Christmas

We had a white Christmas full of Skylanders and horse equipment much to the children's delight.  Matt's favorite gift was his socks which Grandpa Bud filled with cash. :)  Although the rest of us loved our new socks too.  Sydney loved her new handmedown IPhone.  Andrew got his Skylanders Swap Force and my favorite was my new western saddle.  I think Rain will like it too.  

Thanksgiving 2013

The holiday season has now come and gone and I am just getting around to updating the blog.  I used to be so good about this.  Posting something about every family event or milestone.  I guess as the kids have gotten older and our schedules have gotten busier and busier the blog has taken a backseat.  So, like many I maybe making a New Years resolution that will soon be broken but today I vow to become better at updating my blog!! :)

As for the the holiday season of 2013...... for Thanksgiving we took a road trip to big apple to visit Sera & Martin.  We hit many "touristy" spots, Macy's, Dylans Candy Bar, American Girl, and FAO Schwarz. We event spotted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on our way to Rockefeller Center to go skating.

However, it seemed our trip mainly revolved around the food. Yumm!!!  Mexican, Chinese, Italian and lets not forget the Danish!!!  Sydney discovered her love for Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate.  She also waited 2 hours to the decadent hot chocolate at Max Brenners.  

Waiting for the Rain

On October 27th Sydney and I traveled to Athens Ohio to pick up the newest member of the Lavelle Family. 

Waiting for the Rain is a gray, Welsh, Quarter Horse, Arabian Mix.  He is 10 years old, Hunter/Jumper so Sydney was over the moon excited.  They have been working and bonding together over the past few months and you can see that relationship growth in their riding.

Hilton Head

Taking the advice of many friends and neighbors we booked condo in Hilton Head.  It was a relaxing week of biking, beach bathing and boogy boarding.  

Our friends the Burkes & Utterbacks were both staying near by so everyone had grand time, even Piggy!  Romeo loved his morning and evening walks on the beach.  Especially, chasing sea gulls, kites and visiting every beach goer.  

Our Summer Vacation

Our summer vacation has come and gone without a single blog post.  I guess that shows just how busy we have become.

I have started working for Camp Y-Noah at the equestrian center in addition to my jobs at the American Red Cross and To The Tropics Travel.  Balancing all that along with the kids and their activities has been quite an undertaking.

Matt took a promotion at work and is now in financial investments for Key Bank.  He covers the Hudson, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Twinsburg and Macedonia area.

Andrew is still glued to his IPad.  Whenever we can pry him away you might find him swimming or playing soccer.

Sydney wrapped up her gymnastics season and headed off to horse camp.

5th Grade Graduate

Sydney is now officially a graduate of elementary school and moving onto middle school.  Greentown PTO hosted a graduation celebration on the final day of school with a DJ, inflatables, snowcone machine, pizza, and cornhole.

Welcome Romeo

We welcomed a new addition into the family last week.  Romeo is a 4 year old French Bulldog.  His services as a stud were no longer needed so his breeder in Pittsburgh was looking to rehome him.   He has an infectious personality and makes the cutest little piggy noises.  

Happy Birthday Sydney

Sydney spent most of her birthday at school.  But at 4:00 pm she came bursting in anxious to open her gifts.  She was very pleased with everything she receieved.  Justice gift card, smencils, dreamlight, American Girl books, Toys R Us gift card, cowgirl boots, duct tape, slip & slide.

Rome

We had a full day of sightseeing planned for Rome.  There is just so much to see and so little time.  We only had about 4 hours in Rome so there was no way to see all it had to offer. Plus it was Good Friday and the first of the newly appointed Pope.  The crowds would surely be exorbitant.  Number one on everyone’s list was the Colosseum.  We took the train into the city from our cruise port in Civitavecchia.  A quick transfer to the Roma subway line and when we walked up the stairs to ground level there she was right in front of us, the grand Colosseum.  It is a magnificent structure with intricate architecture for its time in history.  Thank goodness, for Matt’s preplanning.  We already had tickets purchased and bypassed an extremely long line.

Afterwards we made our way to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill before settling on Piazza Navona for lunch at an outdoor café.  The piazza was full of painters & artisans.  I spotted a beautiful painting while I was eating and after lunch we decided to purchase the piece as a reminder of our day in the piazza.

Before heading back to the train station we made a quick trip to pass the Pantheon & Spanish Steps.  I wish we could have seen more but given them time allotted and massive crowds in the city I think we accomplished a lot.