You're writing the story of your life one moment at a time.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Reflecting on 2008...

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."

In the past year we have laughed, cried, prayed, witnessed history, welcomed new people into our hearts, said goodbye to others, asked for forgiveness and forgave. As we reflect over the past year we realize that we have been blessed for each and every day we have been given to see our children grow.

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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight...

Christmas dinner was held at the Sharp's house.

Dimitri and Aunt Angela play with the train.
Zachary waits for his turn as the conductor.
Dimitri opens a present from the Sharp family.
Zachary joins in on the action.
Zachary LOVES cars.
So does Dimitri!
The Sharp family gave Zachary ELMO LIVE
but Cousin Austin wasn't ready to let him go!
Thank you to the Sharp family (cousin Austin, aunt Angela, uncle Jared & cousin Brandon) for a dinner that was "heavenly" and thank you for all of the wonderful gifts!
Christmas 2008 has come to an end and so far this has been our favorite Christmas. Both boys smiling as they opened gifts, hearing Dimitri say "Happy Birthday Jesus" or "Merry Christmas", listening to Zachary say "Elmo" and just being a family. We are blessed to have wonderful friends and family. We would like to thank you for all your love and support during this past year! We love you! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Operation Christmas...

Christmas morning at our house started at 5:00 AM. Dimitri is an early riser and we did not want him opening presents without us. Hence, "Operation Christmas" we put a baby gate in front of Dimitri's door so he could not escape without our help, we are pleased to say Operation Christmas was a success!

Dimitri and Zachary playing together.

Zachary and Mommy playing with the stocking stuffer.

Zachary opening presents.

Zachary loves his new bike.

Mommy and Zachary playing the drums.
Dimitri playing with his Army gear.
Dimitri playing the drums.
Dimitri is so happy that Santa Claus remembered the Wonder Pets he asked for. This was a FANTASTIC Christmas morning. The boys are taking a nap and then we are off to the Sharp's house for dinner, but before we go we would like to thank Santa Claus and all of his helpers for the wonderful gifts!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

'Twas the night before Christmas...

After an eventful morning we headed up to Grandma Terry and Grandma Patty's house for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, Cirillo manicotti (scrumptious).

WAIT... a wedding proposal on Christmas Eve. How sweet!
She said, YES! Congrats again Haleigh and Eric!

Dimitri gets so happy when you tell him Santa is coming tonight.

Cuddle time with Mommy.

Cuddle time with Matri.

Mommy helping Zachary open his presents.

Zachary and Auntie M.

Grandma Patty

Everyone waiting patiently to open their gifts.

Zachary is talking to Grandma Terry about ELMO before he goes.
We had a terrific time!

We headed home and when we arrived there was a BIG box on the porch. It was a box from Uncle Justin, Aunt Kristine and Cousin Jordynn. Since the box arrived today we assumed they were suppose to open it. The boys each got a hockey jersey with their names on it and an indoor sports center.





How cute is that?
The Cirillo family are huge hockey fans. All the brothers played hockey and Uncle Mike just won the NCAA championship last year.

Finally, the boys opened their last present of the evening. Dimitri got football pajamas and Zachary's pajamas have a fire truck. Dimitri and Zachary are nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.

Christmas Eve Morning...

It is the morning of Christmas Eve and what do I hear,
the tearing of paper, the sound is crystal clear!
How could that be, I am not in sight,
the boys both know Santa is watching and coming tonight.

What do I see as I come up the stairs,
Christmas wrapping paper is EVERYWHERE!
Guessing Christmas came early from Aunt Ashley and Uncle Steve,
because Dimitri and Zachary are tearing through all the presents they left under the tree.

What do you say when you are caught in the act?
"play cars" as a matter of fact.
So Christmas came early this morning I say
Merry Christmas Eve morning...gotta go, time to PLAY!

Thank you Aunt Ashley and Uncle Steve for the WONDERFUL gifts. We had every intention of waiting until Christmas morning, unfortunately your nephews had their own ideas. We love you!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas Celebration


As parents, it is important for us to teach our boys every aspect of our beliefs. This being said, today we began reading about the birth of Jesus and the meaning of Christmas. It is a great time for reflection and to inspire ourselves to become better people. We must teach them both aspects to Christmas and to teach them to appreciate all that they have been given.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Yeah baby...

Today Aunt Deb came over to visit Dimitri and Zachary. Aunt Deb was very thoughtful and brought the boys presents for Christmas! Since Aunt Deb will be snuggled in her bed Christmas morning she gave the "go ahead" for the Dimitri and Zachary to open their gifts today.

Dimitri couldn't wait to open his present.

Look at Zachary's face in the background (all he needs is ribbon)!

The boys each got a shirt and a handsome sweater.

Aunt Deb helping Zachary unwrap his Christmas gift.

Aunt Deb and Zachary playing in the ribbon.
Thank you Aunt Deb for coming to play with us and for the SPECTACULAR gifts.
Don't forget Monster Trucks in the next few years.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Cookie Factory

Today we went to Grandma Mel's house to make sugar cookies!
Everyone had an important role in the "cookie factory".

Uncle Mike, Dimitri & Grandma rolled the dough.

Everyone picked their favorite cookie cutter and began working.

Dimitri had a blast cutting out cookies and playing in the flour.

Not only was Zachary our "supervisor" he was
the "official taste tester".

Dimitri began decorating the cookies.

Sampling the sprinkles...

and then adding the remaining sprinkles from his fingers to the cookies. I bet those of you receiving these cookies wished you would
have read this before digging into these delicious cookies. Right now,
you are asking yourself "did they remove those two cookies or am I eating one?" Is your cookie green or red?

Grandma Mel decided to make and bake an impression of
Dimitri's hand. How cute is that?

The finished product! MMM MMM GOOD!

Thank you Grandma Mel for a WONDERFUL evening at
the "cookie factory". We had so much fun and can't wait
to make cookies again!