Thursday, December 8, 2011

Giving Thanks...Part Two

We headed over to my parent's house around 4:30pm for the second half of our Thanksgiving holiday.  It was a good time had by all...dessert, drinks, turkey sandwiches...

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Benny decided to go formal for this party

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Aunt Puggie, Benny, Punky, Aunt Krissy

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my beautiful Momma

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kushas for AB!

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I brought a special Thanksgiving drink...Mango Cosmopolitans...DELISH!

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the drink of the night

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this girl couldn't get enough of the pumpkin pie

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Kenna loves her Godmother...sooooo much!

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Milazzo Family Picture 2011

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pumpkin pie, round 2 (with her favorite guy!)

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Uncle Rick's parent's, Grandma Mary & Grandpa Dick, his sister, Lori, her boyfriend, Al, and his nephews, Mark & Nick were in town for the weekend.  They came over for dessert...who knew we'd end up partying???  We always have a great time when we're all together.  It was no different this time.

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silly

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It was sad when the night was over.  We had such a great time. 

It was a perfect day.  We are just so lucky to have such wonderful families. 

We are so thankful. 

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Giving Thanks...Part One

Day two of Thanksgiving Break was going to be a busy one. With our family's living so close to us and to one another, we would be traveling to both this year to celebrate.
Once again, this day didn't disappoint.  We had a blast celebrating with everyone!

But, let's back up a bit. We all know that Thanksgiving Day doesn't really start until after the celebration of Black Wednesday. It's definitely no surprise that Black Wednesday was going to look a little different once again this year. But I'll be honest, it really didn't lack in similarities to BW's of the past.

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Nothing better than spending our Black Wednesay than with these three!


Thanksgiving Day started out with the Witkowski's. We headed over there right after Benny's first nap, around 11:30.

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Benny's First Thanksgiving!

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the green bean casserole was a job for the boys

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basketball or football? Hmmm....

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getting so old!

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watching Grandpa Witkowski carve the turkey

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Benny & Uncle Doug watching football

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Thanksgiving Dinner

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Benny & Aunt Sabrina

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Benny & his Godfather, Uncle Eric

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Witkowski family picture

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Off to the Zoo!

Thanksgiving Break came and went.  It's always quick.  It never seems long enough.  Before you know it, it's Monday and we're back to school. 

How can that happen?  We get FIVE days off.  Five days should be plenty.  But it isn't.  It never is. 

Being at home with McKenna & Ben all day long is treasured time. 

(That's not to say, I don't have my moments of "GET ME OUT OF HERE!")

But, now that I'm back to work.  I miss our days together. 

The days of hanging out in our jammies...all.day.long.

The days of getting out of the house and having playdates.

The days of going to the zoo, the farm, the park, the store, the sprinkler park...anywhere...

Just the days.

So, needless to say, I couldn't wait for Thanksgiving Break. 

...and boy, it didn't disappoint.

I have to say that in my now 10 years of teaching, this break was by far the best one yet.

I have the pictures to prove it.  I'm sure you can imagine my sadness when those precious five days were over.

First up, on Wednesday we took a trip to the Brookfield Zoo.  It was supposed to be a little chilly, but we thought it would be fun to go all bundled up.  It ended up being a perfect day.  Not only did it turn out to be a nice day, there was hardly anyone there!

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This girl wants to walk all by herself.  Not a baby anymore :(

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Daddy was home all five days!  It was his first trip to the zoo with us.  McKenna sure loves her Daddy.

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Benny Boo all snuggled up.

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It's not a trip to the zoo without Brayden!

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It was too chilly for the giraffes, so they were all inside.  It turned out to be WAY better!  We were so close to them!

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Didn't take her eyes off of them.

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The Polar Bear never disappoints.  He always seems to be putting on a show.

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I <3 my family!

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Megan & her sleepy boy

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Anyone else out there love geese as much as this girl???

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getting a chance to stretch his legs

Benny so badly wishes he could walk around the zoo like his big sister... unfortunately it'll be sooner rather than later...where have my babies gone?


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An absolute perfect first day of Thanksgiving Break!

Stay tuned for Day Two.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Here Comes the Bride

The weekend of November 5th, we headed to Toledo, Ohio to celebrate the wedding of my cousin, Pete, and his fiance, Rachel.  We headed to Toledo with Kristen on Friday night after work and met my mom & dad and Lizzie & Jordan at the hotel.  Sadly, Mackenzie couldn't join us; she had to work.


On Saturday morning, Aunt Krissy took McKenna & Benny swimming with all of the cousins.  She definitely won the award for Best Aunt as she jumped right in with her clothes on...none of us brought bathing suits.


These pictures are the best...just look at the expressions on McKenna's and Kristen's faces.  I'd say they were both having the BEST time together.

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Sarah, McKenna, Kristen, Hallie, Nick

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loves the water, seriously loves the water

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Benny's ready for his turn!


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alittle nervous at first

Later on in the afternoon we got all dressed up and headed to the church to see the "I do's".  I always get nervous about having the kids at weddings.  It really isn't comfortable for either of us.  We really lucked out this time.  The church had a kid's room full of toys.  McKenna & Benny enjoyed themselves...they played the whole time!

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STRIKE!

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I went back and forth between the playroom and the back of the church where I had a nice view of the ceremony. 

Look at these beautiful flower girls just before they head down the aisle!  I didn't realize it when I took it, but look at the gorgeous bride right behind them!


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Lauren, Sarah & Emma  (my cousin, Mike's daughters - Pete's neices)

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first picture of the new Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Rachel Van Niel!!!

There was a bit of time between the ceremony and the reception, so we headed back to the hotel to hang out and gear up.

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Benny chillin' with GP

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pretty girl getting ready to party

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Benny & Aunt Susan

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my sweet boy

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before...

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after...  Hey, that's their fault, why would they have a bowl of sand that low???  

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family!  miss you Puggie!

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parents of the groom!  Aunt Basi & Uncle Butch

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Grandma Beauty & Uncle Jeff

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Uncle Ba & Aunt Malo

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first dance as husband and wife

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Mom, Grandma Beauty, Aunt Sylvia

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Kreso, Brian, Jordan

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pretty girls...Hailey & Emma

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can't tell, but the Bride threw her bouquet right into the chandelier...Lizzie & Jordan volunteered to try and get it...no such luck!

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Rachel & Rachel!

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Sweet Pete!

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Nicky & Grandma

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I love the expressions on each of our faces!

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Aunt Basi, Rachel, Jen, Brian

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awesome


Congratulations Pete & Rachel!  We are so excited for the two of you!  Thank you for sharing your special day with us...we had a BLAST!