It can no longer be denied...Gabriella is officially a daddy's girl. Yesterday Gabriella went the entire day without seeing her daddy. When he got home at night she couldn't get enough hugs and cuddles from him. Seeing them together melts my heart. :)
I can hardly believe Halloween has come and gone yet again. The year has just flown by!
This year Alyssa dressed up as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. Brandon was a special forces army guy (as he would call it) and Gabriella was a devil. I have to say...they all looks super cute!
Jeff took Brandon trick or treating with some of his friends and Alyssa and Joseph took Gabriella around the block for some trick or treating. She was really into it this year but everyone who was dressed up scared her. It didn't matter if it was a princess or a ghost. She was much happier at home helping pass out candy.
It was a great Halloween...now bring on Thanksgiving!!
Introducing my newest nephew, Trenton Lee!! He was born on Monday 10/25 at 9:12am. He weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 11oz and was 22inches long! Big boy!!
Congrats to my sister, Jill!! Thanks for giving us another "kankle monster" to love!!
I know her eyes are closed, but I love this picture for the simple fact that her "true diva" personality comes out. :)
Yesterday, 10/24, we celebrated Gabriella's 3rd birthday. Yes, her actual birthday was over a week ago...
This year we did a Dora theme, complete with a giant Dora balloon (which popped in the wind conveniently after her party...guess it won't be floating around for 6 months after all)
This was the first time she understood that everything was all about her so that made it a lot of fun. She even blew out her own candle! Such a big girl!!
I can't believe shes 3.
PS. I have more pictures that I'll post later. :)
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "jeggings" allow me to explain.
They are ridiculously tight pants that are the in thing now. Alyssa, of course, owns a few pair of her own. She requires assistance in removing them at the end of the day. and again I say, ridiculously tight. Jeff, naturally is not a fan of the so tight they might as well be painted on look...he was kind enough to model Alyssa's favorite Hollister jeggings. 
What can I say...the kid lives in his own special world.
Brandon is one of my greatest blessings and also my biggest challenge. He sends me on a roller coaster of emotions on a daily basis...laughing, angry, frustrated, happy all in a span of just a few hours.
One thing I know I can always count on with Brandon though is he's always good for a laugh. The things he says and does...
Today is Gabriella's 3rd birthday! I can't believe how fast time slips by...3 years!! WOW!
Gabriella is such a blessing to our family, she brings so much joy into all of our lives, I couldn't imagine what life would be like without her.
Some of the things about Gabriella that I find funny or want to remember are:
*she still sleeps in her crib. I plan on keeping her in it until shes 10 or climbs out on her own...whatever one comes first.
*she is a big daddys girl. For awhile she was all about her mama...but she's taken the side of daddy. Which is good, helps daddy handle the other issue of Alyssa growing up. (that's a subject for a different day)
* she LOVES to play make believe with play food, dishes and her baby dolls. She has the best imagination!
* She is an eater...she'll try anything and pretty much likes everything...
* She loves music!! Loves to dance and loves to dance naked...heavens!!
* she enjoys coloring, usually on everything except paper or her coloring books. I love Mr. Cleans Magic Eraser.
We love her, that goes without saying.
Happy Birthday sweet baby girl of mine.
Gabriella's personality is really starting to come through.
This morning I was busy with cleaning and laundry and was just letting her do her own thing. She came down stairs with one bunny slipper and one ballet slipper on and Brandon's extremely large bike helmet. She climbed on her bike and announced she was going to the mall...
I love her!
When I was pregnant with Alyssa everyone warned me that time would pass before my eyes. The first year passed at a rate that was painfully slow as we adjusted and learned how to parent this tiny person.
When kindergarten started, we were once again reminded that time would slip by even faster now that school had started. At the time, I remember thinking...it's just kindergarten, a few hours a day...no big deal.
I literally remember like it was yesterday standing with her that very first day of school. Her pink princess back back was almost as big as she was.
I blinked my eyes...
I find myself, several years later. She's 12 now and in the 7th grade. She'd be unrecognizable to someone who hasn't seen her in the last 6 months.
Her interests have changed from American Girl Dolls to fashion, boys and texting.
She's growing up at a rate that takes my breath away. I was warned and I thought I was prepared, but this growing up stuff sucks.
For what seemed like forever my tight wad husband would not add texting to our cell phone plan.
When Alyssa started Jr. high we got her a cell phone. Mainly because she was going to be walking to and from school (that lasted about 2 days)...
We decided then to add unlimited texting.
Well, yesterday I was looking at our cell phone bill.
Jeff sent 441 texts last month. I sent 3,700 and Alyssa. Well, God love her. In the spirit of making sure we're getting our moneys worth sent 10,497!
So, today I'm thankful for unlimited texting plans...
Yikes.
32 years old!!!
Seriously...I was just 18 yesterday.
Lets see if I can come up with 32 random and useless facts about myself. Not that anyone cares...but what the heck!
1. I love my hubby. Despite his occasional crabbiness...he's the best!
2. My kids are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Well, them and Jeff.
3. I love wrestling. I never thought I would say that. But I LOVE it. Of course watching Brandon is my favorite, but I seriously love watching the entire team of GV boys.
4. I love to shop. Mainly with Alyssa for Alyssa. She's more fun to dress up now than she was when she was a baby. :)
5. I am a Starbucks junkie! I have to go at least one time a day. Now that they have the treat receipt thing I feel it's my obligation to visit a second time...after 2pm...:)
6. I like my job. Mainly for the simple fact that I work with pretty cool and fun people. For the most part...
7. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the colors and pumpkins and the cooler weather.
8. Sometimes I wish I lived where we could actually appreciate the seasons...
9. I don't have a ton of friends, but that's by choice. The friends I do have are truly great people and the best friends I could wish for.
10. I love watching Jersey Shore. Yes, I am aware that I am too old for this type of show. But still. I love the train wreck that it is. :)
11. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Not for the food, but the simple fact that everyone gets together and it's not the stress filled day that other holidays are.
12. I'm the president of the PTA at Brandon's school.
13. I like to make things. I'm trying to learn to sew... trying would be the key word. I wish I had more spare time.
14. I like things to be organized...sadly, I am a very unorganized person. Again, I wish I had more time.
15. I like staying up late. Probably cause the kids are in bed, Jeff is working and I can watch TV and actually hear it.
16. When I was younger, I played the flute. I haven't touched it since I locked it in its case the last day of band my senior year...
17. I would love to own a pot belly pig. haha, hows that for random?!
18. I cry every time I watch Alyssa dance...on stage. If I seriously cried every time she just danced....I'd always be crying!
19. I'm very close to my family.
20. I'm what some would call a "hovering parent". I'm usually all up in my kids business. Nothing really gets past me, mainly cause I'm always there. I'm ok with that...go ahead and judge. I'm ok with that too.
21. My favorite food is steak and potatoes. Jeff likes to try new places and I am perfectly happy eating at the same place over and over again.
22. I like to bake. Wish I had more time...
23. Alyssa is who I wish I could have been when I was her age. Nice, popular, smart, talented.
24. Brandon makes me laugh. Even when I wanna reach out and beat him...he's just the funniest thing. The stuff that comes out of his mouth. I'm afraid for one he's older. He'll be the next creator of "jackass"
25. Gabriella makes me smile. She is just the sweetest thing ever! She used to be a GIANT mommy's girl, but she's crossing over to Team daddy...
She keeps me going and reminds me to slow down and enjoy life.
26. I hate doing laundry. HATE IT!!
27. I love the beach. Not sure I would want to live there, but I sure love to visit.
28. I have 2 of the best sisters around. They are both so different but so special to me.
29. ummm...this is getting harder. LOL
I've been with Jeff for 13 years. That's so hard for me to wrap my head around too. I love him though and would do anything for him. Like deliver items to him at work at 10pm!
30. My favorite color is pink...
31. My favorite football team is Michigan. I'm trying to learn more about the sport...
32. I love my life! Despite that fact that I often feel like an over worked, under appreciated taxi driving maid...I wouldn't have it any other way.
Last Saturday, while the boys were in California for wrestling, Alyssa and I and of course, Joseph, took Gabriella to the petting zoo at Bonnie Springs.
She loved it at first and was very excited to see the "fat guys" as she called the caged Coati Mundi. BUT, it didn't take long before her true diva personalty came through and she was complaining about the dirt in her shoes and so her announcements of "I hate this place" began...
It was a short lived visit...
After a quick ride on the train...which began with a bit of a rough start...
but ended on a much happier note...we called it a day. I think it's safe to say, Gabriella is a city girl. There will be no farm life in her future.
I can hardly believe today is the beginning of another month...let alone OCTOBER! Seriously, where did this year go?!
Lots of things going on right now...as usual
...the wrestling season in under way. :)
YAY! Jeff and Brandon are heading out late tonight, well actually early tomorrow morning for a tournament in Cali. Let the fun begin! Practices start Monday. Brandon is so excited. He's been conditioning at home already for weeks in preparation for this. Crazy, huh?!
Nutcracker rehearsals are here. Well, they have been for the last month or so. Alyssa is excited for the dance. It's a fast paced ballet dance with lots of jumps and twirls. (forgive my lack of proper terminology) She is also excited for the tutu. I guess when you've been dancing for as long as she has been, getting to the "big girl" tutu is a big deal!
Gabriella...
Oh my sweet little Gaby Jane...
The potty is your friend. Diapers are over rated. Trust me, you'll be much happier when you make the switch to the other side. Please...I'm begging you!
Jeff and I are good. Working and running (the kids that is)...
Nothing new ever happens with us...in fact, we're pretty darn boring. Boring is good, right?!
