Christmas with Pop Pop

This year was an extra special Christmas at our home - why? Well it's because Pop Pop drove all the way from NC to spend the holiday with us. We took him to see the Hershey Sweet Lights which is about a 30 minute drive-through a holiday light display located in Hershey, PA).

Christmas Eve we all went out for a nice dinner and opened our stocking stuffers when we got home and George read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to all of us. Christmas morning is always something the kids look forward to (what kid doesn't?). Gracie got her American Girl Doll that she wanted so bad and Jake was happy to see that Santa got him the Ipad Touch he wanted so bad. Santa even got Pop Pop a few nice gifts;). The kids and I had a great time preparing for the holidays. Between decorating and baking cookies we all had our fair share of fun and weight gain! Oh....Jake and Gracie thought it would be nice to write Santa a letter to go along with his cookies and hot chocolate - I got a kick out of the signature request Jake wrote down for Santa to sign (I believe this would be Jake's proof that there's really a Santa Clause). Lil' G took the honors of signing the note as Santa - which I later put away in Jakes memorabilia box. Jake did ask me this year if there really was such thing as a Santa and boy did I wing that one....I came up with some story let me tell you. LOL.

Georgie, Jacob, Grace & Moosie - Christmas 2010

My babies - Georgie, Jacob, Grace & Moosie!

Christmas Morning 2010

Navy Days - Unit K147 (1989)

Dawn - Kindergarten - Many Years Ago

Back in the Day - Me and My Sister (Hollie)

Halloween 2010

Family Day at West Chester University

Trip to Pop Pops - Wilmington NC

Mommy, Jacob and Gracie took a trip down to to see my dad in Wilmington, NC. The kids had a blast and Pop Pop spoiled them the entire trip. We went to the beach where I spend 3 hours putting sunblock on my kids and I was the one that ended getting sunburned. We also took trips to the zoo, aquarium and the carnival. Like I said, the kids had a great summer vacation and we hare hoping to go back again next year. I got to drive my dads new 2011 camero - sweet car (NASCAR Pacer Car - I believe my dad said there are only like 100 to 200 hundred in existence). Nice ride!

Jacob Turns 9

This year we had a Jacob's birthday celebration at home with a pizza and slip & slide party where we invited family and friends to celebrate the special occassion. It's hard for me to believe that my baby boy is 9 years old...I just shake my head and wonder where all the time has gone. Fortunately, we had a nice sunny day for the slip and slide party but we won't be doing that again - WHAT A MESS! Should have listened to hubby!

Jake's Mohawk

Yes...it took some convincing but hubby finally gave in and allowed Jake to get his first (and last) Mohawk. We waited until school was out. I must admit, it did look kind of cute but I believe after a few short weeks we are ready to go back to the normal military style cut that he gets.

Baseball Appreciation Day

On Saturday, June 12th we attended Jacob's Baseball Appreciation Day at Adams Ricci park where he and his team mates received participation medals. Afterward I took some pictures of my dad (Pop Pop), Grace and Jacob and they all enjoyed some ice cream - it was a very very hot day!

Georgie Graduates from High School

Georgie not only turned 18 on May 29th but 2 weeks later he graduated high school and is moving on to the next chapter in his life. I am so excited for him. He will be leaving for college at the end of August. He will be attending West Chester Univeristy (near Philly). He was accepted into their Athletics Training Program - we are so proud of him.

Getting Ready for Graduation at the Forum - Downtown Harrisburg

My dad came up from North Carolina for Lil' G's graduation. It was a nice visit and we are hoping to do that again real soon. We had a busy weekend with graduation and Jake's Baseball Appreciation Day and on Sunday June 13th we had an early Father's Day celebration for my dad - George made steak and we had jumbo crab legs - it was a great dinner and like I said a nice visit. I am excited that I am heading down to North Caroline on July 1st to spend the holiday weekend with my dad and get some stuff done around his house - I am looking forward to the trip.

Princess Turns 6

We celebrated Gracie's birthday with her kindergarten class. The night before Gracie and mommy made cupcakes for all her friends and a mini-birthday cake to celebrate with her brothers. That evening we gave Gracie her the birthday present she wanted so bad - a Hello Kitty Scooter and we sang happy birthday to her and at some cake. It was busy and hectic day but it was also a perfect day because it was my princess's special day.

Senior Prom - Lil' George

My Mother - Linda Jean Chaimowitz (1949-2010)

My Cousin Anthony - 9/11

Easter 2010

9th Annual Pub Crawl (Downtown Harrisburg)

As much as I love St. Patty's Day I never particpated in a "pub crawl" and this year was my very first one! Even though the weather did not cooperate with us I still had a great time with friends. Oh...I had my very first "irish car bomb" (I think that's what is was called) - and it was my last one. It was nasty.


We hit Mollys, Ceoltas and Burbon Street. Unfortunately, I did not hit all the pubs that were on the agenda - by the time 11:00 p.m. rolled around I was ready for bed. (In pics are me, George, Greg, Amanda, Rob, Robin & Audie).

St. Patrick's Day Parade

I took the kids to their first St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Harrisburg. They seemed to enjoy it, but after about 1.5 hours they were ready to go. All I heard the entire parade was "I am hungry" "can I get" "but..." "please mom" ....

St, Patrick's Day

It's no secret that St. Patrick's Day is one of my most favorite days of the year (I have some very fond memories of St. Patricks Day parades from back in the day when I lived on Long Island). This year my mother-in-law sent the kids a package filled with goodies and she got the kids each a St. Patty's Day t-shirt that they wore to school on St. Patty's Day - I thought the t-shirts were cute. Gracie decided to add a few accessories.