Soooo, just for Kelli!

We're moving to Naples, Italy sometime this year. We're waiting for the Navy to get the money to move us. They haven't done it yet.

I fostered a pregnant stray dog for our local animal shelter. She was a sweetheart to us, alas not her babies. She had 8 very cute puppies, killed 1 and almost killed another. So she went back to the animal shelter and I proceeded to bottle feed 7 puppies by hand EVERY 2 hours. 3 went to another foster home to help me out leaving me with 4. Mr. Oreo ended up getting sick and died. :( Poor baby. So I was left with Miss Licorice, Miss Brownie and Mr. Nero. Who quickly became part of the family. (I'll have to add more photos when I get on my laptop) Once these cuties turned 8 weeks they went up for adoption and were adopted right away. I'm adjusting to not having my babies around biting my feet anymore. Great experience but I will never do that again!!!

Kiley started 7th grade this year and has been doing very well. Her favorite things include fashion, makeup and the Nintendo Wii. I don't see her often. She's a tween and doesn't talk much to her parents except for the usually eye roll our way.

Gabbi has been a pill but is enjoying 3rd grade. She also started Italian lessons to prepare her for our move. So far she's liking it. Gabbi is still into animals so having the puppies here was a dream come true for her until they had to find new homes.

We did go to Florida for Christmas to hang out with Steve's side of the family for once. Nothing like 60 degrees in the winter! We went to Sea World and Gabbi got to see her favorite mammal the Orca! Her and I also had dolphins swim up to us and put their noses in our hands for us to pet. You can't wrap that in a box and put it under the tree! Kiley got to hang out with cousins her own age and ride all the roller coasters. Needless to say it was a great trip for all of us.

We hope everyone had a great year and will have an even better one for 2010. I'll try to get pictures posted soon!!!

These are just a few of the pictures from my cruise to the Bahamas. Jodie and I had a blast!

Make a Smilebox photobook

I would like to introduce the newest member of our family. And the only boy besides my dad. My new nephew....Mr. Tyler Michael Cooper. Born Aug. 12, 2008 1:20 am 6lb 13oz 19inches long. He is a blondie and from what I hear, loves to eat!!

We just got back from our trip to Michigan. Gabbi was the flower girl in Romina & Fredi's wedding. It was FABULOUS! I was happy to be there and share in their special day. Now everyone else needs to have special events before we move again so we can go!!! Kiley was behind the camera most of the time or on the dance floor having a blast.

April has been pretty busy. We went to Aunt Amy's to help her with her garage sale. And my friend Donota met us over there and brought her new puppy Pacino. He's a cia-poo. He was a cutie!

Gabriella had her school concert. She sang and danced. It was really cute.

We also added a new member to the family. His name is Uno. (only 1 of his testicles dropped. Don't worry he's getting neutered) He's a poodle mix. He looks a little rough. We found Uno at the animal shelter I volunteer at. He was a stray that was badly matted so he had to be completely shaved. When he's wet he looks naked. I can't wait until his fur fills out. He gets along great with Vinnie and the girls. When he's tired he just hops up into our laps and goes to sleep. Vinnie's still excited to have a new brother that we have to calm him down.

The new house is coming along. I got the downstairs bathroom painted a smokey blue color. I'm doing a beach theme in the bathroom. I've pretty much picked out the paint for family room and kitchen. Kiley's doing an Ipod theme in her room (like the commercials with the blocks of color and the black shadow people) and Gabriella's room is going to be a light sky blue. She found a poster with white horses running on a beach. We're going to frame it and use that in her room. So it's going. The weather's finally getting nice (except the rain this week).

Steve's still working hard. He got home around 10:30 last night and had to be at work at 4 this morning. He did take a break and came to Gabbi's concert.

The picture thing isn't working so I'll add pictures when it's back up.

So on April Fools day I told the girls we were have a strawberry chocolate pie. Little did they know it was meatloaf with a mashed potato topping. It was really good. Thanks to Family Fun Magazine. Kiley wasn't to thrilled to find out that her pie was dinner and not dessert. I did get a cake for dessert. But before they dug into it they asked if it was really cake.

It has been freezing cold and lots of snow! That my friends is my neighbors mailbox! The snow is pretty but when the wind starts blowing and drops the temp to -24, you kind of start asking yourself "Why did you move here?" The kids are loving it and the dog is loving it!



New news: We bought a house!!! We're closing on the 25th. I can't wait! It's a forclosure and needs some updating and love. Which means A LOT of paint. The plumber that dewinterized the house so we could check the plumbing didn't realize the laundry faucet was on and left. So 2 days later when we got to go in the house to inspect the plumbing it was raining in the basement! So I get to do new flooring in the laundry room, kitchen and dining room. So I get to add tiling to my list. I am excited though. More to come....