Thankful, Day 30

I am thankful for everything in my life.  I am pretty darn lucky and don't have much to complain about!  My goal over the next year is to try to look at all of the good things in life and not dwell on those not so good things.  I am putting ALL OF YOU in charge of keeping me on track! :)

Thanksgiving Day

We had 18 people at the house for Thanksgiving.  It was so nice to have such a full house!  I love having all of the family over.  It was a little stressful for a moment when I realized I did not have enough green beans to make my green bean casserole, but Donnie came through and made his "world famous green bean casserole".  He saved the day! :)  Here are some pictures from the big day!

The kids table

 Donnie with Evie & Rylee

 Rob keeping his deep-fried turkey warm

 Rob chilling with his new nephew Tobin (just over 1 month old)

 4 Generations!

 Grandma Vickie with Sonni

 All the food....

 the kids table sans Donnie

Auntie Gina with her girls!

SNOW!

We are so excited about the snow! Not that you could tell from this picture....  Actually Rob had told Paul it was Rylee's turn to ride in the bobcat and that is why he was crying, but Rylee said she didn't want to ride because she wanted to sled, so he stopped crying!

 Look close and you can see that Sierra's footprint made a heart shape in the snow!  I love her!

 Evie all bundled up to go out and play (not sure what is up with the lips???)

 He LOVES the snow!

 Paul pulling Rylee on the tube!  Pretty cute, huh?

Cousins...

Rylee and Paul had so much with their cousins Everleigh and Emerson over thanksgiving week. 

It's wierd to me to see Paul as the big kid...he's my baby.  He's not supposed to be the big kid.

 Rylee holding Emerson.  She wants a baby sister soooo bad.  Sorry sweetie...Santa can't bring that to ya!

 Paul holding Emerson.  He is so gentle with younger kids. 

 Rob with all 4 of them...don't they look cozy?

 Rylee holding Everleigh.  Again...she would have LOVED to have a little sister.

Thankful, Day 29

Today I am thankful for courteous people.  It seems that this time of year people are more cranky than usual.  Maybe because everyone is stressed out...but today, drivers seemed to be more courteous.  Hopefully that sticks around!!!!

5 Generation Pictures

While Donnie, Mandalyn, Evie and Sonni were up, we were able to visit Great Grandpa and get some 5 Generation pictures. 

The Piscitello Family visited on Thanksgiving Evening

Aunt Jan, Uncle Steve, Jim, April, Rylee B, Ethan & Payton all came over on Thanksgiving Evening after they got back from Steve's parent's house.  The 4 older kids decided it was time to PLAY, so they all went up to Rylee's room and played a little dress up.  Rylee B & Ethan also stayed the night that night, the kids were SUPER excited to have more "cousins" stay over.

Here is Paul dressed up

 Payton and Evie playing with the Thomas the Train set

 Ethan, Rylee B, Rylee Marie and Paul all dressed up

 Payton James

Ethan....as a mermaid...BLACKMAIL MATERIAL! :)

Thankful, Day 28

Today I am thankful for leftovers....

Thankful, Day 27

Today I am thankful for many things:

1.  First and foremost...the Nevada Wolfpack football team for putting Bozo State in their place!
2. That everyone who was traveling today has made it home safe
3. That Rob and his bet buddy Ryan bagged a couple of bucks today!  That means my freezer will be full!
4. Snow---I love it, the kids love, we love to play in it!  Love it!
5. Vandal Football Saturday -- come on boys, let's get a W today!
6. To get an unexpected letter from a dear friend today! (Thanks Robin...you made the best day ever EVEN BETTER!).

Love, The Very Thankful Gina

Thankful, Day 26

Today I am thankful that I was not crazy enough to go shopping.  I bet it was CRAZY out there!!!!

Thankful, Day 25

Today (well, yesterday...I was too exhausted to post anything) I am thankful for the house full of people...We had 18 people for dinner and later in the evening Jan, Steve, Jim, April, Rylee B, Ethan & Payton stopped by.  So good to see family!

Thankful, Day 24

Today I had to go to my office for a minute to update the football pool (I know, I know, priorities).  Anyway, while I was there, one of my co-workers said she was headed to Target to get a few Christmas presents.  This particular co-worker & I trade clothes between our kids and sometimes, toys.  So we decided to run to Target together so we didn't get the same things, so we could share.  Well, I found a gift for Paul while I was there and she just happened to have a coupon for it.  So, today I am thankful for my co-worker and her coupon...she saved me $10!

Thankful, Day 23

oops...forgot to post yesterday.  I think my brain my have been frozen from the blizzard and negative temperatures!  Anyway, I also had a Parent-Teacher conference with Rylee's teacher yesterday.  She is doing great in almost all areas.  We have a few things to work on (like maybe saving the social life for recess!) and will do so at home.  Her teacher thinks she is very sweet and smart!  They set benchmarks for where they want the 1st graders at the end of each trimester in three different categories.  Rylee is over the 3rd trimester benchmark in one, almost to the 3rd trimester benchmark in another and at the 2nd trimester benchmark in the last.  I am super thankful that I have a child who likes to learn and is a good student!

Thankful, Day 22

4 Wheel Drive.  I never knew I needed it, never knew I wanted it, never knew how wonderful it was.  I have always had front wheel drive vehicles, until now.  Driving my 4 wheel drive Jeep the last couple of days has been soooo nice.  I didn't realize what a difference it could make!  So, today I am thankful for my 4 wheel drive Jeep!

Cameron's 8th Birthday

The kids friend Cameron's 8th birthday party was last weekend at Skate Plaza.  This was Paul's first time skating and he loved it!

 He held onto the wall the first couple times around, then he started scooting along without the wall!

Paul, Cameron (the birthday boy), Sam (Cameron's sister) and Rylee

Thankful, Day 21

One word.....snow!  I am thankful for the snow.  I am also thankful that I grew up in the snow so I know how to drive in it.  The kids were SUPER excited when they saw the snow.  They put on their snowpants, gloves, hats, coats, scarves, boots and headed outside to play!  Hooray for snow! :)

Thankful, Day 20

The kids ended up being invited to 2 birthday parties today, so we went to both.  I am VERY VERY VERY thankful that I can take my kids to birthday parties without having to worry about them being rude, throwing fits or anything else.  They are super sweet in public and very polite....  I am so THANKFUL!  So, so, so thankful!  Paul was able to try skating for the first time and loved it.  He looked pretty stinkin' cute skating around.

Thankful, Day 19

 First of all, I cannot believe it is already November 19th.  Thanksgiving is less than a week away!  Wow!  Time is flying this month.  Today, I am thankful for my nieces, nephews and my goddaughter.  I will get to see all of my neices & nephews for Thanksgiving!  I am excited to meet Mr Tobin and am so glad that we will have a house full of people on Thanksgiving!

 Me with Everleigh and Emerson this summer (above). Micah and Elise holding their new baby brother Tobin (below)

Miss Sara -- my Goddaughter

Thankful, Day 18

Today I am thankful for my BRAVE big boy!  He tried a new gymnastics class tonight and was a little freaked out because the other 3 boys were older (2 - 7 year olds and 1 - 6 year old) and all had done these things before.  I went down onto the floor and sat with him until he was brave enough to try them again and he made it all the way through the class and was excited for next time!!!!

Thankful, Day 17

Best Friends...that is what I am thankful for today.  I have 3 friends that I would call my best friends.  They are those friends that even if you haven't talked for a year, once you do talk to each other again, it's like a day hasn't passed.  I love all 3 of these girls!!!!  Storie, Jessanne & Robin

Thankful, Day 16

Today I am thankful for the roof over my head!  

Thankful, Day 15

11 years ago today, Rob and I started dating.  Seems like it was just yesterday, but it also seems like it's been 30 years.  Either way, it's been 11 years and we have made quite a life together in those 11 years.  Who would have thought on that crazy night at the Corner Club that 11 years later, we would be living in a beautiful home with the best 2 kids in the world and a couple of pups (well, old dogs, but sometimes they pretend to be pups), both with pretty decent jobs....who would have thought?  So, today I am thankful for the Corner Club because without it, Rob and I just might not have ever met!

Thankful, Day 14

Today I am thankful that my parents quit smoking...today is the anniversary!  Hooray for healthy lungs!

Thankful, Day 13

When a lot of people talk about their in-laws, it is with disgust.  I am pretty blessed with my in-laws.  Here is a picture from last Christmas of the in-laws!  I am thankful that I was married into such a great family!

Thankful, Day 12

I am proud and thankful to be a Vandal! 

Pride Point #1: The University of Idaho graduates more students each year than any other institution in the State of Idaho! Vandal alumni are the best alumni anywhere! Proud to be an alum!

Last night at the football game, the winner of the annual food drive competition was announced. BSU came in 2nd with 632 pounds and the University of Idaho came in first with over 34,000 pounds of food.  Yep, you read that right!!!

Thankful, Day 11

These 2 grandparents...they are the best!  They are always willing to help out with the kids whenever we need them or pretty much ready to help with ANYTHING!  Thanks guys!

NOTE RE: THANKFULNESS

The items that I am thankful for set forth on this blog or in no particular order...they kind of depend on the day (and how long it took me to find a dorky picture of my brother!) 

Love, Gina

Thankful, Day 10

Donnie.  Today I am thankful for Donnie.  He can make me laugh over pretty much anything.  He is a great friend to have and always fun to have around!  It makes me sad that I don't see or talk to him everyday, but I guess that makes it even nicer when we do finally get to see each other.  Well, since I don't get to see him everyday, I just admire this picture of him below....what a stud!

Thankful, Day 9

Today was one of those days at work...I won't get into details, but I was getting pretty frustrated.  Then, I started thinking about what I was going to blog about today....and a lightbulb went off.  Even though some days at work are not a whole lot of fun, I am thankful that I have a job.  There are a lot of people in this country who don't have jobs, so I am thankful that I have a job and am able to provide for my family.  Thinking this way sure made my day go by more smoothly (& quicker!)

Thankful, Day 8

Today I am thankful for the beautiful area I live in.  This picture was taken 2 (maybe 3) years ago above Twin Lakes.  We were out in the woods helping a friend get firewood for the winter and I remember just standing there looking out at this beauty and thinking how lucky I am! 

Vandal Football v. Nebraska

Last Saturday, Pa, the kids and I headed down to Moscow for the Vandal Home game vs. Nevada.  It was also Coach Akey Bobblehead day and Military Appreciation Day.  As we were heading towards the Kibbie Dome, we saw a huge helicoptor landing right by the Kibbie Dome.  Paul was excited to see what was going on.  When we got there, we saw this...it was HUGE!   

 Rylee decided to work on a project during the game (making a list of some sort???) so she had to have ear plugs so she could concentrate!

 Since Sissy had earplugs, little brother needed some too...

 The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE Joey (er, I mean Joe Vandal!)

 Pops and I love Joey too!

 The guy in the black clothes and white hat turned backwards is current San Francisco 49er Mike Iupati also known as Big Mike (former Vandal)

 Leaving the dome after a sad, sad day.  The Vandals did not play well, BUT, we to look at the bright side, we did get our.............

 Coach Akey Bobbleheads!!!!