Life with Quinn

Here are a few shots of Quinn this last week.


Drawing his escape map.

and then there's "why can't I sit on this garage?"

And then finishing up his emails for work and then checking his fantasy football teams.

a few more...

From our Mancini Party...

Mancini Family Christmas

We had a blast at the Annual Mancini Christmas. This year it was hosted by my Uncle and his girlfriend at her Inn. www.lilyhouseinn.com It was such a beautiful place. I fell in love with it.
Here are some memorable pics from our night!

Christmas Traditions

I love Christmas, but I think more for the traditions that go with it. Shawn and I have tried very hard to add lots of traditions to our holidays. I had the kids name them off to me this year, and they remembered each one! They start with the Tree. We go to the same small farm every year. And every year we choose a special ornament that shows what was most memorable about our year. This ornament goes right in the center of the front of the tee. We then have with Christmas Eve with Shawn's family. The favorite part for them is sprinkling the reindeer food on the lawn with Grandpa Don. After everyone leaves, they get to open one present before bed. Each year, its PJ's. Even though they know, its still so exciting for them.
Christmas Morning brings presents, but also Grandpa George & Moona, and the Uncles. Followed by a lazy Christmas Day. On the 26th, it's off to Memere's for Uncle Patricks birthday party. Where they get to play with cousins Alyssa, Jillian, Jason and Lindsay.
Seeing Christmas through their eyes is what this season is all about. Spending time with our families the most rewarding thing for Shawn and I at the end of a hard worked, hard fought year.
I've attached pictures of cookie making and our tree...and this year's special ornament. A dog's version of baby's first Christmas ;)

SNOW!

We finally had snow!! We were getting concerened that it wasn't going to be a white Christmas! So we all bundled up and headed out pretty early. It was Murphy's first real snow. He tried to eat it all. Then he tried to be a sled dog. The kids laughed so hard. Quinn tried to play baseball. It was too difficult with mittens on though. We finished it off with some Hot Chocolate and a Christmas Movie.
A day well spent.

Thankful

Thanksgiving is such a nice time of year. The holidays without all the fuss of the money spent on gifts. We were able to see most of the family, and missed some others dearly, but it was really nice to see everyone. The kids have said time and again that they are thankful for their family. I agree. Even those that are far away were close to us.
Happy Thanksgiving. Here are a few pics of the kids all dressed up!

Happy 5th Birthday Colin!!

How is my little guy already five?? He's growing up so quickly. He's big into football right now. It's all about football, wii and baseball. And girls. That much about Colin isn't changing! There's a little girl Tess in his class that he walks out with everyday holding hands. But don't worry, his girlfriend in another girl. Only Colin!

Football Season

Quinn has learned touchdown...and does so all the time when he wears his Brady shirt.
Quinn also learned how to unroll the paper towel roll so that he can have the cardboard center.
Nicole has learned to put the paper towels away after using them.
This picture brought back a memory of other messes that we've seen through the years when we thought a quick minute away wouldn't cause any harm. Colin and his wipes and Loren with her fishes. You would've thought that we would've learned!!

Playing with Memere...

Here's Quinn enjoying time with Memere, alone. He likes to steal her away from his siblings. I think he has her wrapped!!

Happy Fall!

We took the kids out to enjoy the fall leaves and pumpkins yesterday. Quinn was a riot. He was taking the leaves from the ground and trying to re attach them to the trees. Then later we headed over to Memere's and Grandpa's for dinner. Memere had Quinn counting with her to three while they played with all her goodies in the kitchen. It was a nice day to spend a lazy cold Saturday afternoon!

Back to School...

Loren and Colin are both back at school. Loren is taking on 1st grade and Colin is finishing up his final year of Preschool. Colin switched to a new school this year and just loves it. Even Pizza day ... he finally eats Pizza.

With school though, comes all the fun of the "Extra's". Loren started Fairy Tale Ballet lessons this week and at the beginning of Oct. she'll be doing Irish Step Dancing as well. She's also attending a new dance school and so far she loves it. She's learned more in one night than the two years at her previous studio.

Quinn didn't escape the newness of September either...he started with his new babysitter. Tiffany will be watching him at our house. Tiffany is an "old" face around here. She is the daughter of our babysitter that passed away. It's been great to have her entire family back in our lives. She brings her 9mth old Jakob with her and that poor kid is getting the whole Skelly Clan Experience!!

Here are pics of Loren & Colin on the first day of school.

A disney slideshow...

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Here is a quick slideshow of our week at Disney. We had a blast and are counting down the days until we go again next May!!

Summer Time...

Poor Quinn. He has fluffy hair. A lot of it. We went for a cut and decided it was time for the traditional summer buzz cut. He looks so different..it brought tears to my eyes. He looks too grown up. I have never been the type to cry over haircuts, but after seeing him I just wanted to put the hair back on!! I guess I have to let him grow up. Sigh. Here's my big boy in his before and after shots!

A Beach of A Day...

The three amigos and I hit Rocky Neck State Park in CT today for our first ever beach outing. Loren was beyond happy and excited. She loved the shells, the water, the sand. All of it. Colin, he was all about trying to catch the Jelly Fish..OY VEY! .. But I have to tell you...when we go swimming, he's not that big of a water fan. Today, in the Sound, He was having the time of his life. No issues with getting wet. And I think he brought half the beach home with him! Quinn hated it. Not impressed at all. He brought the other half of the sand home in his diaper. All in all it was a lot of fun for the older two...and something that we need Daddy for in the future!

Meet Murphy Sawyer Skelly...

Some of you may have already seen the pictures of our newest arrival. Last Saturday we were blessed with Murphy...the pup from the post below. He is such a love and is showing loyalty to all of us already. Quinn hasn't been feeling well and Murphy won't leave his side. He's not the smartest dog on the block, he swears that the dog he sees in the stove wants to play...until he pounces and realizes its his shadow.