Halloween 09

We had a great halloween, topped off with a Duck win!! We took the kids (well Luca) trick or treating during half time and it worked out perfectly. We only took him to 4 or 5 houses and he was beyond excited for all the candy. This was the first year we took him to strangers' houses so it was exciting. Gia held up, obviously didn't care what was happening....

His first house, not sure what to think

Gia is confused

Showing us his ninja moves

New addition to the Shimmin Clan (well Ford clan)

Charlotte Faith Ford. 10/24/09. 8lbs 9oz. 20 inches long. Beautiful. Healthy.

That sums it up!

Congrats to Traci, Jordon, and Jack. Charlotte decided to FINALLY make her debut Saturday morning. I am so so proud of my little sis for delivering this baby girl without drugs (not by choice) she is stronger then she will ever know and I hope she believes she can really do anything now. Charlotte, who we call Charli is beyond adorable she is so pretty and petite and just a sweet little soul. Jack is being such a good big brother, he is going to show that girl the world and I can't wait to witness it! I am so thankful that now regardless if Rob and I decide to add to our family Gianna will always have Charlotte as her sister!

100th post...

So I just saw this is my 100th post! Anyways yesterday I was looking for something to throw on Gia and grabbed this shirt that used to be mine when I was her age. My mom is suppose to send me a pic of me in it and I will post that when I get it. Anyways the shirt says Tami on the front and Shimmin #13 on the back, it is vintage :) So I pulled this picture of Luca around the same age and thought it would be fun to compare.

Oh how I love weddings...

Ok so I have been doing this blog since like July of 2007 and I STILL don't think to upload the pictures in reverse order so they appear on here in the correct order. So sorry about that. Last weekend we celebrated yet another Bellenghi wedding. Rob's brother Dave and his, now wife, Estef had their legal wedding ceremony here in Portland last weekend. Their big hoopla wedding will be in Spain in August! Anyways it was a very touching, private ceremony for family only. It was a great celebration of their love, these two have been dating for I believe around 6 or so years. They met in Spain while Dave was studying abroad and have continued their relationship across the atlantic for a good portion of it. Estef in Spain, Dave in Portland, Estef in Greece, Dave in Portland, finally Estef came to live in the states to get her masters and they were able to live in the same city! For those who think long distance relationships can't work, talk to these two! I am so happy to have a new Sister in Law and Aunt to my children! Congrats to the other Bellenghi's and I can't wait for Spain!!

The Bellenghi Bunch + Estef's mother who traveled from Spain

Typical David

Couples first dance

Gianna and her Pop Pop

Mr. & Mrs. Bellenghi

Ring Bearer had to be bribed with a lollipop

Pancakes on the go

So I have been inspired by my fellow bloggers to post more on my blog, so I will start including more stuff such as, projects, funny things the kids do, and other little tidbits. You may care, but I am assuming you do not. I will not however post tutorials on how do do things, because frankly I am not that patient.

I have fallen in love with Bakerella she is fabulous and I have been inspired to try so many of her baked goodies. This one I found practical for all you who have little ones. They are pancakes made from scratch in the oven that kids can dip in syrup. I am OBSESSED with them. I freeze them then pull them out the night before school and give them to Luca to eat on the drive (they have maple syrup in them so you don't have to dip them) Yes although Luca only goes to school one day a week I am still not able to get myself out of bed and cook a hot breakfast for him. I blame his sister for this. So if you want a quick, from scratch breakfast, here you go!

Gigi is 6 months old!!

So today Gigi (this is what Traci wanted her nickname to be when she was in the womb, I put a huge veto on it and of course that is just the name we all call her now :) is 6 months old. Man has she been a lot of work, but it is nothing compared to the joy she has brought us. She is a mover for sure, crawling (well scooting) and already pulling herself up in the crib! Her two bottom teeth are going to break through any minute now, and her reflux has much improved! She is a stinker and I am having a hard time getting her on a schedule but she will USUALLY fall asleep on her own if we put her in her crib and let her roll around for a bit. He is so much in love with luca, he just looks at her and smiles and she giggles! She has a huge smile, bright eyes, and adorable dimples and I just think she couldn't be any cuter!

Pumpkin Patch

So over the weekend Poppi and Grandma came up to Portland with their new RV to visit. We headed to the pumpkin patch on Saturday and had a great time. After the patch we hung out on the RV, watched football and ate chili. The weather was perfect chilly but not too cold. Gia was oblivious to what was going on but Luca loved it. Here are some pictures from the day!

Grandma wanted to ride down with Luca, I am not sure who had more fun?

Luca felt the need to do the heavy lifting.

His fake smile with Mama tells him to smile for the camera