Winter Showcase 2008

The Future Dance Center had it’s annual Winter Showcase last Saturday. This show is a nice little holiday tradition that gives the parents a chance to see what the kids have learned so far...and guess what!?! I got to dance too! Lori and I both performed with our adult hip-hop class this year and it was such a blast! It was nice to dress up and get on stage again :) Maybe we'll get to do the recital this year (hehehe)!

Here are some more pics and a couple clips...


Our first performance together in the same show :)


Me and Lori


Our hip-hop group...

Kayla's Jazz "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"...she is the 4th one from the right side (black top and red scarf)


Our Hip Hop (Lori is front/center and I am to the left of her)

Cookie Time!

It's was bound to happen sooner or later...the kids had their first "Snow Day" of the year on Friday! I had to take them to work with me for a little while in the morning, but by the time we got all snug and warm back in the house...that was IT we weren't going anywhere! Sooo...we decided that cookies would be a fun thing to do!

Kayla and Josh did pretty much everything by themselves. I supervised, of course, but they rolled, cut and decorated the whole batch! Tabitha and Steve sent them a box of 101 different cookie cutters for Christmas this year and that's why we have cars, dogs, trucks, footballs, helmets...oh yeah, and a Yankees cap!?!!?! YIKES!!! (hahaha)

Here's some more pics...enjoy!








Yes, that IS a Yankees cap amongst my Christmas cookies!!!


Two proud kiddos with their creations :)

Makin' Pierogies

Last Sunday afternoon we spent at Pom's house making the pierogies for our traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner (and a few dozen more to freeze to have throughout the year). I think we made 23 dozen cheese and around 12 dozen sauerkraut. Pom made the fillings and dough, Lori and I did the rolling, Kayla and Mom stuffed, Tom boiled and buttered...we were an excellent assembly line!


Lori rolling out the dough...


Kayla and Mom stuffing.


Tom doing the cooking.



We got to taste test some of the broken ones and they were yummy! Can't wait 'til Christmas Eve dinner!

'Tis the Season

It's that time of year again...we took the kids to see Santa and his reindeer at Niagara Hobby. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. On Josh's wish list... a Wii (surprise, surprise) and some more GeoTrax. Kayla asked Santa for the Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia) movie and some surprises. Santa asked Josh if he wanted some surprises too, and he said "No"...just bring the Wii Santa :)



As always, he reminded them they have to clean their room and go to bed early on Christmas Eve...I love Santa!

113th YMCA Turkey Trot

We were Turkey Trotters this year!!! Lori and I have been "training" for this for a few months now and today was the big day. We ran the oldest running foot race in America and were part of a record setting 10,000+ runners this morning. The 8k (5 mile) race was a BLAST! We had a great time people watching, and everyone was so excited to be part of this event.



Our times weren't that shabby either... 1:01:28 which placed us 7708th and 7709th (hahaha). It was some great weather and I think we've got a new tradition :) The family came out to support us and kept us motivated...I think we both felt pretty accomplished and proud of ourselves.



Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Election Day Afterthoughts...and more Halloween Pics!

I think everyone, no matter which candidate you voted for, is experiencing mixed feelings about this election. I am proud to be an American and proud to be a part of the generation that looked past skin color to elect a leader. I am hopeful that a new direction will lead us to a stronger future. It saddens me that the diversity and fear generated by the media has left so many terrified of this outcome. But, I am optimistic that we will come together as a country, respect and support our new President, and work together to make the changes we need to. It's going to take time, and not all of it will be possible. I hope he will get a full 8 years to make good on his promises...because he has a lot of work to bring us out of the damage done in the last years!

(off my soapbox) =)

And now for more pics from Halloween...


Me as a Geisha


Geisha Girl and Disco King!


The TREATS!


Kat Von D and Ami James


Lori, Dad, Mom and Me!

Tricks or Treats?

Boo to YOU!

Thought you might like to see the costumes of choice this year...


Kayla chose to be Raggedy Ann :) It all transpired from the red and white striped socks that I bought her last year around Christmas time. I thought she might get some use out of them for her Holiday Dance Show and she never did. Plus, she was desperate this year to color her hair. Thank goodness she recruited Gramma to sew the costume! She looks cute, eh? She went to her Halloween Dance at school last Friday and won a ribbon for most creative costume too :)


Josh decided to be a Ninja this year! It was all about the props :) I had a pair of foam nunchucks that were still at my Mom's from a dance I did a million years ago...and that was the clincher...he was going to be a Ninja. Plus, I'm dressing as a Geisha (photos to come) and I suggested that Tim dress as a Ninja so we could match...well, Josh heard this as said, "Mommy, I'll be your Ninja!" and the deal was sealed :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

A Red Carpet Event

Steppin' Out with My Baby...


Meg Ryan and Jessica Rabbit! (hehe)

Well this was certainly an Anniversary Party like no other...much like their wedding was 15 years ago, Denise and Gino do everything "full out!". The soiree took place at the gorgeous Mansion on Delaware and we were greeted by adoring fans and paparazzi. Everyone was dressed to impress and we all got the red carpet treatment.


Dancing to "It Had to be You" ~ D&G's first dance at their wedding.


The Girlz ~ Ellen, Faith, Lori & Me


Festive Desserts :) Yes, I take pictures of food!

The evening was filled with amazing food, wonderful champagne (which I had WAY too much of), and the best entertainment. Some the kids from the studio performed some their show stopping routines from the recital this year. Even the adult's joined in and busted out the hip-hop routine we just learned, although I'm certain it was after a few too many cocktails and it showed :) And what D&G event wouldn't be complete without a full rendition of "Thriller!" Fun times!!!


'Cause this is Thriller!


It's not a party until someone starts dancing on their head!

Thanks Denise & Gino for an amazing evening, and may you have many more wonderful years together.

Corn Maize

(Click image for credits)

We went to our first Corn Maize last Saturday night. Friends of ours, Barb and Cheryl, accompanied us to a fantastic dinner at Bob & John’s and then we were off to the Corn Maize in Wheatfield. It was an absolute muddy mess (thank goodness we wore boots) and we completed all 3 courses within a couple hours (mostly due to the smart thinking by Tim who captured a pic of the map at the beginning on his phone)…otherwise we might still be out there!

My Assessment so far...

Ok...I'm not a real "political" person, but given what I've seen/read/heard lately, this made perfect sense to me!

When God Paints...

What a glorious Columbus Day we had on Monday! We traveled out to Letchworth State Park to do some hiking...we couldn't have ordered a better day. The weather was absolutely perfect and the scenery was stunning.



We did a 2.5 mile hike that was a half mile straight down, 1.5 miles across and then another half mile straight up! It was a tough one, but I managed to get some great pics along the way. We even met a few critters too...

Kayla saved this fuzzy, little guy from being squashed (after it scared the crap out of her)...


These chipmunks were everywhere...but they sure were quick!


Grasshopper...


Family photo op...


And my favorite of the day...


Gosh I love this time of year...just wish winter wasn't right around the corner.

Our Baby is Seven!

Ok...catching up on my blogging again :) Josh turned 7 on October 1st...and we've been so busy lately, we're still celebrating!

Football season is winding down (thank God!)...one more week left! His last game will be next Saturday in Eden.

In the meantime...we've already started hockey practice and his first game is November 1st. Josh will be playing in the Mites Division this year for West Seneca...and will be sporting a new color. He's been a Moose for the past two seasons and he's thrilled to be an Islander this year!

Our Little Trent Edwards...

This week the Destroyers played East Aurora and Josh got his first start as Quarterback. He practiced super hard this past week on running his plays. He did really well even though the team had a rough game. Hopefully Josh will get to finish the year at this position, I think it's his favorite so far :)


This pic from the AJF website, photo by: Dave Gennocro

Getting Psyched Destroyer Style

I can't help it...this is my favorite part of the game. Coach Russ is our biggest cheerleader and gets these boys pumped up! They had a BIG game on Saturday against Alden. We knew Alden was good, and coach Russ wanted to make sure our kids were psyched and ready to make some plays. Enjoy the video, Josh is right behind the coach who is crouched down in the middle of the pack...follow the silver spikes :)


Josh playing outside on defense.

The boys played a better first half and got a touchdown and an interception...But by the second half they were already pretty much defeated and things went downhill. Josh has been practicing at quarterback this past week, so hopefully next week when were playing against a more even matched team he'll be sporting a new position :)