A Look at 2008

I filled out this survey last year around this time and thought it would be interesting to do it again.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Left my kiddos for the first time to travel to South Carolina with John for Josie's wedding. I had never left my kiddos for that long overnight before and had never been to Charleston, SC before either.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

One of the thing's I worked on this past year is not passing judgement on others. I may have done a better job of that, but I'm not perfect. I also have had less anxiety this year because I have given up on the things I don't have control over.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

YES! My sister in law Emily gave birth to my beautiful niece Eloisa and I got to witness the birth!!! My sis in law Jennette gave birth to Autumn, Jenna had Kaitlyn, Tina had Crew, Janelle had Grant, and Julia had Freddy. Lots of sweet new babies!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No

5. What countries did you visit?

NO other countries, just traveled to S.C. like I mentioned before and Idaho for the Tolomei Family Reunion.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

???? It was a pretty darn good year really. Maybe a bigger car, but I don't think that is in the works yet. We are going to fit all three kiddos in my Honda Accord for awhile, because the car is paid off. It is worth saving the money for us.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 12th- The day my niece was born!
May 8th- Gabi's 2nd Birthday...it was a windy cold day in the park, but fun.
June 22nd- OUr 6th anniversary!
July 11th- The day I found out I was pregnant with our third! Surprise to us all!
September 2nd- Emilio's first day of preschool.
Sept 20th- Celebrating Emilio's 4th birthday party at the Bouncy Place, going to the Tacoma Dome to see the So you Think you Can Dance TOur with my mom, Emily and Rhonda that evening.
December 30th- John's 31st birthday. Just a great evening together with Mike, Em and the kids celebrating Johnny.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Probably making it through this first semester of John in law school alone with my two kiddos much of the time and feeling God's hand on us throughout the time. Also, making it through first trimester morning (more like all day) sickness with two kiddos.

9. What was your biggest failure?
wasting time, losing patience, I'll keep these ones from last year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I have really been healthy this year and I'm so grateful for it after 2007.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gosh, that's hard, I don't really remember anything all that significant. I really like Gabi's new white "shabby chic" dresser from Target we got for her room. John bought me a new camara/video recorder for my b-day that I use ALL of the time.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration?
Mom & Dad painted out kitchen for us and give me breaks from the kiddos when we get to see them. Michael and Emily continue to be a blessing to have around and a huge help to us. You know, my friend Jaime has been a doll of a friend too and has helped me out numerous times. Just the other day she watched my kids for me so I could go to my Dr's appointment and she greeted me at the door with a White Chocolate Latte in a to-go cup. She's always so thoughtful like that.

13. Who's behavior made you appalled or depressed?
That's not cool to discuss on here.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, health insurance, same ol' same ol'.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being pregnant again, feeling my baby move in utero, house guests, visits to Portland, new babies, b-day parties, watching my kids at Christmas time, seeing how excited my kids are about their new brother or sister, date nights with John.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Coldplay's Viva la Vida

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? for sure fatter, but I have an excuse right, it is a baby bump.
c) richer or poorer? probably about the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
more scrapbooking and card making, I'm really behind on that. Kind of lame, I know.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
less fretting, it is always the same for me.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
In P-town with the whole fam dam, and it was a White Christmas. Although we were all over the snow since it almost cramped our Christmas style.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes; With the new baby moving around in my womb....I can't wait to meet him/her in March! With my exceedingly sassy and outgoing little girl, with my son's funny personality and sensitivity towards God, with my hubby of 6 1/2 years...I think we better understand each other this year and have seen the fruits of God working on us individually and together!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
So you think you can Dance and Survivor Gabon.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, I don't hate.

24. What was the best book you read?
Hard call, I've read a lot of great ones this year. Probably the Women of God Novella Series (Rahab, Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheeba and Mary) by Francine Rivers.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't think I really had one this year.

26. What did you want and get?
one more pregnancy, didn't know if that would happen.

27. What did you want and not get?
hmmmm? Still thinking.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I liked the Secret Life of Bees. Usually I'm disappointed in a movie after reading the book, but I thought the movie was almost as good as the book this time.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went out to dinner with some girlfriends one night. Had people over for dinner another night to celebrate both mine and Gabi's birthday. I turned 31!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? probably having John around more, but that's not to make him feel guilty. We are in on this plan together, we just missed him.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Can we say maternity clothes? I tried to get by with what I had, but after two pregnancies and sharing them with some other people, I had to buy a little more to help me along the way.

32. What kept you sane?
Jesus, John, my Mom & Dad, Emily, My Grandma, my bible study group (Emmy, Rhonda and Jenna), and my small group. Having a busy schedule helped us get through the week fast without John around much. My babysitter on Thursday nights so I can attend small group is a godsend. Girls' Nights with my friends once a month too.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't really fancy public figures all that much. They are human too.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Probably the election as a whole was interesting to follow.

35. Who did you miss?
Family, friends in the various states we have lived in.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
All my new girlfriends from small group and church. I'm so blessed to have found a wonderful church home at the beginning of 2008. Also, some great new neighborhood friends as well.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
That God really can use hard things in life for good.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I'm having pregnancy brain on this one folks. Not sure.

Happy Birthday to Johnny!

Today is John's birthday. He was greeted with handmade posters around the house today made especially for him by his kiddos.


We are meeting Michael and Emily and gang at the Rock Pizzeria for dinner tonight, and then heading to their house for Black Bottom Cupcakes (the kids and I made them this afternoon) and presents.
I want to wish John a very Happy Birthday! We love you so much.

Wrappings, Ribbons, Toys Aplenty

I just typed up a whole recap on our Christmas morning complete with pictures and it all somehow has been erased. I'm upset with blogger at the moment and will have to catch everyone up later on our Christmas. Huff, huff.

Okay, I'm back on ready to attempt our Christmas morning and pretty much over being irritated with Blogger for yesterday's catastrophe.

Anyway, Emilio awoke on Christmas morning at 6:50 a.m. and declared, "Okay, I'm ready to go!" The kids loved opening all the goodies in their stockings and probably would have been content with just those items, but there was more. Emilio loved his new Police Station Lego set from Nonno and Nana, and the Fisher Price Digital Art Studio that we gave him. Gabi fell in love with this baby pig toy that we found for her and the Bitty Baby stroller that Nonno and Nana gave her. They got plenty of other things too.

We made breakfast burritos and had Gingerbread lattes and Peppermint Mochas thanks to our in house barrista- Andrew! It was a fun, hectic morning playing with the kids, cleaning up all the wrappings and ribbons, and hanging out.

That afternoon we went out to my Uncle Randy's house for Christmas dinner. It was wild and crazy with all my cousins' kids, etc, but fun. Aunt Michelle and Cousin Julie provided a snow globe craft for the kids to make which was a hit too.

Here are a few pix......
Marco and Nana snuggling


The kids passing time between their stockings and opening gifts.


Uncle Andrew & Eloisa

Gabi and her new baby stroller


Emilio making his snowglobe

Gabi and Marco making their craft with Nana's help

Christmas Eve

We made it to Portland last Tuesday night, after John's last final that afternoon. We decided to head down before the next snowstorm which was forcasted to hit at midnight, and we are glad we did, because it snowed most of Christmas Eve morning. We were able to make it safely down and only had problems making the last corner down the block from my parent's home. Thankfully the guys just had to put their boots on and run down the block to help push our little Honda out of the snow.

Christmas Eve was relaxing. Michael made us a scrumptious dinner (Steak, Risotto, Spinach and Salad) and I made appetizers (Chicken and Veggie Baked Wontons) and dessert (Peppermint Cheesecake). After bathtime the kids got to open their new Christmas pajamas and get into them. They also opened a special gift that my Dad made each of them. My mom bought wallets for Emilio, Gabriela and Marco (Eloisa is too little still) and my dad designed a Driver's License for each child, complete with their picture, height and weight, address, etc. It looks like a WA license! He also put in pictures of each family member, a crisp dollar bill, and some fake money, pretend gift and credit cards, and 4 shiny quarters (curtousy of Great Grandma). The kids LOVED their new wallets and thought they were so cool.

Emily and I had been working with the kids on the Isaiah 9:6 verse for a week or so with the kids and they all had it memorized, so we had them perform it in front of the tree. They were so cute. Emilio was stoic reciting it, Gabi acted as if she was trying out for a Broadway production, and Marco goofed off the whole time throwing his body around during the performance (even though he knows the verse just as well). It was pretty cute/funny, etc. I really need to figure out how to get my videos up here so you can all see it.

We then sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and blew out candles on the dessert that I made. It turned out decent, I had my doubts. The kids put out milk and cookies for Santa and went to bed without a fuss. The adults arranged Christmas gifts and stockings, and then played a rousing game of "Hand and Foot" (card game).

Gabi and Karen Rose (Andrew's girlfriend) and Nana (Cheryl).


Michael and Nonno (Dad). Don't let my dad fool you. He only dressed up on the top, and wore sweats on the bottom. He thought he was so funny, okay maybe he did get a few laughs from us.

Emily, Me, John


Andrew, Karen Rose and Gabriela






Birthday Cake for Jesus....Peppermint Cheesecake with an Oreo crust

Milk and Cookies for Santa

Oh, the weather outside is frightful....

Although we are getting sick of the snow and ice we have been receiving for the week, we had fun in it finally today (the wind and temperatures have really been too cold before now to enjoy the snow much at all).

Our snowy abode, and John shoveling the walkway (his final which was orginally scheduled for last Thursday night was again postponed in Seattle today, he'll have to try and retake again tomorrow).

Our little pink marshmallow (her coat is super puffy).

Emilio and Gabriela (Emilio is wearing his high water 3T snowsuit, he's really a size 4T...oh well).

Snowflake making a Snow Angel

Our kiddos

John was able to take his parents to the airport this morning for their flight back to Chicago. I think they were amongst the fortunate ones who actually had a flight on time. John stopped by the grocery store on the way home to get a few things to stock up our kitchen with. He got stuck in the parking lot and needed a push and then again on the street coming into our subdivision. Our little Honda was working so hard. We are watching the weather reports to decide when will be a safe time this week to try and make it to Portland for Christmas. Looks like we are having a white Christmas this year. Crazy really.

Happy Kids

On Sunday morning our church service was cancelled due to all the snow we got on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. We knew that would be likely since the wintery weather has been so bad for going on a week now. The kids awoke at 6:19 a.m. anxious to open presents from Grandma and Grandpa, but we held them off until 7:30. They had so much fun opening their gifts and playing all day with their new things.

Gingerbread, rather, Graham Craker Houses

On Saturday afternoon we decorated Graham Cracker Houses with icing and candy. I think Gabriela actually ate more candy than she did decorating, but what do you expect? Here are our masterpieces.......

Mine, Gabi's, Emilio's and Grandma's

Santa Train.....Frigid and Fun?

This morning we braved the cold, snowy-ish conditions to drive up to North Bend, WA to catch the Santa Train. John's parents arrived from Chicago on Thursday evening and had bought the tickets in advance for a fun festive experience. Unfortunately, John wasn't able to make it as his last final was postponed until Monday and he needed some time to study. Anyway, I was glad that I had a true Chicagoan (which equals experienced snow/ice driver) navigating our vehicle in John Sr. (Grandpa), because it was quite snowy as we drove up to North Bend. The kids were excited to ride the train and see Santa despite the cold at first. We weren't aware beforehand that the old train would have absolutely no heating in it (you could see our breathe). Emilio pretended it was the "Polar Express" and it was really quite pretty looking out the windows on our way to Snoqualmie because it was a Winter Wonderland up there. The train ride was short and we got off and were ushered into a line to see Santa. The waiting took place outside though and so as we stood longer and longer, children all around us started to lose it and cry. It was very very cold out. My kids started getting antsy, but we were soon welcomed into a warm building where Santa was seated. Gabi ran right up to Santa and snuggled into his lap and wouldn't stop talking to him. She told him she wanted a Dora movie for Christmas and to her surprise, Santa knew all about Dora and her friends. Emilio said he wanted Police station Legos. Santa was very friendly and we got some cute shots of the kids (see below). The children were then each given a wooden train to put together and decorate. We headed over to the Kitchen car where they had hot cocoa and cookies, but it wasn't very warm in there either. We had to wait for quite a while in there before the train arrived to pick us up. Between snotty noses (from the cold), spilled hot chocolate (all over me) and kids that were starting to wane under the frigid conditions, we were starting to wonder if we could call our experience "Fun" any longer. As we waited to board the train (outside again) Emilio started to really fall apart and cry. The whole ride back to the train station he was miserable (as were many children on the train, we could hear a chorus of crying going on). Even when we finally got Emilio into the heated car and piled adult coats on top of him and changed his socks he couldn't stop chattering and shaking for a long time. We felt so bad for him. Gabi sang away her troubles while Emilio wailed. We headed straight home for a warm lunch and hot apple cider. It is funny the things we do as parents/grandparents in order for our kids to have warm Christmas memories, isn't it? For some reason I don't think Daddy will be too sad he missed out on this experience.

Waiting for the train

We've got our tickets!

Grandma and Gabi on the train

Mommy and Emilio on the "Polar Express"

Talking to Santa Claus

Emilio, Santa and Gabriela

On the Kitchen car with cookies and hot cocoa

The kids and I (Emilio was feeling Grinch-ish and wouldn't open his eyes for the photo).

Christmas Greeting

Instead of sending out Christmas newsletters or photos this year, I opted to again go "green" and send out a greeting over email. I would have loved to send something through "snail mail," because I personally love to recieve old fashioned, feel it in your hands, mail still, but we just couldn't justify it financially. Between moving from 4 different states and knowing a lot of people (Oregon, New Mexico, Illinois, and now Washington, and our big Italian families on both sides, we'd have to send out like 300 cards!!! Postage and the cost of photos, etc is just too darn expensive. So, here is the greeting I sent out this year. I used Smilebox, which is a great free service for posting pictures in a scrapbook online, postcard, greeting, etc. For $2.99 I could send out the greeting with music and without extra advertisements around it. I think it turned out pretty darn nice. I also was able to print it for grandparents who don't have access to the Internet. Anyway, I thought I'd put up our greeting here in case I missed any of you regular readers.
Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Enjoying Christmas Together

Emilio and Gabriela are at such a great age to enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells, and significance of Christmas this year. We enjoyed going to a tree lighting ceremony last week and then stopping by a lights show at a local alpaca farm (of all places right?). We've driven through the neighborhood several times oohing and awing over the lights and blowup characters as well. They LOVE the Christmas cookies, tree with ornaments and looking at Christmas books, and they also really enjoy playing with their Fisher Price nativity set and retelling the story of the birth of our Savior. Anyway, it is such a fun time of year to see Christmas through a child's eyes.

Enjoying the ornaments on the tree together.

Sprinkles Galore

The kids helped me decorate Sugar Cookies on Sunday evening. I have never had so many sprinkles stuck to the bottoms of my socks before! I'll tell you, a 4 and a 2 1/2 year old really know how to load the red hots, jimmies, and sprinkles on sugar cookies and coincidentally onto the kitchen floor. I taught them the little Christmas jingle about "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat." They then took two sprinkle laden cookies up to Daddy and performed the song for him in their pajamas. It was very cute. Oh, and they enjoyed a cookie each themselves.

Mickey Mouse Pancakes

Last Saturday I made pancakes for my children, and they had a special request.......Mickey Mouse pancakes! They've had them before at a cute little restuarant in Kent that we have been to called Wild Wheat. Anyway, here is how our Mickey and Minnie (although I couldn't figure out how to make a bow in pancake batter, so we just called her a Minnie pancake) turned out.

Sorry folks, I can't figure out why this little pancake wants to turn sideways. I don't have it saved like that. Anyway, you get the idea. Mickey/Minnie has chocolate chip eyes, a cranberry nose and yummy whip cream smile.

Christmas Lights

After a long trip back home last Sunday from Portland (there was lots of traffic) we drove into our neighborhood tired and hungry. As we made our way down the streets to our house we pointed out all the Christmas lights that had gone up since we had been gone for Thanksgiving. We drove past Emilio's friend Will's house and he noticed the colorful lights and said, "No fair, Will gets Christmas lights on the outside." We had told Emilio that we would decorate inside but that Daddy didn't have time (what with working and law school finals studying all this month) to put up lights on our house. I told Emilio, "Honey, Will's dad has more time to do that, but we'll still decorate on the inside." We could tell he was still very disappointed. Anyway, we got in the house and noticed a note on our counter top. It said, "Go out and turn them on, Love you, Uncle Mike." We all ran outside, plugged in the cord and voila......Christmas Lights! My brother had come over during the weekend and put up lights for us. In the tired, emotional, pregnant state that I was I started tearing up. It was really the sweetest gift he could have given us, especially his nephew and niece. They were so impressed and so excited about OUR colorful lights. It was a great start to our Christmas season.

Highlights of our Thanksgiving Holiday

*Emilio and Gabi both had fun at Emilio's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast last Tuesday.


















* After a frustrating ride down South (Vancouver, Portland) (DVD player not working which equals quarreling kids, pouring down rain, pregnant bladder requiring frequent stops, etc) we had a nice time visiting with our friends the Combs in Vancouver. Emilio and Grace especially liked playing together (they were both both in ABQ a few weeks apart).

*Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in NY on TV Thursday morning in our pj's. I loved all the musical productions!

* We had a nice Thanksgiving at my Uncle David's in Vancouver as well. The kids especially enjoyed their turkey crafts that Aunt Michelle provided for them.

Emilio and Noelle (my cousin Ben's daughter)







* Friday morning we headed out to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Andrew made us all Gingerbread lattes to take along and hot cocoa for the kids. Andrew and his girlfriend Karen Rose came along, Mom and Dad, John escaped from law school finals studies to come, the kids and I. We were joined downtown by our friends Laurie, Jenny, Matt and little Natalie. Our good friends Tom and Tyrene came with their grand kids Josiah and Esabella, and our friend Sue came with her grand daughter Maddison. It was quite the party! The parade was awesome and got everyone in the Christmas spirit.





















*Getting the majority of my Christmas shopping done in Portland, tax free and kid free (my dad watched them). It was also nice to just hang with my mama.

*Emilio got to go see Madagascar 2 with Nonno. Poor Gabi couldn't go because she wasn't feeling good.

*Church on Sunday morning at my parent's church. I like that their church is doing this cool thing called Advent Conspiracy for the Christmas season. Watch the video.

A very good Thanksgiving I'd say.