The Family Truckster... Russ!!!

This is the new "Family Truckster" we bought yesterday. Its a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with 52,700 miles on it. We traded in my (Vince's) Olds Aurora. I love the fact it doesn't have all the fancy bumbo jumbo Electrical stuff in it cause thats just another thing that can go wrong with a car. All the extra sensors and electric sliding doors just mean more stuff to malfunction.

Sandra loves to say we are a true family now that we have a min-van. She also said its a rite of passage. I am now ready to open Daddy Day Care. I'm sure Santi will love it. It will be fun to do a Griswold style Vacation in the ol' Family Truckster someday.

Sofia's birthday parties

Sofia turned 4 last week and we had 2 parties for her. These 1st pictures are from her party saturday with the family and friends at our house. We served enchanted bbq sandwiches and the prize of the party was the Cinderella cake Sandra and I made. It was mostly Sandra but I helped coach her with my expertise from watching "Cake Boss" and "Ace of Cakes". Thanks to all who came to her party we appreciate you all.

This pic below is my Fav: "Sandra the ace of cakes" She is available for weddings and bar mitzvah's.

Sofia's 2nd party was at Chuck E Cheese with her friends from preschool. Each friend brought a parent and in some cases a sibling. They had a great time eating pizza and cupcakes and playing games of course. It was also cool to see some of the kids' parents you don't get to see otherwise.

Sofia is 4 now!!! Wow I feel old. In June I will be 29 years old with a 4 year old daughter and a month old son. I love my family and am so thankful for them. If you made it this far Congratulations you get 5 gold stars blogfans. Until next time -Vince

Early Valentine's Day Present

Sandra and Sofia got their Valentine's Day present today. Homer (the Peoria Chiefs mascot) delivered flowers to Sandra at our house this afternoon. It was a surprise of course that I had to keep secret from Sandra and Sofia. I have learned from Christmas and Sandra's birthday that Sofia can't keep Sandra's presents a secret so I have to hide valuable information from the both of them. I even got Louie out of the bedroom so he could say Hi to Homer. He barked a lot at him, it was the biggest dog Louie has ever seen :)

Sandra was blushing a lot from the surprise of Homer and flowers he brought. I think I did a pretty good job. Happy Valentine's day everybody. -Vince

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOFIA!!!

Sofia turned 4 years old today!!! She's a big girl now!! She got some gifts this morning from Papi and Mami. She got a Princess backpack, Princess jewelry, a Princess dress, sweatshirt, and tshirt, and a puzzle. She wanted to open them this morning. Last night, Sofia gave Mami and Papi "candy" gifts for her birthday. I think I got the better deal... 3lbs of Peanut M&M's!! Pictured below is Vince with Sofia sporting his "Mater" sucker and then after Vince ate his sucker- he gave it to Louie so we could take his pic. Too funny!

SNOW DAY!!!

Yeah baby!!! SNOW DAY!!! It's so funny how everyone reacts differently to a snow day. I was rejoycing (quietly) and Sofia cried when we got the call from her school. She really wanted to go. One of these days we are going to film her so we can show her that footage when she's in high school and excited for a snow day!

Today
-Going to doctor for Sofia's annual check-up
-Possibly going to Denny's for a FREE grand slam (Vince says it's going to happen)
-Going to Super Walmart to purchase some items for Sofia's Bash this weekend

Saints Win!!

Awesome and fun game! We had a good crowd come out to the Iadipaolo's and the MVP was Durbin!!! She's a friend I met because of theatre and she's from New Orleans and it was so cool to witness the Saints winning with her there. She was so excited!!! Great game, great food, and a great time. Below is a picture of Jim's famous cookie cake that he decorated for the event, delicious!

Because of this wins, it just predicts that the CUBS WIN THE SERIES IN 2010!!!! YEAH BABY!

Thank you for a wonderful BIRTHDAY!!!

Yesterday was my birthday and I must say that it was a very special day. It seemed like everyone had gotten together and to made sure that throughout the day something special would occur. It started at home when Vince gave me my presents: Disney's Hercules on DVD (the movie I watch every year on my birthday) and an old record of Man of La Mancha. Just seeing the DVD wanted me to get back into my pj's and watch it. I had to go to work though cuz I'm saving my days for Santiago, so I headed to Starbucks where I got a free decafinated, sugary, caramelly drink that had so much whipped cream on it. The "barista" made it extra special for me since it was my birthday :) and it was free because I'm part of the Starbucks reward program where you get a free drink on your bday!

Then, I arrived at work where gifts greeted me at my classroom door. One of my good friends had passed on the "traditional Birthday hat" that is a cake with 5 multicolored candles on the top and another friend got me some fun girly gifts from a boutique at the metro center (who knew they made salad tongs that have sandal thongs as handles?) My students soon arrived and I got TONS of birthday wishes. Every class sang happy birthday to me and even sometimes in Spanish. My homeroom gave me a bday party complete with two cookie cakes! Then, Spanish 5AP also had a party for me. I received lots of birthday cards, and even TWO VANS!!! The kids asked me what I wanted and I said a Kia Sedona van so one bought a toy van for me and another printed off a pic from online :)

Afterschool, I headed home and was greeted by a VERY excited Sofia who wanted me to see what Vince & her had gotten for me... FLOWERS AND BALLOONS!!! They are beautiful and Vince said and I quote "I hope they last past Valentine's day" ha ha ha. We then headed to Red Lobster, which was DELICIOUS!! Towards the end of the meal, the waitress came out with a cookie cake for me (Vince and Sofia had dropped it off earlier in the day) I was very surprised and they all sang Happy Bday to me. We then went home and watched my all time fav show... BONES!! The episode was really cool and I was very pleased :) After Bones, we headed upstairs where we all got in bed and watched Disney's Hercules on another bday gift, a 19'' TV!!! So cool. I'll be honest, I was so tired by then that I fell asleep from exhaustion.

Thanks to EVERYONE for a totally cool BDAY! The phone messages, cards, gifts, hugs, and wishes. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful family and such thoughtful and kind friends.

Love you all!!! -Sandra-