Jackie's Birthday!!

This past Monday night, we had a birthday party for Jackie! We had a really good time. What a blessing to share another year of life together with the ones we love...God is so good!! Here are some pictures from the night...

I love this guy!!

Oh, and then there's Carrie!! I told her to smile so we could get a picture...maybe having the party at her house was...well, too much for her?!

There's a little story behind the last line of Jackie's birthday cake, but we'll just keep it in the family for safety's sake!!

I know my eyes look a little too excited in this picture. It's because Jackie was pulling so hard on my neck with her hand, and Steve was taking his sweet time snapping the photo!!

Steve said I should use this picture as it showed his good side...I didn't know men had a good side! Just kidding, Steve!

Joey was anxiously waiting for Aunt Jackie to open those presents!

Mom was trying to take Jackie's chocolate bar. Her explanation was simple..."Well, I'm the one who had you. Don't you think the mother should get something on the child's birthday?". Jackie wasn't convinced!! Oh, and by the way, the chocolate bar was organic...of course!

"Mommy, look at me. Me am standing up here!!" I love my Joey-boy!

I wonder what is in that big box?!

"Oh boy!! A new pot to hit Steve over the head with...my old ones weren't doing the job anymore!"

Happy ___ Birthday, Jackie!! (I'll let you fill in the blank!)

Soooo busy...

We have been sooo busy here at the Cialini household with all that the month of December brings! With all that goes on with family activities, things at the church, and just the normal everyday stuff, it seems that we haven't slowed down much since before Thanksgiving! We did take some time out last Thursday night to make our first annual gingerbread house...and boy, was that messy!! The boys loved decorating the house, but I think my husband and I had more fun! After a while it was just him and I at the table finishing up!

Joey was so careful...more like particular...I wonder where he gets that from?!

GNO...

Our family was at a restaurant last night and while we were waiting to be seated, I overheard these two young girls talking with their mother saying that they were on a GNO. I didn't understand what they were saying until one of them said, "Girls Night Out!" Well, tonight my sisters and I had a GNO! The three of us decided long ago that we would have a Girls Night Out each time one of our birthdays came along. The two sisters take the other sister (birthday girl) out to her favorite restaurant and splurge all out!! So, tonight Carrie and I took Jackie out for her birthday (Dec. 15)! She will be __ years old! I better not tell if I know what is good for me! So, here are a few pics from the night! Afterwards we went to some shops and just had fun being together...I love my sisters!

This was my first time to the Cheesecake Factory in Pittsford...I would highly recommend it! It was so "classy" and the food was excellent!!
This was my view from across the table...well, I guess it could've been worse...just kidding!

The waitresses brought Jackie a mini icecream sundae...so yummy!!

Simple things...

Today was a nice day spent at home getting caught up on such things like laundry, ironing, washing all the bedding, and cleaning the bathroom (I never look forward to the tub!). I also baked some pumpkin muffins while Joey was busy with Play-doh. I snapped a few pictures of some of my favorite things around our home...I love a clean, organized and of course good-smelling home (thankyou Yankee Candle Co.). What's that famous line again?...it goes something like this..."there's no place like home, there's no place like home". Boy, were they right!

Then later on this evening, my sisters popped over to visit. Aunt Carrie was playing with Joey while I was out in the kitchen. I heard her say, "Hey Katie, look at me!!". I looked over and saw this...Scary, isn't it?!!

It's been a while...

...since we have seen our good friends, the Tullock family!! They were in town these past few days, so we had them for dinner and spent some time with them last evening! We cannot wait until they are here in NY permanently, we really miss their fellowship! But before they arrived, I was in the kitchen finishing up dinner, when I heard my husband say to Joey, "Joey, drive them into this cool cave!". I thought to myself, okay, what is David up to now?! Well, the next two pictures say it all!! Is my husband really wierd or is it just me?!!! Oh, well, I love him anyway!!

I'll have to make sure I wash those motorcycles before they go back into the toy box!

Beka came over too. Her and Joy so graciously did the dishes for me, and they had fun while they did them...a little too much fun!!!

"Arr, matey!!"

Mrs. Tullock still looks the same as always...beautiful!!!

What a crew!!

Boy! oh boy! look what those dishes did to those girls!!

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

We purchased our tree yesterday at a local tree farm not too far from us. The smell of pine in the barn was breathtaking! We used to have an artificial tree, but then two years ago we decided to buy a real tree - and as they say, "It was love at first sight!". I will never go back to an artificial one. We just love the smell and look of the real thing sooo much! Here are some pictures of the "trimming of the tree" that we did last night...

He is sooo his father's child!!

"Joey, honey, you can only put one of those up at a time...not the whole case!!"

"That's better, Joey!"

What a goof ball!