10-22-05

New Boots

2012-01-24T08:30:00.002-05:00

We got a few inches of snow this past weekend so Colton got to wear his new boots. It took us about 5 tries to actually get them on him - he didn't want them on his feet at all. But we finally got them on along with his Luke hand-me-down snowsuit. The first picture Colton is crying because he couldn't move in the snow. The snow combined with the heavy boots had him stuck in the ground. The second picture is Colton a little happier. He stood there for about 5 minutes and didn't move. I don't think he knew how to move in his new boots. Eventually he figured it out and enjoyed playing at his Pop Pop's. We later went to Jules Pizza with Pop Pop and Pat and then joined them for dinner that night at Cantina Feliz. It was a fun-filled family day.

Hibachi with the Assenmachers

2012-01-15T20:36:00.002-05:00

I love a good chicken and shrimp combo for dinner. And then having it cooked in front of you with flames a flying makes for good entertainment and distraction for Colton. On Saturday we had dinner at Ooka with our good friends - Greg & Deb and their kids Sydney and Nathan. It was a little bit too exciting for Sydney. The huge flame that lit up the room scared her and brought her to tears. She decided to watch dinner being cooked from the sidelines with her mom.

They all came back to our place after dinner and the kids had fun playing together. It is fun to see Colton interact with other kids. He watches them with adoration and gets excited to join in their fun. I just love it. My camera has been in the shop for the past two months, so soon better pictures will emerge.

Cousin's Brunch 2012

2012-01-09T10:02:00.006-05:00

Brian's family has an annual brunch in January that they have coined, "the cousin's brunch." It is an awesome party with lots of food, family, and fun. We look forward to going every year although I'm still confused as to how we are all related. Pictured above - Aunt Pat, Colt, Brian, Mary Pat, & Kathy.

Winter Classic 2012

2012-01-09T10:02:00.005-05:00

Brian is a die-hard Flyers fan. He watches every game and has been talking about the Winter Classic since they announced the Flyers and Rangers would play in it at Citizens Bank Park. Brian is also the type of guy that never wants anything but deserves everything. That being said, knowing he would never get tickets for himself, his Christmas gift was two tickets to the Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park. He didn't have to take me, but he did. We enjoyed a free ride on the subway down to the Park and took it all in at the game. It was really cold but so exciting, that you almost forgot how cold it was. We enjoyed our slushy beers, hot dogs, and fries. The Flyers didn't win, but it was a once in a lifetime event and we enjoyed it together. Thanks to Bob and Mary for watching Colton so we could enjoy the game.

Swings and Wings

2012-01-01T20:02:00.003-05:00

It was an absolutely gorgeous first day of the year. Colton and I took advantage of the weather and did our cross-country walk around Abington. We ended the walk at the playground where Colton enjoyed swinging into 2012. He loved it so much and laughed when he went higher and higher. Then he cried and flailed when I took him out.

Later on in the day Brian, Colton and I met up with my sorority sisters (L-R: Kelli, Devon, Me, Katie) and their families for wings at the Boathouse. Many at the table were hurting from the festivities the night before, but we all felt better after some greasy wings. It was a fun way to start off the new year.

NYE 2011

2012-01-01T19:59:00.002-05:00

For many years we went out with our friends Jean and Tom on NYE. We would hit up the comedy club and enjoy an evening laughing our way into the next year. But now the four of us has turned into six. So this year we played it low key and had a nice relaxing dinner with them at our house. While it may appear that the kids are watching the ball drop on the TV, don't be fooled. They are mesmerized by the Wiggles. This year, we wiggled our way into 2012.

Macy's Light Show

2011-12-29T15:44:00.003-05:00

After the Comcast event, we went to Macy's and checked out the light show. When I worked at the building next to Macy's, I used to avoid going near it around this time of year. So many crowds and kids made getting anywhere practically impossible. While crowded, it had new meaning getting to share it with Brian and Colton. We found a comfy spot on the floor and Colton sat through most of it. He enjoyed seeing the train image the most. It was a fun event, but I would challenge Macy's to up their game and make any future shows something to ooohhh and aawww about.

The Comcast Holiday Light Show

2011-12-29T15:43:00.004-05:00

We have heard really great things about the Comcast light show, so we made a day of it and went down to the city to see what it was all about. It is a free show that plays every hour on the hour for 15 minutes. The lobby was packed with families with little kids staring at the wall of video screens. While we know it is free, we must admit that it was kind of underwhelming. It was fun family activity, and Colton did like the huge moon when it came on the screen, but we thought it could have been a lot more exciting. It could be that the excitement and interactivity the iPad and iPhone brings us makes everything else just a little less exciting.

Meeting Rose & Nash Doman

2011-12-29T15:41:00.003-05:00

Rose and Nash came into the world on October 19th, 2011. They were 10 weeks early and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. Yesterday was their actual due date and they are now home and topping the scales at over 6 lbs each. We didn't get to see them for very long while we were in Pittsburgh, but they were even more precious and adorable in person. We are in love.

The National Aviary

2011-12-29T15:40:00.006-05:00

I have very fond memories of my dad taking my brother and I to the aviary in Pittsburgh. The aviary today is nothing like it was back then. It has been updated and upgraded and was so much fun. Colton loves animals and was excited to see so many up close in person compared to just reading about them in his books. We saw toucans, pelicans, owls, penguins, parrots and so many others both large and small. It was a nice activity to share with my parents, David, Ellen, and the kids.

Nun Bowling

2011-12-29T15:38:00.003-05:00

We found this fun little game called, Nun Bowling. It is one of those games you see at the check out counter. Since my mom is an ex-nun along with some of her friends, we couldn't pass it up. Above is my mom and her ex-nun friend, Pat, playing the game. My mom had a sinfully fun time and knocked them all down.

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T15:36:00.005-05:00

We celebrated Christmas in the Burgh this year. We had been looking forward to it - seeing family and friends, continuing traditions, relaxing, and getting to see Colton open up his presents. It was a fun visit.

We enjoyed Christmas eve with my mom's side of the family. We had fried shrimp and homemade raviolis - a tradition continued by my cousin Kathy. We were able to have it at a bar, now called, Someone Else's Bar. It used to be the bar owned by my cousins. It was fun to be back there watching the kids play like we used to play when we were younger.

Colton had lots of presents this year. Santa brought him one special gift - the drum above. He seems to enjoy music, so Santa wanted to encourage his exploration of making music. Colton was showered with gifts from his grandparents, family, and friends. He says, "tink tink." Translation - thank you.

Dinner with the Parks

2011-12-12T12:55:00.002-05:00

Michael and Tracey had us over their new home for dinner this past weekend. We had a delicious meal and a great time. They recently built their home and it is gorgeous and enormous. Colton and Caroline had a great time playing with each other and I believe there may have been a first hug/kiss.

Doggie Rehab

2011-12-12T12:48:00.004-05:00

Val's left hind leg has been bothering her for quite some time. She has been limping for probably over a year. The vet won't do surgery because she has a heart condition, so we opted to do some doggie rehab because we can't stand to see her in pain or uncomfortable. She gets water and laser therapy twice a week and Brian and I have to massage and stretch her leg twice daily. We know this will help her and it is special time we get to have with Val every day.

Dinner at the Earharts

2011-12-04T17:17:00.001-05:00

As always, dinner at the Earharts' didn't disappoint. My friend Christina is a great cook and made a cioppino (fish stew). It was different and absolutely delicious. The boys enjoyed playing with each other and Colt loved all the new toys at his fingertips. It was a great time.

Trains & Ferns

2011-12-04T17:16:00.004-05:00

The day after Thanksgiving, the holiday train exhibit at Morris Arboretum opened. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoyed watching Colton in awe of all the trains that passed by. He loved the noise they made as they disappeared in the distance and then reappeared around the corner. We also visited a little greenhouse filled with all types of ferns. Colt touched some of them and enjoyed looking at the big fish in the pond.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-04T17:15:00.003-05:00

We had yet another year of thanks. Thankful for our health, having each other, our family, our jobs, and of course our two loves Val and Colton. Uncle Jimmy came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. We hosted it and Bob, Mary, Ava, Luke, and Mr. Kenney joined us. I wish we could have Thanksgiving everyday.

Santa & Mrs. Claus Visit

2011-12-04T17:13:00.001-05:00

Colton got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and as you can see, he was ecstatic. He could barely contain his excitement.

Mark & Beth - 11-12-11

2011-12-04T17:12:00.004-05:00

Mark and Beth tied the knot on 11-12-11 in Charlotte, NC. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Pictured above - the happy couple and Stephanie and me.

Celebrating and Conquering

2011-12-04T17:08:00.005-05:00

Our long-time, good friend of the family (Mark) was getting married in Charlotte, NC. I only made the trip to NC. Brian held down the fort with Val & Colton back home. I believe Mark met his soon-to-be-wife (Beth) at the U.S. National Whitewater Center when he was working there. He wanted to make sure all of his out of town guests got to experience it, so he set up a fun morning for us the day of the wedding. It was an incredible day. My brother Dave, our neighbor growing up (Tony), his wife (Angie), and my cousin Josh all went. We went zip lining, we jumped off the side of a tall ledge, we did an incredibly frightening ropes course walking over 70 foot canyons on a rope, and we conquered our fears.

2nd Generation

2011-11-06T20:48:00.003-05:00

My sorority sister Katie and her husband Andy hosted a get-together at their new home on Saturday. It was long overdue since the original date was supposed to be a BBQ on the evening of the hurricane. Devon & Tim, Kelli & Eric, and Kim, Ryan, & the girls also joined us. We had pulled pork, mac & cheese, and everyone brought a side dish or something good to eat. Andy had the fun idea of everyone bringing a case of interesting beer. At the end of the night we mixed them all up and everyone left with a mixture of beers they probably would have never bought before. Now we can try and see if we like them. The kids had a blast together playing with new friends, new toys, and dancing. Pictured above are the 2nd generation of friends - Kimmie's (Molly & Sophia), Katie's (AJ & Will), and ours (Colton).

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-11-06T20:37:00.003-05:00

Brian and I carved our pumpkins this year as Colton ran around the table. When we were just about done, we had Colton put his hand in to touch the seeds and gunk. He liked putting the pumpkin seeds in his mouth.

For Halloween, Colton was a lemur. I had no idea what it was either, but apparently it is a primate from the island of Madagascar. It was our neighbor's and free, so we went with it. Colton actually loved being a lemur. Despite his fever, he loved being dressed up and playing with the tail. We went to one house across the street and spent the rest of the night handing out candy.

The Irish Try Italian

2011-10-16T21:41:00.003-04:00

My Nonnie's pizza has always been a crowd pleaser. When my Nonnie would cook it, our neighbors would flock to our house to get a taste. You could smell how delicious it was all the way down the street. It felt like the perfect time to make it so we invited Brian's family over to enjoy. I had a vision of everyone around the dining room table making their own pizza and putting on their own special toppings, but that didn't really pan out. While Brian and I made the dough and the sauce & most of the pizzas, I made Ava and the crew pose for this one. The pizzas were good - not as good as my Nonnie's, but it was fun nonetheless.

Morris Arboretum with Devon

2011-10-16T21:39:00.006-04:00

We went to Morris Arboretum with my friend Devon to see the scarecrow walk and enjoy the beautiful Fall day. We walked all over and caught up on our lives. The scarecrow walk was super creative - this was our favorite.

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-16T21:38:00.002-04:00

Brian, Colton and I picked out our pumpkins at a local farm. Colt wouldn't sit still for a picture in the pumpkin patch, so we did the best we could to reenact the pumpkin scarecrow photo. I can't believe how different our little guy looks after one year.

Stone Harbor 2011

2011-10-16T21:01:00.032-04:00

My grandparents started the tradition years ago. For years my dad's side of the family would vacation at Stone Harbor for a week or two. There were 14 of us then, and I remember my cousins and I talking about how we will make sure we continue the tradition someday. This is year 6 of the "adult cousin" tradition continuing . We used to all fit in one house, but not at 27, we have 3 separate houses. But our vacation activities are pretty much the same - the only big difference is now watching all our kids do all the things we did as kids. Stone Harbor is all about bike riding, riding in the ocean waves, enjoying the pool, playing in the sand, charades, family dinners, the point, Springer's ice cream, and just hanging out with the family. It is the best vacation and what makes it even more special is our grandma is still there beside us. She and my grandpa created an awesome bond that will hopefully continue on for many years to come.

Tubes

2011-09-21T14:09:00.003-04:00

Colton got tubes in his ears and did so well. While we waited for over an hour past our appointment, the surgery took 15 minutes total and we had our little guy back in our arms. He did really well and hopefully he won't get any more ear infections now. This was a picture right before he was taken back to surgery - Bugs Bunny gown and smiles.

Jessie's Shower

2011-09-21T14:08:00.003-04:00

My best friend Jessie and her husband Craig have been praying for this special day for years. And now they are blessed with celebrating times two. Jessie and Craig are having twins - a boy and a girl in the next month or so. We are all so excited for them! May I ask that anyone who reads this blog continues to send prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy.

Date Night

2011-09-21T14:05:00.001-04:00

Brian and I won awesome seats to the Phillies game on September 16th and my colleague was generous to offer up her babysitting services to allow us to enjoy a night out with our favorite Philadelphia team. It was an exciting game as we watched the Phillies come back in the 9th inning to tie the game. The game went into extra innings and we were hoping we would get to see them clinch the division, but our Phillies lost. A great night and the next day they won the division for the 5th year in a row. Very exciting!

Surprise! Bob Kenney Turns 80

2011-09-15T21:53:00.010-04:00

Brian's dad is one incredible guy. When I met him for the first time - arriving for dinner with Brian at his parents' home in 2002 - Mr. Kenney opened up his arms and welcomed me into his home with a big hug. And that is how I have felt in this family ever since - welcomed and loved by him. This birthday was a big one and we all wanted to make a big deal about how special he is and how much he means to all of us. We had the party at the Knowlton Mansion and surprised him by saying we were going to brunch to celebrate his day with the immediate family. We invited all his friends and extended family and they all couldn't wait to come celebrate with him. We gathered photos of him through the years to make a video of his life - which reinforced what a fulfilling life he lead. We added a photo booth, balloon twister, and took family photos to make it an event to remember. It was a fun day filled with love and excitement. Happy Birthday Mr. Kenney! Photos by Jenny Spinner.

10 Years Later

2011-09-11T20:37:00.006-04:00

PSU mural honoring the 9/11 victims who are PSU alumni. Jean is the second one in on the top left.

On the morning of 9/11/01, I walked into my office in center city Philadelphia and noticed a bunch of my colleagues huddled around a mini television. They were watching the news and explained that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. The details had not been known at the time, so I went to my desk to start my day. Shortly after, another plane hit and we all stopped what we were doing and watched these tragic events unfold on the conference room television. I remember watching my supervisor cover her mouth and gasp as the first building began to fall. What a horrible day.

Later that night I got a call from Devon telling me that our sorority sister Jean Roger was a flight attendant on Flight 11 - the first plane into the World Trade Center. I still can't believe it.

A memorial was held for her in Massachusetts that weekend, and all my Philly sorority sisters rented a huge SUV and drove up to honor our dear friend and sister. Passing NYC, we saw the thick smoke that replaced the two buildings in the skyline.

We arrived to the service and the line that went in to the church went on for blocks and blocks. There was such a turn out to honor Jean that we all had to listen to the service in the basement - which also filled up quickly.

It all makes sense if you knew Jean Roger (there should be an accent mark above the e). I knew her because she was in a pledge class above me. What that meant is her class mentored our class and we did pretty much everything with them. Jean was a positive force, had a great perspective on life and was so much fun. She was the girl that could chug a beer like no other and all the guys in the fraternity knew her and respected her. She was just plain cool. I didn't know anyone who didn't love this girl and want to be around her.

Jean wasn't supposed to be on that flight. She got called up due to a sick flight attendant and was actually excited to fill the spot that morning, her boyfriend said. Knowing what a special person she was and how she made everyone love being around her, God must have placed her on this tragic flight to bring calmness to those who needed it. The night before the flight, she celebrated her boyfriend's birthday and in his card she wrote: "May you have love, happiness, and peace of mind because really, in the end, everything else just comes and goes."

9/11 hurts, frightens, saddens, and angers me. But while it hurts and saddens me to remember this horrific day and those that lost their lives, I find peace in remembering Jean and the special person she was.

Pals

2011-09-08T21:03:00.002-04:00

We had Christina, Travis, and Patrick over for Labor Day dinner. While we didn't prepare for this visit like we do for a typical throw down dinner competition, the food didn't disappoint. We had brisket, a zucchini bake, salad, and Christina brought her mean potato salad. We went over to the playground with the boys, and then later Travis and I made some banana's foster for dessert. Patrick is two months older than Colton so he was showing him some new tricks - climbing on chairs, opening up the china cabinet and pulling out the plates, and opening up the dog food container and putting his hand through the food. Luckily Colton hasn't caught on just yet. We look forward to seeing their friendship blossom.

Circus at the Arboretum

2011-09-08T20:53:00.003-04:00

The Arboretum had a special circus event on Sunday. We had lunch and then sat in the shade of a big tree while we waited for the show to start. Colton enjoyed running around the grass, checking out all the people, and when the show started, he watched it with excitement. When they clapped, he clapped. When they played music, he bounced like he was dancing. Having a kid this great is just so awesome.

Remembering Christian

2011-09-08T20:38:00.003-04:00

Christian Campuzano was born in September of 2009 with a severe heart defect, and he died when he was 2 1/2 months old. Brian's cousin, Jason, and Jason's wife Nicole are two of the most loving people I have ever met. My heart aches for their loss, but I always say to them how lucky Christian was to have felt their love. They celebrated his life this weekend with an annual fundraiser. It was a wonderful event. Tons of activities, raffles, and good food. Brian and I actually won Phillies tickets too.

Family Fun Day

2011-09-08T20:26:00.005-04:00

Colton had a teacher in-service day at the Academy on Friday so we decided to make a family day of it and Brian and I both took off. We spent the majority of the day at Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill. It was so much fun exploring the place and walking all through the gardens. We went to the human sized bird's nest and sat on the robin's eggs. We went up high into the trees and looked down below us. We saw fountains and lots of flowers as you can see above. Colton loved the trains. When one would come around the track, he would push his arms back behind him with excitement. We had such a good time, we decided to get a membership for a year. We have free guest passes, so feel free to ask us to come.

Grandpa's Birthday

2011-08-18T22:07:00.003-04:00

My parents came in to visit with the C-man and since it was my dad's birthday, we celebrated with his favorite feast. A wonderful weekend with the Grandparents.

YMCA

2011-08-18T22:00:00.003-04:00

Christina invited us to her YMCA pool on my very last Friday off. Another college friend and her two boys joined us too. But to top it off, my colleague (Beth) was able to pop in and visit with her favorite little man Colton. This Y outdoor pool was awesome. It had a giant pirate ship with slides and water coming out of it every which way. It was a little boy's dream. Colt was more interested in walking up and down the side of the pool carrying a toy he found on the sidelines. We swam a little, slid down the slide once, and enjoyed our last full Friday together. It was a fun day.

Shore Day with Aunt Charlene

2011-08-18T21:48:00.003-04:00

Aunt Charlene & Uncle Charlie come to the Jersey Shore each year for an Aikido conference. Last year, Colt dipped his toes into the Atlantic for the first time with his Great Aunt Charlene. We took advantage of their visit again this year on one of my last Friday's off. We swam in the hotel pool and then went to Brigantine to check out the beach and ocean. Colt seemed to enjoy it. He sat in a little pool of ocean water, splashed around, ate sand, fed the seagulls, walked the beach, and got a little sun burn on the tips of his ears and back of his neck. We had a great time and look forward to September for our annual trek to Stone Harbor.

Mooching

2011-07-23T17:05:00.003-04:00

Brian grew up next to neighbors who had a pool & a tennis court in their backyard. He always tells me how they would go swimming practically everyday and were the only ones who really used the pool. Being that is half true today (the half that no one really uses it), we thought we should put the pool to good use and enjoyed it during two weekends that were sweltering. Colt enjoyed his floating toy and the cool water, but best of all was being tossed in the air by Daddy.

Hazy Hot & Humid

2011-07-23T17:03:00.011-04:00

It has been in the 90's this month, so we have been enjoying the water toy to cool off. Love this little guy and gal.

8th

2011-07-23T17:03:00.009-04:00

An Entenmann's cake and a leftover sparkler - a slacker wife birthday celebration for my husband.

4th

2011-07-23T16:47:00.011-04:00

Parades were never my thing until we moved to Glenside. The 4th of July has now become one of our favorite holidays. While a great celebration for our country, the parade that strolls down our cross street is something we have become jazzed about. My parents, Bob & Luke, Mr. Kenney, and the Assenmacher's came in for the fun. Bob brought the blow up water slide which was a treat for all the kids to cool off before the parade. Colton loved the parade and watched in awe. It was fun to see him. We ended the evening with sparklers and snaps. Pictured above are the kids eagerly awaiting their turn to throw a snap.

Luke's 3rd Party

2011-07-03T14:29:00.002-04:00

Our Lukey turned 3 on June 22nd and we celebrated last weekend. They had a large blow up water slide for all the kids to enjoy. Colt dangled his feet in the water, but wasn't ready for the big splash like Luke above. Ava helped Luke blow out his candles. It was a fun party.

Monkeying Around

2011-07-03T14:03:00.005-04:00

We took advantage of one of Brian's Summer Fridays and headed to the Philadelphia Zoo. We pointed out all the animals to Colton (except the two bears making mad passionate love). He seemed to enjoy looking at the plants in front of the cages instead. Either way, it was a fun day spent together.

Father's Day 2011

2011-06-19T20:35:00.003-04:00

This morning we showered Brian with gifts for Father's Day. We then enjoyed homemade breakfast sandwiches, walked around Glenside, and then Brian enjoyed weeding outside while Colt and I played. We ended the day with dinner at Mr. Kenney's with the entire crew. A great day!

Celebrating Fathday Day

2011-06-19T20:27:00.002-04:00

Fathday Day falls on the day before Father's Day. Whole Foods actually created the day back in 2008 when they made a brownie with that special day's name (check it out in the archives of our blog - June 2008). It obviously was a misspelling, but the sad thing about it was we didn't even realize it until our good friend Joe Miller pointed it out the day before Father's Day. So this year, we invited Joe over to celebrate this special day. We tried to recreate the brownie with our can of whipped cream, but we weren't that successful. Hope your Fathday Day was as spectacular as ours was - until next year.

June Fete

2011-06-19T20:17:00.003-04:00

We hit the June Fete last weekend to sprinkle some fun into our pretty standard weekend responsibilities. We arrived, played a fair game to try to win Colton a stuffed Elmo doll, we walked around looking at all the rides we would never step our foot on, walked through the market, looked at all the carnival food, and then realized there was nothing there for Colton to really do, so after one circle around the fair, we hit the road. Since the June Fete benefits Abington Memorial Hospital, we figured it was our donation. We were there for probably a half hour, but I made Brian and Colton get in a picture to at least document we were there. Once Colton get's older, we will be more fun - I hope.

Mom's Surprise Party

2011-06-06T20:02:00.004-04:00

It was a secret we didn't think we could all keep for so long, but after months of planning, my dad, brother and I pulled off an amazing surprise party for my mom's 70th birthday. My mom was totally blown away by the turn out of family and friends - a testament to what an incredible person she is and how much she means to all of us. Over a hundred people came, we had a specialty cake made (above), a balloon twister, a tarot card reader, a DVD of her life, and had it catered. It was a very special day. We love you Mom!

Birthday Celebration #2

2011-05-30T21:01:00.003-04:00

We celebrated Colton's 1st birthday with family this past weekend. Uncle Jimmy was able to come up for Memorial Day weekend, so Colton got to celebrate with all the Kenney's. He loved his Elmo cake and his face showed it - he had red icing on every inch of his face before we called bath time. He looks forward to birthday #3 next weekend in Pittsburgh. While we wish we lived closer, there are perks to living far away when you get to celebrate your birthday more than once.

90 Degrees

2011-05-30T20:55:00.003-04:00

We got Colton a water stand to help him stay cool in the Summer months. Once we put it together, we called over Thomas to join in the fun. They played for a long time, which resulted in a nice long nap. Thank you little tikes.

Reflection

2011-05-30T20:48:00.002-04:00

Colton's birthday was 5/23. We sang at 6:47 AM, and after that we realized this boy probably has another ear infection, so we kept him home and went to the pediatrician and found out he had a double ear infection. Poor guy, but he still had a smile on his face throughout the day as you can see. What a year! It is kind of a blur when I look back on it. While it seems like it went by so fast, it also feels like a year ago today was actually 5 years ago. I can't even remember what it was like to have a 5 lb 15 oz baby. Everyday has gotten better and better. Every new trick gets more exciting and more amazing. Colton is talking lots, pulling himself up on his own, and walking with assistance (and is working up the courage to take a step on his own). He loves real food and enjoys eating it on his own. He shakes his head when you say, "No, no, no." He loves playing with Val, feeding her his food, and playing with her dog tags. He loves his Daddy's funny faces and when his beard tickles his feet. He could live on my chest and is most comfortable there - my little love lump. He loves all things Elmo, taking walks outside, and his bath. He loves all of you and thanks you for being a part of his 1st year. I have captured almost every single day of it. I made his wish on his birthday before we blew out the candle. I wished him the best life ever and at least 100 more years ahead of him.

LC Ties the Knot

2011-05-30T20:46:00.001-04:00

LC is now LR.

Our Loves

2011-05-30T20:45:00.000-04:00

Caroline Turns 1

2011-05-30T20:38:00.003-04:00

On the same day as Thomas' party, Caroline had her birthday party too. They stuck with the playground theme as well. Caroline is Brian's Goddaughter and she is a doll.

Thomas Turns 3

2011-05-30T20:31:00.003-04:00

Thomas put 10 fingers up, but he is only 3 this year. Thomas is our neighbor and his parents tell us all the time how much he talks about Colton and can't wait to get to play with him. His party was at a local playground and it was so much fun to have all the swings, slides, and toys around to keep all the kids happy.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T14:11:00.004-04:00

This year was my very first Mother's Day. I won't lie, I was really looking forward to this special day now that I officially wear the badge of motherhood. It was a gorgeous day and Colton and I went on a really long walk around Glenside. All these strangers said, "Happy Mother's Day!" and I couldn't hold back my smile. It just feels good to be a mom.

Brian had to leave for a business trip this morning so I am on active mommy duty all day long and through Tuesday. So we will be celebrating next Sunday.

On another note, a shout out to our favorite Moms! We love our moms so much and thank them for everything they have given us. We miss you Mrs. Kenney!

Angelina Turns 4

2011-05-08T14:10:00.005-04:00

Angelina is Colton's second cousin. She is the blond with the pig tails in the top picture. She had her 4th birthday at Bounce U. She was so excited and screamed all her friends' names as they entered the place. Colton was a bit of a Momma's boy for the first hour. All the different faces scared him. But eventually we hit the slide, bouncy rooms, and he seemed to finally enjoy himself. Bob, Colton and I went down the super high slide. I can't tell if Colton is happy or in shock in this picture.

Play Date Friday

2011-05-08T13:51:00.006-04:00

I was able to take advantage of one of my Friday days off and visited with my friend Christina. She had arranged a play date with one of her local mommy friends. We watched the boys play in the ship filled with water. Colton loved splashing. We went on a little walk in a wagon around the neighborhood and we played with toys. It really is a necessity to get together with friends and other kids. Makes the day so much more fun.

Our Little Man

2011-05-08T13:50:00.002-04:00

Colton is just chilling out in the backyard on a beautiful day.

Gram's 90th Birthday

2011-05-08T13:46:00.006-04:00

We traveled into the Burgh for the Easter weekend to celebrate my Gram's 90th birthday. My dad's side of the family came in from all over - my cousin Ryan even flew in from Oregon. It goes to show how much our Gram means to all of us. Her influence has kept us all together so closely. Pictured above are her kids (my dad, Aunt Charlene, and Aunt Marilyn) and her niece Pam (in the middle).

Egg Coloring Chaos

2011-05-08T13:20:00.013-04:00

It really wasn't chaos, but it was a mess. All the cousins joined in on the fun as we colored eggs before all the weekend festivities.

Easter Pregame

2011-05-08T13:19:00.003-04:00

Since we were going to be in the Burgh for the holiday, Mary & Bob invited us to their Easter celebration with Mary's family the week prior to Easter. It was fun to watch the kids play games like we used to play. Pictured above is the egg race on the spoon. Later they searched all over the house for the eggs. Next year Colton will be right up there with them.

LC's Bridal Shower

2011-05-08T13:18:00.005-04:00

Lauren Cohen AKA LC (pictured in the middle) will be getting married on May 21st and Brian and I are looking forward to a fun evening out with just the two of us. It was great to get to see former colleagues Melanie and LC. We had lots of fun working together for many years. Come back at the end of May to see how gorgeous she will look on her special day.

Jada's Shower

2011-04-03T20:52:00.004-04:00

Jada's shower was put on hold a few months ago when she had to go on bed rest. But we were able to celebrate this weekend when she came into town with her special guest - baby boy Ben. Jada is my sorority sister and pictured above are my other sorority sisters who were able to celebrate.

Sunday Funday Visitors

2011-04-03T20:50:00.002-04:00

We always feel lucky when we get a call that the Kenney Klan is visiting and they want to stop by. It will be so much fun with Colton can play with Ava and Luke. And better yet, he can join them at the local playground where we always end up.

Pittsburgh Visit

2011-04-03T20:48:00.006-04:00

We went into Pittsburgh to visit and celebrate my birthday. My mom went all out as she always does. We had tons of visitors throughout the entire weekend and my mom made lots of great meals. I wanted to hope that everyone who came by was there to see me, but when Colton ends up in their arms or on their lap before I get a hello, it becomes incredibly clear that I've become second fiddle. Pictured above is Uncle George and Colton reading what is one of his favorite new books. He is so proud of himself when he pulls down the pages to see what animal is hiding. Additionally, my Aunt Pat and Uncle Fred got some special time together. Colton loves his family!

Colton Goes to Gymboree

2011-04-03T20:44:00.006-04:00

Gavin goes to Gymboree on the weekends in Pittsburgh. Colton had a free pass to give it a try. He had tons of fun playing. We sang, we jumped, and we slid down slides. He loved the bubbles and really enjoyed himself.

Cousin Bathtime

2011-04-03T20:36:00.002-04:00

Colt loved the big kid bath and Alana loved washing Colt's back.

TOMS

2011-04-03T20:35:00.001-04:00

TOMS is one of my favorite brands. Not only is the branding so smart and clear, it supports a great cause which is the heart of their mission. For every shoe you buy, they give a pair away to a child in need. I've bought 15 pairs of shoes from them (not all for me) and it makes me feel good every time I click "confirm order" knowing kids in need will now have a pair of shoes.

Being a Godmother, I feel the pressure to provide a level of guidance that Alana wouldn't get from her parents. I will admit I am a horrible Catholic, but I do believe I am a spiritual & caring person, and in my own little world, that is really what matters.

I've only provided one lesson so far to Alana, and this was my second go at it. The lesson was about giving and how important it is think about others when you may be so lucky. I tried my best and it was WAY over Alana's and Gavin's head, but one day I will break through...I know it. I know they love their TOMS and wear them often. And they can now sleep soundly knowing that two little kids who have been walking around barefoot will now have shoes to cover their little precious feet.

Koo Zee Doo

2011-04-03T20:28:00.003-04:00

It was another girls night out and we went to a BYOB in Northern Liberties. It is named Koo Zee Doo and is Portuguese cuisine. We weren't sure about going there when the first item we saw on the menu was chicken gizzards - but we thought a little food fear wouldn't hurt us. It was such a good decision because we loved every bite of everything we ordered. We had Rissóis de Batata Doce (creamy, fried sweet potato turnovers), Camarão com Piri Piri (shrimp with hot sauce), Feijoada de Marisco (seafood and bean stew rice), and Bacalhau do Dia (salt cod of the day). It was a delicious evening with the ladies.

Remembering Madeleine Kenney

2011-04-03T20:27:00.002-04:00

There was a Mass for Mrs. Kenney on the anniversary of her passing. We joined Mr. Kenney at church and then the family had a brunch at a local restaurant. Words cannot express how much we miss Mrs. Kenney and knowing that Colton will not have the opportunity to know such and amazing woman and grandmother, breaks our hearts. I remember the first day I met her and how she warmly welcomed me into her home for dinner. She was a woman you just wanted to have around you. She made you feel so special and important, and her love for her family was so visible. It hurts to not have her here with us. We love her and think of her always.

Grandparents

2011-02-21T19:41:00.002-05:00

My parents made an impromptu visit last weekend so they could set their eyes on the C-man and shower him with hugs and kisses. We had a nice time together and Colton loves getting to be with his grandparents. When Pop Pop stopped by, we had to capture Colt with all his Grandparents. Lucky boy!

Cheeseheads Win the Bowl

2011-02-21T19:36:00.001-05:00

Bummed about the Steelers loss, but at least we had fun with the shirt. A good season, but they couldn't pull off the big 7th win.

Baby to Boy

2011-02-05T20:52:00.004-05:00

Colton has had a full head of hair since he was born. He never lost any of it. But at 8 months, we just had to bite the bullet and trim his straggly locks. We hit a Glenside landmark - Ralph's Barber Shop and made sure Ralph himself did the deed. Ralph warned us that Colton wouldn't look like a baby anymore after his baby hair was all trimmed off. I was too busy taking pictures and relishing in the moment of another 'Colton first,' that I didn't really believe him. But within a few minutes our little baby was transformed into a little boy right before our eyes.

Swimming Playdate

2011-02-05T20:48:00.003-05:00

Christina invited us to the Westchester YMCA to join her and Patrick in an afternoon swim on one of my Friday off days. Colton loves his baths so much, so I figured a larger form of a bath would go over really well. He seemed to enjoy it somewhat until I put his head under a fountain (he laughs when I put water over his head in the bath, so I thought he would like it). After that, he seemed to hate being in the pool - pouting his lip and crying. The top photo captures the essence of that second half of our time there. I later found out when we got cleaned off, that his diaper was filled with water and poop - so maybe that contributed to his unhappiness. I didn't get a swimming diaper because Christina said she never uses them. Next time we will use swimming diapers. Bottom photo is Colton and Patrick playing.

Snowman

2011-01-30T20:40:00.003-05:00

There is something about having a kid that really brings out the kid in you. So we put Colton to bed for his nap and headed out back to roll a massive Snowman together. Val frolicked around the back while we rolled each section until we couldn't push them anymore. We ended up with a snowman over 6'2" tall. The snowstorm broke a few branches from the pine tree, so we used that to make some hair, made two eyes out of plastic cups, a nose of zucchini, and mouth of 12 pink dum dum lollipops. We thank our dry cleaner who gave us the pashmina 3 years ago for Christmas - Frosty was the first to wear it. Colt woke from his nap just in time for a photo op. Can't wait to be doing this with him someday.

Jules

2011-01-30T20:39:00.002-05:00

Lunchtime with Pop Pop at Jules Thin Crust pizza spot.

Snowy January

2011-01-30T20:38:00.002-05:00

Let's just call the snowstorm of January 2011 "Payback." I say this because we got about 15 inches of snow, and Brian just happened to have a really bad cold. He was really sick and there was no shoveling in the forecast for Brian. So I hit the sidewalk, driveway, cars, back patio, and the path for Val in the backyard. I try to do the path really fast so neighbors don't think I'm crazy for shoveling our backyard. Shoveling is very satisfying and I do like it, but after all this snow and doing it solo, it made me appreciate all Brian did for me while I was prego last year. Another storm is on the way. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Bluefin with the Boys

2011-01-30T20:36:00.006-05:00

Christina and Travis turned us on to Bluefin years ago. I believe one of the first times we went there together was the weekend Brian and I got engaged. We have written about it often as melt-in-your-mouth sushi. It really is so good. We have been going there ever since and try to always make it a double date when we go. But from now on it will be a table for 6. Colt and Patrick enjoyed their time there. Colt played and Patrick flirted with all the waitresses. In fact, every time we put a camera in front of Patrick he smiled from ear to ear.

Cool Your Jets

2011-01-30T20:33:00.001-05:00

Being superstitious, we kept with the shirt theme and rewrote the line to go along with last week's game. The Steelers played the Jets and won, which means they will head to Dallas for the Superbowl and a chance for ring number 7. Colt will be sporting the shirt next week...you'll have to come back to see what it will say. Here we go, Steelers, here we go. Pittsburgh's going to the Superbowl.

Snowflake

2011-01-30T20:32:00.001-05:00

Colt has been enjoying the Academy and I get so excited to see the things he creates. I was so excited when they did it, I had to take a picture before they actually cut it out and put it up on the wall. They also have other snowflakes that he sponge painted. We're just so thrilled he is getting to do so many fun activities and ones we will cherish. As my brother would say, "Keep this forever!" And we will.

Steelers Beat Ravens

2011-01-19T20:51:00.003-05:00

Since the Eagles are no longer in the playoffs, I can cheer loud about the Steelers and get everyone here to join me. It makes for a much more enjoyable game day for me. Uncle David, Aunt Ellen, Alana and Gavin got Colton the above shirt for the Cleveland Browns game. Since the team rocked, we believe it was all due to Colton wearing the shirt. Therefore, no matter how big this boy's belly is, all future playoff games and (fingers crossed) Super Bowl game, Colton will be sporting the winning shirt. Now...what will we say for the Jets?

Annual Kenney Family Brunch

2011-01-19T20:45:00.002-05:00

Brian's cousin hosts an annual brunch around the holidays where all the Kenneys and other relatives (after 5 years of marriage, I still haven't figured out how they are all related) get together. It is lots of fun. Last year Colton was in the belly so it was fun for everyone to finally meet our little man. Pictured above is Brian, Colton, and Brian's uncle Tom.

Welcome 2011

2011-01-19T20:39:00.002-05:00

We celebrated New Year's Eve & New Year's Day with Mr. Kenney & Pat. We went out to dinner together to end the year and then Pat had us over to start off the year for a traditional pork meal. Colt was the main attraction (of course). He looks forward to remaining milestones and his 1st birthday in 2011. Look out world - Colt is here!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T22:00:00.003-05:00

Jimmy, Mike, and Abbey came in for Christmas this year. It was so nice to have them. We went to 4 o'clock Mass on Christmas Eve and Colton almost made it through the entire service. He enjoyed the music and the lights of course. We had dinner at our house and Bob, Mary, Ava, and Luke came down to join us, along with Mr. Kenney & Pat. Ava got to talk to Santa on the phone on Christmas Eve and couldn't contain her excitement - she wanted to hurry up home to go to bed. We planned on doing a fun grab bag between everyone, but only Mary, Bob, and I got a gift to exchange, so it didn't really work out. When everyone left, we watched the rest of A Christmas Story and then went to bed. Christmas morning consisted of breakfast egg sandwiches (courtesy of Jimmy and his stove-top griddle from Bob & Mary), exchanging gifts and then enjoying our gifts. Jimmy, Mike, Brian & I played a game called Telestrations (similar to the game - Whisper Down the Lane) and had many a laugh before we headed out to Bob & Mary's for dinner. Ava and Luke were totally high on Christmas spirit since Mickey Mouse called them in the morning to tell them they were going to Disney World. Jimmy & Mike left a day early due to the imminent inclement weather of 10-20 inches of snow. No white Christmas - just a white day after Christmas. Merry Merry.

Caroling

2010-12-26T21:40:00.002-05:00

Our neighbors go caroling every year. Over the past few years, we have seen them spreading Christmas cheer to other homes while we were walking the dog. We were actually invited this year to join them (thanks to our friendly neighborhood party), but couldn't go due to family arriving around the same time for the holiday. They were pretty darn good and we were happy they stopped at our house to share the joy. Hopefully next year we will get to join them even though Brian says my singing is like audio terrorism.

Ava's Christmas Show

2010-12-23T22:04:00.005-05:00

Brian, Colton and I went to see Ava sing in her Christmas show. It was so much fun at Halloween, we couldn't miss this one. Ava was decked out in her Mrs. Clause dress and was full of energy. She was awesome. Brian and I couldn't stop laughing at all the other kids though. The one girl in the front was on the verge of tears the entire show, one boy spent most of the time crawling around the stage, another had a scowl on his face while his hands were placed in his armpits, and others were just belting out tunes for the entire auditorium to hear. Oh to be a kid again and get away with all of that. Fa, la, la, la , la, ra, ra, ra, ra, raaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Linden Neighborhood Party

2010-12-23T21:57:00.003-05:00

Brian and I have been wanting to have a neighborhood party since we moved in 6 years ago. We decided since 2010 brought us such joy, we should spread it to those around us during the holiday season. We invited 14 of our neighbors and 10 of their children, and every one of them replied 'yes.' It was so nice and we had a great time. I didn't take one picture because our house was packed, but I did snap a picture of Colton before the party - looking dapper in his khaki overalls and signature bedhead hairstyle.

Non-denominational Christmas Party

2010-12-23T21:46:00.004-05:00

Work parties typically are 'holiday' parties vs. Christmas parties, but not us, we threw a traditional non-denominational Christmas party. That is what our one Jewish employee called it. All in fun. We had a great time and enjoyed celebrating a phenomenal year at 2nd Spark. Top picture - Chris (owner), me, Melissa, and Beth outside the front of our carriage house office, middle picture - Cheryl and me, bottom picture - Colt with Melissa and Beth.

Santa Comes to Glenside

2010-12-23T21:42:00.007-05:00

Santa visited Glenside so we walked down to the Keswick Village to sneak a peek. There were carriage rides, hot cocoa and cookies, and Santa rode in on the Weldon fire engine. Thank goodness Colton is too young to know what is going on because it was cold, rainy, and there was an enormous line down the block for boys and girls to sit on his lap. I was the crazy stranger that shimmied my way up to Santa to take a picture for posterity so we could hurry back home. The above was the best I could get.

New Traditions

2010-12-23T21:37:00.005-05:00

Life is so much fun with Colton. Beginning new traditions, letting him experience the traditions we started before, and seeing the smiles and hearing the giggles make it all so exciting. We started this holiday season by getting a tree. I always wanted to go out and chop down a tree in the wilderness. It would be a fun tradition to start, hiking through the snow, Brian sawing down the tree, and then carrying it miles and miles to our car. Because it sounds a lot easier and more fun in my imagination, we have decided that the VFW a few blocks from our house is where we get our tree, and have made that our tradition. Colt strolled around the aisles and helped us pick out the perfect tree. It was fun. We also baked cookies, one of Brian's childhood favorites his mother used to make, oatmeal cranberry cookies, and peanut butter blossoms. Colt napped for most of it, until he joined us in his exersaucer. The house smelled of sugar and butter. Next year he will be walking around the kitchen or standing on a chair next to us. Can't wait.

Love & Other Drugs

2010-11-28T20:07:00.002-05:00

When I saw the trailer for Love & Other Drugs, I wanted to see it, but little did I know that my brother was actually in it. A little back story...more than 15 years ago David worked as an usher at the Galleria cinemas. With this awesome high school job, family & friends got to see movies like Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, Dumb & Dumber for free. As an usher, responsibilities include everything from tearing ticket stubs and directing people in the right movie direction, to cleaning up empty popcorn containers and finding people seats in a packed house. What isn't a responsibility of an usher is to memorize movie lines and act them out. David knew the exact times a specific scene would play and make sure he was in the movie at that time to study the lines and how the actor delivered them. He would then practice these scenes at home over and over again. While acting isn't his day job, his hobby is getting into Pittsburgh-based films as extras or stand ins. He may spend a few days on a set for a nanosecond in a movie. So when we were in town for Thanksgiving and Dave asked if we wanted to go see a movie (which Brian and I haven't done in probably years), we thought it would be fun. But when he told us he may be in it, we just had to go see it on the big screen. It was a very good movie - pharmaceutical sales rep meets girl with early-onset Parkinson's disease and they fall in love. David was in a scene for about 2 seconds. He was a pharmaceutical sales rep in a waiting room with Jake Gyllenhaal. You see David's head first of the three guys sitting down before Jake gets a page and leaves the office. He apparently was in a bar scene too, but unless you knew where he was, it goes by too fast to pick him out of the crowd. Congratulations Dave - you will always be our movie star.

ELMO

2010-11-28T18:21:00.003-05:00

We played a little Sesame Street one day on YouTube and as soon as Elmo started to talk, Colton started to laugh out loud. Not sure what it is about this bright red, high-pitched puppet, but he sure captivates Colton and every other kid on the face of this earth. Our nanny got him a Hokie Pokie Elmo one day and that seems to save the day when needing to turn a frown upside down. We were at the mall attending Gymboree with Gavin & Alexa and ran into the furry guy. We couldn't resist a photo opportunity.

Thankgiving 2010

2010-11-28T18:18:00.004-05:00

We went in to the Burgh for the big feast. It was delicious as always and we enjoyed the family tradition in my parents' new kitchen and family room. Pictured above are the great grandchildren with great grandma and my parents with their grandchildren (sorry mom, this was the best one I had). My dad did the math and calculated that there was a total of 38 people who were at our house for either appetizers, dinner, or dessert. And by the way, we are very thankful this year for a wonderful little man in our lives.

Visits

2010-11-28T18:16:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh is filled with lots of visits, but a must everytime is to see Godparents Jessie and Craig.

Eating. Teething. Rolling Over.

2010-11-28T18:15:00.003-05:00

At 5 months, Colton has rolled over from stomach to back (he won't do it the other way), he has two bottom teeth coming in, and is eating rice cereal and loving it. He laughs lots (especially with his dad), talks a ton, and weighed in at almost 20 lbs. We go to his 6 month appointment this week.

Triple Date at the Shanachie

2010-11-28T18:09:00.002-05:00

We have been going out to dinner every weekend and bringing the little guy. We figure Colton better get used to it now. The crowd is very different from when we used to go out on the weekend, it's more of an early bird special kind of crowd. This past weekend we went out with our good friends and their daughter. It was a triple date. We went to an irish spot in Ambler called Shanachie. We go there now for the irish potato boxty du jour. It is so tasty. Colton enjoyed his date - he did all the talking since Keira slept the entire time until we captured this photo.

fish.

2010-11-14T20:28:00.003-05:00

It was a girls' night out last Thursday and we tried another restaurant in the city. We still tried to pull one off even though Devon is in Boston for her residency and Jamie is leaving us to move to North Carolina with her soul mate. So it was Kelli, Katie, and I, and we tried a super tiny little place called Fish on 17th & Lombard. While the place was tiny in size, the flavors were anything but small. We had rock shrimp as an appetizer, skate, cod, and mahi mahi for our meals. We finished our meal with a pumpkin tart. Fantastic seafood. I want to go back. Great time with the girls.

A Beary Happy Halloween

2010-11-06T13:15:00.004-04:00

I remember last year's Halloween. I was laying on the couch trying to stop the room from spinning. While we knew we were prego, we had no clue what we were going to have and what he/she would be for Halloween this year. It was WAY more fun this year - dressing up Colton in his bear costume and enjoying multiple bottles of wine with Brian, Pat, and Mr. Kenney. If the room was going to spin this year - I was going to be in control of it this time. Colton didn't love his costume like we did. He was in it for about 20 minutes before he cried his way out of it. It was a happy Halloween and so much fun having Colton in our lives. Best Halloween EVER.

Cinderella Bride

2010-11-06T13:06:00.008-04:00

Ava had planned on being Alice from Alice in Wonderland and then the night before her school Halloween music show, she changed her mind and wanted to be bride - more specifically Cinderella in a wedding dress. Luckily Toys R Us had one left so she could fulfill her dream at her Halloween play. Colton and I decided to take advantage of my day off and came out to her school to see her perform. No words could describe how it made me feel to see her face light up when she saw me in the auditorium. It was such a great time and she did a fabulous job singing and dancing. There was one other Cinderella bride in the crowd, but Ava was the most beautiful one in the group.