Baby Cousin Joey is 3

Last night, the family had a little get together for my little cousin Joey. He turned 3 yesterday. We had delicious cake and coffee and the kids played for a little while. Then we came home... it was going to be a late night because Antonio and I had taken a nap yesterday ;) so we just played at home and watched movies until we fell asleep :)

cake time

The Birthday Boy:
Cousins playing the DS:

Playing with my baby.. he's an acrobat ;)

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

I hope everyone had a blessed, wonderful, perfect Christmas -- like we did! I can't describe our Christmas as anything other then "amazing". Being with our family, laughing, playing and being all together is the best feeling ever. I hope Jesus had a wonderful birthday... because we sure had a blast celebrating in his honor!

Santa Claus has visited us in the night... and left Antonio lots of gifts to open Christmas morning... he was VERY good to Antonio this year... Antonio was ecstatic.

After opening gifts from Santa, we started getting ready to go to our cousins house for a fantastic dinner... it was sooo yummy!

The kids played in the backyard with the men on the swing set and trampoline while the woman prepared dinner and desert. It was a blast.

We prayed together, laughed together, cooked together and of course, drank together (lol). It was just wonderful.

Christmas Morning:

Yummy Cake:

Cousins Antonio and Adriana:
Cousin Roey and mom:
Wouldn't be Christmas without dad falling a sleep for a while!

Cousins Francesca and Adriana:

Always the first at the table lol:

cooking:

men waiting to eat:

yummy!

cousins:

Dominic, Antonio, Adriana, Joey, Veronica and Francesca:

Baby Joey:

lol hubby looks thrilled:

lol I torture this man:

Grandpa playing with Dominic:

Kisses from Daddy:

the little terrorists stealing some cake:

Our WONDERFUL Christmas Eve!!

I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas Eve! My family and I had so much fun together!
Here is how our day went:
In the morning, Antonio and I woke up and stayed in bed to watch some Christmas movies! Daddy had already left for work... Then, we got out of bed and put on our radio to sing and dance to Christmas music! It was so much fun, we laughed so hard! After that, we got ready to go to my moms house. Josh got off work early (yay!) and we met my sister, brother in law and the kids there! The kids had a ball playing together while the adults prepared the food. The tradition in our family is always fish on Christmas Eve (ew). I do not like fish at all so I had spaghetti and meatballs (yum)!
We ate together as a family, cleaned up a little bit and headed over to my house for desert and presents! Unfortunately, I left my camera at my moms house for this part! I was so upset but we created memories that will last a lifetime!

Antonio got such wonderful presents from the family. From my sister and her family, he got a beautiful big truck he wanted. From his Uncle Vinny (Antonio's Godfather) and his family, he got the Wii system! From Grandma and Grandpa Catania he got a big pirate ship, the original slinky and a real arcade game where you shoot the ducks! From Nani and Pop-Pop Peters he got Pirate cologne, money for his basketball season and Mario Super-sluggers game for his Wii! From Josh and I, he got a pirates game for the Wii and a cash register for his kitchen/restaurant.

We all made out so well! Some favorite gifts were: A laptop for Veronica! A Nintendo DS for Francesca and the Arcade game for Dominic! Grandpa got some nice clothes, Grandma got a movie she wanted and they both got a new coffee pot with DD coffee! Josh got a new ladder for our house, clothes and a new bracelet! Dave and my sister got a new pot, homemade scrapbook and a crock pot!

Again, I got the greatest gifts myself!
Josh got me the most beautiful Coach ring and a sweater from Hollister. My parents, Josh and In-law's came together and got me a new laptop and my sister Andrea and her family got me the cutest snack plates. My sister Dawn and her family (in NY) sent us an awesome digital picture frame.
In my stocking: Josh filled it with a whole bunch of things I LOVE! I got a gift certificate to get my nails done, candy, a new cell phone cover and tickets to a UFC fight in February!! I am so thrilled and blessed. We ALL are! Amen!!!!

A gift from our neighbors:
YUM!

To Grandmothers house we go!

Sitting on the floor playing with my baby in PJs of course!
Francesca in her Brothers New Helmet (He is getting a 4 wheeler)

Dominic:

Hubby being silly lol:

Veronica licking chocolate off her lips haha:

Francesca:

Sister and BIL:

Not quite set yet:

Grandpa stuffing his face haha:

Watching my Nephew

I watched my nephew yesterday morning because my sister had to work. The boys had lots of fun making a mess and jumping on the couch! :-X
I can't wait until tomorrow!!

My Nephew Dominic:

Making a mess in matching PJ's! (HAHA we are a pajama lovin' bunch)

Almost ready for tomorrow!!
HAHA my son stealing a cookie tonight when he didn't think anyone was looking!:

Christmas Craft!

I asked my wonderful mommy loop if anyone had idea's for cool crafts to do this season and my friend Karen had recommended this. She said it has been her favorite craft for years and had recently done this with her children.

The Snowman Family Hand print!

You put their white hand print on a Christmas ball -- their finger prints look like snowmen and their palm print looks like snow! Draw on little details like a hat, scarf, eyes nose etc. and WALA... a snowman family! We had so much fun we made 3 of them for gifts!

Looks beautiful on our tree!! Don't forget to put the year on it!

Cookies for Santa!

Well, Antonio woke up today and decided he wanted cookies for breakfast.... and since its almost Christmas I said ok! This hardly ever happens because I'm big on the fruits and veggies thing but it was fun! We baked cookies in our PJ's with the intention of eating some and saving some for Santa... but I don't think there will be any left for Santa haha we might have to get him more.

BTW, Antonio is doing so well with his writing! He can write the whole alphabet and is writing different words now too!!

Antonio's School Christmas Party!

We had a wonderful time at Antonio's school Christmas party! Santa was wonderful! He brought a toy for each and every child there! Antonio had lots of fun with Santa and all of his friends, eating and singing Christmas carols. Last night, we made delicious chocolate covered banana's. They turned out to be a big hit! Antonio got a beautiful goody bag from his teacher and little goody's from his friends. Antonio handed out Christmas pencils and erasers. It was adorable.

Saying a before meal prayer on the mic! (wearing his slippers of course @@ haha)
Eating Tom's homemade "friendship bread" Yum:

Apollo, Antonio and Julian

Antonio and Santa!

Santa gave him a little keyboard! He was so happy!

Katherine and Santa:

Cameron and Santa:

Antonio's Goody Bag:

Our Christmas Dust we do every year!