Sunday Breakfast at Mom's

Sunday is know as Breakfast with Mom. Most Sundays the O'Neills can be found at Egg Harbor in Hinsdale, but sometimes we just bring in breakfast to Mom's. We try to solve the world's problems, talk politics, tell jokes and remeber the "good old days." It sure is great to be from a big family. Thanks Mom and Dad. Is is my imaginiation or do I look like the Mitchelin Man? Mom, me, my sister Pat, my sister-in-law Kathy

Terry, the Mitchelin Man, Pat and Jay

Pat telling a good joke!

Sisters!

A Star is Born

Alyssa is fortunate to be part of a singing group that performs for different charities. It is an amazing group of young ladies with so much talent and compassion. I am truly impressed with each and everyone of these girls. The group performed on channel 5 last Friday morning. We had to be down there at 5:00 in the morning. Next time, I'm calling Karen to bring her down there!

You can also see her performance from a local retirement community on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ZyH3GAxbY

Happy Birthday Sister!!

Happy Birthday Kath- I hope your day was special!!

I'm Thankful for....

Some people may say that the best part of waking up is Folger's in their cup. But, I am thankful for the view out my back window in the morning. I spent the day with the Tarantinos, my mom and brother Terry. As I looked around the table, I realized how fortunate I am and how many things I have to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for my Alyssa and Jared, who with their unique personalities, bring such joy to my life. I'm thankful for Mike, who supports me with my crazy ideas. I'm thankful to my parents, who taught me so much with their generous, kind, and forgiving style. I'm thankful for my family who is always there for me to laugh, cry, give advice or support me. I'm thankful for Mike's family who welcomed me into their family and always made me feel more than an "in'law." I'm thankful for my friends, who have enriched my life in so many ways, and have helped to make me who I am today.

Beautiful Summer Flowers

As I look at all the shades of brown out my back window, I can't help but to remember the warm, soothing colors of summer. These beautiful flowers were in a pond outside DeGrandchamps in South Haven. We visit DeGrandchamps every year to pick and eat blueberries. Our trip is not complete until we visit the store, where we sample blueberry mustard, butter and jams. They also have some pretty amazing fudge. Yum!!

Royal Twisters

The Royal Twisters Got a New Leotard

Alyssa and her gymnastics team will be heading to state on December 7th. It is such a nice group of girls who help and support each other while having fun. Their picture is in the paper and can be found at the following link.



http://www.triblocal.com/Orland_Park/Detail_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=37039


Such good friends


Wow! What shiny butts they have!!

Veteran's Day

Thank you to my father, brothers, nephews, and cousins who served in the armed forces to give us the freedom we enjoy. I also enjoyed my day off yesterday thanks to these veterans. I felt a little guilty because I did nothing to earn the time off but fortunately it did pass.

Mangia Mangia

Alyssa, Valerie (Alyssa's bestie) and I enjoyed dinner at Mangia Mangia. The atmosphere and the company were great, but the food wasn't so good. We couldn't finish our meals, so we took the leftovers with us. Val's ended up leaking all over her phone. So now anytime she uses her phone, she smells garlic. Yum!

What are you doing?

A few weeks ago, my friend Sue called and asked me what I was doing on a certain date. Sue is my friend from college and we just don't see each other as much as I would like as she lives in McHenry. So I'm thinking she going to suggest that we get together for dinner or some other fun activity. Not quite, Sue was checking to see if I was available to babysit her twin three year old boys. Too late, I already responded "I don't have any plans." I'm wondering if I can back out by saying that I need to alphabetize my spice rack or some other worthwhile activity. Instead, I bite the bullet, and head out to McHenry. What an enjoyable day we had. We went apple picking. As soon as we got to the orchard, I did the math. Two of them and one of me. Oh boy. Fortunately, the boys didn't realize that they outnumbered me. The boys were fantastic and stayed together. They sure did enjoy eating the apples.

After apple picking we enjoyed time at the park at the orchard.

We also went on the merry-go-round and the train. The train was the cheapest baby-sitter around. It gave me 2 minutes and 30 seconds to go the restroom.

Finally, it was time to head home for dinner. The boys enjoyed dinner and then played while I cleaned up. I figured I would need to allow at least an hour to get the boys ready for bed. Again, I was wrong. The boys split; one to get washed up and one to get dressed. Then they switched. They got ready so quick we had time to play before bedtime. When it was time to clean up for bed- they did. Bedtime routine included them climbing into bed, raising their sweet faces for kisses, and lights out. That's it I am sending my kids to Camp Stocker for some training! By the way, I haven't answered one of Sue's calls since I babysat! Just kidding.

Fall Traditions

In addition to our annual apple picking, our family always enjoys a trip to Bengston's pumpkin farm. Again we have been taking Alyssa since she was about two and Jared went as a newborn. I was a little taken back by the price this year (50 for all of us- without the pumpkin, kettle korn, snacks, etc.) and almost suggested that we don't go. In the end, I was glad we made the memories.

Halloween

What a perfect day for Halloween. It seemed like the warm weather brought out even more trick-or-treaters. My kids went as a zombie and a football player. I remember the days when they were fairy princesses and pumpkins. Boy the time sure does fly.

Angel Gianna

Gianna and her sister Val

This Saturday, Gianna was laid to rest. We will miss her gentle kind ways. She has touched our lives and enriched it. I am gratefully to have known her and that my children were blessed by knowing her. I am in awe of the strength and love her family has demonstrated in this terrible time. May they continue to have strength, family and friends to get them through their pain.

Beautiful Gianna

Today, my good friend Vicki's daughter Gianna passed away. I can't even begin to imagine the pain that family is feeling. Gianna is one of the most gentle kind person I have ever meet. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Gianna Update

Gianna continues to be in critical condition. She was placed on a ventilator earlier today and her brain is swelling. The dialysis machine has arrived from California and they are waiting for the pressure to go down before she is placed on the machine. Please continue to pray for her.

Prayers for Gianna

Beautiful Gianna

Please pray for Gianna Esposito. Gianna is the eighteen-year-old daughter of my very good friend Vicki, and the sister of Alyssa's best friend, Val. On Thursday, Gianna called her mom from Columbia College, where she is attending, complaining of vomiting and dizziness. Friday night, Vicki took Gianna to Palos emergency room. On Saturday, she was transferred to University of Chicago hospital in critical condition. Initially she was diagnosed with hepatitis as her liver was shutting down. As of the writing of this post, they are not sure what she has. Her liver and know her kidneys have shut down. She is on the list for a liver transplant. In addition, there is a machine that can be used like dialysis. It is not FDA approved so U of C personnel need to contact Washington for approval prior to it being used. If Gianna is able to use the machine, it could help her kidneys and liver start working on their own or it could keep her alive until a donor becomes available. Today her condition has stayed the same as yesterday.

Apple Picking 2001

Apple Picking Tradition

Every year, since Alyssa was 2 years old, we have gone apple picking. It began with just my family, then we started going with Cathy Martin and her kids. Then last year, Amy and her kids joined us. This we went to a different orchard. The jury is still out as to which is the better orchard.

Happy Birthday Times Three

Do you believe it, three special people celebrating their birthdays on the same day. We have my great- nephew Cooper, my niece Samantha, and a great nephew Eric.

May your birthdays be as wonderful as you are!!

Soccer Fun

The weekend was spent at the soccer field. Jared's team had a soccer tournament with 2 shorten games on Saturday and a shorten game Sunday to advance to the championship game on Sunday afternoon. His team is amazing because of the skill, sense of the game, high level of sportsmanship, and most importantly, they had fun.

Soccer Part 2

Being a player is tough work- almost as tough as being a spectator. The game to advance to the championship game ended in a tie, which means there needs to be a shootout. Each team is allowed to select 5 players to take a shot at the goal. After 3 kicks from each side, we were still in a tie situation. Finally, we had a goal to advance us to the championship game. Unfortunately, we did not fair as well in the championship game and ended up losing the game. The kids were sad until one of the parents pulled out Silly String. What a great idea as it put smiles back on the kid's faces.

Opening Blog

Well this is it. I fought the temptation to create a blog for a long time and finally gave in. I am still trying to figure out why I am doing this. It will be interesting to see how long I blog. I mean honestly, do I need to add one more thing to my life? Did you every wonder why they call it blog. I'm thinking it should be called blah, blah, blah.