February Fun with Cousins

Sledding on the hill behind Uncle Jack and Tia Cris' house. 

The kids performed an elaborate multi-scene play about animals.

Holiday Happenings

Museum of Natural History

Tzurielle & Eliesha's Birthday Party

Cristiana threw a princesses and Knights party at Lakewood Park for the Parrino girls. The toy swords were a big hit.

Born a week apart: Tzurielle turned 3; Eliesha turned 1.

Rocky gets prepped for the "punch piñata"

August 10: Westside Market

This is how we roll. Rocky, Stephen, Isabella, Cristiana, Tzurielle, Eliesha and Jack. I'm behind pushing Oliver.

The produce and deli meat outing was a success :)

Old stomping grounds

We've been staying at Joe's brother and sister-in-law's, which happens to be the house next door to one of his childhood homes, with an identical floor plan. It's also across the street from his childhood church.

Lake Michigan sailing

We celebrated July 4th at Lake Michigan with uncle Doug, aunt Nilda and cousin Kiana. Ollie watched longingly from the shore as each of his brothers and his cousin took a turn sailing with Bupps.

Busy Chicago Day Part 6

 

Korean hot wings at Crisp.

Rocky turns 4

Boys get mail

Thank you, Nona for some birthday and "just because" gifts via snail mail!

Our budding coin collector.

Our Dr. Seuss fan.

Visit from Nona and Papa

Oliver holds Nona's finger captive on the way back from Clarksville.

Rocky clings to his early birthday lego set even in his sleep.

A little Buckeye fan. I have no pictures to show for it, but Oliver has finally given up crawling in favor of walking!!! Woo hoo!!! 18.5 months!!

Cleveland cousins

Riding the Rapid

While we were in Cleveland last week, we took the rapid transit downtown to Tower City.

Stephen and Rockam were both greatly amused.

I think Stephen's odd face is from saying "Cheeeeese" for too long. 

Fun with bupps

During our trip to Chicagoland (June 29- July 5) the boys got in lots of QT with their "Bupps." We enjoyed a trip to the beach again, though the wind was too strong for sailing this time. Here Stephen shows me a rock he found.

We went to hear a steel drum performance at Schaumburg town square later that day... But the older boys were more interested in watching the ducklings.

Rocky made my dad read him dozens of books. Many of them more than once. 

Stephen's first camp out

Stephen, Rockam and my dad had their first back yard camp out last week. The kids were making shadow puppets when 

I took this shot. "I'm a dinosaur! I'm a cactus!" 

Rocky was super hyper on account of drinking half my smoothie, an ice cream cone and two marshmallows before bed.

Eventually my dad had to bring Rockam back inside so he and Stephen could sleep.

But they did enjoy a nice story time by flashlight.

This is how Stephen looked when I found him the next morning! They came in around 5:30 when it it got too cold. 

Stephen said his favorite part (high point) was roasting marshmallows over the hibachi. His low point was Rockam screaming too much.