FISH ON 2008

This weekend was our annual opening day Fishing/Camping trip to Belfair. Thanks again to the Wadley and McKenzie families for having us! We always have a great time and we could not have asked for better weather this year. We were extra happy to get to spend it with Aaron this year too! Gracie's Barbie fishing pole again did not fail her -- she caught 5 fish and could not have been more excited. The fish were biting but not for everyone. Carlie got the nickname "the fish whisperer" because whenever the kids were having a hard time and not getting a bite, Carlie would cast for them and they would get a fish every time. It was too funny.

It was hard to pack up and get Aaron off to the airport but it had to be done. We are grateful for the time we got with him and he was so happy to get to spend time with family and friends.

Enjoy a few pics:

Gracie and Kamy Wadley enjoying a few snacks. Kamy will be 4 this summer and has changed so much. Growing up! And she loves playing with Gracie!

A bit hard to see, but Gracie with one of her catches (look by her boot).

Aaron and Gracie doing a bit of night fishing on Saturday.

Emma Lee and Gracie -- gotta get a picture of our girls every year!! (They are just 6 weeks a part)

Our newest member and his first year.....Kolton Wadley (and daddy Dan).

Aaron taking Gracie for a quad ride -- good times!!

Happy 16th Bday Kayla

Our Kayla turned 16 on April 14th and we celebrated this past Saturday. She has blossomed into a beautiful, funny, smart young lady and we are excited to see what the future holds for her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Painting she got from her Papa and Grandma

We also were able to keep her in the dark and surprised her with Aaron at the party...it was great! Cara, Kayla Aaron and Gracie.

The Boy is home!

I cannot tell you how great it was to just hug Aaron when he got home Friday night! It was 14 months since we got to do that and hopefully won't be that long again! Welcome Home Aaron! We only have him for his short little week and I keep praying that the time goes by REALLY SLOW!
Did Aaron bring the snow with him from South Dakota? Is it really April? Let it snow, let it show, let it snow.....

The DiOrio's :)

Cousins - Aaron 21, TJ 22, his daughter Alena 16 months, Gracie 6 and Cody 14

Me and my kiddos...

Cruise 2008

Well - were back and I have to say it was a great vacation! Over too soon but lots of family memories to have forever. I think we are all in agreement that the Bahamas was the best - now we know why the rich and famous vacation there. If you ever have a chance to go to Atlantis it is worth it!! Here are a few pictures from the trip - I cannot find my notes on how to add the site for Kodak Gallary to get them all, but I pretty much emailed it to everyone anyways.

Also - a special thank you to Carla for being our "family travel agent". It took alot of time, effort and coordination to make this happen and we appreciate all her efforts. Alot of her extra tips were a huge help for sure!!!



Gracie in Belize
Maddy and Gracie in our stateroom window...little acrobats

Carla and Gracie @ Paradise Beach, Cozumel Mexico

This is my favorite picture of the bunch. Carlie and Kayla

It it the end of March, really?

Let it Snow?? I am ready for Spring and look what we get ~ SNOW. Gracie was loving the giant snowflakes that were coming down. I already sent these pics out...just wanted to blog them so I can check them out whenever I need a smile....

Easter 2008

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter Sunday and hope you beat the wind and rain to hunt some eggs. Thank you Carl and Deb for another fabulous meal. We are so glad we have our family here to be able to share our time, lives and love. Gracie is sending Auntie Carleena and Uncle Carl XXOO for her Easter treats. She really loves her jammies!
Have a great week!

Gracie coloring eggs on Saturday
This picture does not do this bunny justice. She got it from her Grandma Marty and it has these adorable really long ears. She loves it
Easter Dress 2008
Cara and Gracie hunting eggs. Cara is a trooper ...although we have come to the conclusion that Gracie is not a "hunter". I think the eggs could be right in front of her and she wouldn't see them! HA!
Our Beautiful Girls. Kayla looked gorgeous and all grown up (sniff, sniff).

Air Hockey Anyone?

Gracie and Maddy didn't waste anytime hopping on the air hockey game at Ronda and Daryl's. Had to grab a few pics of them having tons of fun. Also threw in a picture of Gracie from the weekend. Why does she insist on doing "peace signs" in every single photo these days?? HA!

Gracie & Janae

We got to have Janae Roulst over for a bit on Saturday and wanted to share a few cute pictures. She is growing up way too fast as they all do. She is VERY BUSY and I discovered she really likes music. She was having tons of fun with Gracie's guitar and keyboard. We really got her laughing a few times too! It was alot of fun having a little one around. Hope everyone is having a good Monday. XXOO

Happy Bowling!!

With the 4 day weekend break that Gracie had for Presidents Day, we agreed to allow her to have her first "official" sleepover. Her friend Abby spent the night on Thursday (Carlie and I both took vacation days Friday) and we took them bowling. Abby was a sweetie and we would love to have her back anytime! For the record...although the girls got the advantage of the "bumpers" -- they kicked out butts. Both managed a few spares and strikes. Abby even scored a 128 last game!

Gracie and Abby with matching pink bowling balls.

Daddy giving Gracie some tips.

Having a blast!

Come on baby, come on!! (The screen will tell you how fast your ball goes..this one was moving about 1 mph...really!) Notice we switched to yellow balls...they were one pound lighter.

Look at Abby's follow through....nice! I think she is a natural!

HAPPY HEART DAY!

Hello and Happy Valentines Day! Yes...we have our camera back! Yeah! Here are some pictures from this morning. I took the picture of the sky from a stop light this morning because Gracie said "look at the sky Mommy, it is red for Valentine's Day". I love how kids can remind you to stop and smell the roses, you know.

Hope everyone is well and has a great day.

XXOO

Stupid Camera

Wondering why there are not any Gracie/DiOrio family updates?? So I managed to break our camera in October beyond repair (broke the lense right off, a little wine and concrete do not mix). Anyways, a perfect reason to get a new one right? Especially since I was looking forward to having something a little smaller. This is a good example of the "grass is not always greener". We bought a new little Kodak. Not only does it not take as good of pictures, but it is already not working. Hence the lack of pics/postings. It is in the shop and we are looking at about 2 weeks to get it back. I am going through withdrawls and this blog is going to start collecting cobwebs if I don't get it back soon. Thank goodness for all the other postings so I can get my daily "fix".

No worries though....We'll be back!!
Take Care!! XXOO

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2008!!!

Kris and Carleena eating yummy cake - the last of 2007! What's wrong?? Is there something on my face?? Also note how I hold my "champagne in a can" so daintily (notice the pinky). HA!!! BTW.....isn't Carlie cute?!
Laura and our gracious host Melissa. It was a night of Family, friends, food, drink, Wii, Pool, darts, Karaoke (when Pat Benater and the Go-Go's came out...we got our groove and we were AWESOME - don't let anyone tell ya different!!! ha!). Thank you Melissa and Craig for a fun night!

Elk Herd

We have been having a herd of elk visiting our pasture lately. Woke up yesterday, looked out and we had a little overnight snow and there were the elk. It was a beautiful way to start a Sunday morning. Pictures are not the best...hard to get them without spooking them.

Happy New Year!!

Grace Isabella DiOrio - 3 months

Cleaning up my computer and came across this pic. Was Miss Gracie cute or what??!! This picture was taken just 3 days before she turned 3 months. Wasn't that yesterday?? HA!! Still the same sweet face only on a 6 year old! Wishing you all a great weekend.

Christmas Day 2007

MERRY, MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! WISHING YOU ALL A HEALTHY, SAFE, PROSPEROUS, FUN 2008!

Our Miss Gracie Christmas morning. Age: 6
Gracie with the baby she asked Santa for.

Okay..a funny story and yet another reminder that Gracie is a smart little girl and no longer our baby or a toddler for that matter. This big bow was on another "santa" gift on Christmas morning. There it was all big and pretty attached to her scooter. So you would think that the first words out of her mouth when we went out to see what Santa brought would be "yeah...a scooter". But not from her and I quote "hey, isn't that bow the same one that was on my kitchen last year?" (of course her kitchen was her Santa gift last year). I promptly replied "noooooooooo" and diverted her attention ~ but seriously???? Can't pull the wool over her eyes. The good news is I don't think she truly put "two and two together" if you know what I mean.

Another wonderful meal and family time at Carl and Deb's. Here is a shot of Maddy, Kameron, Kayla, Gracie and Cara.

Wii anyone? Carlie and Debbie bowling. Kayla giving Grandma some pointers. Thanks for brining it Kevin and Nadine!

Christmas Eve 2007

We spent Christmas Eve with my family. Of course since I am not from here and as the kids get older it is a pretty small event. Aaron is in South Dakota of course, my niece Ashley is in Montana going to college and my nephew TJ is now a married man and must split his time with his in laws now as well. But we had a great day with my sister Kelly, my brother in law Dean and my youngest nephew Cody.


Gracie with Uncle Dean and Aunt Kelly

Gracie and Cody by the tree. Gracie wearing these adorable silky cat jammies my sister got her. She loved 'em!
We were giving Carlie a little "sh**" because we had yummy steaks for dinner. HOWEVER, note to self....check to ensure we have propane left over from the summer. He had to take a little drive to find a gas station that was open on Christmas Eve that offered propane. It all worked out and it offered a good laugh (poor Carlie).

Gracie talking to Aaron. She LOVES her brother!