Week 10

Let's start randomly...

I received this picture after I had posted for Valentine's Day.  We did our annual murder mystery dinner at Lisa's.  She goes all-out to make it a lovely, adults only evening.  It was the usual suspects present except Meg and Chris joined us in Bethany and Chris's place.  Great food, a lot of laughs, and predictably Eric was the culprit in an underwhelming finish.

Back to Week 10.

This was a tough week for me.  Renna's birthday fell on Wednesday, but I spent most of the week in mourning.  So upset to see my baby turn one.  Yes, happy that she is growing and thriving, but sad that it goes by so fast. 

Tuesday, Mar. 5th

Lisa came to do Renna's portraits.  Renna was most uncooperative, but Lisa managed to still get some great pictures that I will most certainly treasure forever.  Here a couple of me and my sweet girl together.  More later...

Wednesday, March 6th
Happy 1st Birthday, Renna Marinky-dink!  I think I took about 100 pictures, trying my best to capture her essence.  A sampling:

Thursday, Mar. 7th

Just a couple of "real life" shots.

Friday, Mar. 8th
Someone with little hands had the camera.

The girls took a trip to the grocery store and Renna wound herself around it the cart and sucked on the strap.  So. utterly. disgusting!!!

Trevor took it upon himself to make a banner for Renna's party.  He was specific, and though he allowed Nathanael to help, it was clear who was in charge!

Saturday, Mar. 9th
I took these 3 boys to East Catholic's Fiddler on the Roof.  I, for one, was impressed by the talent.  These 14 year old boys were way too cool to appreciate it.

Sunday, Mar. 10th
Big Girl's birthday bash.  I'll post later, but here's a few to give you the idea.

Competition #2

DMA

Colchester, CT

Mar. 2-4, 2013

We'd been waiting a whole year for this competition.  This was a regional qualifier for the DMA National Convention.  Madison set a goal a year ago to take a first place.  She worked very hard!!!  

The big day arrived and she and I left at 6:30 am.  She was scheduled to dance at 8:09am.

Despite the early morning, Daddy and all the kids made it, as well as Lisa and cousins!  (Thanks for the support!)

It was beautiful!   I know she's my kid, but she was just breathtaking!  She has a gift, no doubt, and is passionate about using it to be a blessing to those who watch her dance.

As each runner-up was called we got more and more excited.  And then...

Junior Miss Dance of Connecticut 2013, Madison DiSalvatore--"You Can Have Me"

Can't say enough how blessed we are to be at Northstar with Miss Kandie.  She has poured so much love and time into helping Madison reach this goal!!!

So now it's onto Nationals in New Orleans in July!!!

The rest of the weekend was a success as well.  Lots of fun and silliness and awards all around!

Week 9

behind in blogging = squeezing way too much in one post

ready...go!

Monday, Feb. 25th
From my kitchen window:

Monday's laundry day:

Airsoft in the dark!

Tuesday, Feb. 26th

So thankful for our wonderful family and dear friends who were thoughtful enough to send cards after Nana's passing.  What an encouragement!

Wednesday, Feb. 27
Colombo goes to Vegas every year for conference.  I went with him 11 years ago.  It wasn't my thing.  I'm not into debauchery.  In my opinion it's a very sad place.  It just represents loss.  The drunkenness, gambling, infidelity, throwing away of money, smoking...all of it...I just felt like I'd 'been there, done that' and didn't need to go back.

Somehow, Colombo convinced me to go again this year and just chill for a couple days.  So I did.

We stayed at the Venetian, which is like a small city itself.

For the most part I did just chill.  I read some, watched some t.v., got a nap, answered emails, blogged.  I ventured out just a little by myself while Colombo was in meetings.

Wednesday night's event was a wonderful dinner in the club level of Lavo.

And I really saw this:

And this:

Thursday, Feb. 28th
This is a good way to start the day.

The Venetian has a river running through it, but it feels like you're outside.  Wild!

I had lunch at the spa cafe and then this sweet treat.

Colombo and I got a couple's massage.  One word- Amazing.

This was just one of the ceilings:

Vegas by day:

Vegas by night:

Right about here, Captain Jack Sparrow walked by and said, "Hey!  Nice dress!"  He was on his way to the Treasure Island show and was a dead ringer for Johnny Depp.  I was so taken aback that I didn't think to take a picture with him and regretted it all night.  Oh well.

Regret #2- Not seeing this show.  They only perform Friday and Saturday nights and we had to be back.  Shoot, shoot, shoot.  Colleagues reported the following week that it was unbelievable!

Regret #3- Angie Miller was on our flight out to Vegas.  I didn't want to be one of 'those' people, but I'm bummed I didn't ask her for a quick picture.

Saturday, Mar. 1st
So the reason we had to be back was Madison had her 2nd competition- a big one- which I'll post about later.

Z came over for a little bit of the afternoon.

Sunday, Mar. 2nd
The day started with Nathanael's last hockey game.  Right after I took this picture he went and scored a goal!

Then onto Passion rehearsal.  The boys right up in it:

Renna had a new trick perfected when we got home from Vegas.