MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GUIDETTI'S

With only 10 days left until Christmas, I hope everyone has at least started their shopping, if not already finished. I think I am finished, maybe just a couple more small things to get.

I LOVE this time of year & refuse to let things like me losing my job two weeks before Christmas ruin it.  I am trusting that God is in control & will help us through, as He has in the past.  Yes, Toscana/Boiler House, has closed, due to the poor economy.  I have had a hard time with it, because I loved my job & all the people I worked with (also the extra money was very needed).  But I must admit, that I do also enjoy being a full-time mom again too, though maybe not the cooking dinner every night again =)

The boys have had fun in the snow we've gotten already, couldn't wait to get out & use their new sleds.  Even the bitter cold temperatures haven't stopped them.

My brother, Brandon was home for Thanksgiving.  It was nice to see him.  We were able to get a long overdue family photo....though getting everyone to smile at the same time is nearly impossible.

Andy's little brother, Tom, also got to have a 10 day leave from his duty in Afghanistan.  It was great to see him too!  He was able to be here for his son, Leo's first birthday =)  Please continue to keep him & his family in your prayers for a safe return back home next year!  

We had to find a new place to buy or Christmas tree this year....seriously considering an artificial one, but a real one is so much nicer!

 The boys like to help decorate for a little while, but they enjoy helping dad set up the Polar Express even more.

They also had their share of being goofy!  

But they can also be cute when they want to =)

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. 
 ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather we've been having....I know we have! But soon it will be time for snow.  But we're ready for that too because we just got new sleds!!

We've had fun doing the traditional fall things like

  Picking apples!

Picking Pumpkins!

& Jumping in the leaves!

Rocky isn't a little puppy anymore....and man oh man does he love to chew EVERYTHING!  

This is him after "helping" us plant some new trees in our yard

 (6 months, 48lbs)

We found some trees around the family property & planted them in our yard =)

Gino & Dominic were helping too 

(Dominic was pretending to be a tree)

The kids also participated in the kiddie tractor pull at the Wayne County Fair this year.  They did really good in their classes. Dominic   was really close to a full pull.  

We have a lot to be thankful for this year & look forward to celebrating with our families next week =) 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

And School Begins

So, we're settling back into the school season quite well.  Had a rough beginning getting Dominic adjusted, but he is doing GREAT now.  He even had his first real test (as real as a 1st grade test can be) the other day & he only missed one word.  He's also been doing great on all his spelling tests.  I'm very proud of him.

He just lost his 6th tooth....the poor kid better not lose anymore for a while because his mouth is looking pretty empty.

Rocky is growing more and more everyday.....he's such a good puppy, though he does find too much to chew on in the garage.  Dominic & Gino love to run around and play with him.  

Summer Re-Cap: BUSY.  But really we've had a great summer.  Dominic turned 7 & Gino turned 4.

Dominic celebrated with Transformers this year, while Gino still enjoys Monster Trucks.  They're growing so quickly & I love them more & more each year, even with all their little quirks that sometimes drive me crazy.

Dominic's most favorite thing to do is ride 4-wheelers.  He's discovered how much fun it is to jump a dirt pile we have in our back yard.   And of course Andy & Gino have to join in as well.

After a rough start to the beginning of school, Dominic was rewarded with a trip to Chuck-E-Cheese if he didn't cry when I dropped him off for a week & he put on his brave face & did a great job.  He has now settled in quite nicely....though he'd much rather be home, he does enjoy his days & has made some new friends.   We all had a great time this day.  The games were fun & Gino loved it when the tickets came out.

Dominic is trying soccer for the first time, but may not finish out the season.  He doesn't like it at all.  He does good if he tries, but trying to force him to like it, just isn't gonna happen. 

Gino is just as ornery as ever, but he's still my cuddle boy!  He told me he was gonna stop that when he turned 4, but he hasn't =)   In fact, I was cleaning the house one day & he asked me to snuggle, I said I needed to sweep & he said "snuggling is much better than sweeping".  I couldn't agree more, needless to say, I had to snuggle with him on the couch instead.  

Our most trying thing with him is bedtime, he still refuses to fall asleep before 10 most nights.  He's a veeery stubborn little boy.  How one can be so rotten & so cute all at the same time is a mystery named Gino.  Couldn't imagine life without him though.

The biggest part of our summer was in the beginning preparing for our bestest friends Brandon & Morgan's wedding.  We were both in the wedding party & it was SO much fun & we couldn't be happier for them.

So, I think that about sums it up!  Hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful fall-like weather, I know I have been =)

Meet Our New Puppy

ROCKY

He's a purebred chocolate lab who is 8 weeks old.  We just brought him home on Friday.  He's been a lot of fun....and a lot of work.  Forgot how much time & attention a puppy takes.  It's been 8 years since we had one.

The boys have so much fun playing & running around with him.  Dominic has been extra helpful taking him out to go potty.  He will be an outside dog, but right now he's spoiled by being allowed in the mudroom & kitchen.

We thought it was pretty good timing that we found him (in the paper) a year after we lost Copper.  We were all ready for another dog.


HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

Let the Summer Begin!!!

OK, so summer is off to a good start, so far!  We've finished the deck & have enjoyed spending time on it with family & friends.

Dominic is happy to be an "official first grader".  
His last couple weeks of school were fun, including a trip to the Akron Zoo.  He also got to meet his new 1st grade teacher and everyone who will be in his class next year...gonna be another good class & I'm very happy about that.

He's been enjoying his summer, though ask me if I'm enjoying the summer w/him home everyday all day & you might get a different response.   But I do have to admit it's been nice sleeping in & not having to rush off every morning & do homework every night.  Gino loves having him home to play with.

We've been having a really difficult time getting Gino to sleep before 11 pm.  He's in bed, and usually stays there as long as we put in a movie for him to watch, but he rarely falls asleep before 11.  We don't know what else to try.  Just hoping it's a phase he's going through.  He's not extra grouchy through the day like I'd expect, but he does sleep in till 9 some mornings, so I suppose that helps.


The kids have had fun swimming in Emma's pool already this summer.  Dominic jumped right in with his arm floaties on & even tried taking them off & made it a short way.  Gino got right in with only arm floaties too this year.  I'm very proud of them.  Some summers it's been quite a struggle to get them into the pool, but they always have fun once they're in.

The boy cousins (though we're missing you CJ!)


We had lots of fun at our Memorial Day party too, thanks to Jamie bringing some fun water activities =)

I also had a great Cornhole partner.

Well, everyone enjoy your summer till I write again (which will be soon due to Dominic's 7th Birthday in 2 weeks....crazy).

Deck Building Process

Well, we've started building our deck, I'm so excited to see the completed project!

More pictures to come.  Hopefully it won't take much longer.  It's gonna be HUGE & I can't wait!
(Andy is doing a great job & he's even letting me use power tools, scary I know).


I suppose my first baby boy is growing up ....he informed me the the other day that he didn't need his blankie, puppies or his night-light to sleep at night anymore.  It makes me sad, but I guess he is almost 7 years old.  Hard to believe.

Gino is still my cuddle boy though...we snuggle every chance we get.  He says he won't when he turns 4 though and that's only a couple months away, so I hope it's not true.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOM'S OUT THERE!!!


And to my mom, I Love you & thank you for all you do for me & my family =)

No Love like a Mother's Love

There is no love, like a mother's love,
no stronger bond on earth...
like the precious bond that comes from God,
to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother's love is forever strong,
never changing for all time...
and when her children need her most,
a mother's love will shine.

God bless these special mothers,
God bless them every one...
for all the tears and heartache,
and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over,
a mother's love lives on...
through many generations,
with God's blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,
for they love with a higher love...
from the power God has given,
and the strength from up above.