1500 Little Ladybugs

Gigi got the kids a ladybug habitat earlier this year and with the warm spring weather I decided it would be a good time to break it out. There was just one problem... we had no ladybugs. Not to worry, that quickly changed! One quick trip to the nursery on my way home from work and we are now the proud owners of 1500 ladybugs. Yes-- 1500! I tried to buy less, but I couldn't. We took the habitat outside, sprinkled some sugar water on it, opened the container and out they came. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever-- there were so many & they crawled all over the kids...

Watching the ladybugs crawl into their new home

Soon there was one little ladybug on Dylan and he was

 quite happy about his new found friend

Then a handful crawled on to Savannah

Then a few more little critters found their way 

on to the kids

Before we knew it they were all over! Dylan must of had over 100 ladybugs on him at one point. They were in his hair, all over his back, inside his clothes... EVERYWHERE!! If you can't tell he kind of liked it :)

A Hiking We Will Go...

Since the weather has been warming up we have been enjoying some good times outdoors. Our most recent favorite outdoor family activity is hiking! There are so many great places in Napa to go hiking and we are just now discovering them-- it only took us about 5 years! This last weekend we hiked up Westwood Hills and enjoyed the warm sunshine...

Savannah, Daddy & Dylan on the way up

Savannah likes to be the leader- go figure!

Enjoying a little snack & the view at the top

Dylan loves playing in the tall grass

This last weekend we discovered a rope swing

Dylan's turn

Home we go...

SNOW Much Fun!

We spent last weekend up in Lake Tahoe. It was both Dylan's & Yvette's 1st time in the snow-- and I think they liked it equally as much! We pretty much spent the weekend playing in the snow & sledding-- really just enjoying some good quality family time! Here are some pictures from our fun weekend...

Building our snowman

Daddy, Dylan, Savannah & our snowman

Savannah making snow angels

Dylan enjoying his FIRST time in the snow

Of course he had to taste it!

Going up the hill to sled... with Yvette. 

She LOVED the snow and chased the kids all over!

On your mark. Get set...

Dylan & Mommy

Taking a break at the tubing hill

Ready to go tubing!

At the end of a long day in the cold snow, all Dylan wanted

was a hot bath and a drink of "Daddy's jupe"

Soccer Stars

We started soccer  2 weekends ago-- even Dylan gets to play this year! It is a pretty informal program through the parks & rec department, but the kids have fun. Dylan loves the idea of kicking the ball, but about half way through the class he would much rather go play in the park!

Savannah is definitely more into it. I think it may have to do with the fact that we got to go shopping for shin guards and cleats-- both of which are pink :)  Once again... she is the only girl! But she doesn't mind one bit since her best buddy Joey is in her class!

The 5th Wiggle...

"Big Red Car"

"Rock-a-bye Your Bear"

Dylan's 1st Day of Preschool

We just dropped Dylan off at his 1st day of preschool-- I am still wiping my tears! Savannah's preschool has a great 2 year old program and they agreed to take Dylan mid-year. We've been talking about it a lot lately and he was so excited to go to school with his big sister this morning. He ran right in and started playing. He happily told us good-bye and didn't mind one bit that we were leaving. As we were walking out the door, Savannah could see that I was sad and said, "Don't worry Mommy, I will take care of him." They are both growing up way too quick!

Pre-school- party of two?!

I had such a hard time getting a good picture of him because all he

 wanted to do was drag his Thomas backpack around.

Happy 2nd Birthday Dylan!

Today my sweet baby boy turned two!!! We celebrated with a party at PB&J's with lots of friends-- AND Pommy even surprised us by making a last minute trip up for the party. I can't believe my baby isn't a baby anymore-- he is growing up so fast! Here are some pictures from the party...

Dylan, Savannah and some of their buddies

Dylan & Dylan

Getting ready to blow out the candles

Yummy!

Maybe I will try a fork now...

Some Fun Pictures from the Last Few Weeks...

Playing Jack in the Box

Dylan and his new ATV from the Israels

Savannah (in make-up) & Hailey

Dylan stomping on the trash for Daddy on Xmas morning

Our super spoiled dog :)

New Year's Eve

This year we opted for a pretty mellow New Year's Eve. We had the DeNatale & Robertis families over for a pot luck dinner. The kids played and rung in the New Year with the east coast & then were all shuttled off to bed. The adults continued the party & celebrated the New Year and our great friendships. Here's to a fabulous 2010!!!

Bella, Dylan, Savannah & Joey banging pots and pans. I am not sure where Matteo was??

Dylan was very serious about his pot banging

Best Buddies!

Christmas!!!

We had a great Christmas-- I am still coming to grips with the fact that it is over. Mitch & I were both off for 2 weeks and we had most of my family in town the week of Christmas. The kids were both super excited for Christmas and I think Santa had just as much fun preparing...

Getting ready for Santa to come

The stockings are way to big to hang on the chimney

The tree & the massive pile of gifts

So Santa decided to not only bring a few big gifts for Savannah & Dylan's toy room (a train table and a lego table)... he also completely redecorated the room itself in a fun beach theme. Here are some pics of his finished product

Here are the two kiddies coming down stairs on Christmas morning...

Dylan was so excited about his new trains!