Halloween Part II

Vinny carving his pumpkins for the front step.

Isn't this fun?

Talia started her halloween night off a little crabby. Eventually she snapped out of it and had a great night of trick or treating with her brother, Vinny.

Is it time to get started?

Vinny and Charlie enjoying their costumes. (Charley- Snake Eyes, Vinny-Darth Vader)

Our neighbors dog gave Talia a run for her money, but I think Talia emerged as the cuter bee.

Vinny and Charlie trick or treating

Talia did such a good job of trick or treating this year. After each candy drop she would turn and say " Next house Mommy"!

After making it around our entire block, Talia decided to head home and take inventory. A successful 2009 Halloween in the books!

Pumpkin Patch Trips

Over the weekend we hit two Pumpkin farms. The first one was in Lakeville. We stopped there to pick out some pumpkins for the house! The second one was in Belle Plaine. That was more of a family outing that we try to do every year with the cousins.

Vinny and Talia posing pretty for the camera

Talia tried literally picking up every pumpkin in the place. Hope that doesn't transfer over to boys in 15 years!

Vinny asked why all the pumpkins had warts on them!?

CC assigned cupcakes to everyone, by touching them all!

Who Me?

Come on guys, where's my cupcake!!

Don't tell my mom, but there's cake all over the floor. (She'll shit!)

Our two cookie artists hard at work! (playing the part of Aunt Edna is Jeff Skubic!) Love the necklace and rag.

Although it rained when we got to the pumpkin patch, Talia didn't seem to mind.

The Cleavers

GG doing the 'robot', and TT attempting 'running man'

CC and TT were cutting up some major rug, that CC can dance!

The gang posing for a family photog! Awesome group, but we should've stayed at your house!! HAHAHA

MEA Dells Trip

For Vinny's first MEA weekend, we decided to take the kids to the Wisconsin Dells. We stayed at Glacier Canyon Lodge at the Wilderness Resort. Our room had two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a full kitchen! Unfortunately we don't have a lot of pictures to share because Brian and I did not feel like hauling a camera around when we were in the pool most of the time. We also thought we would spare you from viewing pictures of us in our swim suits! Hopefully we will have a few more pictures come Halloween time to share with all of you!

Vinny was so excited when he saw that his room had bunk beds AND their very own TV! Don't get used to it kid!

Here is TT jumping for joy off of the luggage cart.

Future corporate climber, Talia Laurienzo, checking the blackberry during her vacation, while her brother chows down on a caramel apple.

Ohhhh.

Which one is the scarecrow?

How many more Mom?

Talia had so much fun, she is praying we go back again soon.

Extreme Kitchen Makeover

When our refrigerator decided to start giving us problems, we made the decision to buy a new one. Buying a new refrigerator led to all new appliances, new countertops, and a backsplash. There goes the budget. No plans for any additional projects in 2009.

BEFORE

AFTER

2009 Vinny's 1st Day of School

Below are pictures from Vinny's school orientation and his first day of school. As you can see from the first picture he is going to fit right in. Vinny is attending the SAC program in the morning which is a "before school program in the school gym and at 9:15 he begins his all-day kindergarten class. School was not as scary for Vinny since several of his neighborhood friends are also in SAC and in his Kindergarten class.

On Vinny's first day, the music teacher mistakenly thought he was a girl. The kids teased him about that the rest of the day. He took it like a man and when he came home, Brian took him to get a haircut. However, the hair is still longer than it should be, but apparantly that is the "style" or so they tell me.

Vinny likes that he gets to make choices at breakfast and lunch time. He informed us today that when was given cereal for breakfast, he chose CHOCOLATE milk to put in his bowl. ISH.

Mom and Dad are proud of their boy, but Mom is still a little sad to see him go!

Talia looks on as her brother prepares for his first day!

Our little boy is all grown up!