Season's Greetings

Another Christmas has come and gone and now it is time to (regret)reflect on the holiday season. Christmastime with kids is like being a kid again. Except you have to pay for everything. And you have to hide the damn elf every night. And bake tons of cookies. And create "holiday magic" for 30 straight days. But other than all of that....it is EXACTLY like being a kid again.

Cienna starred as a Christmas angel in her first school play. She was adorable and Tony was able to bring the truck down to school so he could see it too. We were proud parents! (I think AJ was bored.)

AJ also made us proud when he made the front of the newspaper after Christmas dinner at the firehouse. An ABQ Journal reporter was there to do a story about how firefighters spend the holiday...and AJ stole the show. The reporter was enamered with his bubbly personality and roll playing...he was arresting firefighters with his new handcuffs and hauling them to "jail" for hitting "foxes".

Christmas Eve we drove out to the old folks home (aka my in-laws lovely retirement community) where they hosted Mrs. Claus and a gingerbread house event. The senior crowd sure knows how to throw a good party! They decorate as if it were a competition and they go crazy when it comes to the gingerbread house supplies! It was super fun for all!

We then brought the party back to our house where we had a house full of holiday cheer and tamales for our bellies. A quick trip around the neighborhood looking at the luminarias and we were all ready for Santa to deliver the goods!

One thing that we were all counting on was Tiny Quinn (our Elf on the Shelf) coming back Christmas Day. You see, AJ didn't treat Tiny Quinn very well this year. He must not have been able to hear the threats of receiving no presents from Santa as he swung the tiny little elf all over the house insisting that he "liked it." Tiny Quinn didn't come back for days...and Cienna cried, prayed and begged God every night in hopes that he would stop punishing her for her brother's indiscretions. Well I guess he heard her prayers because he finally came back Christmas Day with a message...

Christmas 2012 was a hit with the kids and adults alike. Santa brought all my favorite labels (Lilly Barrack, Gucci,Starbucks), Tony got more weapons that he can't "legally" possess and the kids were spoiled with (almost) everything their little hearts desired. Even Tonka was thrilled with the giant hedgehog Doganta left for her under the tree. An all around success!

Woof!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

It has been an usually warm December in Albuquerque which has thrown my Christmas radar off. I can't hardly believe that it is just 6 days away even though we have been prepping around here for weeks. First, with some gentle persuasion, I convinced Tony to put up Christmas lights on the house. He really got into it...and I must say, I think our house is the merriest one on the block!

Next, we went hunting for a Christmas tree. In the last few years we have driven around for hours in the Colorado forest wasting time and diesel gas searching for the perfect tree to chop down for only an $8 fee. This year we drove right up, paid $40 and picked the perfect tree in 2 minutes flat. And we didn't have to drive home for 4 hours with it tied to the top of the car! Mission accomplished!

Speaking of Christmas trees, I couldn't resist taking a picture of Cienna's tree-picking outfit. When I told her that she needed to get ready to go this is what she chose...

She takes her fashion seriously people! I love this about her. Unless it is 7:45am and she is hysterical that her tights don't match her shoes.

AJ enjoyed a hot cup of cocoa during our tree outing...well sort of. I am pretty sure only about 2 sips actually made it in his mouth. The rest was spilled in a dramatic fashion all over the ground. He hasn't quite gotten the concept that when you bend down you need to keep your cup up!

AJ and his hot cocoa in happier times

We also had fun decorating gingerbread houses at a neighbor's house. The kids actually shared a house...and decorating responsibilities equally. I was so proud! There is hope that they will get along!

I have been blasting Christmas music, baking cookies and making the house a winter wonderland. Only 6 more days until the fat man comes! Here's to hoping I am still on the nice list! Happy holidays from our house to yours!

Thanksgiving

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving with our family and friends in California. It was a whirlwind of a trip (when is it not?) and by the time we got home we needed a vacation from our vacation!

I love CA. I love the trees, the shopping and all of the memories. I could drive down almost any street in the Bay and tell you about something that happened there. It will always hold a special place in my heart!

During our trip we traveled to Napa (twice!) to visit Tony's grandmother and his uncles Ray and Mark. We dined at my favorite restaurant, power shopped with Dena at Broadway Plaza, and Christmas shopped for presents with Granny at Lakeshore Learning Center. We saw Tony's brothers, my brothers and lots of great friends. We ate too much, spent too much, and had a great time doing it!

Loving Granny

Cousin Niko

Thanksgiving Day we went to my mom's house. I volunteered to try a new recipe...White Castle Burger Stuffing. It turned out AMAZING, despite the fact that I realized the following day that I didn't use all of the ingredients that I had bought. Oops. We had a traditional meal with traditional bickering and by the time we ate the only thing that we were thankful for was that the meal was ready. But that is family for you. Or is it just my family for you?

Further Proof That I Am The Best Looking Sibling

The most interesting part of the evening was listening to my brother describe how he is not "technically" engaged to his live-in girlfriend. He bought a ring...that she knew about...had it sized...which she new about...and then brought it home, put it on the kitchen table and told her to "go look at what was on the table." She said she was hoping for food because she was starving. Instead she got a solitaire diamond ring that she wears on her ring finger on her left hand. It is the strangest thing I have ever heard of. But then again...it's my brother. Strange is his middle name. Just look at this picture!

Welcome To The Family Monique (I Think?)

There is the recap of Thanksgiving 2012. A very interesting experience!

Halloween 2012

My favorite time of year has arrived and I can't help but feel happy about life. When I think about being a mom, holidays are what I live for. Making memories for my children that will last them a lifetime, and hopefully creating some traditions that they will pass down to their own children. This for me...is what life is all about.

We began October with a trip to the pumpkin patch. It was fun to see the process...AJ picking the 1st pumpkin he came across and Cienna looking at every single one to ensure that she was making the best decision. Both were very proud of their choices and both needed help carrying them to the cashier!

If There Is A Will There Is A Way!

With Daddy And Her Perfect Pumpkin

Time For A Hayride

If it weren't for AJ being bit by the mini pony it would have been a perfect day at the pumpkin patch. Poor kid. It even broke skin!

Our next great October adventure was the Balloon Festival. This year we were joined by Tony's parents along with Debbie and Pat, who were visiting from CA. The weather was beautiful, the balloons were amazing and the company was fab. Another reason that the fall is my favorite time of year!

The Whole Gang

The weekend before Halloween was full of fun kid events...first Goblins in the Garden at AJ's school, followed by The Harvest Festival in our neighborhood park. Cienna and AJ had a blast running around with friends, playing ghoulish games and stuffing as much candy and sweets in their mouths before I could catch them. It was fun for all!

The grand finale of October was celebrated with Halloween. My mom created another masterpiece for Cienna...Alice in Wonderland. AJ was Scooby Doo. They had a blast walking door to door, patiently standing in line (yes...in line!) for candy to be tossed into their buckets. Our neighborhood is the most popular in all of ABQ. Each year, thousands of kids (and their chain smoking parents) flock to the country club area to get free candy. Last year both Tony and Cienna were featured on the news...Tony was shown passing out candy at our house and Cienna was shown trick-or-treating. This year, I was the lucky one! They did a small interview about how many trick-or-treaters we have every year and showed me opening up the door. Next year we have vowed to go to a different neighborhood on Halloween to avoid the craziness...and the lines!

Memories...What Life Is All About!

Joe

Dear Joe,

When Tony and I first met you, you were an energetic 16 year old, eager to work and eager to learn. You quickly became Tony’s side kick, his right hand man. Both of you were navigating the junk removal business together, learning the ropes through trial and error. You each could see the value in everything, and because of that you were a perfect pair. And while we have had others try to take your place…no one has ever measured up to you. We ask “does he work as hard as Joe?” And the answer inevitably is “no, Joe would run circles around that guy!”

It didn’t take long for us to realize that you weren’t just an employee. You were special. Though I don’t think you intentionally tried, you worked your way into our lives and more importantly into our hearts. We saw so much good in you. We saw your caring nature, your extraordinary work ethic and your great sense of humor. Despite your circumstances, you had something in you that was different from the rest. While most teenagers walked around with their hand out, you never asked for anything. And because of that we wanted to give you everything.

Throughout the years, we have had so many funny moments. Like the time you and Tony removed a huge satellite dish from a customer’s house. You had never seen one before…and you asked the customer if they could watch “moon channels” on it! You and Tony had so many little jokes it is impossible to list them all. Thankfully, he has them as memories. I am sure that he will replay them in his head every time he goes on a job without you.

I could always tell what kind of mood you were in as soon as you walked through the door. If I got “what’s up wit cha?” I knew it was a good day. A simple “hello” meant it might be a rough one. No matter what mood you were in, we were always happy to have you around. In hindsight I wish that you would have been around even more.

Why is it that we wait for an event like this before we tell someone how we truly feel? I know that you knew that we cared deeply for you…but did you know how much we loved you? Did you know how much your passing would devastate us? Did you know that it would shake us to our core?

Joe, even though we were not related by blood, you were family. Good and bad, we took you just the way you were. There will never be another Joe in our lifetime. You were a special part of our lives that can never be replaced. We will miss you beyond measure, and we will love you forever.

Love,

Tony, Alexis, Cienna & AJ


R.I.P
6/6/87 - 10/14/12

Wow...Where Did September Go?

O.M.G. I did not blog last month. At all. Not once. Where did the month go?
I remember this much...at some point I turned 33 years old. We went to the state fair once and the cabin twice. But that's about it!

Life has become a series of repeating events lately. School, laundry, bank, cheer leading, grocery store, soccer, PTA meetings, gymnastics, and other such things. The Mazotti Family is in full scheduling mode. Everything is down to a science. No wonder parents say that the years fly by once your kids are in school. There is no time to even think!

Even though I failed to blog last month I did not fail to take pictures! So now, without further adieu, September 2012 in pictures!

Goofing Off At The State Fair

Ram Hunting in CO

Playing Dress Up

Colorado in September

Children's Arts & Crafts Fair

September 2012

AJ Turns 3

Today our baby boy turned 3 years old. I wanted to take the time to do a little post commemorating everything AJ.

AJ is a feisty one. He likes to spit, punch, kick and use words like "stinky poop." He enjoys catching butterflies (and he is really good at it!), putting bugs both dead and alive in his "tainer buggy" (bug container) and you might say that he is obsessed with all things Toy Story and Cars.

AJ loves playing on my phone, playing baseball and soccer, and playing on any and all playgrounds. His drawings consist of one line on a page, he loves "meat" which means anything resembling an animal product of any kind, and he does not leave home without his flip flops. He is not potty trained nor does he appear to ever want to stop pooping his pants. He sweats...a lot. He has the most beautiful skin color that I have ever seen. Every day when I drop him off at pre-school he says "oh mama hug and kiss!" And when I ask him what his name is he says in his deepest, proudest voice, "AJ Zotti!"

I can't imagine our lives without you AJ. You are our baby boy. Our mister mister. Our little monster. We love you more than words can say. We look forward to seeing your little personality develop with time and hope that you will always know how much you mean to us! Happy 3rd birthday AJ!