ANTHONY & DOMINICK (slideshow)

DEVYN & MOLLY (slideshows)

ALAYNA (slideshow with music--turn on speakers)

THIS ALSO IN...

The moment we've all been waiting for... Alayna's school picture from the fall. We just got it a couple of days ago. The whole thing was a HOT mess, but it's over now. So, for your viewing pleasure:

6th grade-2008

GO WOLVES!

Alayna's #1 fans...(Arthur & Wendy)

To make good on my New Year's resolution, here are some photos from Alayna's first basketball game (Jan 20th). They won! Alayna has a lot to learn since this is her first time playing, but she is

very excited. They have another game today. Jon & I haven't been able to make a game together due to conflicting work schedules, but at least we get to see her play!

the final score...they won!

Alayna & Mackenzie (her BFF)

GO WOLVES!!!!!!

2009 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Out with old and in with the new. Now that the oh, so crazy year of 2008 is over, I was hoping to take a more relaxed approach to the upcoming year. So far, not looking so good. My resolution is to get back on track with this website and my family website. I am trying to get back in touch with the life I once used to know-it just seems to get crazier instead of slower!

I will start with the most recent news...Alayna tried out for the Girls' Basketball team and she made it! She's very excited and we're very proud of her. Her BFF, Mackenzie made the team too so hopefully they can make each other look good. She has never played before (other than in gym class) but she is like her dad and picks up things quite easily, especially when it has to do with sports. Her schedule will definitely keep all of us running. Practice and games will take up 4 nights a week. She also was on the cross-country team this year and really liked it. Again, something she'd never done before, but tried it anyway. Below is her picture from cross country. That's all I can give to you now because she still hasn't received her school photos yet. There was a big screw-up--long story. She also got her own digital camera for Christmas (nicer than mine) and takes MANY pictures of herself, her friends, and anything else that moves. I've included a picture of her & her Uncle Artie at Christmas. I guess she's not so little anymore.

Devyn doesn't have much going on with her. She is up to her usual story writing and her numerous craft projects. Santa brought her a student desk and is hoping that will give her the opportunity to create some amazing stuff. She is doing fantastic in school as expected. One of her classmates said to me that he thinks she's the smartest in the class. That was quite a compliment to her. She has a new BFF that is in her class so it makes it easy for her to hang out with her. Her name is Emerson and they are two peas in a pod. They have the same sense of humor and have the same temperment. They are both the youngest sister and they are good for each other. Devyn helps me a lot with the boys. When someone needs to snuggle, she is there. She is anxious for spring because she loves to be outside and needs to get some "winter" energy out instead of running all over the house. She's such an acrobat! Here is her 3rd grade school picture from the fall.

In no particular order, here's the update on Molly. She lays low during the winter, but seems to keep her social calendar full. Her friend Sarah lives close and they hang out or talk on the phone quite a bit. She happens to live across the street from Alayna's friend Mackenzie. Santa was "creative" with his presents for her too. Molly said that Santa would know what she wanted. Ugh! You ask and so you shall receive...she got a boatload of "school stuff". The basement is set up like a little classroom and she got more stuff for an actual classroom. She even got a teacher's planner book, hall passes, notes from the principal, etc. Seemed to be a real hit. Her other favorite gifts were her soft robe/slippers and an electric blanket. The kid is ALWAYS cold. I think that she'd take her blanket to school if she could. Molly is always a help too. She is growing up and I feel like I'm missing it due to the busy schedule around here. Time to change it. I know Molly expressed interest in running for class President next year and has informed us that she would like to go to Harvard for college. I guess between her love for teaching, history of Presidents, and her craving for knowledge will get her into teaching or something along those lines. Here is her 4th grade picture.

We spent our Thanksgiving at Jon's sister's house. Christmas was very eventful and had the chance to spend Christmas Eve at my Grandma's, Christmas Day with my Aunt, Uncle, cousin, brother, my mom and her friend. I worked New Year's Eve at the restaurant and then we had Jon's parents & his sister's family for a very nice dinner. We even used our china and crystal wine glasses. That was the 2nd time we've used them since we got them as a wedding gift! Ha! It's definitely a far cry from paper plates and plasticware!

Jon & I are doing well. Busy as usual. He is working and playing Mr. Mom when I go to work. He's the best! The kids and I are lucky to have him. I am still wotking at the restaurant 4 nights a week and work out 2 of the other nights. My resolutions this year are to get back on my weight loss regimen and to get some "projects" done that have been set aside for awhile. I'd also like to spend a little more "quality" time with everyone as a family.

Here's just some random (fairly recent photos) of the kids. There's no way to catch up for the last 3 months, but here's a shot.

Molly, Devyn, & Alayna on their way to dinner & to see the Nutcracker.

Dominick taking all of the credit for the gingerbread house. The only thing he did was help to eat it!

<> Anthony playing peek-a-boo.

Anthony & Devyn at a birthday party. It was the boys' first friend party.

Christmas Day: Molly, Mom, Alayna, Arthur, & Devyn

A self portrait of Alayna wearing the "benefits" of cousin Wendy working at Victoria Secret.

Alayna & Dominick hanging out.

That's all for now...hope everyone had a great holiday. Love to all and please remember to keep in touch. s.bilich@comcast.net or you can catch me on http://www.facebook.com/. I also post pictures on there too.

BACK TO SCHOOL

School has officially started! Yahoo! IThe decreased noise level is a welcomed sound. Yes, I still have the boys, but they were so good and I think that they enjoyed having the house back to themselves. However, they cried when the girls left. Throughout the day when they saw or heard a school bus go by, they ran to the door or window to see if their sisters were coming. It was really cute.



The girls started yesterday (Monday) and only had a half day. Alayna is in 6th grade and started at a new school. She was very anxious to get to school today so that she could switch classes and use her locker. Her school starts an hour later than she's used to, so she's getting up about the same time as the girls and getting ready, but has no where to go. I think she's forgotten that she can sleep in a little later!

Devyn, Alayna, & Molly

Devyn & Molly

Devyn & Molly

Devyn

Molly

Alayna

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (08/13/08)

SNOW WHITE: ME

SEVEN DWARFS: MY 5 KIDS + 2 MORE

My friend Kylla had some affairs to get in order

while in town, but she didn't have a sitter. I volunteered because it has been long overdue that I have seen her boys and spent some quality time with them. It was a lot of fun, but tiring. I have also known Kylla since high school and couldn't imagine doing anything else when she needed someone. The boys stayed overnight and it was a flashback in time for me. Brayden, 5, was an absolute pleasure and way too smart for his own good. Rhylan,1, brought a lot of smiles into this house. He was the BEST baby and I couldn't have asked for an easier sleepover. However, I do not miss the baby cleanup after meals, but I do miss the "toothless" smiles.

We celebrated Brayden's 5th birthday (was the day before) by baking Brownies and apparently it was one of the many parties he was to partake in for the month. Here are the two additional children that I "inherited" for a couple of days. Kylla & Jason, thanks for letting me spend time with your awesome boys! They are welcome back any time.

THE NEW ROOMS (08/06/08)

As all sisters do, they fought until it drove me crazy! In a desperate attempt to regain my sanity and save their lives, I decided it was time to seperate them. The girls had been couped up in one room and had to share EVERYTHING! They slept on a bunk bed that had a full size bed on the bottom and a twin on top.

The toy room no longer exists and my scrapbook area is now a little smaller. Oh well, it's worth it. Alayna moved into the basement which is unfinished, but has carpet and painted walls. She had it decorated in no time. By the time I finished up with the girls' room, she was all moved in! It has been wonderful for all of us and she loves the privacy--she's at that age! Here are a few shots of her new room. We have a few more things to do down there so it can be a little more comfortable and more "stylish" for her.

Alayna is SOOOOO excited about her new room!

Here is a peek at Molly & Devyn's room:

We didn't do too much in here except take out the bunk bed and set up the twin beds. The boys will have to stay in their cribs a bit longer. These were going to be their beds. It has made a world of difference by doing this. The girls all have their own space and I now know who REALLY was the slob! I won't mention any names. :)

A DAY AT GRANDMA & POPPY'S (08/01/08)

GRAB A DRINK & A SNACK, THERE'S A LOT OF PHOTOS!

The boys wearing Grandma's glasses. They came out of the kitchen with these on and fought until each one had a turn.

Mark this on your calendars...Molly & Devyn were getting along!

As the boys are riding their trucks down the sidewalk, Dominick gets off his truck and pushes it over. He heads into the neighbor's yard (seen here) and just starts to pout. I thought he was joking around, but he meant BUSINESS! He was so mad, I had enough time to run into the house to get my camera and capture this face I've never seen before. I still to this day, don't know what he got mad.

GOING FOR A RIDE ON THE TRIKE...

Devyn & Anthony were giving each other rides on the trike. They looked so cute! For the rest of the afternoon, the boys took turns riding the trike and the fire truck, but Anthony mostly rode the trike after Dominick's pouting spell.

TREE CLIMBING...

This is a beautiful cherry blossom tree that has been climbed by all of the children and grandchildren of this family. The boys wanted to try their first climb.

Molly

Dominick

Anthony

PUPPY LOVE...

This is Grandma & Poppy's 1 yr. old Akita named Tip. He and the boys are great friends, and here's proof:

Dominick gets puppy kisses.