MERRY CHRISTMAS Memories...

There's always mixed feelings when the Christmas season comes to a close...the decorations are much more fun going up than coming down; the extra pounds from eating too much GOOD food are making me uncomfortable, so my perpetual New Year's resolution rears its ugly head once again: lose weight! On a positive note, getting back to a "normal routine" will be a plus in many ways.  AND, the time spent with family and friends is one of the best memories we hold dear, and that's where I LOVE photographs in order to record special moments/memories when we are all together each and every holiday! 

Our daughter Jennifer getting to know her nephew, Landon, during her Christmas visit!

Cailyn is very happy with ner new Minnie Mouse from Mimi and Grandpa!

Landon cuddling his new stuffed puppy dog!

Playing games during the children's naptime...Grandpa's naptime too! ;-)

The stockings are filled and ready to "open" after naps. The stockings have been accumulated over the years, gifts from my sister as she created each and every one of them!
My parents joined us for a lasagne dinner, and they enjoyed playing with Landon and Cailyn too!

Two days later we celebrated Christmas with our extended family at my sister's home.  Terry and Ken hosted a wonderful party, and we all contributed to the mexican food dinner fare. Here they are in front of their beuatiful stocking-ladened fireplace!

Here's Cailyn getting acquainted with her newest cousin, Noah, who lives in Mississippi.

Here's my sister with her 5th grandson, Noah! He is 7 months old.   His mommy, Jamie, is shown here with her sister-in-law Amy and cousins, Alissa and Jennifer! Noah's daddy, Jeremy, our nephew, was unable to come to Arizona for Christmas due to his job schedule requirements.  We hope to see him in January for a quick visit though!

Here's my niece MaryBeth cuddling Landon who was very fascinated with her sparkling necklace!  Cailyn and Landon love seeing all their cousins again!

Cailyn and Ethan are about 6 months apart, and my niece Amy is Ethan's mommy. The three of them are enjoying a special conversation together!

Here are Ethan's older brothers, Garrett (standing) and Aiden...they are ready to play a fun game on their Papa's pool table turned into a game table for the evening!

My nephew Chris, married to MaryBeth, has his arms full of fun...nephew Noah and his own son, Bode who is 18 months old already! 

Alissa and Alan sharing some time with their grandparents...and with their niece and nephew!

Mike and Corissa enjoying dinner with Cailyn...

Two sisters preparing the salad before dinner! 

Niece, Amy and her husband, Chris, enjoying a quiet moment between games and gift opening!  Whew!! Time to catch your breath!

So, as I contemplate taking down the Christmas decorations, I am so happy to have these photos...to remember some very special Christmas moments with our dear family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALISSA!!!

Christmas Eve is a special day for many people, but is extra-special for our family, as that is when our second baby came into the world.  Alissa Noel didn't want to miss Christmas in 1980...and it's absolutely her favorite time of year, each and EVERY year!!  We celebrated her birthday this year on Dec. 22 with a special dinner of fettucine alfredo and chicken cutlets which is a family favorite.

Her sister Jennifer arrived from Florida late the night before, so we enjoyed seeing all of our children together again at one table!  Niece Cailyn made her aunt a special bookmark, wrapped it with very special stickers, and helped her aunt unwrap it too!

Alissa received a funny card and button from Jennifer...

                                   

We enjoyed alot of laughs that evening, and Jennifer enjoyed seeing her new nephew Landon for the first time!  He's such an easy-going baby, very smiley, and says "hi" to everyone he sees!

  This morning, we ALL met at 8:15 a.m. at Joe's Farm Grill for a Birthday Breakfast for Alissa!  The food is delicious, and it was fun to celebrate again on the actual "day"!

After breakfast, coincidentally we were all headed to the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert to enjoy a brisk walk in the 40 degree "winter" climate!! 

Cailyn requested Aunt Jennifer push the stroller....the kids were all bundled up warm in blankets too!

It was a beautiful morning...and a beautiful day for Alissa! Thanks for letting us ALL share in your special day!  Happy Birthday, dear Alissa!!

Time to Celebrate

A couple weekends ago, the Ruggiero family gathered at Dianne & Arthur's home for an early Christmas celebration!  We started the festivities at 4:00, and enjoyed seeing our loved ones again, and sharing dinner together.  Here is Art busily cooking the "shrimps on the barbie" (using a fryer), and below Kim is playing with Effie, niece Natalie's prized pooch!

We are continuing the tradition of having fish on Christmas Eve, so Martin & Kim made a delicious lobster-based tomato sauce for the capellini pasta.  Dianne and Arthur breaded and fried LOTS of shrimp.  Vince and I made traditional fishcakes using Mom Ruggiero's recipe. 

All the younger generation contributed to the dinner as well.  Austin and his girlfriend Giana are pictured here.  Giana made home-made frosted sugar cookies with names on them...the cookies were our "placecards" for the beautiful table settings.

Natalie made delicious ricotta cookies, her Nana's recipe, and they looked so pretty on the cookie trays.

Josh and Beth brought over two delicious appetizers, and Beth made "S" cookies, a traditional italian cookie!  Yummy!

Here you can see Dianne & Art's beautiful tree...decorated with a very special collection of ornaments.

Alissa & Alan brought a delcious salad; Mike and Corissa brought healthy veggies to munch on!

Cailyn and Landon enjoyed getting acquainted with their extended family...

Cousin Troy brought in two HUGE teddy bears...what a surprise for the little ones!! Thanks to Uncle Martin & Aunt Kim too!

Aunt Dianne and Uncle Arthur gave Landon a book and truck; Cailyn received a new doll and feeding set!  You can see how pleased she is; Cailyn LOVES her dollies!!

And by the end of the evening, Cailyn and Effie were best pals....she wanted to be sure Effie was nearby!

(Did you know that "red-eye" correction will not work on animal photographs, only on humans??! I did try to remove the red-eye on Effie with no luck!) 

 Dianne's mother, Betty, gave everyone home-made pomegranate jelly. Delicious!! We missed seeing John this year as he was ill that night. 

Thanks again to our hosts, Dianne & Art, for making the evening so special for everyone!

Our Christmas celebrations will continue this weekend, after we celebrate Alissa's birthday tomorrow evening.  In addition, we will celebrate our oldest daughter's homecoming...Jennifer arrives in Arizona tonight at 11:00 pm. for 8 days. We can't wait to see her again! It's been a long 16 months!!

December moments

Half the month has flown by, but I want to share a few recent moments...

Landon is 10 months old!

Aunt Alissa with sweet Cailyn at DQ....the night we saw "Santa Claus" at San Tan Village!!
We also saw a horse-drawn carriage, "dancing trees" set to the music of Mannheim Steamroller, a HUGE Christmas wreath, snow-blowing machines and beautiful twinkling lights!! 

Landon patiently waiting at the DQ while we get to eat ice cream...it won't be long until you get your "first taste" of vanilla, Landon!

Grandpa enjoying his grandson....it was a very memorable evening to enjoy being together! 

Corissa and Mike went with their children to sit on Santa's lap...and that was a smart plan!  Cailyn asked Santa for Donald and Daisy (as in "Duck")...and when we passed by the Disney Store, Mimi was able to LOOK at the wished-for toys as Cailyn knew exactly where they were in the store! ;-)

Thanks to Corissa and Michael for including us in this special evening....these "moments" will become very special memories in the years to come!