Sunday, February 24, 2008

2/23/08--Ice Skating!











Today we went to Newport Skates in Jersey City to take Amanda ice skating for the first time. She didn't allow me to do a practice lap (since I haven't been on skates in a few years--so I was a bit uneasy) Inititially she was frightened by the whole thing --but after a lesson with Sara--she seemed to like it. She did well for never having been in skates before.

2/20/08--Puppet Show at the Hoboken Museum




Today after school I took the girls up to Hoboken's Historical Museum for a puppet show, based on Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. Goldilocks wasn't in the puppet show but instead was Bumba--an orange creature that Amanda was afraid of. Her friend Curran was there along with and Matthew from school, and Kyla Rose. The show kept both girls attention for almost the whole time. It was cute.


2/20/08--Mirror Mirror on the Sidewalk!?


Someone must have been giving away a rather large sized mirror and left it on the street. The girls had fun looking at themselves in it.

2/22/08--Amanda had a Snow Day!
















































































No school today (they called to tell me at 6:10am!) We received a total of 6 inches. It provided a few hours of entertainment for me and the girls. I was also babysitting Julie (9 mon.) who wasn't thrilled with the snow--but watched us. Then Amanda and I went to the toy store and bought a sled and she loved that until she realized she was getting wet because she didn't have her snow pants on.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

2/18/08--Sesame Street Live


















Mike and I at the last minute decided to take the girls to see Sesame Street Live. We ran into Jenny, Giacomo and Dorian along with her friend Sabrina and Luca. They were coming out and we were going in. Amanda enjoyed the show--Abbey loved the first five minutes and then passed out until last 5 min. when Amanda woke her up.








2/17/08--Valentine's Day Party







The White Family hosted a Valentine's Day party for the playgroup. Great food and company. A super way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon.

Cabin Fever Festival


Claire and Amanda are hard at work doing their Valentine's!
Who is Brenda giving a dirty look to? Just kidding!

Cousins--con't.....


Pop Pop and Brittany


Amanda, Alyssa, and Nikolas



Uncle Pete holding Abbster

Uncle Steven with Nicole




Aunt TeTe (me) with Brittany



U. Steve and Nicole






Uncle Pete, Nikolas, Brandon, Aunt Linda, and Brittany















Brothers: Nikolas and Brandon















Amanda, Brandon and Brittany

Cousins All Together

Aunt Liza and Nicole


Nicole, Abbey and Amanda in the bath--cousin Alyssa gave them the bath!
Amanda, Brittany, Anthony, Brandon, and Abbey



Nikolas, Ryan, Anthony, Brandon, and Amanda



Brittany and Abbs





Abbey and Brandon




Aunt Nancy and Stephanie




Anthony and Amanda cleaning house

















Anthony



My brothers and their families came in from Henderson, NV --(just about 10-15 min. off the Las Vegas Strip) for our Mom's services. It was so nice to see everyone.
My parents had 5 kids and together there are 10 grandchildren.
My sister Joanne (Joe) have: Alyssa (14), Ryan (11), and Stephanie (8)
Nancy--no kids-very smart!!!
My brother Peter (Linda) have twins: Brittany and Brandon (7) and Nikolas (3)
My brother Steven (Liza) have Anthony (4) and Nicole (2)
Me: Obviously--Amanda (3) and Abbey (1)
I am posting a bunch of photos of everyone.

2/2/08--Amanda at Madeline's Dance Studio








While we were upstate for my Mom's services--Amanda took a dance class at he studio where her cousins, Alyssa and Stephanie dance. Aunt Joanne took her (I didn't go with them) and apparently she did well. She loved playing with her new friend Ava. She wanted to wear her hair up all day long.

The "Dash"

My sister in law Lisa sent me this....

The Dash

I read of a reverend who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the date
on her tombstone
from the beginning... to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birthand spoke of the date with tears but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own;the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and lovedand how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard,Are there things you'd like to change?For you never know how much time is leftYou could be at "dash mid-range"
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,and always try to understand the way other people feel, and be less quick to anger,show appreciation moreand love the people in our life likewe've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being readwith your life's actions to rehash...would you be pleased with the things they sayabout how you spent YOUR DASH?

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Rosalie's Video Tribute

If you haven't had a chance to view my mother's video tribute--please do so. It is really nicely done. Go to the following website--then to her name: Rosalie A. Bruno and click her video tribute. Grab some tissues too! Really funny pictures of me and my family growing up.

www.copelandfhnp.com

Sunday, February 3, 2008

My Mom's Obituary

Check out the funeral home's website for a video montauge (if not on there today--try tomorrow)