4th of July aka Benigno Family Reunion 2014

Our fourth was spent with my side of the family at my sister's house.  It was a chilly 4th but that didn't stop some of the kids to jump into the pool.

Gianna was probably one of the last kids in the pool.  She's turned into a fish lately.

Food, catching up and chilling out were on the agenda.  It was good to see some of the cousins that don't live close.  Thanks to my aunt, she got us all together for a group shot.  

This bunch of knuckleheads warming up after calling it quits on the pool.

Aunt, cousins, sisters (I'm in red). It was a fun day, full of love.

Fourth of July 2013

Happy 4th of July! 

Celebrate your Independence!!

Our 4th

Our 4th of July was pretty mellow. We skipped going to the parade we usually go to. Instead we had my sister & her family over for some BBQ. It was pretty relaxing. So relaxing in fact that I didn't take a lot of pics!!

Got these of the girls hanging out on the swings after dinner...

My nephew Tyler thoroughly enjoys his ice cream. He's a chocolate freak...just like Gianna, must be why they get a long.

My neice Nikki, chilling out after having her ice pop.

After hanging out enjoying the backyard, the guys were in "movie mode" & went to figure out what movie to watch. My sister & I requested something we could ALL watch & we narrowed it down to "You Again". What a funny movie!! We all enjoyed it--even the kids!

Part of the plan was to have my neice & nephew sleep over. The kids always talk about "sleeping over" so it was the perfect weekend for it.

The next morning Joe stayed home a little later to make the kids breakfast. Not only did the guy make the kids waffles & pancakes, but the guy also made "bacon pancakes"! He is a real gem, knowing how I'm not a morning person & I was up late the night before.

Knowing the kids would need to be "entertained" I had planned some painting activities. I set them up outside & let them have fun.

Of course being a scrapbooker I needed something to commerate the day, so I had them do "handprints". Gianna chose green to stand out against the bright yellow.Marissa went with a multi-colored print.Tyler opted for red.

While Nikki went with the opposite of Gianna.They painted a little while longer with a few swing breaks but it soon got too hot & they all took refuge inside.

They watched a little TV & had lunch. Then played play-doh...but not until I got a group shot. They look so wound up it's not even funny!! LOL! I took this (& lots more)with my iphone so I could email them to my sister at work.

They had so much fun together! We definately need to do this more!

4th of July 2009

Every year for the 4th of July we start the day with an early in the morning parade.

We go to our friend Bobby's sister's house to watch the parade & since they live on the parade route we have to get there before they close off the street which is usually by 9am. In order to get there on time we need to leave the house no later than 8am (hence the early in the morning part). The parade doesn't actually start until 10am but luckily there's coffee for the adults & they have a dog that keeps the girls happy! LOL!

The parade is typical as parades go.....

Not sure why but I get chills when I see this.

(no it's not because of the guys in their uniforms..or is it??) LOL!!

Here's everyone lined up watching the parade go by....

Gianna waiting patiently with her bucket for the people to throw candy....

Couldn't get Marissa to pose....

Then there's the usual stuff you see at all 4th of July parades....

like Mariachi bands.followed by the candy throwing clowns.... the string of old cars.....I'm sure this is the car's original paint job (said sarcasticly)this was my favorite...if she were my car I'd name her "Candy Cane"....then there's the string of NEW! FAST! cars.... mixed in with some candy-tossing floats....
then you got the patriotic bikers.....see the flag??Gianna's having a piece of her morning candyMarissa would only pose for me if I took a pic of her blowing a bubble....the girls loved seeing the "horsey"....I'm sure all cowboys all over would be cringing to see this guy on a horse... Then you have people that will do anything to be in a parade....like wear gas masks....my happy girl....I had to promise not to take any more pics if she'd pose once for me....too bad she didn't see me cross my fingers!! LOL!She just loves her Daddy.Marissa was tormenting them with a melted ice pop she got from one of the floats...Then came the "swammies" & they let all the little kids bang the gong. Gianna ran right up there but Marissa was too shy.
At the end of the parade Marissa ended up with the most candy only because whatever I got I'd throw in her bucket since she sat next to me. Lucky girl. (yes she shared with her sister)After the parade we hung out some more & then went home. That when I realized I didn't get any decent pics of them together at the parade so I made them sit on the front step.

Hope everyone has a HAPPY 4th!!

4th of July Recap

Hope everyone had a good 4th. Our plans got rained out. We were supposed to watch the parade at our friends Bobby's house but when we got up it was raining (mostly drizzling).

Joe & I talked about it & decided with Gianna just getting over pnemonia we didn't want her sitting outside in the rain. I felt bad since the girls had been looking forward to it all week...especially after being cooped up inside this whole time! We didn't have any other plans so we just relaxed & hung out around the house. It was relaxing.

The sad part was that I didn't take any pics of the girls. At all. I had all these intentions of taking their pics but then I'd have to do their hair.

Then I'd have to get them to pose.

Then I'd have to hit the bottle!!

So I didn't do it.

Who knows I might be tempted to do a "reshoot" in the next few days but we'll see how cooperative they are. Yeah right!

Oh yeah, I worked on some LO's & got 2 more done with another 2 in the works!! WOO-HOO!! I'm not holding my breath that I'll be done with the album before our Aug. trip but it's moving along & for that I'm happy.

Happy 4th!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

A Layout, a Card & Cupcakes!

Just wanted to share a LO I got done the other day. More from Gianna's princess makeover from our June 2007 Disney trip.

While resizing the pics I noticed the pink bow on the top corner needs to be repositioned. Just imagine it where it should be & don't judge me too harshly 'kay?

As I was cleaning off my desk to start another LO (which I have almost done) I noticed the scraps were just the right size for a card so I said "Why not??"

Now since tomorrow is the Fourth of July, we always go to our friend Bobby's house to watch the parade. The girls have been on edge not knowing if they'd be well enough to go, but I think they just might be ok after all (despite Gianna waking up with her 1 eye all red). Now because I can't go anywhere empty handed I made these.

Just some plain vanilla cupcakes but they are decked out in the red, white & blue. Think they came out fun looking....and yummy!!

Have a safe & Happy 4th!!