Week 42

A week that each day needed its own post!
Sunday, Oct. 9th
Happy Birthday, Nathanael!  He'll get his own post, but here are some more pictures from our night of skating.

Monday, Oct. 10th

Columbus Day tradition: Buell's Orchard with the fam.

Daddy's first time coming with us.

Tuesday, Oct. 11th

We met Andrea and the girls at a McDonald's play place to say goodbye.  So sad!  I forgot my camera but this phone pic is not too bad.

Wednesday, Oct. 12th

We had spent the night at Nicky's and woke very early to take a flight out of Boston.  It was our first time at Nicky and Katie's new place.  They have it decorated so, so adorably with conversation pieces at every turn.

Thursday, Oct. 13th

Day 2 in San Fran.  I had the day to myself since Colombo, Lisa, and Pat were in meetings all day.  I went to the lobby to check email and was elated to see I had 3 emails from the kids.  That was a first.  Here is Trevor's.  I literally laughed out loud.

- - - - - 

hi greatpxd da abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz hi Amy I love you

love,
trevor
- - - - -
Hilarious that he called me Amy and I love the entire alphabet thrown in there.

I spent the afternoon walking around downtown, popping into Tiffany's to try on a $78,000 ring and having a 3 hour lunch with Cousin Sara.

Union Square staged for the Nike Women's Marathon for breast cancer.

The evening view from the 32nd floor during the vendor fair and cocktail hour.

Friday, Oct. 14th
Lisa, Pat, and I had several excursion choices and decided to do Muir Woods, the tall redwoods.  They aren't as big as the ones further north, but still majestic.  The first toured stop was the east? side of the Bridge.

Then a CUH-RAZY steep and curvy ride to Muir Woods.

Just at the end of our walk through we spotted this mama and two babies.  They were within 8 feet of people and seemed unaware of the flashing cameras.

My favorite part of the day was our lunch in Saulsalito, here at this restaurant.  We were on the 2nd floor with 3 walls of windows.  75 and sunny (every day!) and just perfect really!!!

We walked down the little street of shops, deliberating about ice cream and laughing at clever tshirts being sold.

Friday evening is always the big banquet with amazing food, awards, and dancing.

Colombo broke the bronze level this year and was recognized on stage, as well as given this plaque and a trip to Hawaii.

Saturday, Oct. 15th

Colombo had a 2nd day of golf and the spouses were given a massage.  After that I took the bus to Fishermans' Wharf and met up with Lisa and Pat to walk around down there for awhile.

I had a soft pretzel for lunch.  Yum! 

I walked the 16 blocks back to the hotel going through both Little Italy and Chinatown.

Colombo's new level also won us a dinner theater event on Saturday evening.  It's quite hard to describe.  It was like circus meets Moulon Rouge meets dinner theater meets Cirque Du Solei meets comedy club.  The whole tent was draped in fabric and lights.  There were more fishnet stockings there then I've seen in my life.  But the food was exceptional considering they could have skimped in that regard.  What talent in all those involved!  

No cameras or videos or phones, but I managed to sneak this clip before I knew the rules.

In general, San Fran was a little different this year.  We were downtown instead of an hour north in wine country, but it was such a fantastic trip with amazing weather.  Every meal we had was tremendous and we seemed to luck out with great table partners, including several Christian couples.  New friends that we'll see every year.  One highlight was dinner Thursday with Paetec.  Two tablemates were extremely good story tellers and very entertaining.  

Sunday, Oct. 16th

Up early to catch our flight home.  Do you see this blond lady?  She was behind me.  She was literally on my a**!  She coughed on me once without covering her mouth which ticked me off but I dealt with her for another 10 minutes or so until I grew tired of feeling her breath on me.  I switched with Colombo for the remaining 20 minute line wait.  Seriously NO personal space.  Turns out riding someone that closely does NOT move the line any quicker either.  (FYI, this picture does not capture the ridiculous lack of socially acceptable bubble.)

We had a very happy reunion with the kids.  Thanks to Pop & Kiki and Ninny & Papa for a worry free get-a-way.

Woody pees like Chester

I was out this evening.  When I got home, Colombo reported that Woody had peed.  I said, "Where?"  He said, "Well, I can't really show you, but..."  He pulled out his phone and pulled up this video.  I busted out laughing!  I felt bad that he had to clean it up.  At 13 weeks, Woody is about 95% house trained with maybe one or two accidents a week, but I hadn't seen anything like this.  Click here.

Now.  If you'd like to know why I titled the video "Woody pees like Chester", click here.

In other Woody news, he went to the vet today for boosters.  He was 24 lbs.  He gained 10 lbs. in the last 20 days.  Half a pound a day nearly doubling in size.  Crazy!  He's sporting a fancy, new red collar that Trevor picked out since his baby collar was on the last notch.  He's also got a cute little tag with his name on it.

Trevor's Boat

Got a couple of recent quotes from Trevor.  He's random and unpredictable in every way.

"Everyone will love this outfit!"
* * *
"Mom, I have good news and bad news.  The good news is I looked in all my drawers for my Buzz Lightyear shirt.  The bad news is I couldn't find it."
* * *
"Well...here goes nuffin!"
* * *
"That's actually appropriate."
* * *
"Rocco is 7 lbs.  Well, for his feet he is."
* * *
After church Saturday night he begged to change out of his pants and into shorts even though it was 54.  He does NOT like pants.  I said yes and a couple minutes later he came bounding down the stairs in a pair of PJ's, shorts and shirt set.  With a coy smile he said something like, "Well I know I was gonna wear shorts but I just wanna wear these now."
Me: That's fine Trevor.  Whatever floats your boat.
Trevor: [shoulder shrug] Well......this is my boat!
* * *
Trevor has 2 veins on the right side of his chest that are very blue and easily seen through the skin.  It's a cute little feature.  Anyway, Maddy and I were looking at them one morning.  She leaned over to me and said, "Mom, I know why he has these.  They are his spaz veins."

I laughed.  Maybe she's right.  Trevor has a very unique 'streak' that is hard to explain, but it brings variety to the house and we love him for it!

T-shirt

Boarding our flight leaving San Fran this morning, I spotted a guy wearing a shirt that made me laugh. Until I grew into a mature adult, I could have called it one of my life's mottos.   Now that I'm a grown adult I'll just admit to completely agreeing with the statement from time to time- laughing-out-loud time to side-splitting-laughter time:

"It's only funny 'til someone gets hurt...
Then it's hilarious!" 

Week 41

It was a full, busy, fruitful, rewarding week.  We had the honor of hosting 3 members of the African Childrens Choir and their chaperone.  They are all from Uganda and have been plucked form desperate places and given a chance to tour the United States and be educated through Music For Life.

We had them from Sunday evening til Thursday morning, but they were at the church every day from 9-5 for their classes and rehearsals.  We actually would've loved more play time with them.

They stole our hearts quickly.  They called us Auntie and Uncle, were generous with hugs, always had superb manners, ate everything on their plate, and included us for their evening prayers.  They spoke English with an accent, giggled like girls, and loved to play.  They taught each other the hand-clappy, sing-songy rhymes, including Tic Tac Toe.

Sunday, Oct. 2nd
We picked up Deborah, Winnie, and Sandra who are all 10, just like Maddy, and Mary who is in her early 20s.

What do you suppose the DiSalvatores taught them first?  Yup...hockey!  They had never played and they LOVED it!

Monday, Oct. 3rd

We invited Bob and Jules and their 4 choir members for one great big spaghetti and meatballs feast.

Tuesday, Oct. 4th
Mary, the chaperone had the day off.  That's a loose translation.  She didn't have to go to the church for the day to teach school and do rehearsing, but my boys made sure she didn't have a day off.  She did get to sleep til 11, though.  I kept telling the boys to leave her alone, but she seemed happy throwing them and chasing them.

Maddy & Deborah

Wednesday, Oct. 5th
The girls had to be to the church early to do a spot on Fox News. Check it out.

Back at home, Rocco has a new strategy to keep Teddy away from Woody.  This is his morning routine.

A woodpecker was trapped in the garage for the better part of the day, but finally flew out.

In the evening, we went to church to see the African Children's Choir performance.  They were amazing.  It was extra special knowing 3 of the little singers / dancers.

Madison & Juliet anticipating a great show!

Mary was also a part of the very cultural and educational program.

Thursday, Oct. 6th
We had to say goodbye to our new friends.  Madison cried.  She liked having sisters in the house for a few day.

Later I took the boys to the park and library.  Daddy and Maddy joined us after dance.

Friday, Oct. 7th
This is the scene after bringing home a couple of DVDs from the library.

I took the kids apple picking on a beautiful, warm New England fall day.  Rocco chose to carry his back-pack style.

LOVE this crew!

Saturday, Oct. 8th