More Pictures of Our Trip to Naples

Emily's first time to the beach. I tried everything
I could to keep a hat on this kid. She did seem
to enjoy herself though.


Alexis always has fun at the beach. What was even
better is that my cousin was in town for Todd's
wedding and his daughter Molly and Alexis got
to spend some fun time together.


This is hat number two. We might be able to keep
this hat on long enough to take this picture. Emily
looks like a little chunk in this picture.


Alexis and Papa drawing pictures of each other.
They had so much fun together.


These four kids had so much fun together at the
rehearsal dinner. My cousins' two daughters and
my cousin Kevin.


Emily is such a ham. She is still pretty clingy
though. Won't go to too many other people still.


Emily was all sprawled out taking an afternoon
nap. I love baby pictures when they're only
in their diapers.


Nana made a fun playroom for Alexis inside the
closet, polly pockets and all. She spent hours in
here playing by herself.


Emily thought she would be funny and pull out
all the books from the bookshelf. Aren't messes
so much fun?

My brother is "Married"

Well my brother is officially hitched. He and his new wife Debbie were married last weekend down in Naples. We had a blast and are so excited for both of them. It was such a special day and can't believe it has come and gone so quickly. Alexis was so excited to be a part of their big day. And she even made it down the aisle without too much trouble. The only thing that I had to get her was a new pair of "Twinkle Toes" shoes. Who knew kids would work for shoes. Anyway here are a few pictures of the ceremony and the party afterward. We wish them both the best and I will be reminding them often how anxious I am to have another niece/nephew. I know stop and let them enjoy themselves for a while. Enjoy the pictures.


I was so proud of Alexis actually making it down
the aisle.


Todd gave me the honor of doing a reading for them.
Don't they look so happy?


All smiles at the reception. Every time I look at
this picture I can't believe my little brother is
old enough to be married.


Spending a little time with the "Newlyweds".


Alexis was a little tuckered out towards the end of
the night. I guess she did a little too much dancing
and had a little too much sugar. Her favorite food
group is "sugar".

Who's Who?

Emily's Christening

Emily at the beginning of the ceremony with her
Nona and Nono. (godparents) She wasn't in too
bad of a mood yet.


Emily usually likes naked time, however she wasn't
sure what she was in for. She soon found out and
didn't like it one bit. Mommy had to step in a try
and calm her before the "bath".


"Mommy what are they doing to me"? She didn't
care for the full submersion.


Alexis was part of the ceremony and got to carry
a candle. She wanted to make sure no one was
going to be watching her though. That was the only
way she said she would help.


I'm really not so sure about this!!!!!!


Now I really want my mommy!!!!!!!


It really is something. Emily has become so
clingy lately that it's mommy or nobody. Let us
just say that she is ready for this to be over and
she wants her mommy.


See......Now I'm all better. I told you that all I
wanted was my mommy. Doesn't she look so
sweet and innocent?


Dean and I with Emily and her new godparents,
Arthur and Eva.



Last weekend we had Emily baptized. The ceremony was beautiful and went very smoothly.
That is other than having Emily scream the entire 45 minutes. Some people say that it's good to have the baby cry during the baptism because it lets the devil out. I say that is great and all but it's tough to just stand there and watch your kid scream and not be able to do anything about it. I think it would have been funny if we passed out ear plugs at the beginning of the ceremony since I could have bet that Emily was not going to like the ceremony at all. For one thing, someone other than mommy has to hold her the entire time. Secondly, I have to get naked, have oil rubbed all over me, get completely dunked in a big bathtub and then put a big gown on. All this without having my mommy hold me. Lets just say that she made it through the ceremony just fine and seemed pretty relieved to be done. The pictures above are a true showing of just how everything panned out.

Alexis's Birthday and Random Emily Pictures

Emily just learned to blow raspberries. It just so
happened that she learned with carrots in her
mouth. Just glad I wasn't wearing white.


You mean I'm supposed to swallow this and not
spit it out? That's no fun!!!


Emily being little miss smiley. Alexis actually took
this picture. Not too bad for the little one.



Alexis blowing out her candles. I can't believe she's
already 5. Boo Hoo!


Alexis and her MeeMee. This is pre-haircut. She has
since decided that she no longer wants to grow
out her bangs. This was after mommy told her
that she would have to do her hair everyday.


Sisters. Emily has been sitting up for
about a month now and loves watching
her big sister play. She wants so bad to
play with her too.


Aren't I just so cute????


In the past few months, we have been doing well. Looking forward to the weather breaking so the kids can get outside and expel some of this energy. Emily is growing so fast....already 7 months old. She's been doing a little more every week. She's starting to show her personality a little more. She is very clingy lately and I guess you can call her "Mommy's girl". She really won't go to many people other than myself, Dean and the babysitter. I'm not kidding. She screams bloody murder even if her aunts or her yiayia (grandmother)holds her. It's nice and all that she wants me but it really would be nice to have a break once in a while.
Alexis turned 5 a few weeks ago. She has been asking to turn 5 for the past 6 months. When she finally is able to say she is 5, the first thing she asks me is "How much longer till I'm 6 mommy?" I swear this kid wants to be a teenager and driving already. Scary how soon it will come too. She is counting down the days until kindergarten starts and is able to ride the bus to school.

Are you looking at me? I love my new seat.
It moves and everything.


Alexis and her first snowman. Do you actually believe
that this is my first "real" snowman too!!!


It was actually not too cold to be outside so we
enjoyed some time in the snow.


Daddy took Alexis sledding this year. She had
way too much fun and couldn't go fast enough.
I was okay staying at home with Emily in the
warmth of the house.


This is Emily's new favorite place to "hang" out.
She's even beginning to jump around too.


This was New Year's Eve at our house. We had
a pajama party and it was pretty low key. The kids
could have made it longer than the adults.

Christmas Pictures

Alexis and Emily in front of the tree. Don't worry,
I didn't make Emily wear the hat in public.


Alexis finally sitting on Santa's lap.



All of the cousins singing Christmas carols waiting
for Santa to come.


Wow look at those big eyes!!! Are you looking at me?


This was by far Alexis's favorite present....from Nana.
She sits on her horse "Chocolate" daily and can even
feed it. The best part is is that it doesn't poop!!!


Mommy and Alexis waiting to open the goods.

Emily was even getting into the fun of opening presents.

Merry Christmas to all!!! We had a wonderful Christmas and hope that you all did too. It's amazing how quickly this day comes and goes especially after a whole month or two of planning.
We didn't have a white Christmas but the snow did end up coming, only a few days later. Alexis was so much fun to watch this year with opening her gifts to actually sitting on Santa's lap this year. Oh how kids change so much in just a year. Last year she enjoyed Santa from afar but this year "no fear". Here are a few pictures of our Christmas celebration.