Relaxing Weekend

Carmen started her "Big Girl" dance class on Saturday morning. This is a big step because it is no longer mommy and me, so she goes in all by herself. Plus, it is a combination class of ballet and tap. She had so much fun and was such a good girl. She struggled with a few tap moves but soon will be learning a dance that they will add to each week. So proud of her and of Lola! They both did great.

Gianni was back at Junior Golf lessons on Saturday while Carmen napped. He did a nice job but was a little rusty. He hasn't swung a club in a few months due to the holidays and just being busy. He will be in golf until baseball season starts in March. He always looks so cute on the golf course. My serious little golfer!

After dance and golf Uncle Justin came over to babysit the little ones. Oh silly uncle Justin.
"Was I supposed to brush her hair after her bath?" He was by himself and did a great job so that Abel and I could have a date night. It was so nice to get out.

Sunday we had some issues with our rental property. Long story. After returning from there we just relaxed. We played soccer and tennis in the yard, had a fire, ate dinner outside, roasted a few marshmallows then it was into the tubby followed by all four of us crawling into our king sized bed where we read book after book.

The Casillas Clan is active but it's always nice to slow down on a Sunday. Back to work tomorrow and a busy and stressful week it will be. How many more days until May?

I'm Back!

Ok, Lynne in NY..I'm here! I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in like a month. As many of you know here in AZ there was wedding day for Justin, New Year's Eve Party that evening, the in-laws and their crew of 12 were here, and let's not forget it was time to go back to work.

Please make sure you all go down below this post to see the beautiful pictures my friend Jenni Roseland took at the wedding. I posted just a few. I'm surprised I even figured out how to do that. Go check her site out at http://rosiej-photography.blogspot.com/

Here are my cute little babies the morning of the wedding!

Once the whirlwind of the wedding was over it was back to work and school which was an adjustment. Gianni had a rough couple of days back. The second week back he earned a family night out to a school sponsored roller skating night. Neither one of my kids had been on roller skates. Carmen loved it! She never gave up. I of course hurt the next morning. Gianni was a little scared at first and wanted to quit but once his friends arrived he was all over the rink.

On Martin Luther King Day we took in a movie.

Then it was the dreaded 10 days of illness. It started that evening on the 18th and today I am starting to feel much better. It was exhausting and that is why I haven't been posting. It was all I could do to go to work. To top it off Carmen spiked a fever of 103.8

but recovered quicker than I did.


Things are nice and calm now. Gianni is back on track at school. I am fairly caught up at work. Everyone is healthy. And tonight was a peaceful evening at home. Look at these munchkins...don't you just want to eat them up?

Stay tuned....a new dance class, golfing lessons, and a date night are all on the agenda for tomorrow!

There you go Lynne : )

Crispell Wedding 12.31.10

Click here to view these pictures larger

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.