For the world to know ...

Well, I've recently realized that I don't say this enough. But I have a wonderful husband. Not only is he a great husband, but he's an incredible Dad, an honest friend and a great provider.

I haven't told Sam lately that I'm proud of him for what he's accomplished in his career or what a good dad he is. I think, after you've been together for awhile, some people (yeah, me) tend to take these things for granted and just "assume" the other person knows those things. So this is for all the times I haven't said it, Sam, I AM PROUD of you!

It's going to be our five-year anniversary this June (wow, where does the time go!?) And we've had a fairly rough couple of years ... we've had more life changes in 5 years than many people have in 20!

So - I just wanted the world to know how much I love my husband and how proud I am to be his wife. I'm very happy that, as hard as he has to work to provide for five children, he has found a job that he loves. (Pretty rare these days!!) He is by far, the best dad anyone could ask for - he loves all of his kids more than anything in this world. It's awesome to see Sam out there teaching Zach how to play t-ball, or seeing the twins doing his hair at a hair 'pointment and putting "make up" on him (yes, they both had hair brushes and told him that he had a hair 'pointment. They've seen "Max and Ruby's beauty shop" episode one too many times!!) He is so incredibly proud of Kayla for not only her dance accomplishments, but because she has turned into such a responsible young woman...who is getting ready for college in the fall! And of course, he beams with pride talking about Ben - the all around sports lover (think he takes after Sam?) He always wants to know how Ben does at each football game, or hockey game ... and waits patiently until Ben calls him to give him the news.

Anyway.........

Here's a picture of us on our wedding day ... we got married in Las Vegas, at the Red Rock Canyon State Park. It was a perfect day - great weather, our family and best friends were there - and I remember how I felt that day like it was yesterday. (That also could be because I won 2500 dollars (50,000 nickels) at a nickel slot machine, where I sat down to rest my tired, swollen feet while Sam cashed in his chips from the Craps table. That was so funny - who wins 2500.00 on a nickel slot machine??)

Well - like I said, I just wanted everyone to know how very much I love my husband - even though I don't always let him know it.

Love,
xoxoxo

KIDS FIRST SNOW!

This is the first "real" snow our kids have ever seen! Can you tell they're excited?? Sorry for all the pictures, but this is EXCITING stuff here! As you can see, we have all of about 1/2 inch (IF THAT) ...which of course closes the schools, tons of accidents (Sam said he saw at least 10 by the time he got HALFWAY to work ... which took about an hour!!) I tell ya, people down south sure don't know how to drive in the snow .... (teehee, just kidding-sort of!)

I'll have to go back and add the captions later (so you can tell who is who.....) but I wanted to get these pictures up, they were too cute because they had such fun!

Love,
xoxoxo

My blog is all screwed up!

Sorry guys, apparently I've done something to my blog .... all of my side-bar is at the bottom! Trying to fix....not having success! (Arrgh!!!)


Love,
xoxoxo

Avery

Avery is normally the one who isn't smiling in pictures (she's getting better) ... but I caught her in her ELEMENT - eating COOKIES. That girl would eat cookies all day if you'd let her!!! Here were some cute pictures I took.....

Love,
xoxoxo

And even MORE big news....

As you all know, Kayla is graduating high school this year! It's been a whirlwind of college and scholarship applications for her the last few months and she's been stressed about where she would get accepted. Well..........last week she tried out for the University of Minnesota's dance team ... and MADE IT!

This means....a scholarship for the 4 years (not sure how much yet) for a Fine Arts degree ... and she'll get to go to the school she really wanted to go to. The UofMN has put application decisions on hold (apparently they had so many students apply) but getting on the dance team has sealed the deal for her!! If you've ever seen Kay dance, you're likely not surprised about this announcement but I wanted to share the exciting news with our friends and family!

Here is a video of one of her dances I pulled off youtube.com ... as you can see - not hard to understand why she was one out of the hundred and something people who applied that actually made it....she's an incredible dancer and were very proud! (She's the one who starts off on the left.)

Congrats Kay!







Love,
xoxoxo

I have big news.

THIS IS SERIOUSLY BIG NEWS. I MEAN HUGE.

With the exception of nighttime, we are OFFICIALLY 100% out of diapers and pull ups. I've waited the past couple weeks to post this - but the girls haven't had an accident for the last week. They are even going now when they "have to" ... not just to get M&MS! I never thought I'd see this day. Someday we'll be out of the "nighttime" diapers, but for now.........OMG, this is HUGE. It's equally as HUGE as the day the twins stopped drinking formula and went to whole milk.

I totally can't believe they're potty trained. It took longer with them, than Zach - believe it or not, but no matter....they're trained now! And now that they're potty trained, we can look into a ballet or dance class for them, which they're really excited about. I think Ave wants to do soccer, but it will not work with Zach's baseball schedule this spring (both on Saturday) so I think we're going to sign them up for dance.

Well, WAY TO GO GIRLS....WOOHOO!

Love,
xoxoxo

Random ...

It's been a super busy week at the Tramontana's ..... Superbowl party on Sunday, and then Sam was out of town all week, Nana came into town on Friday and Sam and I went up to Baltimore on Saturday night for a work function. Finally got a chance to relax today and take a few photos ... Addie and Zach were playing outside in the wonderful 70 degree day here!

Also - Kayla tried out for a dance scholarship for the University of Minnesota on Saturday ... and she was one of only 8 people that made it through to the interview stage. The scholarship is for 2500-10000 per year for four years.....so it was a pretty big day for her. Hopefully we'll hear something soon - I'll keep you posted!!

Anyway - just a couple random photos from this week I thought you might like!

At the Superbowl party, the kids went upstairs into Zach's room to watch a movie... (silly faces!)

Avery ... with her big stuffed caterpillar. She asked me to take this picture of her. (heehee)

Addie - whatcha looking at?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of Addison. She's got the biggest eyes!

Zach fixing (trying to) the chain on his bike... lol

Tooting her own horn

Love,
xoxoxo

I can't believe I had them THREE years ago....