Halloween 2011

Mikey had a busy Halloween weekend!

We started the celebration off by spending time with Mommy's work friends--Shannon, Stephie, Leah (& daughter Ruby) and Brie (and her kids Molly and Colby). We had a great time playing and catching up at Brie's house. The kids attempted to dress up---two of the three were successful. Mikey was not very cooperative with his "Cowboy" costume so I wasn't able to get a good shot. Nonetheless, we had a great visit!

Mikey, Molly and Ruby

Saturday our plans changed significantly. Instead of being out-and-about most of the day, we stayed warm and cozy at home. At night we carved our first pumpkin ("punkin") together as a family. At Eva's house this past week they really covered the Halloween topic. When we started to talk about Halloween at home Mikey would light up and enthusiastically cheer "HALLOWEEN!". When it came to the pumpkin carving, Mikey was very excited. We asked his opinion for what shape he wanted the eyes and nose and then followed up asking "happy pumpkin?" or "sad pumpkin?". Daddy drew the design and carved away!

While we were having fun inside, this is what it was doing OUTSIDE:





We woke up with 5" of fresh snow on the ground!!

Sunday we attended the Perniola Halloween party where EVERYONE dressed up. Mommy was a Cowgirl, Mikey went as Lightning McQueen (from the movie "Cars"), and Daddy was JUSTIN BEIBER. Mikey LOVED his costume. He wore it all night on Saturday, all day Sunday and to My Gym on Monday (actual Halloween).

Justin Beiber with Guy Fiore (AKA: Bob Perniola) photo---coming soon.

On the actual day of Halloween we spent the day doing regular Monday "stuff" with the exception of wearing his costume to My Gym. No trick-or-treating for us this year. Hopefully we will be in a house next year and Mikey can go all around the neighborhood!

Happy Halloween!

Head of the Charles

One of the best things about living in Boston is that there is always something to do EVERY weekend. This weekend we watched the 47th Head of the Charles Regatta from the Cambridge/Harvard area. Many people compete in these races, not just the nearby colleges and universities. Although it was cloudy, it was still a great day to be outside. In prior years we have always driven by (and caught in traffic) while the Regatta has been taking place but never actually attended the events....until this year!! It was a "first" for the three of us!

We told Mikey this morning that we were going to see the boats. He said: "row row?". So we then just started saying that we were going to see the "row rows" (my speech-language pathologist and Early Intervention friends would NOT approve!). We also added in an extra bonus for Mikey---we took the T. It would have been crazy to find a parking spot near the event so we just parked and took the train instead. It was fast, easy and perfect for Mikey!

We walked around Harvard University along the river and watched the rowing events from different points. There were multiple tents set up with food and other items for sale. A lot of people were out just enjoying the day with their kids and dogs.

Michael got some great pictures from his camera today. Enjoy!

Dressed and ready to go!

Hockey Game

For Michael's birthday, Mikey and I got him tickets to a BC hockey game. We went to dinner at this old fashioned diner in Newton called Cabot's before heading to the game. As we were walking from the parking garage to the arena, Mikey kept shouting "HOCKEY GAME! HOCKEY GAME!". When he saw the lights from the football stadium on he got confused and said "FOOTBALL?". This kid knows where he is!!

Inside, the Eagles had scored a goal as we were approaching our seats, taking the lead at a score of 2-1. Mikey was memorized. There was so much to look at and take in.




Three of his favorite things were in plain sight:

1) The hockey players/rink;

2) The band;

3) Baldwin the Eagle:




Mikey clapped and enjoyed every minute. He even got Daddy to make some purchases from the bookstore.




All in all, it was a great night out as a family!

PS: BC beat UMass Lowell 4-2 (just in case you were wondering!)

Weekend in QBY

This past weekend we made the trip to Queensbury, NY. Uncle Mark was in town for a wedding with his girlfriend, Meredith (we FINALLY got to meet in person!) and we were also able to celebrate Michael's birthday...again!

We had a short but sweet visit with Mark & Meredith as they were only in town until Saturday afternoon. Sunday we headed to Saratoga for some pumpkins, apples and donuts and then watched the Giants game before eating dinner and heading home.

The weekend FLEW by but I was able to take a couple pictures. Happy Fall!

(A sweaty Mikey as he had just woken up from his nap--I guess he doesn't need 2 blankets like Mommy when he sleeps!)

Daddy's Birthday Weekend

This weekend was one of my favorite times of the year: Michael's birthday! Even though he may not make a big deal of his birthday, I want to because I am so happy he was born!!! Without Michael I wouldn't have the life that I have today--and for that I am so grateful. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICHAEL!

Michael shares his birthday with his cousin, Danny. They were born within hours of each other. We were able to meet up with Danny and his son, Mathew, while we were in New Jersey for the weekend. We met them for a day of pumpkin picking, hay rides, and petting zoo fun! Grandma Anita, Grandpa "Bob", Auntie and Uncle Scott also came along (Danny's wife was home on bedrest---their second son is estimated to arrive on October 17!! We missed you, Lisa!).

Mikey and Matty had a great time together. Although it didn't really feel like a fall day (temps were in the high 80s) we all had a great time!























For his birthday on Sunday Michael, my Dad, Mike's friend John and myself, attended the Giants game at MetLife Stadium. It was the first time any of us had been to the new stadium for a Giants game. The Giants played the Seahawks and LOST (it was an ugly game) but we enjoyed the beautiful weather and spending time together.







While we were at the game, Mikey and Grandma spent three hours at the BEACH where it was 90 degrees!



Grandma Anita made a yummy dinner and we topped the night off with a cake from Jersey Freeze. Mmmmm! Mikey kept repeating "Happy Daddy!" and when he sang "Happy Birthday" it went like this:

(Happy Birthday to) Daddy,
(Happy Birthday to) Daddy,
(Happy Birthday to) Daddy,
(Happy Birthday to) Daddy!

(with Mikey filling in the "Daddy" parts!!)











Relaxing on the couch with his football

Happy Birthday, Michael/Daddy! We love you lots! xoxo

Parents Weekend

Grandma Anita, Grandpa Bob and Uncle Timmy came for the weekend to visit. Friday night we spent hanging out at home eating homemade pizza (including the dough) made by ME! :)

Saturday was a Boston College football Saturday complete with a tailgate beforehand. Luckily for us the weather was overcast and the air was humid so it turned out to be a warm and dry day. However, due to the rain the night before we dealt with A LOT of MUD at the tailgate. My Aunt Lynn, Uncle Matt & family were up visiting Emily for Parents Weekend so they stopped by the tailgate, too. It was nice to catch up with everyone. Mikey enjoyed making friends with the other kids at the neighboring tailgates----throwing the ball, playing in the mud and sand. When he was done tailgating he kept asking for "football" and pointing to the stadium. When we finally got inside Mikey was so attentive and kept shouting "TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN!". Unfortunately, we didn't witness many of those on the BC side that day and called it quits at the end of the 3rd quarter and brought the sleepy boy home.

Mikey spent Saturday night with Grandma and Grandpa while we attended a dinner with a handful of friends from BC.

Sunday we had breakfast together and said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa. The rest of the day we relaxed and watched football. We grabbed a bite to eat at a place where we could catch the Giants (& Yankee) game. Uncle Timmy left when the Yankee game was over.

It was a fun, yet somehow very exhausting weekend. We are so happy that Uncle Timmy lives so close to us and that we can spend quality time together. Mikey sure does love his Uncle "Mimmy"!




**Sorry to note that this posting is all words and no pictures :( (I guess we were having too much fun!!)

Perfect fall weekend

This weekend was filled with friends, fun, football, parties, and apples....OH MY!

On Saturday morning we got together with our good friends, the Frost family. They had moved up to New Hampshire last summer and it had been way too long since we had seen them last. We decided to meet up for breakfast/lunch and then watch the BC football game together. It was great catching up with them and learning that they will be moving back to Massachusetts! We are looking forward to seeing LOTS more of them in the next few months!

Mikey & Mikey

Baby Sam (7 months and SUPER ADORABLE)

After the game we headed to Hamilton to help Ruby celebrate her 2nd birthday at her new house! Mikey had so much fun playing on Ruby's new swing-set and jumping in the bounce house. At one point Ruby and Mikey took a time out from all the fun to collect and throw rocks. Ruby was following Mikey around trying to put them in his back pocket! Hysterical! That night we all crashed early.

Sunday morning we went apple picking with Eva and friends. Mikey had a GREAT time. We got to the orchard around 9:15 and were able to check out the live animals (pigs, goats, chickens and rabbits) as well as "drive" a tractor. Someone was in heaven......

Mikey & Eva

Mikey and friends

There was a hayride that took us from the parking lot to the apple orchard. Mikey hated it, can you tell???



Then it was time to pick apples. Or in Mikey's case, first EAT the apples, THEN pick.......

















Mikey was so good this year at the orchard. He walked the whole time (stroller stayed in the car) and was very cooperative. He really got the concept and was eager to help.

We couldn't leave without grabbing some apple cinnamon donuts and cider at the store on the way out.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with football (including a Giants WIN!) and relaxing on the couch.

It was the perfect fall weekend!