Christmas with the Family!

Ed and I decided that we would do Christmas at our home since we have not been with the family for the last 5 years. We cooked Spanish food, (pork, rice & beans, platinos, yuca) and then mom cooked Italian (stuffed shells with meatballs). We had enough food to feed the neighborhood. It was delicious!! The desserts were even better!!

Here is Matthew posing with his "BLING BLING" that he got in the "White Elephant" that we did. It's like a grab bag, with loads of fun.

Vincenza and Matthew checking out to see what Grandma got in the grab bag. She got the "Bling Bling" which Matthew snatched from her. He loved that!

Ed and Dave enjoying coffee and dessert.

Overall it was a great Christmas. It was a blessing to be with the family again for the holidays. This will be the first New Years in (I can't even remember how many years) that we are doing nothing... and I love it. We have been entertaining since the beginning of December and although I love to entertain, I am happy the holidays are over in 2 days. I am exhausted. I am looking forward to a quiet evening with my husband and kids.

Happy New Year to You!!

Christmas Morning 2007

Our first Christmas in NJ. The kids had us up at 7:00am. Rule is nobody wakes up mom & dad until 7:00. Here is Matthew getting ready to open up gifts.

Yes, Santa brought me a "Spiderman Skateboard"....Just what I wanted!!

Yes, this is Matthew posing in his new "bath robe". When he put it on it said, "Now I feel like a rich person Mom". I guess he's been watching to much TV!! He loves it so much that he even sleeps in it.

Matthew posing with his new warmup suit. He thinks he's a gangster!

Yes, and Daddy finally got his power drill screwdriver from Santa. His broke while living in Michigan and he desperately needed a new one. Now he can do all my wall hangings without hurting his wrist. (NO EXCUSES NOW HONEY)!!

The Torres' had a great Christmas here in NJ. The kids got what they asked for (for the most part). Bri got her cell phone, and Peter got a new one. Mom even got an ipod shuffle and didn't even ask for one. How cool is that. It's also hot pink with the matching earphones. Now I can workout at the gym in style. (This is what my kids told me). I was perfectly happy with the old walkman. Now I am up to date I guess.

We are happy the holidays are almost over and are looking forward to 2008!

I Finally did it!

I did it! After 3 years of letting my hair grow, I needed a new look. Well, here it is. My cousin Eileen was up for Christmas vacation from Virginia and we decided to cut it all off. She said I was looking too old with my long hair. (Yes, she is a licensed beautician) she use to cut my hair all the time before she moved to Virginia 8 years ago. Boy, I miss you Eileen. Now she is only 6 hours away, so maybe I can go and visit every couple of weeks!!! Thanks for the new look!! I love it.

Here is Eileen with her son Jarrett and new boyfriend Gil. What a great time we had. Lots of desserts and food. Thanks for the cannoli's from Little Italy, they were awesome!

Peter decided he needed to work out his arms, so he bench pressed Vincenza about 20 times over his head. She just loved this workout with Peter. She weighs a good 30-35 lbs.

Matthew and Jarret after a hard day of playing Halo and army men outside.

Happy Birthday!

Today my niece Vincenza turned 3 years old! Here she is with her big cousin Brianna. She just loves my Bri. This is the first birthday party we have shared with her. It was great to be with the family. We even played "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader"? If you have never played it, try it. It's a blast.

Vincenza waiting to blow out her candles!

My sister Lorraine (who is pregnant again) hoping and praying for a boy, her husband Dave and Cenza!!
The "Princess" opening up her gifts.

Snow Day!

So, Thursday was our first "snow day" of the season. It was pretty to look at. Not much snow, just lots of ice. Because of the ice, they had a 2 hour delay on Friday morning.

This is a view from our deck in the back yard!!

My cutie pie Matthew being a rock star with my "Snowman" shovel decoration!

He was really into it. He loves the guitar and hopes to play one day like his big brother Peter. He has asked Santa for a guitar. We will see.....look for the pictures to come!

Sad News!

Today we got a phone call from my sister that our nephew and his wife Gisella lost their baby. They just found out Sunday and told the family the great news. They are strong in their faith and believe without a shadow of a doubt that God will bless them again with another baby. She was about 5 weeks pregnant.

We don't know why these things happen, but they do. Please keep them in your prayers as you read this. I know they would appreciate it.

Another one!!

Sunday morning at 7:30am we got a call from my nephew Andrew. His wife Gisella is expecting their first baby in August. That will mean we have 3 births next year in my family.

Andrew & Chris are brothers and both their wives are due. Mandy is due in May (Chris' wife) and Gisella is due in August, a week after my sister Lorraine is due. So I will be a great aunt 2x's, plus an aunt again to Lorraine's baby. I am so excited! I get to spoil them and then send them home.

This is one of the greatest benefits of being home next to the family again. I am looking forward to next year and 3 beautiful healthy babies!!

Great News!

Today, I got the call I have been waiting to hear for awhile from my baby sister. She is PREGNANT with her second child. Her daughter Vincenza will be 3 in 2 weeks. She is something else. We are hoping it is a boy, but we will take whatever God gives us as long as it is healthy.

I am also going to be a "Great Aunt" in May. My nephew Chris and his wife are expecting their first baby. She is hoping and praying for a girl and wants a girl desperately.

It will be nice to be closer to the family with all the new babies coming. I can't wait. An aunt and a great aunt all in one year!! YIPPEE!!

Our First Christmas!

Here is our first Christmas at Faith Chapel in NJ. Ed and I wanted it to be very special this year, so we went out and got a real tree for the sanctuary. I think this is almost as big as Rockerfeller Center's in NY!! We actually had to decorate it with a ladder. Thanks Chuck & Maritza for helping with that. You are awesome! Thank you to everyone who came out on Thursday night and Saturday to help with the decorating. The church looks so beautiful!

My 3 munchkins!! Peter, Bri and Matthew. I did want this for a Christmas card to send out, but I don't think it will work since Bri had her eyes closed. I guess I need to take another one. But all the same, I think it's a good picture of them smiling anyway! Thanks Peter, I know how much you hate pictures. Great smile on this one! I love you all so much!!

Bri and Mom hanging out at the tree. Maybe next week we can get a nice family picture!!
Our First Christmas, with our first "real" tree at Faith Chapel!!

Today was our first snowfall of the season. I think we got about 2 inches and it was enough to scare some people to drive to church. It sure looked pretty though. The kid are already praying that there is no school tomorrow. That's ok, I will just put them to work in the house and they can help me finish all the decorations.

My friend Melanie told me the other day in an e-mail, "you only get one first". This is so true. As my family and I celebrate this Christmas season with our new church family, I pray that we will have many lasting memories of our "firsts" here as we have memories of our dear friends in Michigan also. We miss you dearly. Merry Christmas!

A visit!!

Aunt Barbara & Uncle Teddy came from Florida last week to visit my parents in PA. They came over for a visit on Monday with my mom & dad and we had a wonderful time with some delicious rice and beans. This is my dad with his sister (my Aunt Barbara)

And here are the 2 love birds!! It has probably been about 5-6 years since we have seen them. It was great to catch up on family news. Sorry you missed the little bit of snow we had here over the weekend. Hope to see you in the spring.