JOE'S FAMILY REUINION

Okay, I've been a slacker lately! Last weekend was Joe's Family Reunion and I am happy to report is was drama free!! :-D We had a great day just hanging out by the pool, visiting with family and eating good! With the exception of Andy all of Joe's siblings and kids were there along with several cousins, aunts & uncles and Dave's family. Caterina & Dave always are the most gracious hosts and we love spending time with them! So, Family Reunion '07 was a success!!! I have posted tons of pictures over at my flickr so go check them out there. I was not able to digitally document parts of the day as sometimes the pressure of my camera is just too much!! LOL!! Steph, you know what I'm talking about!!!

Here are all our nieces & nephews, with the exception of Christopher & Caleb.....

NOW & THEN

Early 2003...the kids going for a ride on Papa's tractor wagon.....
Christian, Jake, Justin, Gunnar, Brittany & Josh in front June 2007...4 1/2 years later.....

NC COUSIN FUN!

As you know from my post a couple days ago my sister Rhonda's kids are here from NC for the summer. The boyus and I took off to my parents for a few days for a little fun with their cousins. Sadly, they don't get to see each other very often but have lots of fun when they do!! Actually, the few days we were there they were all kinda couch potatoes!! They did manage to have some outside fun though!!

Water gun fight....
Brittany, Christian, Gunnar, Justin, Josh & Jake Tree house fun! LOVE the new roof Papa & the kiddos put up (with help from Uncle Pooh & Antonio). The kids love to eat their meals up there!
The Papa & Momo with their grandkids.....

Silliness... And, what do you feed 6 stavings kids?!?! Homemade donuts! My kids FAVORITE "treat"....50 will do....

SAN FRANCISCO DAYS, SAN FRANCISCO NIGHTS!

SAN FRANCISCO DAYS....

It was a beutiful day in SF, a bit chilly, but a great day overall! We decided to take a ride on the Cable Cars and check out Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf. It had been YEARS since we went to SF and just did the touristy thing. Joshy was not thrilled about getting on the Cable Cars, but once he did he loved it. Jake on the other hand freaked out the whole time! He was a nervous wreck, especially on our way back and I had to stand off the side of the car!!

SAN FRANCISCO NIGHTS....

All along the kids thought we were just going with Momo to "an appointment" in San Francisco. They had no idea what we were doing, and even when we got to the Airport they just thought we were picking up Momo's friend. So, after a 2 hour delayed flight and missed connection from Atlanta to Sf they kids FINALLY arrived after 12:30 at night!! My kiddos were actually very good at the Airport, and thank goodness for the AirTrain that we just kept riding around the in circles all night! By midnight they were exhausted and ready to go!

But, it was all worth it when they saw their cousins walking up the runway with Momo!! Finally, they are here to spend the summer with Papa & Momo!! I can't believe how big they have gotten!!

Josh, Justin, Brittany, Christian, Gunnar & Jake

PRAY FOR PAPA!

The boys and their Papa...aka my Dad The reason my sister was only passing thru is she is on her way to the City with my parents for Pap's surgery. About 2 weeks ago my Dad found out his aorta is enlarged so he goes in tomorrow to prep for heart surgery on Thursday. My brother, Aunt and two cousins will be there with my Mom for the surgery then I will be heading down Friday when I get off work. Everyone send out prayers for Papa!

AUNT RHONDA WAS PASSING THRU!

Aunt Rhonda...aka my sister... just flew in from NC! The kids have been so excited to see her! It's been a LONG time since we've seen her! SInce she was just passing thru with my parents we only got to visit for about an hour. I will do some catching up this weekend and see you again next week!

COUSIN LOVE!

Joe's sister Caterina and my BIL Dave and the boys came up to watch the games then over for a little BBQ. The boys love hanging out with their cousins! Michael (sitting) is 17 and will be a Senior next year. About 15 Colleges have already sent him letters asking him to come play Football for them which is very cool! Bigtime Colleges like Yale and ASU. Matthew (standing) is in his 2nd year of College. He's living in his Fraternity house in Chico and loving life! They are both great "kids"!