NYC or bust ;)

 

 

Early December I had the pleasure of going on a daytrip to the big apple with a few of my favorite girls! My best friend Samantha, my sister Stephanie & my cousin Autumn. Every year around Christmas my work hosts a bus trip, this is the first year I have gone because it usually falls on Dominick's birthday, but not this year!

 

 

The bus left my work around 6am and we learned a VERY important lesson for next year- if you want to sit with your friends get there about THIRTY minutes before the bus leaves :( All 4 of us ended up in different spots, I ended up in the VERY back row in front of the rest room. It wasn't so bad until people started using it, then I had a strong blue bowl smell in my nose, it was not fun.

 

THEN Autumn saved the day, she texted me saying how she was sitting by herself in the VERY front row of the bus with no one next to her...WHAT?! At the first chance I scooted right up there. Made for a much better rest of the trip.

 

My sister & Autumn had never been to the BIG CITY so it was so fun to go with them and see the city all decked out for Christmas!

 

I HATE the Lincoln Tunnel by the way and I am a HORRIBLE backseat driver (haha) so this was tough for me.

 

 

I sent this picture to Giovanni as we were sitting in STOPPED traffic in the middle of the tunnel, not my favorite by a long shot. However I think I may have preferred this over the RECORD speed we made through the tunnel when we went on vacation to Long Island over the summer. That was what, 60mph & about 4 minutes through the tunnel Giovanni?

 

Then before we knew it, the clock read 1045am and we were getting dropped off at Bryant Park for the day!! :) The city was so busy & the weather was beautiful, it was about 48 & Sunny! We got SO lucky! Last year, it rained the WHOLE DAY of the bus trip!

 

 

 

We didn't really have a "game plan" per say when we got to the city, we just knew we wanted to hit up Toys r us, Macys, Rockefeller Center & Times Square. I really wanted to go to the Famous Starlight Diner on Broadway but when we got there...the line was FOUR blocks long and we were starving :( Next year it just may be our first stop!

 

 

 

We walked the entire 8 hours we were in the city, lots of back and forth, we learned the hard way when your in the city between the buildings that the map on your phone loses you...A LOT! Next year we will map out our sights ahead of time and be sure to be prepared so we don't spend hours walking in circles ;) Sorry guys!

 

 

After walking around and ending up in a toy store, kid free...we decided to grab a bite to eat and didn't really want to eat at a chain. Who knew that would be so hard! We ended up at The Hard Rock Café as we don't have one at home but we were really hoping for a  little pub or some place to grab a great burger & a beer (suggestions are welcome) The wait was 2 1/2 Hours! We made our way to one of the two bars and before we knew it there was a table along the back side of the wall across from the bar that emptied, we were able to grab that spot and we enjoyed a few drinks and some good food!

 

 

 

We wanted to get one more shot of the tree all lit up at night but it was near impossible to get close too! The people surrounding it were crazy!

 

 

The tree is behind the white one, this is about as close as we could get! Like I said, people everywhere!

 

After standing in a 30 minute bathroom line it was time to get back in line for the bus and head home!

 

The bus ride home was better since I wasn't sitting in the back but pretty scary since I sat in the front!! There was a man on the bus who was a couple rows back from us. Autumn and I were in the front and Steph and Sam were directly behind us. It was about 11pm and I think the bus driver and I were the only ones awake in the front of the bus, he had turned the TV off since most people were sleeping. Sam was behind me with her feet out stretched in the aisle, THANK GOD. All of a sudden I heard a woman's voice yelling out a Man's name I turned around to see this man CHARGING the front of the bus!! He tripped over Sams foot and I grabbed his arm really hard, he was sleepwalking!! I was not gonna let us get in an accident by having him scare the bus driver as we are blazing down the highway! He yelled and swore at me as I probably scared the daylights out of him as your not supposed to wake a sleep walker! The rest of the ride everyone was pretty awake and shaken up! It was crazy!

 

All in  all it was a great trip & we cant wait to do it again next year!

 

Until next time,

Xo Jessica

 

PS- Happy New Year! See you all in 2015!! :)

 

 











Christmas 2014

 

Christmas #1

 

Every year on Christmas Eve we go to Gio's moms house to do dinner & presents with his mom, sister, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin. We don't see them all together often, but its nice when we do! :)

 

I didn't remember to take many pictures at Nonni's house (gio's mom) but I did snap a few..

 

 

The boys were EXHAUSTED when we were getting ready to leave, I knew that a Christmas movie before bed just wasn't in the cards for when we got home. This is what we found in the back seat when we pulled in the drive way, it has to be one of my favorite pictures. My boys are brothers FOR SURE!

 

 

Santa's evlves slacked & decided wrapping the night before Christmas as per usual would be the way to go, not sure why we do this every year, maybe we work well under pressure ;) But almost 5 hours later the wrapping was done, the train table was assembled, the wine was gone & we had watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. A pretty successful wrapping party if you ask me! :)

We climbed into bed around 1:30 am looking forward to a little shut eye before the boys woke. Around 2:30am Aidan woke up and no matter what I did he would not go back to sleep for more than 5 minutes at a time. Little did I know that the stomach bug was on the horizon. Aidan FINALLY fell asleep in our bed around 6am and the alarm went off to start our day around 7am. We had to wake Dominick up, this boy LOVES to sleep lately and usually snoozes 8pm-8am :)

 

Christmas #2 - OUR HOUSE

 

We had two pretty excited little boys on our hands! Dominick was so excited about this train table that he didn't even try to open the rest of his gifts until we got home from my parents around 2pm!

 

I forgot to snap any more pictures of the boys opening gifts at our house later in the afternoon, both boys had runny noses and were very cranky the rest of the day.

 

Christmas #3 - My parents

 

Every year on Christmas morning we go to my family's house for breakfast with my grandparents, parents, sisters & my sisters boyfriend. This year was no exception. In my true fashion lately I forgot to snap many pictures here but I did catch one of Aidan & Dominick opening presents. We had a delicious breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs benedict, Belgian waffles and cheesy potatoes.

 

Here's the ONE picture I snapped of the boys tearing into gifts from my parents. Thanks again Mom & Dad for that OBNIOXOUS Billy beats block set. I just love it.

 

After opening gifts from my parents & grandparents, my boys are BEYOND spoiled by the way ;) we headed home for family nap time. Aidan snoozed away in his crib, daddy on the couch and mommy & Dominick watched frozen in bed. After nap time we opened the gifts Santa had brought us and then headed back to have dinner with my family.

They made an amazing prime rib dinner with all the fixings! After dinner we said our goodbyes and headed home to get two cranky kids in bed.

 

 

Christmas #4 - Nono's house (Gio's dad)

 

The day after Christmas we all head over to Gio's dads house for Christmas with his dads side of the family. Usually Gio's brother & sister come home for the holidays and this year was no exception. Its always nice when Gio's family comes into town, the boys are the youngest cousins but its always nice for them to visit with their cousins.

 

My brother in law got this great shot of my father in law's house, he really does go all out for Christmas and Dominick just LOVED the lights this year!

 

Nono wanted to get a picture of him with all 6 grandkids since everyone was home this Christmas, I was a little weary on this one as my two boys were on the verge of meltdowns as it was BED TIME. And of course meltdowns ensued with them. I snapped a couple pictures of the group but don't want to put the picture of the other kiddos on here with out their parents permission :)

 

 

I did however snap a picture of Dominick post meltdown eating a banana with Nono :)

 

All in all it was a good Christmas, a few meltdowns here & there but a good couple days spend with family :)

 

Next year I will remember to snap some more pictures! And HOPEFULLY we wont spend the days following all in bed with the STOMACH FLU :(

 

Check back tomorrow for details on our NYC trip, it was a blast!

 

Until next time friends,

Xo Jessica



 



 



 





All aboard the hot mess express...

 

 

What a couple weeks its been! We have been so busy I feel like we haven't been able to slow down....and its caught up with us! :(

 

Dominick started loosing his voice on Sunday afternoon at Parker's birthday party (which I totally forgot to take pictures of, fail!) and we didn't think much of it at the time. He was running around and playing so that's what I figured was going on.

 

Well on the way home he fell asleep in the car which he does not normally do & it resulted in him waking up crying his throat hurt. We got home and gave him a hot steam bath and then got him ready for bed. Did a nebi, vicks on his chest & piggies, turned the vaporizer on in his room and tucked him in. He kept waking up with this awful cough and crying.

 

Around 10pm I took him out into the living room and he was trying not to swallow because his throat hurt, poor kid was a mess. Then I noticed his breathing, not good at all. So off he went to the pediatric emergency room with daddy. A shot of steroids and he was on the mend, turns out my little man SOMEHOW (I still haven't figured it out) managed to get croup!

 

Next up, The daddy...Giovanni had been sick for a few days and finally caved in and went to Urgent Care today. He has what they think is bronchitis!

 

And next is Aidan, he has eye teeth coming in which I'm hoping is the reason for his runny nose & cough but we will see...I'm thinking he is coming down with something too!

 

I am the only one who has been feeling okay! I had a bit of sore throat last night but I think its from the heat being on. Other than that I hope to keep it that way! :)

 

So now I am crossing my fingers and toes that everyone is feeling better for Santa!!!

 

 

I'll be back later this week with a recap on our girls day trip to NYC, Christmas & what we have been up to lately!

 

Merry Christmas Friends!! :)

 

Until next time,

xo Jessica 

Christmas Cheer Exchange

 

 

 

I'd be lying if I said I didn't love getting mail, especially he kind that doesn't have "amount due" somewhere in it ;)

 

I participated in this year's Christmas cheer exchange and had so much fun picking stuff for this!

 

I was even more excited when mine showed up on my door on a particularly rough day and it was exactly what I needed! :)

 

Its as if Angie has known me all along!

My box has a chocolate Christmas tree, everyone who knows me knows chocolate is the way to my heart! Festive Christmas tree playing cards, holiday pencils, bath salts & Rudolph bandaids!

 

 

 

Truly the best Cheer box!

 

I'm linking up over with Astleigh & cant wait to check out everyone elses cheer boxes as well! :)

 

 

I sent mine to Amanda if you want to check it out! :)

 



[ Life lately ]

 

 

Merry Monday Friends!

 

I cannot BELIEVE that its December 8th already! Time is flying and there is still so much left to do before the month is over!

 

Let's get to it shall we...

 

 

 

Elf on the shelf is alive & well in our house! Watching Dominick find "Buddy" every morning and wanting to know what the note he left reads is pretty fun! Three year olds are tough work & listening is not something Dominick is great at...This Elf seems to be helping with that! I'll mark that as a win in my book!

 

Sunday morning was chaotic but we made it to breakfast with Mickey & Minney at 830am. It was one of the best things we have done with Dominick to date. I may have cried when Dominick saw Mickey. I cant even explain how truly happy he was. He hugged Mickey right away and talked to him which is HUGE in Dominick's world, he's pretty shy. Aidan wasn't so sure about him but did pretty good! We are planning a Disney trip so any tips you have I would LOVE to hear!

 

We took the boys to the mall Sunday afternoon to see Santa, Dominick has been wanting to tell him what's on his list. He also did pretty good here, walked right up to Santa and talked to him. He told him that he would like some Thomas stuff & monster trucks. He even included his brother! He told Santa Aidan wants an Elmo. Of course none of that is what Santa's already gotten so I am on the hunt! AIDAN WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH SANTA IN THE LEAST BIT. Not to mention he is a RIP OFF as they would not let me take my own pictures! $25 later this what we got. But I took it because this is real life right now and this is how they felt!

 

Next year, I think we will do a photo session with Santa vs the mall Santa and hope for better luck!

 

Sunday night ended with a family Christmas movie and bedtime early for everyone!

 

Now that everyone is receiving their Christmas cards I can finally share them!!

 

 

 

I am so in love with these! I ordered them from Andrea over at Slightly Askew and she was absolutely wonderful to work with. I am absolutely planning on having her do our cards going forward!

 

Until next time friends!

Xo Jessica

 

 



{{ December check list }}

 

 

 

I cannot believe that we are on December 3rd ALREADY! Dominick Is loving the holiday season this year! He gets so excited when we drive past houses that are decorated, he calls them "Christmas houses"

 

I have so many things I want to do as a family this year- so many memories to be made!

 

1. Visit Santa

2. Go see the Christmas decorations at Bass Pro Shop

3. Lights on the lake

4. Get hot cocoa and drive around looking at Christmas lights

5.  watch Christmas movies

6. North pole breakfast

7. make cookies for Santa

8. Christmas brunch with Mickey & Minnie (this is Saturday! cannot wait to see the boys reactions!)

9. Get a Christmas tree

10.Have buddy (Dominick's elf on the shelf) deliver a holiday box

11. salt dough ornaments (I tried this when Dominick was 1 & he wanted no part of it)

12. handprint pot holders

13. Ice skating downtown

14. write a letter to Santa

15. handprint ornaments

16. pick out a family ornament for 2014

17. play in the snow (wondering if we will have the chance at this rate)

 

Does anyone have any other fun ideas for Christmas? I'd love to hear! :)

 

Until next time friends!

xo Jessica



#boymom

 

 

Happy Cyber Monday everyone! :)

 

Hope everyone is snagging some great deals today! I sure need to do some Christmas shopping for Aidan!

 

Today I am guest posting over at Chasin' Mason as part of a #boymom series!

 

 

Head on over & check it out for yourself!