Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and that Santa was very generous to everyone. I know we were spoiled!! Here are a few pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas day.. Love the Marinos









Look what Santa brought Savannah!!!

Frankenstein doesn't scare me, High Schoolers do!!!

How quickly things change... I knew she was going to grow up.. it's how life goes...and how it's suppose to be but I'm having a tough time adjusting. Savannah is now in high school and loving it...however the mood swings are doing me in..and then we aren't allowed to walk in to school together or speak in the hallway.. I'm not to call her sweetie in front of anyone or be seen in the hallway speaking with her.. and then there is the fact that we don't agree on anything.. If I tell her it's cold outside, she says it's not.. If I tell her she looks cute, she changes her clothes...I guess that is her way of stretching her wings and testing the waters of being grown up..I remember like it was yesterday wanting her to sit up by herself and take her first steps, I couldn't wait to hear her talk and be able to hold conversations with her.. It just happened so quickly.. I can't complain, she is a beautiful young lady who does great in school and has lots of friends but I'm not sure I'm ready for all this... Thank God I still get the "good night kiss" and "I love you" before bed.. I'll just have to hang on to that for now...

Happy Thanksgiving Day!!

I'm so thankful for all my friends and family as they my life all that more special!! Enjoy these cute cupcakes!! They were fun to make and even more fun to eat!!! Love you guys!!

Dog of the Month!!

Yes, it's true, Pogo was chosen as "Dog of the Month" after his last vacation there when Mom and Dad went to NC and Delaware on their last trip. When I went to pick him up, everyone there just raved about how cute and funny he was and what a joy he was to have for the week. So Mom and Dad went to a party in his honor today at the vet's office and they had "hot dogs" of course and all sorts of fun and games. Here is a picture of him in his finest!!!

55 Years of Wedded Bliss!!

Over the weekend we celebrated my Mom and Dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary!! I made them a beautiful meal of Surf and Turf (Filet Mignon with Balsamic Reduction and Goat cheese), yummy double stuffed potatoes and delicious pineapple cake. I can honestly say over the 52 years that I've spent with them, I've known nothing but love and acceptance...I think they set a great example of a successful marriage. They didn't leave each other when things got tough, they hung on to each other for support. I had wonderful memories growing up and I'm so thankful God blessed me with them as as my parents!! Love you guys!!

Last Project of the Summer!!

Savannah is as bad as I am about decorating.. she will get an idea and then run with it... Yes we had just done her room last summer but she never really warmed up to it like she thought.. came up with the beach theme one day while shopping in Hollister.. I thought what a fun summer project and birthday surprise.. She loves the reveal day... I wish the yard crasher guy would meet me in Lowe's and do my backyard so I could have a reveal day too... a girl can dream can't she??

Family Reunion

We had the best time at the beach this year!! All my siblings were there and most of the grandchildren. It is such a blessing that we get to spend time together just laughing and eating good food. Enjoy the pictures!! They are all getting so big..




The Fab Five!

Sorry Donna, Just had to put the other one of you! Love you





Hailee's Birthday!


Oldest to youngest...


Two of the grandsons.. Missing Chris, Kyle, and Chad, maybe next year..

Forever Friends

You know how you have those friends that are near and dear to your heart and they move away and you only talk with them a few times over the year but when you get together you feel like you've never been apart??? Well my forever friend Lisa and her family came down for a visit and it was so good to see her again. She was there for my daughter's birth and I was there for her's, we were there for each others weddings, all the good times and the bad. Anyway, we had a blast at Universal Studios and went on the new Harry Potter ride. It was fantastic!!! Loved seeing you Lisa and family.. Miss you already!!!


Steph, after the Hulk!


Steph, & Lisa after Hulk!


Hogwarts


Train

America's Next Top Model??

For the last few years, Savannah has hinted at wanting to model. I would ignore it and it would go away for awhile only to return another year. So this year we decided to throw caution to the wind and go in for an interview. Of course they loved her and because of her petite size thought she would be great for Justice adds or Hollister Jr.
We went in for a photo shoot today with a bunch of crazy outfits, hats, boots and jewelry. She did a fantastic job and we should have our Comp Cards back in a week. After that her agent will send them out and we will hopefully get a call back. I think it will be a great learning experience if nothing else and earning a little college money won't hurt a bit. Wish us luck!!! Will keep you posted...

Courtney's Graduation

We just got back from a wonderful week in North Carolina! We celebrated Courtney's graduation from NC State and had a mini reunion. As you can see by these pictures, fun was had by all. Ava and Linc are growing up so fast and were a joy to spend time with. Hopefully it won't be two years before we are all together again. We love you Courtney and are so proud of you. Good Luck looking for that job! Take care of that spider bite!!!

Emilee's Sleepover

Emilee reminded me recently that we haven't had a sleepover lately so the night before her birthday party we had a fun filled night of baking cookies, computer and board games not to mention some shopping at her favorite store Justice!! We really had a great time and should do it more often. She had a wonderful "8th" birthday with her friends at Grammie's on Saturday.. Enjoy the pictures...

8th Grade Washington DC Trip

We had the best spring break ever!!! Took a bus and 53 8th graders to DC for a spring break trip.. We had a ball... The kids were great, the weather was beautiful and the cherry blossoms were spectacular!! I was in charge of all the boys on the bus so I kept my Febreeze handy so I could give them a spray when they got the "toots" going in the back of the bus.. I thought our guide was cranky and the bus driver couldn't wait for his next cigarette but I love to visit DC and always feel very patriotic after I have visited.. Enjoy the pictures!!




White House


George Washington's house






The boys...

Happy 75th Birthday Grammie!!

We've had a wonderful last couple of days here in warm and sunny Florida!! Yesterday was Mom's birthday and I took her for her first pedicure... She absolutely loved it so there will be many more of those to come... After that Savannah and I took her to lunch and when we got home she had beautiful flowers from friends an family waiting for her...Dad took her out to dinner and then we all got together to sing and blow out birthday candles...Today we got up and went to the beach to soak up some of that sunny Vitamin D, listen to the calming waves and watch the crazy spring breakers.. We actually got hit on by some cute guy (yes he was drunk) but we though it was impressive none the less... Enjoy the pictures!!! Love you Mom...

Hey Ava! "Happy Birthday"

Flashback Friday

Happy Valentines Day!! My sweetie pie at 5 months...

I'm Truly Blessed!!

I just wanted to say that I'm ready to tackle "2010" and am looking forward to the new year with great anticipation and thankfulness... I'm praying that my finances get a little better. I'm actually looking for a little part time job right now as school employees haven't gotten a raise in two years now! Everything goes up but the pay check and note to everyone out there.. Teenagers are expensive!! I've got my fingers crossed that I will love my new job at University High where I will begin work next fall and that Savannah will continue to make me proud. On that note I'm so very grateful for the wonderful relationship I have with my daughter. I see how many families at my school are turned upside down by the constant fighting and trials and tribulations of teenagers and it saddens me. Savannah is such a beautiful bright spot in my day every day and I can't imagine my life without her! She has evolved into a very funny, beautiful and loving young lady. She has lots of friends but seems to steer clear of the "cliques". She is empathetic towards the children at my school that are teased by other kids and it makes me very proud when she stands up for them even when she is taunted for doing so. She still tells me she loves me every day not to mention the hugs I get and she actually wants me around for field trips. Yes we have our arguments, neither one of us is perfect, but I just hope and pray that our high school years will continue to go as smoothly and our relationship will continue to grow as well. Her goal this year is to "make over my closet".. Thinks I dress to old.. Ouch, that one hurt.. John continues to be the best house husband around! He is such a big help with the chores and still surprises me with wonderful Italian dinners now and then. My life is truly blessed with good health and wonderful family and friends that I really can't complain about anything. Now if I could just win the lottery, what a blessing I could be to so many people!! LOL, I know, I know, I can't have it all... Thank you God for the best life ever and I look forward with an open heart and mind to the coming year!!! Please help me to be a blessing to people everyday!! Love to all my family and friends!!



My Big girl!

Christmas at Fescoe's Bed and Breakfast

What can I say? We had the best Christmas at the Fescoe Bed and Breakfast Inn. I love to spend Christmas with my sister and her family. We are treated like royalty, chocolate by my bed, laundry washed and folded and breakfast with a multitude of flavored syrups..IHOP, eat your heart out! We always have lots of fun, tons of great food, and many, many laughs!! Donna and I enjoyed our last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping not to mention planning and executing some wonderful meals. It was great to see Courtney and bake all our yummy cookies and fudge.. Savannah had endless fun with Chad and the WII and playstation and we were entertained by the endless bantering between John and Rick. It's always a joy to see Kyle and Lindsey... hard to believe it's almost been two years since the wedding...It was also quite a treat to skype with Chris, Michelle, Ava and Linc.. It was almost like visiting minus the hugs and kisses.. Can't wait to see everyone in June...Enclosed are some Christmas pictures which show what great fun was had by all...Love you guys..

Court, & Savannah


The Happy Family


The Frozen Family


Mikes Farm


Santa was good to me


Sexy Undies


Duet


M a r i n o' s