night and they came back Saturday night.  Shannon, Tom, and Baby B had plans to fly in Friday night.
Friday afternoon while teaching, the school nurse called me to let me know that G was there with a fever and complaining of her throat hurting.  So I made some sub plans and left for the afternoon to take Gianna to the doctor.
She diagnosed her with Croup, which totally freaked me out for a bit.  My doctor assured me it was fine, that its going around, and prescribed a steroid.  Then I remembered that Aunt Shanny was coming with her 8 month old and I freaked out again.  Shannon and I went back and forth about what to do, but in the end we decided they all should just come.  I bought G a face mask and she had strict orders Friday night and Saturday to wear it when she was around him.  Thankfully he did not get it (nor did Elia once she got home Saturday night) and the weekend was a large success!  Tom went to the football game while the girls and Brendan and I shopped and went out to eat.





Thursday, November 8, 2012

More School Updates

Black Day.  Love this outfit.

First time buying lunch.  She was so excited!

She was "surfer of the week" this week.







Toe Knee Chest Nut

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!!

Chris had to work late, so Uncle Matt came over to help take us around.  Elia and Gianna were sort of star struck at first, just staring at the homeowners as they asked questions or told them how pretty they looked.  Then, they got the hang of it!  They started saying trick or treat each time and after much encouraging, thank you after they received their candy.  I was worried some of the more decorated houses would scare them, but the spookier the better for Elia!  Oooo mommy, lets go to this spooky house she kept saying.  Love that girl.  After a while, they didn't even want Uncle Matt or I to come up to the house with them.  So each time, as they turned up a walkway, Elia would turn around and say, "mom, you don't have to come with us!"  Every. time.  It was cute but also sad that she is so independent.
Our neighborhood has always had some crazy decorations, but this year there weren't as many houses near us that were full of zombies and skeletons etc.  There was one house we went to that gave out glow necklaces, and that was super fun, not to mention practical.  Another house was handing out adult beverages to the adults!  They will be on our permanent rotation, I must say!  Here are some highlight pictures of the night:
Started the night out with Books for Treats.  An annual favorite!




We practiced first, going over to our next door neighbors while it was still light out.  Ms. Kay (our nd neighbor) bought them each a huge lollipop, just for the girls!  So sweet.

Elia figured out no hands!
Once we got home, we only got 3 trick or treaters!  The girls thought it was super fun to hand out candy.  They went to bed pretty late, but it was well worth it.  They had so much fun!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

More Pumpkin Fun

Halloween is such a fun kid holiday and so we did another pumpkin craft.  I saw this idea on YHL, and couldn't resist.  I think we will be doing it next year too!
I used Halloween cookie cutters to trace shapes on tissue paper.

Then the girls mod podged the shapes on to the pumpkins.

We did one pumpkin with black shapes and one pumpkin with green and pink shapes.

After they went to bed, I put a thin layer of modge podge all over the pumpkin.


Finished project!  Elia snuck a ghost on the green/pink pumpkin!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving is always so fun!  These girls will not put their hands in pumpkin goo, so we carved the big one and painted the other 2. 


Gianna is learning bubble letters at school

such concentration!


All Chris' research and execution!



I think we are going with zombie Hello Kitty here.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

While Chris is away, Grandma will stay!

Chris' dear grandfather is battling cancer, and so Chris went out to California to bring him some cheer.  Grandma came out to help while he was gone.  Chris was also able to go to a playoff Giant's game against my Cardinals, so he was super excited about that. I let Gianna take a personal day off from school and so Grandma and the girls did lots of fun things!  They walked to McDonalds and the park, did crafts, and baked cupcakes too.  Elia stayed home all three days so she got some much needed attention from her grandma.


Bead necklaces

As soon as we got home from the airport, they had to dress up for Grandma- she snapped this pic with her iPhone and it is darling! 


Halloween Crafts

Chris' Loot

Giant's Fans.



Please say some prayers for Grandpa!  Its been really rough, and he is in a lot of pain!