Happiness is Hibachi

One of our favorite restaurants is a Japanese Hibachi steakhouse. We decided to see how the girls would enjoy the experience. As you might be able to tell from the pictures they liked it as long as they were sitting at the next table. The fire and noise was a little intimidating at first but eventually they warmed up to it and enjoyed the food.

Play time at the Mills

Mary and Kate love hanging out at the indoor playground at the Mills when we are in St. Louis. What a treat having a place to go to play no matter what the weather. It is a must have for every mall!

Birthday Bash!

We were lucky enough to be in St. Louis the weekend after Kathleen, Carl, and Lily moved home from Baltimore so that Carl can do his residency at Washington University. It is wonderful knowing that we are going to be able to see them everytime we come to town. This weekend we celebrated Kate's big #2 with the whole family. It doesn't get any better than this!

KATE TURNS TWO!!

Kate turned two years old today! What a ride it has been - it is hard not to get emotional thnking about the past two years. I am so grateful to be mom to both of our girls. Kate has such a fiery spirit and Mary is our lovebug. They have such sweet souls. Parenthood is definitely challenging but it is worth every second of worry and every strand of gray hair.

A visit to Great Grandpa's

The girls had a wonderful time visiting great grandpa Pellerito's home. He has such a big, beautiful yard with lots of things to explore.

Watch me slide!

The swingset has been a big hit with the girls - rain or shine they are ready to play. It has been a big help with mommy home for the summer so that we don't have to drive to the park to play.

Having Fun

Singing in the Rain

Grambug and the girls brave the elements to go out for some fun!

We prepare to surprise Daddy on his birthday!

ANGELA IS ENGAGED!!!

We could not be happier to announce the engagement of lil' sis' Angela to her beau, Zachary Corr. They are both wonderful, caring people who will make a beautiful life together. We are just lucky enough to share their journey!

Dog tired

Lucky is worn out after a long day of making sure everyone is safe while trying to stay one step ahead of the girls.

Lucky Dog

We are lucky enough to have June, Jerry, and Lucky dog here visiting to help us get through Tim's recuperation. The girls are having a ball having Grambug, Ouchy Pa, and Lucky dog to entertain and play with them. Lucky is especially protective of the girls and sits near them wherever they go. He loves Mary but he's not sure about this new hat on our little patriot.

Surgery #1 done!

Wednesday, April 9th Tim had the first of three surgeries. This was a carpectmy to repair damage done when he broke his scaphoid ligament. I don't really know what all that means but I know he was in a lot of pain. Our hand surgeon, Dr. Paul (who by the way looks just like our Dr. Zach) said after the surgery that there was no cartilage left and he is glad we decided to do it. We will know in about six weeks if all went as planned - keep your fingers crossed!

April Showers

Our little princess is decked out in her princess umbrella and slicker ready to face the wind and rain outside. It is still cold but we are happy to get through the rain to get to the May flowers.

Let the fun begin!

As Tim prepared for his upcoming surgery he kept himself occupied by building this swing set for the girls. He did such a wonderful job following every detail of the 27 phase enterprise. Each morning since it has been up the girls wake up and tell me that they need to "check on their playground" shorthand for can we go play. If only the weather would cooperate.

Winter Sports

Kate prepares to take the plunge in Matress Mania.








Mary shows perfect form and concentration in laundry basket louge. She strategizes with sister preparing for her next jump.

The Whole Gang

My MWSU Students

Here are a few of the students outside of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in D.C. We all agreed that it was the most difficult and emotional experience of the trip but one that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime.

Ridin' the Metro

The sisters meet Sam in D.C.

During spring break this year I took eighteen students from Missouri Western to explore the sights and sound of our illustrious capital. My sister, Angela, was able to come along and share in the fun. Here we are with U.S. Representative Sam Graves who was kind enough to spend a half an hour speaking to the students. All-in-all everyone came home happy, inspired, a bit more educated, and extremely tired.

Who says that you can't be fashionable even in the Winter?

Dreaming of warmer days

We woke this morning to find another four inches of snow falling outside. We were lucky enough to have my brother Jeff, his wife, Susie, and kids: Courtney, Nick and Abby visiting so the kids had eachother to keep busy during the long winter days. Attached is a picture of Kate playing in New Town with Grandma. Dreaming of more play dates coming soon sustains us during this long cold spell.

Royalty among us

Princess Mary otherwise known as Belle loves to wear her crown and princess dress just about anywhere and anytime. She has even started responding to my requests with "yes, your majesty." There must be blue blood somewhere down the family line. Tim claims it is just wishful thinking on mommy's part.

Mary & Daddy mingle with reindeers

Computer Kate

Kate loves to play with computers especially when mommy needs to check her email. Mainly she loves to turn it off when I am working on it - hmmm . . . maybe she is trying to tell me something.

The cold and ice continue

Old man winter still has a strong grip on St. Joe. The trees are the view from our deck. The girls have been troopers but we are all getting cabin fever and are ready for Spring.

All tied up!

Kate loves to put on all of Daddies ties each morning as he gets ready for work. It makes it hard for Daddy to leave for work because 1. she has all of his ties and 2. because she looks so darn cute.

The Kissing Hand

We found a wonderful book called "The Kissing Hand". It is a must have for every parent.






Here is a poem I found that goes with the book.





Kissing Hand Poem (Tune :Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)





There's a special trick I know


When I'm sad and scared to go.


Take my hand and kiss it here.


This kiss from you, I will hold dear.


Down my a hand and up my arm,


Into my heart the kiss goes on.

The Kissing Hand~A perfect first day story. This is a story about a little raccoon ready to start school. He talks about his fears to his mother, fears that most children have before beginning school. His mother comes up with a wonderful solution to help her little raccoon remember that she loves him and is thinking about him, even when she isn't with him. A wonderful and heart-warming story to share with little ones.

For adults only

St. Joe has almost completely recovered from our recent ice storm. If you have never experienced it firsthand, you can't imagine what it is like. Almost every tree was bent to the ground and 90% of homes were without power for as long as ten days. As devastating as it was it was also like a winter wonderland. On one night following the storm we arrived home to find our reindeer in let's just say "romantic positions". I guess it is nice to know that someone did not lose their sense of humor during such a difficult time.

Christmas fun

The girls got so many wonderful presents for Christmas. These were just a few moments of them enjoying their gifts. Santa brought Mary a big dollhouse. She loved spending time with cousin Abby setting up her house. Katiebug the Ladybug is riding her Ladybug from her Grandbug. Mary loved listening to her teddy bear tell her stories.

Kate checks out New Town

Always independent - Kate decided to take a walk around the new construction at New Town. Even at eighteen months she is quite determined to get wherever she wants to go whether we go with her or not.

Super Babies to the rescue!

What a beautiful moment!

Baby Grace meets mommy and big brother, Gannon!

Oh Happy Day!

Andrew, Estelle, and brother Gannon welcomed baby Grace into the world! What a gorgeous baby girl. Is it just me or do I see a lot of her Daddy in that beautiful face? As great Uncle Frank would say "it doesn't get any better than this!" We wish everyone love, health and lots of sleep (if that is possible with a newborn)!