Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve service...I spy Caleb in the roadster hat! Shortly after this, Pastor Mark Seversen dismissed the kids with lighted candles to illuminate the congregation's candles. Caleb made his way around the entire sanctuary, lighting candles along the way. Josiah made it safely back to us, with his candle still lit. Success!!


Caleb's quote tonight, before opening his gift 'from Mrs. Claus'..."it probably is something she knitted, because she likes to knit things for children". It was a new pair of PJ's, for which he's been asking for some that fit. On his way to bed, he made sure to ask me to thank Mrs. Santa for making him the PJs, because he really likes them! Way to go Mrs. Santa, but that's all your getting credit for!!

Thanksgiving 2012

The Ciccone clan came to KC.

Samantha doing what she does 11/1/12

doot da doo from maria mommy on Vimeo.

The Little People Gang...

the little people gang get clean from maria mommy on Vimeo.

She's a Girl!!

Please, please, she says, bringing me the French manicure set!! Obviously, she's doesn't know who her mother is! 😄

A day off...

So, a day off from school can mean many things. For us today, it means, sleeping in (until 7 that is), eating a hot breakfast, playing computer games, and doing a little reading while we wait for Uncle Tom to arrive!!

17 months, already??

Sammie girl is 17 months old, yesterday!!


We are proud of her!

Having fun

We had 2 friends stay with us last week, which brought our total kids to 7. So, it was me & 7 kids from Thursday - Saturday as Tim was taking class in Chicago. The boys had a blast & I kept up!! I even decided to be 'crazy' & make breakfast burritos for all the fans at Josiah's soccer game Saturday morning. I just love doing things like that & everyone loved eating them!

The twins continue to do great & are well loved in our home. They have seamlessly joined the bunch & we look forward to at least the next few months with them.

Our Family as of September 20, 2012:

Josiah, affectionately named 'Wild Man'

Ke'Mari, Junior Wild Mam

Left to Right...Ke'Ron & Ke'Mari

Left to Right, Ke'Ron & Ke'Mari...The 1st Night I met them at the hospital

Ke'Mari & I on the front step, post-nap

I call this 'The Little People Gang'

Pretty Girl, Samantha, after church

Samantha with Daddy - she's our Wild Girl!

Caleb cuddles Ke'Ron, while my friend, Theresa, cuddles Ke'Mari in the background.

Ke'Ron & Ke'Mari are 9 month old twin boys that joined our family via the foster system on Thursday, September 20, 2012.  They are sweet boys who need some love and attention.  Our job is to get them fat & healthy, while loving them to pieces!  It's my dream come true to have twins & I am loving the exhausting job.  The rest of the family is jumping into the fun of having 2 more babies so far the transition seems to be seamless!

Daily, I ask God to give me the endurance I need to mother these 5 well.  I'm thankful for the opportunity, no doubt!

Loving Life & the Joys it brings

Caleb (8), Cheyanne (14), Josiah (5) - Cheyanne became the big sister in our home through the foster system, June 28.

We just needed some us time, so we flew to LA - best idea, ever!!

We did not want to miss out on any sunshine, so a convertible was a MUST have in LA.

The Little Beauty, at our home 'library'.

Samantha got a bite above her eye, that turned her into a pirate princess for a few days.  Daddy took her to the Dr. to be sure all was going to be o.k.

Cute  Samantha at 15 months, walking home from the pool

Making special breads for Labor Day Breakfast, Caleb's wearing a Chaps Apron (he's just too short to actually wear them as Chaps) and Josiah is wearing a waist apron, too cute.

Love this new head scarf I found in the hand me downs, perfect for showing off those round cheeks.

Date night with Dad - Root Beer!!!

New Specs for the 2nd grader -he thinks he looks like uncle Matt!

Cute saying of Caleb

When we arrived at the gym today, Caleb informed me that I should be on the Olympic volleyball team so he could go to the Olympics for free! I laughed & said, do you think I can find time to train for the Olympics? He says, sure you can, mom! I appreciate his confidence in my abilities, but I'll continue to train HIM for the Olympics!! Watch for him in 2020!!!

Muskegon Vacation 2012

Our journey began from Roseville, MN this morning, July 27th, we set out from Papa & Gramma Gloria's house & headed for Escanaba, MI. We stopped by Rhinelander, WI for a photo opp with The Hodag (a folk tale of the area). Our hotel greeted us with a cooler than the lake, pool with slide for the kid's enjoyment & a nice hotel room, perfect for the 6 of us to have a short night's rest. Samantha woke us up perfectly just before 6 AM to begin our last leg of the journey to arrive at Muskegon, MI for our week stay on the lake.

ready to cross the Mackinaw Bridge

pumping water at a rustic rest stop

Our view for the week in Muskegon - Perfect, I say,

Grumpy, Cheyanne - 14 years old & loving life

Our 1st view of Lake Michigan on our drive

Pretty Baby, hanging in there on our drive

Good morning & Goodbye, Escanaba, MI

Caleb the Co-Pilot

Mackinaw Bridge is coming

Josiah, being silly

Daddy helping Caleb get water to wash

Ahhh, entering Michigan from Wisconsin

Mommy being silly with Josiah

Ahhh, Happy Cheyanne (after I showed her the grumpy picture)