And There's More!

Here's some additional photos of Robbie's fun birthday party last week! We had so much fun with family and friends celebrating Robbie and Hunter's birthdays!

Averie checking out this monster-sized tortoise!


Now that is one seriously l o oooooo nnnn gggg snake!!

Natalie using some serious muscle power for the big tortoise!

Oooops! Duplicate, sorry!

Demerie giving the "tortoise lift" a try!

I just had to capture cousins Isaacs cute facial expression of complete distain for most of the creepy crawlies in attendence. "I weally don't like that snake, Aunt Juwie!"

So many fun legos... so little time to play with them...

Robbie using some serious muscles to lift that big beast!

Aunt Riki had a great idea to give out kites to the party guests and it was a perfectly windy day to fly! There were at least 13 kites up in the air at one point!

On Sunday, Robbie's actual birthday, he had another round of opening presents from the family! Oh yeah!

Happy Birthday, Robbie! We are so excited for this 7th year... Thanks for making our family so much fun!

Obsession

So, what do I do with a vivacious, simply adorable 2 and a half year-old, whom shall remain nameless, lives, sleeps and breathes Disneyland?

I know, I know, I mentioned this a time or two on this blog and to many of you dear friends and family members about this latest dilema. I find myself coming up with creative & not so creative, (more like little fibs) of why we can't go to Disneyland everyday, every minute, like she desires!


For example, when the common occurance of her asking to go to "Dineyahnd" right as I am placing her in the crib to go night-nite... I say," Disneyland is sleeping right now. It's dark outside." and of course the automatic response to my answer is "why". The favorite word of every toddler!

Today, after learning my lesson about not even bringing up the topic until literally being in the car, almost ready to enter the parking area, she saw me packing the little blue cooler with some snacks, right after dropping the kids off to school. She immediately squealed with delight... knowing what I was preparing for... "I Dineyahnd? ". . . followed by another squeal and question "I Dineyahnd?"

"Yes, Averie!! We're going to go to Diseyland!!! Today!" Now, that was the greatest moment I have had in a long time to be allowed to witness the pure joy on that adorable little face! How can I not take her!!!

You can catch the two of us every Tuesday, at our favorite place...

Yes, you know where it is...

Robbie's Big 7 Birthday Bash!

Robbie had a fantastic birthday this past Saturday! We joined together with cousin Hunter for a double birthday bash, since we were to invite many of the same people and their birthdays are only a week apart. We held the party in a new park right next to the gorgeous green hills, perfect for the occasion! An added bonus, no sand in the play area!! We played for a little while, then prepared for the main event... Prehistoric Pets!! HOORAY!


Robbie and Hunter holding the "big snake" and boy, was it ever!
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They had a very large frog that blended nicely with Robbie's shirt!

The "Blue Tounged Skink" need I say more?

Plenty of strange and interesting creatures and fun for all, except for Grandma. She preferred to leave the area for a little while! Too many creepy crawlies for her taste!

Back Again....Couldn't Stay Away!

Well, as you may have already figured out by the picture, we went back to Disneyland! When my sis, Wendy, said that she and the family had just renewed their annual passes, I had to get one as well. This time I just got one for me, as Averie is still free, and we'll take a break with the family for a while. We sure did enjoy them while we were on year-round school schedule. Now that we are traditional school schedule, and no longer able do enjoy the off-track times, when we could enjoy the park without crowds, I couldn't rationalize the expense. I know. We've been spoiled. Averie and I, however, being the hang-out buddies that we are... have no school restrictions, and can play to our hearts content! So, off to Disneyland we went! It's so much fun to see her excitement, at even the slightest detail!

Wendy and I had so much fun taking the kids to play on the rides, while my big kids were at school. My little nephew Isaac, whom I love to hear him say, "I just weally wuv you, Jewee", to me at least 1 time each visit, sometimes more, if I'm lucky, wanted to go on the rocket ride with me. I carefully hung out of the rocket ever-so-slightly to take a picture af the girls in back of us! So much fun!

Christmas Day 2008

Aunt Riki gave the kid's duffle bags with the kid's names on them. So Cute! Averie wore hers around for quite a while. She is the bag lady of the house and is always found with a purse, bag, or some sort of ensemble on her person.

We hosted Christmas this year at our house with the Salerno family. We had so much fun with the whole family together. I made prime rib, cranberry jello salad and spinach salad. Riki brought the delicious potatoes and we all enjoyed the feast. As usual, the present opening was the favorite event of the evening.

New scooters, a bike for Natalie, a mini helicopter for Robbie, baby doll crib/stroller/swing set for Averie... So many toys... so blessed are we!

This picture is out of sequence, but it shows all the excited faces as they were preparing to come down stairs to see what Santa had left.... hummmm, have the kids been naughty or nice this year? Will they find coal in their stockings? I have to admit, I found myself using that phrase with a particular male child in our family on more than one occasion. It worked. Behavior improved immensely.

Merry Christmas to everyone. We love sharing our holidays and our lives with all of you!

Christmas 2008

Pictures from our Nativity Scene. I should have fixed the kids' eyes. Scary!

Smiles from the grown-ups!

Let the feasting begin!!

Kids wearing their new Christmas PJ's! Nice and cozy!!

Well, once again, I have fallen behind on my blogging. Yes, life is busy, but what's new? I still need to keep up with this. I have wanting to update on our Christmas, very fun, very exhausting. Here are some of Christmas 2008 memories:

Christmas Eve found us at Aunt Wendy and Uncle Tyler's house! We had a delicious dinner and of course, enjoyed an excellent rendition of "The First Christmas" with the kid's starring in the nativity scene. Ah, traditions. We love this one! Isaac was a master in his role of the sheep, while Averie wandered around semi-confused at why she had to wear such a heavy head-dress. Demeie was an Angel and the other kids filled in with their important roles. We opened presents and had some fun and then started heading for home. I had some major wrapping and prepping to do for the big day! Boy, I sure appreciate all my mom used to do for us as kids to make all of our Christmas Eve's and Days so wonderful and momentous. I find it utterly exhausting, yet I keep going to try to recreate those memories and traditions for our kids.

Highlights of 2008: The Salerno Scoop

Well, our dear family and friends, another year is about to end and the new to open up before us. We wish all of you a very Happy Holiday season and hope this blog post finds you healthy and happy with your loved ones. These next several posts include the some of the many memories we have made during 2008. We had a very memorable family vacation this summer and really enjoyed spending time together as a family and extended family.

Robert had some great flights around the country. He truly feels blessed to be able to fly. It has been a great way for him to do something he has always been passionate about. He averages 1 flight a month, so it doesn't cut in too much with running the business or being away from the family. The kids were thrilled to go up with dad for a ride in Oct.

I have always wanted to go to Education Week and was able to have all the comets align so that I could fly up and hang out with my great cousins, amazing parents and have time to see some old friends, as well. (I don't mean "old" of course!) It truly was a life-changing experience and I hope to go every year!

Natalie turned 8 and was baptized! We are so proud of her. She is an amazing little girl and brings so much laughter and joy to our family!

Definitely a highlight... the Mira Mar Air Show. It was fun to hang out with the cousins and even cooler to see AND hear such amazing, powerful jets!!! WOW!

Please scroll through the next several posts and see what our family has been up to!!!

We love you all!