Our Weekend

So on Friday, after a stressful morning spent at court (too depressing to get into details on here, but in a nut shell- my ex is nuts!), we decided to have a "Movie Day" at Baba's house. We gathered our favorite blankies and hopped into our comfy clothes and off we went to enjoy a showing of "Bedtime Stories".

Ryan, Baba and Joshie

Saturday we spent the morning running errands, which included Target and the Petco. Kaylee's fish had become a floater last week, and it was time to replace him. The girls enjoyed an afternoon with Matt outside, cleaning the garage, blowing bubbles and playing with a neighbor. In the evening, we geared up to head to Jeff and Danielle's for game night - for the adults and movie night in Danielle's bed- for the girlies. So once again, they gathered up their favorite blankies and comfy clothes and off we went.

Look Who's Turning 5...

I can't believe my baby is going to be FIVE years old on Monday, July 27th! I really should be cleaning the house, but instead I was going through all my pictures and thought to adding a set showing my little baby through the years would be way more fun!

Mackenzie Elizabeth - July 27, 2004

Do you believe this is Joshie and Mackie? Exactly 3 months apart to the day...

Sisterly LOVE

Two things I love about this pic....the dress Mackie has on was once worn by me, and can you guess the baby?

4th Birthday

Too Cute!

Mackie's "Snugglebuddy"

Joshie and Mackie

More Sisterly LOVE

Loving every minute of SUMMER TIME!

I REALLY have no excuse now if I don't keep up with my blog. We just got a brand new computer! My last computer gave me a good run, but being that it was fresh when I graduated college, many moons ago, it was time to put it to rest! Now, my new machine even has a slot for my camera card....so fingers crossed....I will maintain with updating my blog. Only time will tell....

The girls and I have been enjoying each and every minute of summer! The mere fact we all sleep till about 9:30-10:00 most mornings is fantastic. We spend as much time outdoors as possible. (Which is quite evident-just look at the girls skin coloring!) The funniest trip to the beach was when we went with my sister Nicki, her kiddies, and Baba (my mom). It was ungodly windy, to say the least. The kids try to make the best of it, while we sat bundled and tried to protect ourselves from the constant gusts of sand!

Baba, freezing on the beach.

Joshie- burried by Mackie.

Checkout their hair....

Aside from the beach, we basically live at Baba's pool. The girls are amazing swimmers. Even Mackie swims now without swimmies!

Jess and Gia enjoying the pool

We spent a day down Ocean City with Mr. and Mrs. Shipley. The girls had a blast on the boardwalk, especially on the rides that they treated them to...

Don't think Kaylee liked her position in this picture!

Spring 2009

Hello to all and...yes...I am actually updating my blog. Ok, and I am not gonna lie, quite frustrated to say the least. I now have a very good excuse for not upkeeping with my blog page- my computer STINKS! I literally sat down at 3:30 to simply get rid of the Christmas page and music and add a couple of updated pictures. Well, it's now 5:56pm, and I haven't accomplished much! I was going to make a promise to seriously keep up with Danielle and Nicole, but who am I kidding? My computer is as slow as dirt and until Matt gets me a new one, which is hopefully soon, I will have to suffer with this one. I mean come on, my hard drive is from 1999. I think it's time for an upgrade, wouldn't you agree?

The girls and I have been off since April 9th and I have enjoyed each and every minute spent with the girls! I LOVE being home and find myself much calmer and more patient. I guess sleeping till 8:30am compared to 4:45am could have something to do with it! I can't believe how quickly time flies....Monday is around the corner and I am NOT ready. But I guess I should look at the bright side, the sooner I go back, the faster June will get here.

This weekend is actually our Easter. We are Russian Orthodox (Eastern Orthodox on your average calendar) and Easter for us is April 19th. It's a very holy time, to say the least! We spend quite a few hours in church: Friday night- Good Friday Service, Saturday morning- Service and food Blessed, Saturday night-the Resurrection Service followed by Easter Sunday service (then we stay for a Feast and usually venture home at about 3am, and for those of you that don't know, St. Nicholas is in North Philadelphia.) We will spend Sunday at my mom's for dinner. If I wasn't working, there are services Monday morning as well. So hopefully it won't be another 4 months before I post pictures from this weekend. I do have some pics from last night at church (Good Friday).

Jessie is make such a lovely face because she said Danny stomped on her foot. He is the littlest in the center.

Hysterical YouTube Clip (the first one)

Check out the first YouTube clip! It is hysterical. It totally sums up parenting, especially at bedtime! Danielle, I thought of you especially because we were just talking about how bedtime is so prolonged, and the girls seem to know exactly what to do to make it near impossible! Matt and I laugh hysterically everytime we listen to it...I just had to find a way to include it on my page. Just make sure you turn off my "other" music down below and crank up your speakers!

How it all Began...

I was just going through some files of pictures on the internet, and thought I would include this ironic little background story. So here goes... Here is my wonderful parents, Jim and Barbara McMonigle.



They had me and my sister, Nicki (two years apart). I won't advertise our ages, because quite frankly, we are getting OLD! hahah

My mom couldn't wait for grandchildren. But, I don't think she quite knew what she was in for... Because, you see, in 7 years, my mom and dad acquired SEVEN grandkiddies, all to love, spoil, and spend time with! We have Jessie (8), Gia (6), Kaylee (5), Ryan (5-Ryan and Kay are 5 weeks apart), Mackenzie (4), Joshie (4- Joshie and Mackie are exactly 3 months apart), and then there is Daniel (1). Shewww...I think I got that right. So now everyday pixs went from this...

Jessica and Gia (August of 2002).... To this......

Poconos (Summer of 2008)

Baba and Pop-Pop's deck during the summer of '08

And....Baba's Christmas card picture! Like I have said before, my mom and dad are the most wonderful parents in the world and treat us all like gold. Even though there is SEVEN, plus my sister and I, they seem to have enough love to travel around! Ok, so just for whatever reason, felt like including that today! Back to current events.

I am really attempting to make a valiant effort to keep this updated, even if it is brief. Last night, Matt and I were supposed to meet Jeff, Danielle, Cambelle, and Chloe for dinner but unfortunately Cambelle got sick. So we decided to try Pizza Hut, against my better judgement, not a huge fan. These are the unhappy faces because we didn't go to "BumbleBee's" as Kaylee calls Applebees....

Expressions sure changed for Kaylee once she got her plate of spaghetti!

She loves her pasta!

Kaylee not so fond of Mackie trying to eat her food. There is one thing you learn very quickly about Kaylee, DON'T TOUCH HER FOOD!

This toothless smile is my favorite! Especially the wod of gum in the back!

Dinner at Maggionos

Friday, November 28th

Can't forget to include the amazing night Matt and I spent with Jeff and Daniel..ha ha I mean Danielle. We went to an Italian restaurant in the city called Maggiono's, not really sure how to spell it. Well can I just tell you how delicious it was? It's endless eating...and I mean endless! On top of the food never ending, the wrap up everything you don't eat and send it home with you!

This cake is endless...you can eat it all, and order MORE! Have you ever heard of such a thing?

After we stuffed our faces for hours, Danielle had an amazing idea! She suggested we take a walk around the city block for two reasons, one being to walk off some of the calories, but most importantly, to give out our leftovers to the needy and hungry people on the streets. How selfless is that? Giving something small to those in need, something I probably wouldn't have even thought of, but will from now on! Thanks Danielle!