new URL.

Ry and I have been working on a new website and bought a new url. He has wanted me to switch to wordpress like olive & beans for awhile now. With him having some time off from work, he has been able to focus on it....it should be complete within the next few days.

As soon as we get it situated, I will be mass emailing family and friends the new address.

New place, Same time..

See you then.

Final Post for 2009.

Has it really been over a decade since the big "millenium" celebration? Please don't let the next decade go as fast as the last. I want to savor every single day. Every moment. The truth is- I don't see my self doing anything else besides being a full time mommy to two beautiful little girls. There is no place I'd rather be. I am so incredibly blessed to have all that I have. I have the most amazing husband. Two precious angels. The most supportive, and loving family.

As I ring in the new year, I reflect on my life. I am thankful for every single person who has come into my life. Some came and went. Some stayed. Every single person has been in my life for a reason. Has made me who I am today.

I leap into 2010 with so much excitement. My mantra for the night is I love this life. I am so fortunate to have so much love in my life.

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!

New Year's Eve.

Today we had Ry's family over for an early New Years celebration. Staying up until midnight is still a far reach for the kids (and me;). We had a great time chatting while the kids played super well up in liv's room.

Charlotte enjoyed running around and mooching chips from everyone.

We made some pizzas and I made warm bacon spinach salad. Turned out pretty good!

We had a great time! Good way to end 2009.

(sorry for the lack of pictures but I totally forgot I had my camera sitting out with hopes to take some pics)

G-Pop's 55th Birthday.

We went downtown to celebrate Jeep's 55th. It was so much fun. We ended up with our own private room and a big flat panel tv. The food was amazing. The girls were good. And the conversations were heartwarming.

The girls ate every single cherry from the bar, the adults had a few drinks, and we sang happy birthday to Gpop.

Boy, do I love our family!

Some vacation pics.

Daddy and his "little mama"

Charlie bear being spunky after eating an oreo...

One is wide awake....the other is half asleep

I need to get a pic of these girls with their pj's on. They are my favorite, by far. (They are a one piece long john with a button-down butt and their names embroidered.....)

Princess gone mad.

Belly talk.

I have to jot this down so I don't forget.........

For anyone who knows Charlotte, they know she is an eater. She will eat ALL day long. I am not exaggerating. From the moment she wakes up, until the moment she goes to bed, she is scouting out the kitchen.

The more and more she eats, the bigger her belly gets. You can actually see her belly grow throughout the day. I think it is since she is so small, her belly has nowhere to hide. It reminds me of how I felt being pregnant. When you try and bend over and your belly gets in the way. One thing I noticed which is super funny is......when she is full, her belly button pops out. When she isn't full, it is in. It is my meter to tell if she has had enough;)

All I can say is, thank god she isn't a picky eater. I know she can't eat alot of things, but she sure does enjoy what she CAN have.

VACATION.

We have been enjoying the time together and change in pace. The girls have been spending their days playing by the tree with all of their new toys. Ry and I have gotten into some creative projects around the house. Throughout the week we have some fun gatherings planned with family and friends. It is so exciting that it is Monday night and we still have a full week ahead of us.

I got a bread maker for christmas so that has been super fun. I also got a pair of Frye's I have been eyeing up for years.......;) Thank GOD for Vacations!!

Christmas day.

The girls must have been good this year..... because santa treated them well. Liv got an Our Generations doll (target knock off of American girl doll), a red wooden barn, and a bunch of other fun things. Charlotte got a few wooden puzzles, a doll, and lots of balls (her new obsession).

After we opened Santa's gifts and had a few hours to play with them, we headed to Grandmom and Grandpop's house for brunch. Charlotte fell alseep in the car ride there but I was able to sneak her in the guest room to finish her nap.

We had fun exchanging gifts and eating lunch. The girls played in Charlotte's pop up tent from Aunt Nichole. They danced to the Chipmunks and watched some of the movie Prancer.

We headed home around 4 to spend the rest of the day resting from the past 24 hours packed with lots of fun.

Christmas Eve.

Christmas eve was all I expected, and more. No matter how old I am, I will always wake up on Christmas Eve and feel like a kid again. We spent the afternoon at my mom and dad's. We had Meme's yummy snacks and did our gift exchange. LOTS of laughter, LOTS of fun, LOTS of love.

We headed to my Grandmom's house where we met the rest of that side of the family for dinner/gift exchanging. Liv and Lo loved playing with Sophia and Dom. (they are the 4 great grandchildren)

The best gift of all was when my mom whipped out 4 boxes (one gift for each great grandchild). Inside was a dress made out of grandfather's flannel shirt. The entire room was silent and tearful. At that very moment, we all felt Grandfather's presence.

At about 8 o'clock we headed home to get the girls in bed in time for Santa's arrival. Both of the girls fell asleep in the car.....

Hot dog.

Everytime I give Charlotte a hot dog....She blows on it. She thinks I am telling her it is hot. So does she think she is eating dog?

Let the festivities begin....

Ry starts his vacation today in a few hours.......We am so psyched. We get to spend the next 11 days together doing all sorts of fun holiday stuff involving family and friends.

Get home daddy, so we can start our FUN!!! The hourly countdown for santa's big arrival has begun;)

Happy 11th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Corriah!! You still got it! We love you!

a moment of reflection.

In about 10 years one thing I will miss.....

Is the first 2-3 feet of my woodwork throughout the house covered with unidentifiable crust. (Can you tell I was doing a little cleaning today?)

2 feet of snow.

Looking outside and they can't wait to go out in the snow! I clearly remember that feeling....No matter what age and what generation, all kids look at the snow with the same excitement.

Liv was so prepared with her new hat and gloves from Gpop that she could have stayed out there for HOURRRSSSS.....Ry and I, not so much.
Charlie's first time in the snow....
Snowball fight....
Sledding...
a huge gust of wind blew snow in their faces......burrrrr (thanks aunt rita for the snowsuit this year;)
Char laughing at her big sis....

The Saloon.

Last night we went to the Saloon downtown with the Pescatores. It has become a nice annual tradition to get together with them over Christmas. We see them all summer long and during the winter go through some withdraw.

The girls were totally surprised to see Uncle Chuck walk in with a bag full of presents. They sure do know how to make two little girls happy. Princess this, princess that....... Kept the girls busy for most of the night, until Charlotte realized it was an hour past her bedtime....

Overall, a great time....Looking forward to another year at SH with them!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you peace, love, joy and lasting happiness.

Each and every one of you is in a special place in our heart. We wanted to express our gratitude with generosity. On your behalf, we donated money to the Chester County Food Bank. They supply meals to the thousands of local families who struggle each and every day to put food on their table.

Rather than receiving an annual card from us, we were able to make a difference and give the gift of Christmas to those less fortunate.

Merry Christmas!

From our Heart to Yours,

Ryan, Corinne, Olivia, and Charlotte Katrina (and Corriah)

The slideshow below is to the song My Grown Up Christmas List sang by Kelly Clarkson.

Overheard.

I never want to forget the way Charlie says, ByeBye. It is like BaaaaBaaaaa. So sweet. I need to get it on film.

And she loves coming over to me and ticking my feet. Then she goes, "tickatickatickaticka".

Liv's Christmas Show.

I am just bursting with Pride.....Liv did an amazing job at her Christmas show. She sang all 7 songs. She knew the words and the hand motions for each and every song. As soon as I saw her walk in the room with a halo on.....I cried.

She is getting so big....But she will ALWAYS be my baby.

Family Xmas Bowling Party.

Liv was quite the bowler at the family bowling gathering. She had a blast. The rest of us had a great time catching up with some family from all over the east coast.

It took quite awhile for Liv to warm up to the idea that Santa was in the same building as her....But then she was nervous to be in the same room......Then to be within an arms reach away. But by the end her and Santa were pals......

Char was okay with the whole Santa idea, until the second she realized I plopped her on his lap and let go.....then the picture tells it all.

FYI- Liv is standing right next to santa and NOT on his lap. That is why she is smiling. That is her limit. Char on the other hand....well we went a step too far for her comfort.

Someone wanted to join in the caroling fun.