The Boy's Piano Recital-December 2009

I still have so much to post for December and January, that I need to keep the text to a minimum, but I just wanted to remember how VERY nervous poor Josh was for his performance (just look at his face!) :( And also wanted to add that he had practiced so much that he didn't even pretend that he needed to read the music for his first song, and for his second, the "Westminster Chime", he couldn't find the right keys, despite several attempts, poor thing!! In his defense, this grand piano was at the high school, so they had never practiced on it before (we are lucky that their teacher comes to the house), but also, it sounds VERY different from ours at home. I'm not sure if he realized that he never quite hit the right notes or not-but look at his face as he gets up from the piano...

Some shots before the show starts...






And for Ben's performance, he was so funny about pretending to read the notes in his first song, (when he really could have played it blindfolded at this point) and then for the second song (Pachelbel's Canon in D-probably my most favorite song ever) he was looking every which way but at the piano. :) Too funny! But it still managed to make me cry...


Oops-I forgot I didn't get the whole song before I ran out of memory, but you get the idea...

Ben taking a bow...



Christmas cookies for Keith!



Great job, guys! We are SO proud of you both!

The Annual Carguello Christmas-Dec 13, 2009

Caught in the act! I love this shot-this is what childhood is all about...
Here is cousin Mark, shortly after his arrival, sneaking a mouthful of gumballs...he seems to find the gumball machine no matter where I hide it! :)


Watcha doin', Pop-pop?


And here is our special visitor...

I love this one also...how sweet...

The boys have been "in" on the secret of THIS Santa's real identity for a couple of years, and one of them asked me before the party started if "Pop-pop Claus" would be coming this time...I'm afraid it's only a matter of time for all of it...so we're trying to enjoy every minute of this hectic holiday...

Even the grown-ups like to get in on it...here's Aunt Lee
and Sara's turn...
And poor Grace...she obviously didn't realize that this was her beloved Pop-pop, because this as sheer torture for her.....
but once Santa was at a safe distance, she was really pleased with her new baby doll...



Ben's turn...

Cousin Matt
Cousin Courtney
Baby Claire wasn't phased (sp?) by the man in the red suit...






More Christmas torture for Grace...




And last but not least, a group shot of the girls...

Random Fun Shots of our 11 Month Old-December '09

Say "Cheese"!
Ballerina Baby





And my Santa Baby

Wow-i just realized that she has her thumb in her mouth for MOST of these-guess it's a pretty common occurence-especially when she's tired...I guess mommy's photo shoots must tire her out...

Christmas with Uncle Terry, Aunt Lisa, S, J, M & C at Nana & Gaga's House

Ben giving his gift to Nana and GagaA rare quiet cousin moment...They are really cute together, and as the oldest two, seem to enjoy each other's company...
Mark opening his "bat cave"
Gracie opening her "Night Before Christmas" book-turned out to be one of her very favorites and she asked for it every day...
Nana opening her pictures of the kiddos...
Look how great she looks when she isn't holding her hand up in front of her face to block the camera....
What did you get, Sara?
Guess Nana and Gaga got it right!
Thank you hugs
Another hit...
John enjoying his new laptop...

Gracie opening her baby doll...
Taking her for a walk...She took a couple steps and then took a huge spill due to slippery shoes-poor sweetie!

A Christmas cookie made it all better...
Claire got a new hat...


And so did Daddy? Gracie knew better...



Fun with Gaga...