Pool

It finally happened....our pool has been installed. Our pool was delivered in the beginning of the month. We were told we would hear from the installers within 2 weeks (which by the way, the one guy lives next door to my best friend and knows us through get togethers at my friend's house. The other guy is his brother). So, 2 weeks go by and nothing. Now, being the impatient person that I am and the planner that I am, they were not cooperating! We get in touch with the one guy (the one we don't know) and play phone tag for over a week (us calling him more than him returning our calls). Yeah, we finally get in touch with him this past Sunday and he informs us they can install the pool this week! Then the big question: do you have your sand? No, but we only need a day to get it. Not good enough. Instead of scheduling a date to install the pool, we are told to get the sand and then call back. Call back? Are you actually going to pick up or return or call? Tuesday morning called for sand, Tuesday afternoon have sand. And now it's torrential downpour. So, now I'm all worried about my 6 tons of sand being washed away by the rain! Okay, so now we have sand. I call the installers back on Tuesday and leave a message. Guess what?!?!? Yup, you guessed it, no call back. Surprise!! So I call twice Wednesday morning and did not leave a message and then again on Wednesday afternoon and left a message. Horray! They call back and schedule for Thursday between 12:00 and 1:00. We did some running around in the morning and were home for 11:00. I walk in, check caller ID and see their number, but no message. Right away I think "great, tell me they were calling because they can't come". Well, 12:00 goes by, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30...and no guys. Ugh! Finally 2:00 they show up and I belt out in the Hallejuah Chorus! And then it began...

Thomas sat by the sliding glass door in the kitchen almost the whole time watching the guys dig and "build the pool". Gabriella checked it out but was more interested in swimming in the pool than watching it being "built".

The guys left around 6:15. Now, it's fill up time! Hopefully by Saturday it will be full! We'll see. Below are some pictures and 2 videos, one of each kid. Hope you enjoy the pictures and hope to see you for a "dip in the pool" this summer!

Memorial Day Weekend

We hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, whether it was spent with family & friends at a BBQ or just a peaceful weekend at home. We had alittle bit of both. Our neighbors had a BBQ on Saturday in addition to celebrating their daughter's 1st birthday! And no, we do not look good as a family of 5 (see picture below!) Gabriella and Thomas had a blast playing with the kids.
On Sunday Tom and the kids headed to Lackawanna State Park for a birthday party while I headed to a baby shower. Not for nothing, my kids aren't that old yet and some of the new "stuff" that is on the market is ridiculous. I joined in on the comments the "grandmas" were making about "back in the day I did this" or "we used this" and nearly cringed at the thought that my knowledge and expertise on baby stuff was outdated (I'm not that old!!)
Monday was a day at home. Tom has been busy in the yard and the kids have been outside all day. The temperature is over 70 degrees so Gabriella's cranky heat thermometer has gone off. At 10:30 this morning she put on a tank top and shorts but decided that it was too hot and NEEDED the Elmo sprinkler to cool off. Thomas opted to go shirtless this morning but only to change into his bathing suit too! The pool can't be in fast enough for them...which by the way...should be installed this week! Look for pictures!





Gabriella and Robbie running in the sprinkler.












Gabriella and Thomas trying to stay cool. Needless to say, I am dreading the 80 plus degree days...although the pool will be nice!

The birthday girl!

Who needs a sandbox when this big mound of dirt is in the yard!

Us with the birthday girl!


Gabriella and Thomas playing with Robbie, Trayon and Ronell. The other kids opted out of this group shot! Wonder why?!?!

A trip to Girl Scout Camp

This past Saturday Gabriella and I went to Camp Louise in Shickshinny with 5 other girls from our troop. We spent lots of time making crafts and playing games. It was a long but fun day for the girls.
The boys spent Saturday bowling at a friend's birthday party. Tommy bowled a 91 and I heard comments today picking him up at preschool about how awesome he did.

The girls that attended hanging out in the fire ring

Gabriella and her friend

Running away from Mr. Bear. I love how Gabriella is suspended in the air (pink/purple tie dyed shirt)

Playing Mr. Bear

Alittle bit about us...

Tom and I met at The University of Scranton during Singers. It was the spring of 1999. Being members of Singers, we were expected to sing at commencement which was a good week after finals. To help pass time, we would head up to Chapman Lake for a few days where the school owns a retreat center. Tom and I met playing cards. At this time, he was interested in somebody else and felt threatened by me as I kicked some major butt playing SPIT. We both went our separate ways during the summer. When I returned in the fall, we became friends during Singers and eventually started to "hang out". One thing led to another, and we started seeing each other in December 1999. We eventually got engaged and married on September 1, 2001. We then welcomed our daughter, Gabriella Elizabeth, into this world on November 28, 2001. Almost 2 years later, on November 25, 2003, we welcomed our son, Thomas Anthony, into this world (And no, neither child was planned. I would never have 2 children so close in birth dates and in beginning of the crazy holiday season!)
Gabriella is currently 6 1/2 and finishing up Kindergarten. She has rocked all year long and is ready for first grade. In addition to school, Gabriella is in Girl Scouts and takes ballet & jazz. In the fall she also plays soccer. She is 100% girl, all drama and emotions!
Thomas is currently 4 1/2 and finishing up his first year of Preschool. Next year is 5 morning Pre-kindergarten. Thomas helps me with the chores when his sister is at school and also enjoys attending Kindermusik and libary storytime. He will also be playing soccer in the fall. Thomas is 100% boy, full of energy and creates non stop chaos!
Tom works for ADP in their implementation department. Tom graduated from Scranton in 1996 with his BS and 2004 with his MS.
In addition to being a stay at home mom, I pass my time by teaching at The University of Scranton, working per diem weekends at a local hospital, working for a home health agency and being a Daisy Girl Scout Leader. I graduated from Scranton in 2001 with my BS and in 2002 with my MS.
We finally built a house and moved into it on April 1 2007. Needless to say, we are settled and happy in Pennsylvania!

We hope that through this blog we can share with you the many wonderful moments we have as a family. We thank Jay for sharing his blog and giving us the idea to create our own. Hope you enjoy!