Wrap Up

So it's been a bit of a crazy and when I say crazy I really mean insane kind of week. To make a long and painful story short I have been sick for the past 8 weeks and this week as a culmination of that sickness that would not end I ended up with the flu. It started last Saturday and basically shut me down for the entire week. I was out of work and down for the count. Each day I thought I'd wake up and feel brand new and each day I could barely get up. My doctor says that since I have been sick for so long that my immune system is basically shot right now and I am easily susceptible to any sort of sickness. So each day I get a little stronger, but each day is a struggle. I have had a fabulous support system between my family, my amazing co-workers who had my back at work all week and some close friends who checked on me throughout the week. Things can only get better right? I'm just grateful that today is the last day of January and I'm hoping February is much better.

 On Sunday Seth had his soccer party. I wasn't there, but I am told that it went great and the kids had fun. Seth was just so excited to play soccer with his buddies.

 Today our bruiser Leah got a special award at school. Again, I wasn't there, but from the pictures I think it is safe to say that she was excited and we are very proud parents.

 We love our little Trustworthy girl.

Way to go Bean.

Looking ahead and hoping to get stronger every day.

I am also very grateful that it is the weekend, the snow has stopped temporarily and that my taste buds have returned.

Poor Bean

Bean had her first big sports related injury last night. She collided with another player during soccer and her face instantly blew up. Definitely a scary parent moment, but all is well after a quick trip to the ER. Just blue bruising this morning. Love you Bean.

Birthday Celebration #2

 Last night by special request we went to Ruyi for Seth's birthday dinner. He absolutely LOVES this restaurant and has asked two years in a row to go. It is so fun to watch his face light up when they cook in front of him, squirt lemonade in his mouth and bring out to gong to sing to him.

 He was definitely a champ with the lemonade.

They even have a silly mask to wear for birthday pictures.

The dinner was a huge success and we all had tons of laughs.

We skip tonight for birthday festivities, but we have the rest of the weekend all planned out for SPC.

Happy 8th Birthday SPC!

 We started the celebration last night and now Seth's birthday celebration will last for the next 4 nights. Every boys little dream right? I can not believe that Seth is 8. I know that I say it every year, but every year it gets harder and harder to comprehend. How can time go by so quickly?

 Seth got up bright and early this morning even though he was delayed for school. He was excited to open his gifts and to see if his elf made a birthday appearance. Let's just say there were smiles all around. Seth was gifted many things ironically orange. Seth is a die hard SU fan so when he picked out a bright an orange bike for his birthday I was not surprised. We also got him orange cleats for summer soccer and all of his gifts from The Castana's were orange. Do you see a theme here?

 Seth was so thrilled to get a super cute and funny card from Uncle J in the mail too.

Cody the elf even made an appearance bringing Seth new markers and some football sticker cards for his book. Successful morning? I think so.

Birthday festivities for the next few days are as follows...

* Ruyi for dinner tonight (birthday boys choice)

* A special sleep over celebration in Lowville on Saturday

* A soccer birthday party and dinner to follow on Sunday

Thank you for all of the calls, texts, FB messages and so much more today.

We have one very loved little boy.

Rock Band

 Leah has been asking for ages to dig Rock Band out of the attic so on Sunday night we had invited a new family that Seth plays soccer with over for dinner and we broke out the game.

 It was a hit for all ages.

Seth is seriously taking Stage Notes Jr. seriously...

He said that he wants his voice to project just like Austin in Stage Notes. This kid cracks me up.

Happy 86th Birthday Gram

 It makes me truly happy and sad at the same time to say that my Gram is 86. I am SO happy that she is alive, spunky, opinionated, fun loving and ready to live life to the fullest at 86, but I am also sad that she is 86 and you just never know what tomorrow holds. With that said I try to see her as much as possible, include her in all of our family activities, talk to her daily on the way to work and just soak her in. She is one of the closest people in my life and I can't imagine a world without her in it.

We had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday Saturday night and we look forward to having a special sleep over this weekend for Seth's 8th birthday. Don't tell him though, it's a surprise.

Stage Notes Jr.

 Saturday was the BIG show and we were so excited to see the kids hard work. I was proud of Seth because I feel like he has truly grown as a performer in the past year. He definitely tries really hard and sings his heart out now. I was extra proud of Leah for being so brave, interacting with new kids and performing in front of a crowd of over 150 people.

The kids have and are making so many wonderful memories with Stage Notes Jr. and we look forward to more in the future.

For those of you who didn't make the show we will have a DVD of it soon and I'm sure the kids would love to watch it with you.

Date Night

 This past Friday night we finally had a date night with some friends who we haven't seen in ages (The Sweet's) and we all just let loose and had tons of laughs. Sadly enough, these two amazing couples will be leaving this summer for new destinations in the military so every chance we can we plan to spend time with them.

Zeke was in rare form and made friends with just about everyone in the entire restaurant. I actually feared for him and texted him the next day to make sure he was alive and well. It felt like he drank an entire liquor store.

After Ruyi we headed to Joe's for some shuffleboard and some great people watching.

Date night success, thanks for planning it KC.

Stage Notes Jr.

Check out this amazing group of kids who have been working very hard for the past couple of weeks preparing for their big debut this Saturday.

Seth and Leah know all of the words and they are super excited to perform Saturday. I catch myself tearing up each and every time they sing so I will have to try and tone it down on Saturday.

We are so happy to be part of this wonderful group and are looking forward to watching a great show on Saturday.

Changes

It's been looming, but the news dropped last night and I'm working through my emotions. The best way for me to work through them is to type. Almost eight years ago (gosh time flies like the speed of light) we randomly met a wonderful family while searching for the perfect Christmas tree and the rest is history. We have been inseparable ever since. We have travelled together endlessly, spent more time at each others homes than we can count and made the most amazing memories that two families could ever make. I know that just because they are moving across the ocean that our friendship will never ever end, but right now the news is a tough pill to swallow. I also know that this time so far away isn't forever, we can handle a couple of years, but it still feels like we are losing so much. We are such a huge part of each others families; on a given week we probably see each other and/or help each other out 4-5 times, grab dinner out, sit and chat at sporting practices and so much more. I feel like there will be a huge void in our life come June. All we can do is savor each and every moment together for the next few months. Thank goodness for the Internet, Skype and all electronic devices that will help to keep us in each others lives. It won't be the same, but it will have to do. I am truly grateful for this friendship. It has stood the test of time; in good times and bad, through thick and thin. I can't say that about any other friendship in my whole life. We are blessed to have had them brought into our lives and will cherish the new memories in the future; wherever that many be. Just breathe, it will be OK. :(

Uncle J

Thank you for the super fun puzzle Uncle Justin.

We had fun putting the London Bridge together.

Snowtown USA Kids NYE Party

 When we got back from Syracuse on NYE we decided to take the kids to the Snowtown USA Kids Party at the Italian American Club. They had all sorts of kid activities, games, music and so on. The kids loved every minute of it. They danced, got their faces painted, made crafts, won Yo Johnny gift cards and so much more. We are really glad we tried something new.

Leah was a dance-aholic, she even went out alone when Seth was over it.

NYE

 On New Year's Eve we had been given Pepsi tickets to the SU basketball game so we jumped at the chance to have a family afternoon together. Leah had never been to a game and Seth lives and breathes orange so he was over the moon to go. We took the kids to Varsity Pizza and despite the fact that there were a minimum of 100 people in that small pizza shop we scored a table and had a delicious greasy lunch.

 Seth was thrilled to wear his new CJ Fair jersey from Uncle Brad and Aunt Krista.

Leah could care less about the game, she ate cotton candy and nachos throughout the game.

 I know, we are totally "Parents of the Year".

Charlton Christmas '14

 With our trip to NYC we decided it was easiest to celebrate Christmas after the actual day and we had such a blast with our Charlton family members. Grandma Bonnie is always willing to look silly with one of the crazy hats that Sheryl and Rachel bring home, what a good sport.

 Our new tradition with the silly mustaches.

 Mustaches plus aunties.

 Roland's special gift from Sheryl and Rachel. Needless to say it was gone by the end of the night.

Seth's awesome gift from Sheryl and Rachel. He was in heaven.

He also got a very special SU basketball jersey from Uncle Brad and Aunt Krista and many other wonderful gifties. We all had an amazing evening with the family.

Christmas in Lowville

 Christmas in Lowville was a little quieter without Justin and Chris this year, but we had a new addition for the first time in many years... Uncle David. The consensus was that it was the BEST holiday we have all spent together in many many years. It was calm and everyone got along wonderfully. We are savoring every holiday we have with Gram and Gramp from this point on. Every year is a blessing to be with them.

 At 85 and 87, they still have a blast...whiskey sours and all.

 Love you to the moon and back Gram.

 The whole family played some of the kids new games and we had so many laughs.

Each and every one of us was able to Skype with Justin and Joan who were in Vienna. That was the highlight of the day...boy do we miss them.

Christmas Morning

 Christmas morning was eventful as always. Each year the excitement level rises just a bit and I personally love to see the kids reactions to the note from Santa, the tree and all of their new gifts. It is priceless.

 Leah got her first American Girl doll and she was thrilled. Now she treats her like royalty and I even have fun dressing her and playing with Leah. Ahh, to be a young girl again.

 The theme for Seth this year seemed to be anything Syracuse and he was so excited opening each and every gift.