Friends & Neighbors

Tripp(2 in March)Domonic(3 in May)Derek(Big Boy in Kindergarten!)

The other night we enjoyed an evening with our friends and backyard neighbors, Ron & Terri and their boys Derek & Domonic.
We spent tons of time with them during the summer and Terri and I would go for walks together into the fall season, but then it got COLD! This was the first time the boys had seen each other in quite some time! Bob & I were a little nervous that Tripp would be shy around the boys at first....Boy Were We Wrong! It was like no time had passed - Tripp & Dom immediately started running around the house and playing in every room!

After the "Yeah my friends here!" burst of unbelievable energy & giggles were over, the boys found other ways to play with each other.

Fun with Play-Doh!

Playing with

flashlights!

Then, it was time for Guitar Hero!

Tripp & Derek enjoyed "Rockin Out" while we played

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Sending you some birthday love

from your little buddy!

Super-size Christmas Post - Part 3

The day after Christmas, we lounged around the house and went to JR's Steakhouse for dinner.

MMMmmmmm Steak.

Uncle Brian won Tripp this "Grape Ape"

from the claw machine in the bar room.

Yummy! Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert!

We took the long way home and checked out some Christmas lights

Tripp kept yelling out "More!" and "Whoa!" as we passed by the pretty lights.

And once again, Bob & I were able to take advantage of our Grands babysitters and we spent some time with friends Aly & Mike.

This is a little onesie we made for them.

We hung out and played Wii into the late evening.

The next morning, Tripp helped put the finishing touches on the Linza Tart cookies. Soon company will be here!

Tripp loved watching

Grands Capano dance.

Our company:

Uncle Mike, Aunt Regina, & Aunt Elenrose

More presents?!

A Mickey Mouse doll

and a snowman!

Chestnuts with Grandpa

Yummy! Honeyballs!

We had a great time visiting with family over this holiday weekend, but all good things must come to an end.

After dessert it was time to pack up and head home.

Super-size Christmas Post - Part 2

After his nap, Tripp was ready for some lunch

and hang out time before getting ready for company to come over.

Tripp helped Grandma & Uncle Brian put the finishing touches on the honeyballs

Christmas Dinner

Lasagna, pepperoni bread, meatballs & brosuil, green bean casserole, etc...- Yummy!


Then it was time to finish opening his presents...

Trying out his new big boy table

Stacking Blocks from Santa

A new book from Grandma

He got some great wooden blocks from

Uncle Chris

..and then our company arrived! The Morans
Uncle John, Aunt Joyce, Kevin & Patricia

He got a cool Hess Truck from the Moran Clan

...and he enjoyed showing off his new Elmo doll

Tripp was happy to spend time with his family.

MMMmmmm, PIE!

Tripp loves pie!

He says it clear as a bell eats it up!

The Capano / Copley & Morans

It was a nice evening and a good time was had by all.








Giving Brandy a goodnight hug.

Night Night..........for now....

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The Copley family welcomed 2009 by enjoying the final day of 2008 to the fullest!

Tripp started the day with some trains while Bob & I made breakfast - eggs, bacon, biscuits and Tripp's favorite - CHEESE!

Then it was time to go outside and enjoy our NYE snow. Tripp got to try out his new snow pants that Santa gave him.....they got the thumbs up.

No snow angels yet...but he's starting to warm up to the idea of snow. He loves it when Bob & I throw snowballs at each other and will sometimes try to join in (he hasn't mastered mittens). He hates getting snow thrown at him, but he loves being chased by a shovel full of snow as it is dragged back and forth on the driveway.

After a nap and some playtime, it was time to make dinner. Bob & I decided to say good-bye to 2008 by feasting on our favorite meal - Beer & Pizza! Tripp was happy to help make the pizza.

Tripp has been helping me in the kitchen more and more. He still loves playing with his magnets and pots & pans, but sometimes he hops up on a chair and joins me. Pizza is definitely his favorite. I separate the ingredients into separate bowls and I hand him 1 bowl at a time and he puts the toppings "on" or "in"! He is such a good helper, but sometimes mommy has to step in and give it a "finishing" touch.

Yup, he's Bob's son - More CHEESE Please!

Tripp decided to surprise his Daddy with the gift of a double cheese pizza

Finished! Yummy!

We have started expanding our living space into the basement. As one of our gifts to each other, Bob & I bought a wood burning stove. It is in the basement, hence our migration...we have big plans for the basement. It will be our "hang-out" our family space. We plan on finishing the basement slowly over the next several years...baby steps.

Tripp loves eating dinner in the basement. It means he gets to use his big boy table!

We ordered a concert by 2 of our favorite bands , Younder Mountain String Band & Widespread Panic, on PPV via simulcast over the Internet. Sometimes, technology does rock!

The Copley NYE den

New Years day Project - start working on the kitchen. New fridge gets here on Friday!