Monkeys!!!

awwww love the beach!~

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beach monkeys! Tybee island

Savannah Trip 4/2008!

2008-04-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

Beachside grub, family times... love them all together, sooooo cute!

Jetty

2007-12-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

Gabi and the Spoooooky Mask!

2007-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treating and Candy Frenzy

2007-11-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

It was nearly impossible to get decent pics last night! Everyone was darting back and forth, here and there, a bit of everywhere....

The twins are still sleeping off the candy high they were on last night... they ran from house to house, beggin for candy, and treats... they filled their lil baskets til they were too heavy to carry and then wanted more.. Gio and Chris ran full blast, it was hard to keep up with them, poor Gabi ran through the yards, her lil arms strained from the weight of the candy, she ran yelling, "owww, owwwww, owwww!" finally hobbling up the stairs to always be the last lil monkey to scream Trick or Treat at unsuspecting neighbors. She wouldn't venture near anyone's house if it was overly decorated or "spoooooooky." Marisa not being too old yet for all the fun, was a great helper, as it took two this year to keep my lil pack organized... They all came home, ate toooo much and then twitched and turned as they were forced to go to bed around midnight... I know, slap my hands, bad mom, bad! I know they have school... but whatcha gonna do it only comes once a year!!!

Welcoming Jet to the family!

2007-11-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

tired me, soooo exhausted..... yesterday was a busy, busy day! Roxy wanted a friend... we obliged and she is one happy pup now!!! Poor new puppy, has been mauled, chewed on and tackled more than he could have ever expected but he doesn't seem to hate it... soooo.... welcome to the family Jet Rockett! Yup, that is indeed what the monkeys named the lil guy... He is gorgeous though, all white Siberian Husky, one brown eye, one patchwork blue/green/grey eye.. pretty, pretty dog.... The wee monkeys and I drove an hour to his home to pick him up, Gabi ran from the car, hugged him right away and said, "I love you Jetty, you come home with me!" Gio ran around the woman's yard, with the leash and collar, completely not caring about the dog... whatever's my lil man had his mind set on Halloween.... We drove the long haul home, and mixed him in with the pack, Gabi played in her pirate playhouse with him, and everyone got nice and nasty in the sand box... cute!!!

A couple more from NYC....

2007-11-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

lil girl in a big city

2007-10-29T05:32:00.000-07:00

finally got that roll from NYC developed

2007-10-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

Marisa in NYC....

2007-10-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

my pretty pretty model...

taken in August.... some b and w....

2007-10-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

Christopher

2007-10-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

Medival Times, here I come... got the evil look down and everything....

Marisa

2007-10-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

Halloween try outs continue!

2007-10-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Gabi and Gio try on this year's costumes...

2007-10-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

awww man Halloween is gonna rock!

The Monkeys designs... cool huh??

2007-10-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Roxy the youngest of the monkeys

2007-10-26T05:51:00.000-07:00

she is just as cheeky as the rest... almost a year old... pretty dog... Marisa and Gabriella's pup, the boys couldn't care less about her, but her girls adore her...

Big Monkeys at The Highland Games!

2007-10-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

shopping and beggin for goods... we had a great time!

2007-10-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

Some more Highland Games, biggest disappoint, no Haggis... even Gio was mad, hot dogs and Italian sausage, that is right babe, give em the face!!!

Things in Kilts....

2007-10-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

hot wanna be Scot boys and other things in Kilts!

cuz I love this pic!

2007-10-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

The Highland Games 10/22

2007-10-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Gabi being the lil wannabe Scot that she was, was all about the games... she wanted to pet the Highland Cow, then be picked up and let in to see the Highland Cow, she wanted her own border collie, and even to join the parade of the clans... it was very funny...

randomness....

2007-10-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

ohh yeah and a naked Gabi, looking mad.... and mama and babe, and setting up the table for color time in front of educational TV...

wee monkeys in the car!

2007-10-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

hate to say this, but my babies are the prettiest things in the world!! I mean really look at that smile... tooooooo cute, this is how Gio gets to me everytime.. he can be the baddest mamajama in the world and then he gives you the eyes and it is all over...

The Many Faces of Christopher!

2007-10-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

strange pup that he is..... at least he is not mooning us... it could be worse!

Marisa getting ready for Tennis!!

2007-10-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

The NY Trip!

2007-08-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Took my oldest monkey and my best-est friend on the planet to the big apple to celebrate her 10th birthday... My intentions were to give her and I little bonding time, give her an incredible birthday and a break away from the world of lil monkey brothers and evil lil monkey sister... Her face was the cutest, this look of excitement, nervousness, and wonder always beaming... We rose ever soo early on Saturday, hoped the morning flight, a really bumpy ride... and Air Tran sucks... discount air indeed... yuck.... got into town, LaGuardia is not as new and updated as the Altanta airport, a bit small and crowded... but who cares... caught the bus to Harlem, which is where we were to catch our subway down into Manhattan... Marisa looks around her Harlem digs, looks at me totally confused, "is this New York, cuz if it is.... I don't know why you brought me here!" nooo... silly beans, you will see.... We exited the subway on 51st and Lexington, she looks up and around and says, "awwwww now this is New York!" baby doll hasn't even seen anything yet.... We find our hotel, The Pod- which if you are budget traveling through, is an awesome, awesome hotel... cute, clean, and well super cute... They are able to check us in right away, and from there, we took off walking, walking, walking... we took off in direction of the mecca that is the Chrysler building, and just took it all in.... Grabbed yummy bagels, and pretzels and explored... Hit up the Museum of Natural History which is the coolest! Strolled along Central Park, evening brought us to Times Square, where I had to subdue my lil consumer for her quest had brought her to a shopper's paradise... She didn't want pizza for some reason, opting for some panini's at Pax.. She was afraid heavy food would hurt her stomach with all our walkings... which is true... smart puppy...

Early start to a new day.... grabbed some breakfast and hit up the Statten Island Ferry... seriously cool... I got a kick out of seeing the curve of Manhattan accentuated by the hodge podge of buildings that looked like leggos and trinkets from far away.. Marisa was a nervous wreck on the Ferry, she wasn't sure about the railing... she finally warmed to it all, as she saw the Statue of Liberty.. I mean how often do you get to see that??? Next we wanted to check out the shopping on Canal street and get to China Town... although, being the girls that we are, we found an awesome clothing store, that we spent an hour in trying on clothes. I love my monkey, she is sooo cute, I could just squeeze her all day... She was soo happy trying on clothes, she has horrible taste, I must say, opting for bright ridiculous colors and prints... but hey she is just a kid, she loved this one dress, and was sooo sad, when I had to point out the straps were too long and it wouldn't fit her right... We took off down the street, braving the ridiculous crowds, we made it as far as Little Italy before we had to turn back and catch our train and head back to the airport to leave... But I did find myself an awesome skull ring... which was a must find... won't catch me in a t-shirt, this was my souvenir!

My baby girl, who is sweet and polite had the hardest time adopting the lil level of aggression you have to have just to get from place to place in NY... it was cute, but there were times, she would get so frustrated with me, as I would pull her, literally off the train or the bus, or across a street... my poor babes.... but in all I think she had a great time.. She bought tons of stuff with her birthday money... She wants to go back... She has already planned her sweet 16 trip- Italy??? better start saving my pennies now eh?? I missed my wee monkeys, but it was super awesome to get a trip alone with my big girl... awesome trip!!!!

The Birthday Girl and the Big, Big Trip!

2007-08-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

Birthdays are meant to be special.... soo special that the memories go beyond the blowing out of the candles... The memories you cherish for a lifetime... you look up and marvel at a world, that you have only seen in pictures. You reflect and ponder....And know that what you have is sooo very very special...
My baby girl turned 10 on the Saturday.... I wanted to mark her first decade with something grand... I took her to the city that has captured my imagination since I was tiny... and she loved it... She loved the hustle and the bustle... She loved the height of it all, she loved the adventure of the subways, the different feel of it all.. She loved the flashing lights of Times Square, the shopping, the food vendors, she loved it all... I loved that it was our lil adventure just the two of us... I hope it was amazing for her... I hope she cherishes it forever... cuz I know I will....

Marisa taked on NYC!!!

2007-08-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Marisa was the cutest... she couldn't stand the smell of trash, or the crowds or that certain level of aggression you have to have to get your way on and off the subway... but she loved the landscape, the tall, tall buildings, the endless possibilities of really cool things to do and see... by the end of it, she was asking how could we possibly move there... too cute....

and of course there was shopping...

2007-08-21T05:35:00.000-07:00

We hit Canal street and braved through the crowds, the vendors and the mess... We ate hot dogs and tried on clothes... Mama bought that skull ring she always wanted, we never made it to Chinatown but we did soak in a bit of Little Italy...

Yup!!! We saw the Statue...

2007-08-21T05:33:00.000-07:00

Ain't she grand..... Marisa was thrilled, absolutely thrilled to ride the Ferry and wave to the lady....

Views from the Ferry!

2007-08-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

The Statten Island Ferry is by far the best deal in town.... it is free.... You get a grand view of Manhattan...

The View from our Rooftop Deck

2007-08-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

awesome views! The hotel had this very cool deck, profided a most excellent view of the city!

Times Square...

2007-08-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

Could there be a bit more commercialism??? ummmm no, I don't think they could top the giant M and M about the eat the city of NY.... shops, shops and more shops... I had to restrain my poor lil consumer from even entering the mega mall that is Times Square... it is cool, it is bright, yeah it kinda awesome....

A day the Museum...

2007-08-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

by the time we made it to Museum, I gotta be honest, we were exhausted... our feet hurt, our bodies had walked I don't know how far... I would love to go back and spend more time in this museum... it is the coolest! Actually I would love to take all the monkeys as they would love it.....

The Museum of Natural History

2007-08-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

Seriously the coolest!

Views about town

2007-08-20T06:54:00.000-07:00

I am a city girl, I love the urban jungle, I love the landscape of it all... I walked around constantly looking up, and around, and thinking wow... the mix of old and new, the wind whips through the buildings, keeping it cool. There is just this very cool feel to it all...

Some landmarks for ya!

2007-08-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

2007-07-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

2007-07-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

2007-07-01T04:58:00.000-07:00

Giovanni 8/07

2007-07-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

2007-07-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

Roxy is all Grown up..... and still totally obnoxious....

2007-03-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

I could pack up the kids and move tomarrow and be happy....

2007-03-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

Saint Patrick's Day Parade from the window at Lilly White's

London Town...

2007-03-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

The Square.. the cars go zooming by...the people go walking by
The fountain does it's thing...
and you look down every street in awe....

More London at night....

2007-03-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

London at night...

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London as the sun begins to set....

2007-03-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Take a lil Tour with me...

2007-03-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

Harrods- a designer girl's heaven
Notting Hill-I wanna live in the Pink House- wouldn't that be the coolest
Portobello Market- now... my kind of place, fun kitchy and affordable!
Paella World- Love me some Paella...

The Coolest Displays ever...

2007-03-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

London Trip- pics of the wickedest museum ever....

2007-03-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

The Zoo- 3/07, first time babies walking on the harnesses.....

2007-03-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know, but isn't she the cutest thing??

2007-03-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Pulling into the gym yesterday, I offload one babe and then attempting to unbuckle the other, when she screams in total defiance, "Nooooooo!!!! My song, my song!!!" Who is playing, you ask?? Megadeth, Muther Fuggin (seems inappropriate to cuss when there are pics of you kids involved) Megadeth.... Gotta love it!! She screams, lil fists in the air, "I ROCK!" I wait for the song to finish, as she proudly bangs her lil fists in the air... after the song, she gives me to ok, I unbuckle her and we go on about our day... She looks just like me, she gives a badder version of the evil eye that I own the copy write on... and now she rocks, just like Mama.... She kicks ass....

Gaby, The Model Years....

2007-03-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

She finally let me put her hair up.... Gaby 3/07

2007-03-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

My Giovanni....

2007-03-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

The $85.00 Pumpkin

2006-10-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

Man, the kid in me spotted these and kept thinking- how killer would that jack-o-lantern be!!!!

Amicalola Falls

2006-10-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

Took the little monkeys to the falls today. It is a great fall day, leaves are beginning to change and the air was crisp and had the slight chill. Before it turns dark and grey, damp and we all have the winter blues- gotta get them out of the house and out in the wild.....

I'm a bareback cowboy

2006-09-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

Riding my leopard through the dangerous carpet terrain

Giovanni

2006-09-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

He is ever sooo dreamy

The Georgia Aquarium

2006-09-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

told ya I was coming.....

2006-09-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Watch out Beckham!

2006-09-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Christopher is coming and he is one crazy beastie!!!

This is the last of my lazy, lay around the house weekends. My comfortable, cozy Saturdays will soon end and chaos will ensue.... Right now the weekends consist of nice non complicated days, nothing scheduled, nothing expected, just some quality time with the monkeys, a few high pushes on the swings and a romp in the yard with the pup... Sport seasons will soon swoop in and take every spare moment that I had reclaimed as my own, and the ol mini van goes in full suburban mom swing. My oldest girl plays tennis and volleyball and my boy plays some mean ass soccer. So my evenings will be spent carting the monkeys around, snacks in tow, satellite radio on random search and large bags of random crap tossed in the back. They love it, I love it!!! I love the hustle and bustle, the obnoxious sideline cheering for my babes! I wish my parents had been as accommodating, when I was a kid. I desperately wanted to be involved in something, jeez anything... but schedules and family obligations constricted my time. In the 5th grade, they put in tennis and racket ball courts in my school. I was hooked seriously, every morning I showed up at my best friend's house, rackets in hand begging her to go play. She hated every second of it, and frankly she sucked, but she was an excellent friend and she dealt with me. I would play everyday for an hour before school, I was soo into it... who knows, if things had been different, I could have gone all the way, even been on the cover of Wheaties.... or maybe not... either way, and obviously no resentment in tact (not...) I am totally looking forward to this spring season....ohh yeah, the crazy one in the pic-that one is mine- his body is much more suited for football than soccer and he treats every game as a mission to seek and destroy. Seriously, he runs down the field, just knocking kids down left and right... it is awesome- he makes me soooo proud...

School Days, School Days

2006-09-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

Gabriella and Giovanni

2006-09-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

At the High Museum playroom- Told ya art was fun!!!

ohh silly me...........

2006-09-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

I think I look fat in this pic.. ugh... but my kids said post it...

Saint Augustine

2006-09-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

The kids love this little city...

Gabriella- The Serious Beach Bunny

2006-09-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

mmmmm, Mommy took us to a fancy resturant...

2006-09-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

And all we ate was bread....
on a fork

yum yum

Gaby and Gio

2006-09-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

A talkative parrot can be a mother's best friend

The never saw it coming

2006-09-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

The kids tried out their best Croc wrestling moves..

Vacation!!!!

2006-09-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

Awwww, the family pix.. Don't worry we did not feed Gaby to the Crocs- she is just a grumpy girl....

Gio and Gaby checking out the locals

2006-09-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

How close are you to the gators? Ummm pretty close!

Alligator Farm- Saint Augustine Florida

2006-09-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

The Alligator Farm in Saint Augustine is a must!! Where else can you start a alligator freeding frenzy with just some sprinklings of dog food??? We walked through the park sporting our best faux Australian accents, "that's the biggest croc, I have ever seen!" who knew poor Steve Irwin would leave us the next day. We will miss you, ya crazy bloke... thank you for fueling our respect and fascination of nature and the almighty croc!

Giovanni

2006-06-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Babies are the best thing ever!

Marisa and Gaby

2006-06-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

Marisa

2006-06-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

I think the very first time I realized what love was, was the first time I was handed my baby girl.. She was sooo beautiful, looking up at me with those big brown eyes.. She melted my heart and all my wounds and scars suddenly seemed to close and disappear. Like a new start, had just enveloped the horizon, and all my yesterdays cease to exist. She has been my best friend through it all, and out of all the people in the world she understands me best. She is strong yet sensitive, sweet but stern and she is everything I wished I had been as a kid. The apple of every teachers eye, and the first one to take all the wounded birds under her wing. I can still remember taking her to go see the Spice Girls (ugh is right) for her first birthday and her shaking her little tambourine.. She drove cross country with me when my ex, kicked us to the curb (the first time) and shared in my excitement as we crossed the Mississippi, shouting RIVER as loud as we could. She amazed me with her ease and grace when we visited Paris and she picked up about 20 french words right off the bat. Her little face lights up with every new day. She like me, wears her heart on her sleeve and her disappointments on her face. She speaks her mind, and stands up for her beliefs. She has this amazing love for her family and fierce loyalty to her siblings. Funny sometimes you don't know how much you love them till you think something is wrong.. Today, her bus was over an hour late, I sat impatiently looking out the window waiting to hear the loud roar of the engine as it climbed the hill. But it didn't happen.... I called her school, and the words from the receptionist made me tear up before she could even finish her sentence. "is your child on bus 11?" yes, I answered trembling, like ohhh shit what happened.... She answered everything is fine, the bus driver had forgotten it was a half day, he just arrived, your child's bus will be there shortly... Ok, cool...... but scary how every moment good and bad can flash before your eyes in the matter of seconds...hug the ones you love, often......

Niki de Saint Phalle

2006-05-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Botanical Gardens is currently showing the world's largest exhibition of internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle's outdoor sculptures ever presented.

Gabriella

2006-05-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

2006-05-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Dale Chihuly did a fabulous exhibit last year at the Botanical Gardens, there is still a few pieces left.

Botanical Garden

2006-05-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

Off on another adventure!

Giovanni

2006-05-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

Gabriella

2006-05-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

Marisa

2006-05-17T06:03:00.001-07:00

Christopher

2006-05-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

Christopher

2006-05-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

Introducing the KING

Gabriella and Marisa

2006-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

My girls so seriously making a sandcastle

Gabriella

2006-05-17T05:59:00.001-07:00

Giovanni

2006-05-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

This little guy is in love with the beach

Marisa

2006-05-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

Marisa

2006-05-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Giovanni

2006-05-17T05:55:00.000-07:00

Giovanni

2006-05-17T05:54:00.000-07:00

Gabriella

2006-05-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

Giovanni

2006-05-17T05:52:00.000-07:00

Gio and Marisa

2006-05-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

Gabriella

2006-05-17T05:50:00.000-07:00