What we've been up to...

I'm writing only a month (or so) after my last post. Yay me. My mom is challenging herself to post a picture a day on 2011, and I'm thinking about challenging myself to do the same. It would be something cool to look back on.

Since Reagan is having "quiet time" in her room (naps are so overrated), I thought I would catch you up on our November and first week of December happenings.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving at Bon Bon and Pops' house, made play dough for the first time, colored on our faces, played Wii bowling, Rea saw her first movie ("Tangled") in the theater and enjoyed some beautiful fall Virginia leaves.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here are some shots from Busch Gardens on Friday and trick or treating today. Enjoy!

I love Virginia in the fall...

September and October have been busy months in the Garofalo casa. After Reagan turned 2, she started preschool. (sort of) She attends a Mother's Morning Out at St. Matthews preschool once a week and loves spending time with the other kids and her teacher, Mrs. Bowers.

A day after turning 2, R decided that she wanted to go poo poo (ear muffs, if this is too much for you) on the potty. We have good days and bad, but have graduated to pull-ups instead of diapers. We also have an array of Minnie Mouse and Yo Gabba Gabba undies!

With October came Mana's 80th birthday celebration! It was great to spend time with family and friends we don't get to see that often. It was especially nice since Grandaddy hasn't been doing too well. It was a group effort to get everyone there, but we pulled it off and had a blast.

Last week, we went to the pumpkin patch at Ashland Berry Farm. This has become a tradition for our little family and we really look forward to it each year. While we didn't get a stellar family picture like last year, we got some great individual shots.

I am relieved that our ward's Primary program was this past Sunday and is over for another year! It went really well and I was pooped afterward. Now it's time to start pageant season and have some pretty busy weekends. Devin is still working like crazy, but enjoys what he does. Things are going well for us in the R-I-C, so enjoy the pictures and be in touch!

As promised...

Birthday Pictures! (just a shade under a decade later...)

Tea for 2!

Well, not really. I couldn't think of something clever as the title for Reagan's 2nd birthday. (Please cut me some slack)
Anyhoo...Miss Yay Yay (or Reagan as you may know her) turned the big 0-2 yesterday! Can you believe it?! Devin took off most of the day so we could have a birthday lunch at Pizza Hut ("yum yum pizza") and pick out a toy at Toys R Us. That was quite the experience considering it was toy overload for a 2 year old who was about 45 minutes past her nap time. We made it home in one piece. Barely. But, the floor of our family room is now graced by the presence of a pop up Tinkerbell tent and tunnel combo. Luckily for me, it can pop down just as easily and fit under the couch. (I'm having mucho kid-stuff craziness around here)
After a much needed nap, Rea had chickie nugs for dinner and helped me make her a cake. After Devin got home from cub scouts, we ate a little cake, (Reagan sang 'Happy Birthday' to herself, too) and ended the day with a bang. And when I say bang, I mean a shower. Reagan's first shower. You may wonder why. Well, it seems 2 isn't too old to poop in the tub. Awesome.

I digress...
On Saturday we had a little party for Reagan at a park down the street. She had lots of fun in the playground, ate a yummy hot dog and got some really cool things. Thanks to everyone who came. It was a blast!

(birthday pictures coming soon)

How we roll...

...On St. Patrick's Day!!

All of you foodies out there have inspired me to take some pics of our delish corned beef tonight. Not too shabby...If I do say so myself. Bon Apetit!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

What a difference a year makes!! Wishing everyone the luck o' the Irish!

HOLY GUACAMOLE!!

Holy guacamole is right! I am embarrassed to say that it has been an ENTIRE year since I last updated my blog. I guess life has just gotten in the way and, for that, I'm sorry. At least I have kept up to date with Reagan's baby book.

Since it has been a year, Miss Rea Rea is no baby anymore! In fact, she's 18 months old! That means nursery! Since this time last year, she's walking, talking, singing, dancing and everything else you can think of. Some of her latest favs are: Arthur, (still) Elmo, the other Sesame Street characters, going for "walks" (anything outside), her silkie, Todd, Pee Pee (Winnie), drawing, and brushing her teeth. She loves to play with other kids and read LOTS of books before bed. She's sure to say "Amen!" after every prayer, too. If I had to guess, I'd say her vocabulary is up to 50 words or so. It seems like she says a new one every day. She knows some of her letters, but thinks she knows them all. She had her 18 month check up last week and weighed 23 lb.s 13 oz and was 33 inches tall. I take each measurement with a grain of salt because she wanted nothing to do with sitting or laying still.

I have been busy the past few months doing my duties as a Miss Virginia field director and the Glen Allen Ward Primary President. I'm learning as I go. I miss teaching some days, and really miss getting a pay check. That's ok...I wouldn't trade it. Pay checks can come later on. Reagan's childhood will fly by. I've also stayed involved by holding a monthly writing class and joining a book club.

Devin is uber busy with work. He opened his own office this past summer. He's slowly, but surely building up his business. Hopefully the day will come when things aren't as stressful, but that's how it goes. When we start traveling the world, you'll know we've made it.

This coming Monday I'm starting a fitness program: Mind, Body and Spirit with the hopes of developing healthy habits, dropping a few l-b's and gaining some energy. This is a 10 week program, so wish me luck. I'm participating with some women from church and I think we'll really bond and build each other up. If I'm successful, you can bet I'll be posting some pictures when the 10 weeks is up. To be honest, there's no way I can't be successful if I follow the program. This could be a real pick-me-up.

We had a CRAZY winter with TONS of snow here in Virginia. I *think* winter is finally leaving. I'll believe it when I see it.

On Saturday, Devin and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. It seems like forever ago that we said "I do" and I feel like I was just a baby when I look back at my 22 year old self. I guess I sort of was. (Don't worry, I know 28 isn't that far from 22)

It was a VERY busy weekend for me. I spent Thursday-Friday night in Newport and Roanoke, VA. First, Reagan and I visited relatives and then I (along with Mom and Dad) attended one of the many homecoming events for Miss America. ( We're proud of our Miss VA, Caressa Cameron, who won Miss America in January) I left the party and drove home in the rain by myself, missing the birth of a new cousin by just a few hours. :( Mom and Dad kept Reagan for the weekend while Devin and I celebrated our anniv. by going to a Primary breakfast, coaching church basketball and attending a friend's baptism. We did end the night with a great dinner of Brazilian food.

Just in time for St. Patrick's day, I traced one of the branches of my family tree to Ireland. I was SO excited to find this out since I had absolutely NO IDEA I had any Irish blood. It really makes me want to search even more. If you get a chance, watch the show Who Do You Think You Are? on NBC. It will no doubt inspire you. I have a personal goal to trace each branch back to arrival into the United States. I have a few to go. I do know that I have many generations of relatives native to America and, even better, Virginia.

Ok...that's it for now. I hope you feel a little more updated. I'll try to be better.