Sunday, December 30, 2012

Delicious


There is a first time for everything. Last night we made beef burgers. Yep, I am eating beef again after 10+ years. Along with the burgers, I made homemade french fries. Uhmmm...yummy!! How have I never made fries before? The meal was so good and fairly easy. I am adding it as positive check on my way to learning how to cook. 

December in SB is Rough







Ranch Time


On our way home from San Francisco we made a detour to visit my friend Ms. C and her family at their ranch. Cows, mud, a rainbow, and tons of dogs = sign us up.


Thanks for having us!


The kids enjoyed getting some country living experience.


The rainbow was amazing.


Gus enjoyed his time with the dog and the mud.



There was no beating the fresh air and exercise for the kiddos. RUN, because you are getting back in the car for at least another 2 hours. ;)



J and I had a super fun and super muddy time. It was only after the ride, several days later, that Vera informed me that we were supposed to ride on the grass...not the muddy road. Whoops!



Thursday, December 27, 2012

Thank You, Aunt Stephanie!!!


Gus is our representative. Aunt Steph, we used your Christmas present to buy the kiddos awesome snow gear for our Sequoia trip. Photos from the trip will be posted. Just know, that all three kids will now be toasty warm in their new snow pants and boots. Yay! As you can see, Gus is thrilled.

Christmas Round-Up


Matching pajamas, minus Gus-Gus, who was sleeping Christmas Eve away while the rest of us ate and partied. 




Crazy faces!


Cheese!!


Remembering Nana, she was missed this Christmas. 


Keller and Nonno working as a team to create Lego masterpieces. Legos are crazy complicated now and each piece is important...if you lose one THE WHOLE THING IS RUINED. 


Vera rocked it on her own.


I made Nonni a calculator costume. Okay, I realize that Halloween is almost a year away, but it will store just fine.


Great game for kids = Headbanz! Any game with blue, plastic headbands + cards stuck to your head is a keeper.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Boys


Seriously, could they be any cuter? Here is the thing. While in San Fran, Jan's one wish was to have a picture of the nine of us (Mazzetta Crew, Nonni and Nonno, and Zia and Zio). We all headed to the photo studio, dressed in somewhat coordinating outfits, and posed. After reviewing the photos, we realized that The Dude was making faces in almost all of them. Tongue sticking out, scrunched up face, or a blank stare...he hit them all.

But, for a photo at the gym with Santa, he is all smiles. I love him.

WhooWhoo


Tata outdid herself for Christmas. The owl backpack is pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Cookie Decorating


This was a pre-Christmas cookie decorating event. That smile on Keller's face is my current favorite that he makes when the camera comes out.

CC's House


On the way home from Opa's house we made a stop at our favorite besties. Yay for getting to see the S Family's new home, which is amazing! First order of business was making puppy chow. Puppy chow is a combination of cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. It is as good as it sounds. 


Needless to say, the kids loved it!


The next order of business was ornament painting for the big kids.


The little dudes got to just sit and eat!



Our visit ended with dress-up...Keller was a good sport with all of the "girl" clothes.

Loved our visit!

Our Opa Christmas


Both boys discovering the joy of Opa Sr's rocking chair. It was only after that we were told that the chair is monopolized by the cat = both boys with fuzzy, white cat fur bottoms. 


Thank you, Aunt Sue!! She pulled out a vintage basketball game for the kiddos. They loved it. I have to say...they just don't make toys like they used to. 


Good food = good times!


The kids enjoying their Santa hats and stockings from Opa. 


I'll give you one guess what my next goal in the kitchen is going to be when we get home. 


Group shot!!

Monday, December 24, 2012

1st Stop


Our Christmas travels continued with a trip to Nadine's house to eat all of the cookies that she made see everyone and be merry. I put a serious dent in the candy cane cookies and between us all the treats vanished. 


Nadine + all the kiddos = a whole lotta fun. D and G are the sweetest boys.


The shot I always make us take!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

7 is coming!



We made the drive to San Fran on Friday and were greeted with a pre-birthday cake made by Nonni and ice cream for Vera. As you can imagine, she was thrilled. Thanks Nonni!

Me, I am having a very hard time believing that she is going to be seven in January.

Hops


Thank you to the B Family for our new basketball hoop! Keller officially has a higher vertical than both Mommy and Opa combined.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Gus Gus