Christmas Photo outtakes!

Okay, trying to get the kiddos to pose for our Christmas card was a little tricky to say the least. Here are a few outtakes. I think they speak for themselves....

So much to be Thankful for!

Thanksgiving at mom and dads! Nothing like it! This year my two sisters and older brother spent thanksgiving with their significant other's families, but my little brother and Don and I were there! Also in attendence was my dear childhood friend Annie and her family. She has 4 beautiful children. Their newest, Viola, was adopted from Ethiopa and was brought home to Oregon in September. She turned one Oct 28th! It was a true blessing to spend her first Thanksgiving with her. Don's mom also made it to our Thanksgiving table, making the table complete! We had so much food and we just had a fabulous time catching up. I looked around the table and realized how blessed I am to have an enormous wondeful family, and dear friends to surround myself with. This year Don and I were blessed with another healthy baby boy! Little Kellen Patrick is pure joy wrapped in a tiny package! Our family is healthy, we are happy. Yes, so much to be thankful for!

Sheila, aka Maimo!

Dad and his beer!

Mom posing with the cranberries!

Mom and Viola! Look at that face!

Tom - Jubilant because he has a coffee nudge in hand, and because the Broncos are beating my Giants... Harummpf!

The kiddos playing!

More playing!

Kara and baby Kate come for a visit!

Kara with her baby Kate and Tasha's oldest daughter Ava.


One of my dear friends Kara whom I went to University of Portland with and we also studied in Salzburg together, married a Spaniard and moved to the beautiful San Sebastian to be with him - WHATEVER! Now we only get to see her about once a year! But we try to make the most of it when she comes to town. She just had a baby Kate in July, about a week before Kellen. She had to leave her darling husband Iker and their adorable almost 3 year old Ander at home! We all gathered at Tasha's house in NE for some soup, salad, wine and CHOCOLATE! It was a fabulous time! Oh, I almost forgot to mention Frank Galluzzo's (Kara's dad) awesome swedish meatballs!!!!! It was so great to see her, and so sad to see her go. She probably won't be back until next August.... Sigh.

My mom is 60! Holy Crow!!!!!

So my mom is 60, wow! So cool. The siblings and I have been planning a surprise party for her at the coast for several months now. We had several "planning" sessions which involved food, yummy drinks, oh and some planning too. We finally pulled it off last weekend. My dad drove my mom to the coast and when they arrived at the beach house "Surprise" we all jumped out at her from every nook and cranny. In retrospect, seeing as how she is 60, we probably shouldn't have startled her so much. But she survived and the weekend was a huge hit complete with a slide show on Friday night and a skit of all of our favorite memories on Saturday night. It was a fabulous weekend and I think my mom really enjoyed it. I realized when I got home that I didn't take as many pictures as I thought.... I think we actually took more video with out new FLIP. But here is what we took.

Little Stinker!

This is how I often find the diapers in the nursery! This usually happens while I am nursing Kellen. But how can you be mad at the little guy. He is just too cute.

Just organizing mom!

Little Stinker!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

My lovely husband and I walked down the aisle 5 years ago today! One of the most beautiful days of my life! I has so much fun going through these pictures, but I couldn't get the one of us to upload....
Anyways, we married 5 years ago at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at the University of Portland. It was a crisp but freezing cold October day. Fr. Art Wheeler, my Salzburg directer said our mass. It was so beautiful. Every thing about the ceremony was perfect. Even when my mom accidently lit the unity candle....Ahhh, tooo funny! Our reception was at the Embassy Suites downtown Portland in the old Multnomah building above the Portland Steak and Chop (where the after party was). The week prior to the wedding was so chaotic with my nursing midterms, Don had huge meetings at work, family flying in from Utah and New York. By Thursday we were set and partying at Kells with all our good friends. My friend Megs insisted they play Danny Boy at Kells and then downed an Irish car bomb faster than anyone else in the bar that night. Seriously, you would have to see it to believe it! She is 4'11 and maybe 80 lbs soaking wet. If I could relive a day in my life, it would most definetly be my wedding day! So tonight we celebrate with dinner at Nostrano! Yummmy! Mom and dad, ahhhh.

Michael and Thomas. The brothers...

Hmmm, are Megs and I doing the robot??

Our first dance, The Way you Look Tonight by Steve Tyrell.

Beautiful bridesmaids!

Beautiful sisters - Jeannie and Sarah

The crazy groomsmen!!!! Yes, they are on trikes..

Happy Halloween!

The whole gang!

This year we went to the Duffield's Halloween party over in my parent's neighborhood in Tualatin. Jeannine and Colin live across the street from my parents. We had a blast. There was plenty of food and yummy adult drinks to be had. The guys watched the big game and we lady folk took out the little kids for trick or treating. Connor and Rachel, being the youngest, only lasted about 5 houses, but it was so fun. The concept was a little lost on Connor as he would give candy from his bucket to the people at the door! Oh well. I am sure that is the last year that will happen!

Connor and cousin Rachel at Nonnie and Pompa's house

Connor and Pompa!

One excited little trick or treater!

The Corcoran Clan! Wait,where is Kellen....