Week 8

Monday, Feb. 18th
We headed to Maine for Colombo's Nana's funeral.  She was such a special woman!  She was classy, funny, kind, warm, loving, giving, regal, vivacious, super social, generous, full of life and color.  She was everyone's Nana.  She only loved, never judged.  And boy did she know how to spoil!  She was a remarkable matriarch.

Nana had suffered from Alzeimer's for the last 4 or so years.  On Tuesday, Feb. 12th we got a call that she was not well and in distress.  Colombo was out the door in less than 10 minutes to drive his mom up to Bangor.

Colombo was so grateful to see her once more.  At that point she was still alert.  When he said goodbye, he put his cheek to hers, "Thank you for all the love you gave me.  You were an awesome Nana to me.  I love you.  Say hi to Jesus for me."

The next day the kids and I were able to call on speaker phone and sang "In the Garden."  Karen said when we finished she smiled and clapped.

On Friday, Feb. 15th she passed about 3pm.  The staff at her home was remarkable in their comfort care and she was surrounded by her children.

My last memory of her was dancing at Courtney's wedding.  It was a magical life moment.  A rare and beautiful moment in the circle of life, surrounded by so many recipients of her love.

So on Monday we landed in Bangor and stayed at the same hotel as Jonathan and Nick and their families.  So the first order of business was the pool.

Little Sienna

Baby Milo

That's a hottub full of DiSalvatores!

Team '12 and their pretty moms!

Back in the room it was great fun playing with the fan.

We got showered up and went out to MaryJo's for a delicious lasagna dinner.  It's too bad funerals are such a sad event because it sure is good to be with everyone.

A Maine special: beans with a red hot dog garnish.

The kids enjoyed some tv time.

Tuesday, Feb. 19th

Colombo was honored to be a pallbearer.  I wanted to take pictures of family and the service, but it seemed 'wrong' to bring the camera out, so I snuck a few.

Colombo also read out of 1 Corinthians during the Mass.

I LOVE this picture.  Nana entering the light of heaven.  Beautiful symbolism.

Nana's four kids at the reception.

Two funerals in less than 2 weeks was plenty!  No more, thank you.

Wednesday, Feb. 20th

Thursday, Feb. 21st
Jesus Culture came to Crossroads.  We could only stay for the first hour before leaving for C4's tournament game.

Saturday, Feb.23nd
A VERY early morning of hockey.  Colombo and C4 were out the door to Newington so that left me with the little gang in South Windsor for Nathanael's game.  I had to wake them up at 6:30.  Rocco did NOT want to wake up or go to the rink.  I had to promise a movie on the laptop, munchkins, and a dollar for the candy machines.  Even still he said, "I just want to sleep some more.  Every time I go to the rink it's cold."

Little Renna sat here totally still, half asleep for a couple minutes.  No movement, just blinks.

The laptop and munchkins were a hit.

Sunday, Feb. 24th
More hockey!  Three games, actually.  Nathanael lost in the semi finals 1-0.  A sad game.  They dominated the whole time.  29 to 3 shots on net, but we just could not score.

C4's team went into triple over to win the make it to the semi finals.  Later in the evening they lost in overtime.  Both boys had great coaches, great seasons.

Week 7

Monday, Feb. 11th
Operation Recoup- After an ugly weekend of stomach bug, I gave the kids the day off to rest.  Renna had a fever and was either in her crib sleeping or in the Moby.  I enjoyed it.

Tuesday, Feb. 10th
Renna was happier and better, but still not totally right.

Crackin' a little smile:

 Doin' a funny little nose scrunch:

Wednesday, Feb.13th
The town finally came to clean up the street.

We went to Dad's to hit the slopes.  Renna took one run but didn't care for it.

 Rocco and Teddy took one run, but didn't care for it.

Thursday, Feb. 14th
Happy Valentine's Day

From my Valentine:

To my Little Valentines:

From Trevor:
the back:

The front:

Surprisingly, this was to "Mom" instead of Amy.

It was a low-key celebration.  Colombo took me out to breakfast since the rest of the day was a very normal, very busy, jam-packed Thursday.

Saturday, Feb. 16th

Just a silly little video.  Madison had organized all of the toys.  We thought Rocco was gonna go crazy over it, but his reaction was underwhelming.  BUT...I still posted the video because at the very end he has this sweet moment with Madison and says, "Thank you, Mama" which is what he calls her.

Week 6

Monday, Feb. 4th
Maddy got him all cozy and set up.

Tuesday, Feb. 5th

We left for Maine after work, so it was about midnight when we arrived at the hotel.  This 'mess' of kids covered the back seat.  There's 3 of them in there somewhere.

Wednesday, Feb. 6th
Fun at the hotel pool!

A huge snowball for the pool.

After a shower, I had some very handsome boys getting their brains sucked out by the hotel t.v.

Renna entertained herself while I got ready.

We were in Rockland, Maine for Uncle Mac's funeral.  Uncle Mac was Karen uncle and a beloved part of our extended family.  He was loving and generous and always good for a story.  Both the calling hours and the funeral service were at the funeral home.  I went back and forth on which kids I should bring, and how to explain it to the younger ones.  After consulting with a couple of my trusted counselors, and a few long discussions preparing the kids, they all came.  The 4 older recited Psalm 23 during the service.

Uncle Mac was a Mason, so they did a very special presentation and he was a Veteran, so two military people did the whole flag folding ceremony.  That was a hilarious story that will be reenacted and laughed about for years to come.  Uncle Bruce, who received the flag, and Courtney, who plays the military women flag-giver are hilarious when they recreate the scene! (The military duo were perfect!  It was Uncle Bruce's faux pas that was funny.)  And of course, Grandpa who didn't recognize his son....oh, funny!  It's too bad funerals have to be such a sad thing because we sure had a good time seeing everyone!

Peek-a-boo!

Cousins in p.j.'s ready to hit the road!

At the very end, Madison performed her solo for the few that were still there.

Thursday, Feb. 7th
7:20am drop off at school for a shadow day.  He LOVED it!

Friday, Feb. 8th
Renna checked out the beginning of Snow Storm Nemo.

We built a fire and the kids and I played Disney Scene It.

Saturday, Feb. 9th
We woke up to A LOT of snow.  Said and done, I believe the official measurement for Manchester was 32 inches.  Enough that the dog took 2 steps out the door and was stuck.

Shaun had dropped Aiden off late Friday night while trying to plow.

Twins!

Ready to go.  Rocco told me that Aiden was the 'army guy' and he was the 'astronaut'.

Sunday, Feb. 10th
Day 2 of being completely snowbound.  Still no plow.  It would have been a beautiful day, had it not been for the 24 hour stomach bug that ripped through our house through the night.  Five of us were hit within an hour.  Brutal!

Colombo and a couple neighbors joined forces to clear out any neighbors driveways who still hadn't shoveled or plowed.  They were also able to clear a path in the road allowing Shaun to get down the street with his plow.  Shaun was the local hero, finally freeing everyone after 48 hours.  Neighbors gave goody bags and baked bread!