Pennsylvania Saturday

With the weather being so nice today we ventured out to visit Aunt Heather and Uncle Dan and our friend Niki in Pennsylvania. The girls and I took the kids out for lunch and then spent the afternoon outside walking around before heading back to Aunt Heather's and Uncle Dan's. Once we got back to the house we spent some time in the backyard playing with Ginger, the dog, and then went to see what Uncle Dan was up to!
Uncle Dan was washing his truck and Nicholas and Addison joined right in and Uncle Dan willingly let them take over!! The kids had a great time helping out with the truck, scrubbing and washing and playing with the hose. It was a great way to stay cool and get Uncle Dan's truck nice and clean!

Timidly venturing closer to Ginger

Nicholas making friends

Learning to Shake with Ginger

Hanging out with the Girls

Time to Get to Work!

Spring Has Sprung

Everyone had the day off today and we took advantage of the GORGEOUS weather!
We ran a bunch of errands and then came home, cleaned a bit and took to the backyard for the late afternoon and evening! Nicholas and I played a little soccer until Addie woke up and Daddy joined us. We played some softball, too. Everybody got in on the sports and running action in the evening sun. It was the perfect way to spend one of the truly nice days of Spring- FINALLY!

An Evening of Wine and Roses

Last night Pat and I had the opportunity to attend a benefit for a local hospital. Pat's company sponsors the benefit at an area resort and invites tons of restaurants and wine and beer distributors. The entire evening becomes a giant tasting event for everyone that attends!
This year was even better than last year because we were given a suite in the hotel for the night, as well, from Pat's company! We were able to enjoy our evening, sans children (thanks Grandma and Pop-pop!), and then head upstairs and fall right into bed!
One of the highlights of the night, other than all the food, drink and excellent company of friends, was getting an autographed copy of Chef Nick Stellino's newest book, "Cooking With Friends". Mr. Stellino spoke for a few minutes, signed books for about an hour and then mingled with the crowd for awhile. While I didn't speak with him, it was nice to get a copy of the book and a bunch of new recipes to try!
I wasn't able to take too many pictures because we were constantly moving and trying to new foods and wines and beers, so my hands were quite full! Here are the few that I did get to snap!

The view from our balcony, mid-evening
We were on the 6th floor and the view of the mountains around us was gorgeous!

Nick Stellino

View of inside our living room
Pat was resting mid-benefit- his feet hurt!

Someone is sleepy....
We ended up back downstairs for another 2 hours after this mini-power nap!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone! We hope you enjoyed a wonderful and blessed day of family and renewed hope!
We started off our day bright and early and both Nicholas and Addison were excited to see that Easter Bunny had, in fact, made a stop at our house! Both kids hunted for eggs, with a little help from Daddy, and then promptly dug into their baskets. We spent the rest of the early morning playing with new Easter toys and getting ready to head to Grandma and Pop-pop's for the afternoon.
We met Grandma and Pop-pop at church and after celebrating Mass we all headed back to their house to see if maybe, just maybe, the Bunny had been there, too! Wouldn't you know, he had?!?!
Nicholas and Addison, with the help of Aunt Jessica since Daddy was at work, hunted for all of the eggs that the Big Bunny had hidden at Grandma and Pop-pop's. And just like at our house this morning, they then promptly dug into their baskets! Addison discovered the joy of jelly beans while Nicholas came to know the wonderful phenomenon that is the Cadbury Creme Egg!
We enjoyed an afternoon of food- yummy antipasto, homemade ravioli, and spiral ham- and then moved on to a final Easter tradition, Egg Wars!
When I was growing up, each Easter, at the end of the meal my grandfather would pull out all of the dyed Easter eggs and we would each choose an egg. We would then hit our eggs together and whichever egg cracked was the loser. Usually, there was one egg/person that would beat everyone and go on to be the egg war champion. This year's egg war champion was Aunt Jessica with what we called the "Irish Egg" (I think it was green)!
We had a wonderful Easter filled with lots of joy, love, family and food and we hope that each of you did, as well! May the joy of Easter carry you through the rest of the year!
Happy Easter!

The Bunny Came!

Hunting for Eggs
I'm pretty sure Rory even got a hold of one...

Addie getting a lift from Daddy to find a few eggs

JACKPOT!

Starting to sort through the goodies that the plastic eggs held...

Finding the first egg at Grandma's

The theme of the day was
"Don't Look at the Camera"

The Bunny couldn't outsmart them...they found each and every egg!

"Don't I look handsome in my Easter outfit?!"

Pretty Easter Princess

First Round of Egg Wars

Nicholas in his losing round

Addie taking on the Irish Egg

Ending the day with dessert...Banana Coconut Cheesecake

Happy Easter!

Holy Saturday Traditions

Ever since I can remember, we have spent Holy Saturday preparing for Easter and making calzones from scratch. As a little kid I can remember helping my grandmother make the filling for the calzone and roll out the dough. Now that I have my own kids and my mom has become grandma, the tradition has been passed along.
Today, after introducing the kids to my softball team, we headed over to grandma and pop-pop's to continue the Holy Saturday tradition and make calzones. Nicholas and Addison spent the afternoon mixing the ricotta and meat filling and then helping to pound and roll out the dough. They then filled and sealed each calzone with precision and care! After all that work you would they would want to taste the fruits of their labors....not so much! I can say from my own personal taste test, they were quite delicious!!
It was wonderfully special to be able to continue to share in this tradition with my own kids and I look forward to tomorrow and the traditions that will continue to be shared!
We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy and Blessed Easter! May the joy and hope of Easter come to each and every one you!!
Happy Easter!