Christmas Vacation

The start to our vacation was nice and simple. The kids played outside, mommy went to the gym, and we got together with some friends. Those first few days were relaxing and we needed it because soon we would be in for a tremendous Christmas experience.
On to Christmas Eve......
Christmas Eve is always a huge affair at the Frisoni home. Every year we get dressed up and pack a bag with PJ's and toys. Aunt Helen (my grandfather's sister) always has tons of food, drink, and fun! The interesting part is that these parties keep becoming less maintenance as far as the kids are concerned. Gianni went off with the big kids and Carmen played pretty quietly so I was able to interact with people instead of being in mom mode. It also helps that my husband is wonderful with the kids when it comes to occupying them at these kinds of events. Thanks honey!

Before we go to Aunt Helen's party, we always pick up Nonna and Pap along the way. They let the kids open their Christmas presents. This year the theme was Family Game Night! The kids opened game after game and were excited to play each one on Christmas morning.

Christmas morning was wonderful, especially for Mr. Gianni. He received the long awaited drum set and Carmen is quite good on the drums as well.

Carmen was so excited to receive lip gloss and Dora toenail polish from Santa!
Mommy and daddy bought her a puppet theater stand which is entertainment for us because she is hilarious when she puts on a show.

In the afternoon Abel and I went to the Cardinals game. It was a long day but so much fun. We met up with the Roseland Family and their friends to tailgate. When that was wrapped up it was into the company suite for Konica Minolta (Abel's work) and we watched what was probably the best game of the season. It was unusual to not be with the kids on Christmas Day but the big breakfast and presents were all over with so we took advantage of the free tickets!

Yesterday, we packed up the car and headed to Williams, Arizona (thanks to the Nonna and Papa of course). 99% of the cool things we do with our kids are because of them! Thanks again guys. In Williams you can board the Polar Express and take a trip to the north pole. Carmen...was a disaster in Williams...I'll just say it...she totally was! We went for a swim in the indoor pool and from that point on it was downhill from there. She perked up a bit on the train though!

Today, we woke up and enjoyed our buffet breakfast at the hotel. A cowboy walked into the eating area and started shouted about who took his lady. Then he announced a description of the man that took his lady....and it was my dad. He came over and gave my dad a hard time in front of everyone which was quite funny.

After breakfast we went to Bearizona, which is basically a park that you drive through and animals roam right by your car. There is also a walking section where you can get up close to baby animals and hibernating animals.

Finally, we made our way to the Wing Mountain Snow Play Area. This area is about 10 miles NW of Flagstaff. Last year Carmen cried the entire time in the snow. She wouldn't even walk in it. Check out the pics from this year. Very different story! So proud of her!

That is not me pushing Gianni. It is some random lady.

So far our vacation has been eventful. Tonight we are home preparing for the big wedding day for my brother Justin.

Taste Report

Well, I would say it was a huge success! The sauce (which I made from scratch with no recipe) was a hit with everyone. Gianni had three plates of gnocchi. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy, this is like the best thing ever." That statement right there made all the rolling of gnocchi worth it. Gianni was glowing after his tummy was full.
The kids loved me for making the best meal ever.

Time for Gnocchi!

Oh I feel amazing! My house is clean, groceries are bought, laundry is done, oh and that's right...no work tomorrow! We are so happy to be on vacation. As I sat down to plan my grocery list for the week I came across a recipe in my grandmother's hand writing. I can't believe it has been 10 years without her. Scribbled in her all capital hand writing I saw the word "GNOCCHI". I have the time, so why not. Carmen helped although she is boogers and very sick, but it was fun. Now, they are in the freezer and tomorrow Gianni and I will make our own sauce and we will give these gnocchi a try. I will update you tomorrow with a taste report! Also, made a great new salad for dinner so check out my new recipes.
Carmen and Gianni are ready for Christmas. Today we rearranged both of their rooms to make way for new toys. They both had huge parties at school and daycare on Friday to celebrate the upcoming holiday. Gianni continues this week with his third drum lesson in preparation for his new drums (which is his Christmas present from us, SHHHHH!)

Earlier in the week Abel attended Gianni's Christmas Performance where he sang super loud!

GO CARDS!

A huge THANK YOU to Nicole, Chris, and Zach (Carmen's babysitter and family) for giving us their tickets to the Cardinals game today! The kids had a blast and because of their generosity my children were able to have an experience that we could not currently afford. The kids of course ate their way through the game. Carmen went potty 9 times! What a wonderful afternoon!

Carmen had to skip a nap, so on the way out she was exhausted. She was probably tired from all the sugar, excitement, and let's not forget the dancing.

Cookies, Drums, and Snow

So sorry that I have not posted but things have just been crazy. Sometimes I wonder...do people read this besides my mom? Well if you have been wondering where we have been here is my update. Gianni is finishing baseball this week and has a double header this Saturday. He has been hitting and fielding the ball great. He is interested in drums and has been wishing for drums for Christmas so we put him in lessons to test his ability and commitment. He was amazing! Even better is the sparkle in his eye when he talks about it or plays the drums. This week he was Star of the Week at school. We had to make a poster all about him, he brought in show and tell, and we even brought in his favorite food (corn casserole) for his classmates to taste. It was an exciting week of kindergarten. Last week they had a Friendship Feast where the teacher made a stew with the kids and invited the parents in for lunch. Abel went to this event and the boys had fun and enjoyed the veggie stew, cornbread baked by us, and pumpkin pie!

Miss Carmen cried this week, "mommy, I want to go to school, I want a back pack, I'm ready!" She really wants to go to school so bad but as many of you know her birthday misses the cutoff and she will not be able to start kindergarten until two months before she turns 6. Preschool for two years starting in August but she wants to go NOW!!!!! Today she had dancing class which she continues to enjoy. Mommy baked 4 different kinds of cookies today and prepared dough for a 5Th kind. Carmen was so eager to help and stir and mix! She is a wonderful helper.

After nap it was off to dinner with Papa, Uncle Justin and Aunt Rachel. PF Changs was the destination due to their Gluten Free Menu for Justin. The kids had chicken lo mein and did very well. They like PF Changs most because of the huge statue of a horse out front.

After dinner we went to the Goodyear Ballpark for a Winter Carnival. They had blow up bounce houses and slides, Santa arrived on a firetruck, Papa bought them ice cream, and best of all they played in the SNOW!!! That's right snow in AZ. Trucked in or artificial I imagine but it was fun.

It was an eventful and busy Saturday but I am starting to realize that I think that will be life for a while....until the kids are 20!