Greg, Sarah, Davis, Kellon & Bella

October 2009

2009-10-31T17:51:00.006-06:00

Yes, Davis is beating Greg!

Kellon Cooley Gandolfo

2009-08-21T18:46:00.007-06:00

June 30th, 2009
5 lbs. 2 oz. 19 inches

5:42 pm

A few hours old!

after his bath (at the hospital) - July 5th

July 6th

Getting ready to head home from the hospital. First picture of the brothers!
(July 22nd)

Proud big brother!

Bath time

...Because Kellon got to!

Tummy time

Sharing 'blankie'

Can't believe that he is almost 3!

Were Back!

2009-08-21T18:45:00.008-06:00

Here is the past few months in a nutshell...

Learning to play baseball

With Dad after the last home game.

Always wants to be "just like dad."

Riding bikes with Papa in Sunriver

Hanging with my bud Spencer Yuma (Redmond OR)

Davis and Spencer

Kayaking with Papa

Thomas the Train!

Looking out the window during the ride on Thomas.

Davis and Sir Topem Hat

"All by myself"

So proud!

Bridge walk with Kelly and her dog Spencer

At the Zoo with Oliva Jordan and Kylie Pizutti

Davis, Olivia and Kylie... My favorite picture!

Trick or Treat

2008-11-19T21:05:00.005-07:00

The Crew

Thomas the Train, Davis picked this costume himself...

Fall

2008-11-19T20:16:00.008-07:00

A pumpkin patch or two, a trip to Hawaii for a great wedding , and just hanging out... sums up our Fall...

Hanging out

In the hay maze

Through the tunnel (again)

The Girls

Paying for Pumpkins

Carving Pumpkins with Dad

Making Brownies!

HAWAII

Molly becoming bridal!!!

The girls

Andy, Amy, Katie and Matt

The beautiful bride and her new husband!

Our table, a few drinks later...

Halloween

2008-10-18T18:33:00.006-06:00

Its hard to believe that its halloween again! I found a few pictures of Davis from the past two Halloweens. His first Halloween he was just 6 weeks old...

2006 (not a great picture, but its the only one I could find with a pumpkin-a little trollish!)

2006

2007

2008 to come...

Life in Idaho

2008-10-11T15:42:00.006-06:00

Honolulu Hawaii: High 85 sunny.

Portland Oregon: High 64, Sunny.

Solvang California: High 72, Sunny

Last week at this time, Greg and I were in beautiful Hawaii for my friend Mollys wedding (more pictures to come.) On Sunday, I was laying on a beach in Hawaii, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying the sun.

at the beach, swimming, and boogie boarding... what a rough day...

This week:

TWIN FALLS IDAHO:
High 38, low 26, scattered snow showers!

Last Thursday I was driving to work (it was still dark out) and I saw what I thought were a lot of little bugs... no, it was snowing, just for about 10 minutes. Just a little bit. I was told that it was rare for snow this early.

Friday during the day, it snowed again, this time for about 2 hours, sticking to the ground. When it stopped snowing, the snow melted. Again, I am told this is rare.

I woke up this morning to 2-3 inches of snow on the ground and it was still snowing. It is now 3:30, the snow has stopped and is starting to melt. BUT, its suppose to snow again tonight up to 4 inches.... HELLO, ITS OCTOBER! IT DOESN'T SNOW IN OCTOBER! (I just looked out the window, and its starting to snow again.)

Only in Idaho!

At least Davis really liked the snow!

And the Terrible 2's Begin...

2008-09-20T16:39:00.006-06:00

Davis turned two on the 13th of September. My parents (Nani and Papa), my sister Allison, and Dave, Jayme and the girls helped us celebrate! It turned out to be a Thomas the Train Party!

My first attempt at decorating a cake. (at least it tasted good!)

Eating cake with the girls

more frosting... (His daycare gave him this hat the day before and he wore it ALL weekend!)

I don't think Davis really ate any cake. I think he just smeared the frosting on his face.

Posing in his new Thomas the Train Helmet... He actually wore this helmet around Target with the big plastic box around it, I felt like I had to buy it...

New Bike and Helmet (because he really needs a helmet... You know those trikes can be dangerous!)

Coming up into the playroom and seeing the train table for the first time.

Playing with the trains

Still playing... everyday!!!

Why you don't put bubble bath in a jetted tub...

2008-09-07T20:30:00.003-06:00

Every once in awhile we let Davis take a bath in the tub in the master bath. (it takes forever to fill up.) Davis asked is he could have bubbles... sure, I don't see why not...

There was a layer at least a foot thick, and spilling out of the tub!

Lost in Bubbles!

Playing in the water

After the bath I had to rinse him off and he wanted to take a shower! So he stayed in the shower for another 10 minutes! (he even asked to have the radio turned on-like dad). He usually hates the shower, and hates having water put on his head. Not this time. He even washed his own hair. Now if I could just get him to do his dishes...

Fair Part 4!

2008-09-07T20:23:00.003-06:00

After many days at fair we come to the last day. I have been told this is quite a difficult day for those that have raised animals to show. On the last day there is an auction and the animals are sold. There a lot of tears from the kids. (its really sad to see a kid walking out of the barn in tears because thier pig just got sold.)

Katie in the ring showing her pig while its being bid on.

Katie with her sale tag.

Carly at the start of her turn in the auction ring. (nice sign)

Carly with her sale tag. ($3.40 a pound!- the highest they are able to sell it for!)

Fair Part 3

2008-09-07T20:04:00.003-06:00

After all the kids have shown thier pigs, there is a fundraiser for next years Swine Group. Parents pay a small fee to compete against other adults in showing pigs. Greg, his dad and brother all entered for a little friendly family competition.

Greg showing Katies pig.

Greg was placed in 1st for his group, but then lost.

They only selected the top two for each group.

Chuck in action. (notice the wet spot on his shin. He got a little to close to the pig while it was relieving itself. I am told that this is common for pigs to do during showmanship, and it happens to a lot of people!-YUCK!)

Davis watching all the action.

Dave showing "eyebrows". He is wearing Gregs 4-H hat from the 80's. Greg dug it out of the garage before the competition. Greg used to be quite the pig shower (if there is such thing) and was in 4-H for 8 years!

At the fairgrounds they have a model train building that is actually there year round. We spent a good hour+ there.

Davis loved this model set and watched for a long time.

This is the new model that the train people are working on. It is huge. This is only half! It has 3-4 trains that travel on different tracks, through tunnels, and over bridges. I have a feeling we'll be back to visit the trains soon.

After the trains we went to see the "neigh-neighs" as Davis refers to them. We went into the draft horse barn. Those horses were HUGE! Greg is 6' 2" and they towered over him. Believe it or not, this one (above) was not one of the huge ones!

Davis wouldn't pet the horse, but wanted to be right next to it!

Fair Part 2

2008-08-31T10:23:00.005-06:00

Saturday was the day that Katie and Carly showed their pigs. We spent the day at the fairgrounds. Davis had a blast!

Hanging out in the pig barn. Davis would take scoops of sawdust and push it around with his tractor.

Katie in action showing her pig.

Katie was placed in the 1st place pen for showmanship. They then had a "show-off" between the first pen and second pen.

The "show-off", and the winner is...

Katie! 1st place for showmanship in her class!

Katie and Carly

Grandma G, Davis and Katie hanging out

Then it was Carlys turn to show her pig.

In action

Carly was placed in the 1st pen also for her division. There was another "show-off' between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Carly ended up coming in 3rd for her division!

Katie with her medal and trophy.

Proud Parents

Davis at the petting zoo

Brushing a cow with Carly

Feeding Goats (my favorite animal...Yuck!)

Feeding yet another animal

The Whole Gang

2008-08-31T10:14:00.005-06:00

Charles and John came into town for a night. Then entire Gandolfo family went out to dinner. This is the first time we have ALL been together in a long time (over 5 years!)

The entire Gandolfo family.

The four cousins posing...

and getting a little crazier...(we are waiting for Gracie to get a little older before we throw her into the crazy cousins mix for pictures.)

Fair Day part 1

2008-08-31T10:06:00.004-06:00

Grandpa G (or Chuck) came into town for fair. When he arrived Bea, Chuck, Greg, Davis and I grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading to fair for the evening.

Davis remembered who Papa was and didn't miss a beat. He had to sit by him at dinner, and wanted to hold his hand in the parking lot.

Checking out the pig barn.

Carly showing Davis all the pigs.

Davis was scared to go in the pig pen with Carly, but really wanted to pet the pigs.

Carly with her one of her pigs "eyebrows."

Hanging out with the fam (and the pigs)

Uncle Dave's Birthday

2008-08-31T09:57:00.003-06:00

Dave turned 32 ( for the 6th time...) on the 26th. It was the first night of fair (a huge deal in Twin Falls), so we celebrated with pizza and cake in the camper at fair. Dave's girls (katelyn and Carly) are showing pigs so they stay in the camper (along with half of Twin Falls and surrounding areas) for the week of fair.

Greg and Dave

Carly and Grandma G.

Blowing out candles

Davis really liked the cake and decided to help himself.

Enjoying the cake...

2008-08-31T09:55:00.001-06:00

Davis loves to play on the lawn mower... it could keep him entertained for hours.

A Little Different

2008-08-31T09:48:00.002-06:00

At the new school I am teaching it, things are a little bit different than the last school I was at. I am at Buhl High School, with a student population of 380 students. (yes, that is Freshman-Senior). It is in a little town east of Twin Falls.

This is the view out my classroom window, over the student parking lot.

This is the view from the front steps of the school. I zoomed in, so you can't see the parking lot, as seen in above picture and road in-between the field and the school...

Memories

2008-08-17T18:58:00.005-06:00

Greg and I have not been back to Boise together since I moved in 2000. The morning after Charles competition, we drove around to some of our old haunts. Wow, things have changed!
(we took the pictures as we drove by, hence the side mirror.)

The infamous Suds Tavern. Where it all began...

Greg and I were neighbors for a while. We drove down Lincoln street to see our old houses and this is what we saw....

These were the stairs up to my house. The red X above shows about where my front door was, and the red x below shows about where my room was.

This was where Gregs house stood. You can see the drive way dip in the sidewalk...oh well, they were both pretty beat up anyway. I have been told they are building another parking garage there.

1604 W Boise. This was a great place to live, with-in walking distance to Campus, Albertsons, and best of all walking distance to SUDS! The top right unit was home!

Oh what fun....and what great memories!

DNA Rail Jam- Boise Idaho

2008-08-17T18:33:00.006-06:00

My Nephew Charles is very involved in freestyle, ariel, mougal, and rail skiing. One of his sponsers is DNA. They had a rail jam in Boise so we all went to see it. Basically people ski or snowboard down metal rails and do lots of tricks. It was really neat to see him in his element and to have the whole family (except Chuck) together. Charles came in first for skiiers and also won best trick- 540 on, 270 off.

The family at Old Chicago for a bite to eat before the competition.

Davis wouldn't stay still while waiting for food, so Grandma G and Katelyn took him to a fountain to play.

Everyone eating (and eating- the meals were huge!)

Preliminaries

Another run

Grandma G, Jayme and baby Gracie

Another trick

Katelyn and Carly went and sat in the VIP section, and of course Davis had to go sit with them. (it also didn't hurt that they had a rice crispy treat... as you can see Davis dug right in.)

Finals (thats the state capital in the background)

The smile of a winner!

Proud Grandma

Getting his prize. In this competition the winner is invited to Las Vegas for the Ski show in Jan. They go with DNA and do tricks on the rails at the show for others to see! Charles went last year and can't wait to go again! Hmm, maybe we should go and support him in Vegas!

Family

2008-08-17T18:29:00.002-06:00

John and Charles came to stay with us for a few nights. Bea was also in town. We had everyone over for a BBQ.

The Gandolfo Cousins: L to R Carly, Davis, Katelyn and Charles. (Gracie was sleeping.)

Dinner with John, Bea and the cousins

Fun Times

2008-08-17T18:27:00.000-06:00

Molly's Bridal Shower

2008-08-17T18:06:00.003-06:00

Alyssa Pizzuti and I threw a bridal shower for Molly on Aug. 10th. It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait until her wedding this fall in Hawaii!

We had the shower at my parents house. They have just finished redoing the back patio and were proud to "show it off."

Kelly and me

Alyssa and Cara

Molly and her Grandmother

The blushing bride...

Ms. Ono, Mollys future Mother in Law and Mary, her mom.

Bend Oregon

2008-08-16T11:36:00.011-06:00

Davis and I went to Sunriver for a week to see my family.

Helping Papa hang a bird feeder

Filling the bird feeder

They had an exhibit set up in Sunriver that had fire trucks, police cars, and tractors.

On the fire truck ...

On the tractor...

Driving the tractor...

Air Guitar

Showing off his sticker from the bike police in Sunriver

Eating a cookie from Papa... So Davis and my dad would go to the bakery every morning, but they wouldn't return until several hours later. Each morning they would go to the stables to see the horses, to the airport to see the planes, to see the fire trucks etc. One day they even got to see a helicopter that was doing some practice runs. When the helicopter took off Davis made the sign for more. My dad was trying to explain to him that it was flying away, when a gentleman standing next to them said it would be right back, it was just doing a test flight. When the helicopter landed the guy took Davis and my dad over to the helicopter and let them go inside, and even let Davis sit in the pilots seat!

One of the many deer in the "neighborhood" in sunriver.

Swimming in the hottub with Nani...

Blowing bubbles and showing us how he does it ALL by himself.

Bubbles with Morgan. (Morgan is my Cousin Merideths daughter, so I am not sure what that makes her and Davis, I think second cousins)

Morgan Ostrer blowing bubbles

Davis and I also got a chance to go to the park and to lunch with the Yumas! Dina and Nate worked with Greg and I at Goleta Valley Junior High and lived around the corner from us in Solvang! They moved to Redmond 2 years ago, and have a son Spencer who is just a few months younger than Davis.

At lunch with Spencer.

2008-07-29T18:34:00.005-06:00

Davis and I went to Roaring Springs water park in Boise with his cousins and some of thier friends. They have a great kiddie area with a playground in the middle of the pool. These are a few of the pictures of Davis going down the water slides with his cousins (in the kiddie area).

The yellow slide in the middle was the only one Davis could go down. He loved it and probably went down 50 times that day!

Going down with cousin Carly

Splashing into the pool.

Going down with cousin Katelyn

Enjoying every minute of it!

Splashing into the pool at the end (again)...

Just Like Dad

2008-07-26T11:08:00.003-06:00

Greg plays in a mens softball league here in Twin. After one game Greg took Davis onto the field to teach him to run the bases.

First...

Taking a break, and then straight to ...

Third... (who needs second base anyway)

Home!

Brownies!

2008-07-26T11:03:00.002-06:00

Making Brownies with cousin Katelyn.

Still stirring.

The best part!

Bed Time With Dad

2008-07-26T11:01:00.003-06:00

Watching Thomas the Train with dad.

Summer Fun

2008-07-26T10:57:00.003-06:00

Enjoying a push-pop at a birthday party.

We just let him run through the sprinkler after this....who needs a bath tub!

Papa

2008-07-20T11:45:00.004-06:00

Davis is enamored with "papa." He only wanted to do things with papa during our entire visit. (I don't think my dad minded at all.) Davis would literally wake up saying "papa, papa" and run around looking for him first thing everyday and only wanted papa to read stories at night.

Out to dinner at O'Conners

Multi-tasking

Story time before bed. Again, only papa could read to him...

Westlake Park

2008-07-20T11:38:00.003-06:00

My dad and I took Davis to Westlake Park in Lake Oswego. We met Alyssa, Kylie and Cara Pizzuti there.

So proud that he could go down the slide all by himself.

Still proud after the 100th time down the slide by himself...

First time on a tire swing...

Hanging out with Kylie in the tunnel.

First Haircut

2008-07-20T11:25:00.005-06:00

I know earlier I said that Davis desperately needed a haircut. When he insisted that I put a ponytail holder in his hair one morning, I knew it was time. We went to this place called Kiddie Castle Cuts! What a great place. Davis didn't want to leave when he was done.

This is why I made the appointment... He wanted the ponytail holder in his hair!

One last picture. I loved his curly hair, but it was time...

Driving the race car

Playing with the hundreds of animals they have

Goodbye rat-tail

His new do. He looks so much older now

This is the reason we couldn't leave. They had a HUGE train set/table with all the Thomas trains AND the table made noises!

Portland Zoo

2008-07-20T11:19:00.003-06:00

During our visit to Portland we went to the zoo. (on possibly the hottest day during our visit, at the hottest time of day...)

Feeding the penguins

Sizing up the bears...

On the train with Grandma and Aunt Allie

Looking at the bears with Papa

How Times Have Changed

2008-07-20T10:50:00.004-06:00

During our recent trip to Portland Davis and I got to see a bunch of my old high school friends (and some I have known since I was a baby!) It was fun going back to Jens house. I used to go there for daycare (30 years ago.) Now to see Davis there (about the same age I was when I started) was crazy!

Catching up on old times...

Davis and Kylie playing in the water.

Jacob Fruth... What a Cutie!

Kylie and Greta

The Johnson girls...Greta and Calla

Olivia Jordan - future star!

Molly looking like a pro... with the help of Cara

The best group shot of the kids we could get!

All of us... (L to R) Sandie and Olivia Jordan, Dani Webb with Kylie Pizzuti, Alyssa and Cara Pizzuti, Davis and I, Jen and Jake Fruth, Sarah and Calla Johnson, and Molly Newcomb with Greta Johnson! Wow how times have changed!!!

Visit to the Dairy

2008-07-07T14:09:00.003-06:00

Davis and I finally got out to the dairy yesterday! I haven't been there since 2000. They now have over 2000 cows. Uncle David and cousins Katie and Carly showed Davis and I around.

One of the many pens of cows during feeding time. This is about half way down the "pen" and there are feeding gates running down both sides of the road.

Davis was a little unsure of all the cows at first so Greg had to carry him.

Davis got to ride in the feeding truck with Greg and Uncle Dave. He kept pointing to all the cows and mooing. (I know- no seat belt...the truck only goes 5 mph between the rows of cows.)

After Dave was done feeding we all went to the nursery where all the baby cows were. This brown cow is just a few hours old! Once they are checked, they are placed in these holding pens until they are returned to their mothers.

This baby cow was also just a few hours old. He still had the wobbly legs like you see on the nature shows.

Razor Shortage

2008-07-07T14:05:00.003-06:00

Greg has decided to live like a true Idahoan...

San Clemente CA

2008-07-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

Just before we left for Idaho, we went down to spend a weekend with my grandparents, Davis' great-grandparents. We had a great time. Greg and Papa got in 9 holes of golf, and my grandma, Davis and I had a nice day at the pier. Davis warmed up really quickly and loved all the attention.

Davis and Papa sharing crackers.

Breakfast the first morning with great-grandpa

Watching the surfers with Great-Grandma.

Somebody wanted to walk all by themselves! Mr. Independent

Breakfast the second morning with Great-Grandma

4th of July

2008-07-05T08:17:00.001-06:00

Davis and I joined his cousins Katie, Carly and Baby Gracie for a local parade. Lots of horses and tractors. Right up Davis' alley!

Davis and Katie (with friends Skyler and Mathew) watching the parade.

One of the many groups of horses!

After the parade Dave, Jayme, Katie, Carly and Gracie came over for a BBQ. The kids played in the pool and on the slip n' slide. They also brought a few (small ) fireworks over for Davis.

Carly and Davis drying off in the sun.

Davis and Katie watching a firework.

Yard Work

2008-07-03T21:54:00.000-06:00

Greg and Davis mowing the lawn

Follow up from yesterday

2008-07-03T10:19:00.001-06:00

I don't think that you can really understand what we were talking about yesterday at the pool without a visual. So, I took some photos this morning to show the hair!

Here is how Davis' hair looks when dry.

Here is his hair wet! (it was even worse when all his hair was slicked down yesterday!)

WELCOME TO IDAHO!

Fitting Right In

2008-07-02T20:47:00.000-06:00

So, I have been thinking about starting a blog for awhile, but just not gotten around to it. I figure todays little adventure is a good way to start.
We have talked about giving Davis a haircut for months now. We just never got around to it. Today moved it up to the top of our list!
Greg, Davis and I have been having fun exploring our new town. Today we decided to go to the local YMCA pool. Davis loves playing in the water. So, we get to the pool and are all swimming around I look at the back of Davis' neck and notice that his hair is a good 2 inches BELOW his shoulders. It looked like a rat tail from the 80's! His hair is usually curly, so I hadn't noticed how long it had really gotten. We just figure he fits in with the locals now!

So, besides the hair, we are getting settled in to our new house/neighborhood/town. We are almost completely unpacked, and learning how to take care of a yard! (and realizing how much work it takes!) There are definately things we miss back in Solvang, but are still excited about this adventure!