Christmas Morning at the Capponcelli's

Selfies with Aunt Michelle and Ava

 All the Peoples!

Making Christmas Magic

Missy, Ava, Caity, Camden and I made cookies for Christmas.  We had fun as always.  We made a mess.. as always. The results were not only delicious. but beautiful!

USS John C. Stennis 25th Reunion

It's not every day that an event like this happens and I am proud to say that I got to be a part of the fun!  25 years ago this week, the US Navy Aircraft Carrier, the USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 was commissioned. I was one of the crew that was stationed aboard along with my husband Terry.  As the Stennis was back in Norfolk, they invited the plank owners aboard to see the old girl. This was the day!

The hight before, we met a few of our close friends for dinner and drinks at the Norfolk Waterside area.

I can't post some of the pics from the inside of the ship, you know operational security and all! But here are some that I can share! 

Family Day at Hollins

Claire's college was hosting Family Day so Terry and I drove up and picked up her Dad (my brother Mike) on the way. She's a freshman at Hollins University and took us around campus and up to the Roanoke Star. We ended the weekend with a trip to Cracker Barrel!

An Evening of Poe

 What a lovely night at the Hunter House! (Victorian Museum in Norfolk - Link to site HERE) 

They hosted an Evening of Poe for Halloween and I just HAD to go! I love his work and the plan was to hear small sections read by various artists in different rooms in the house. We had such a great time!

Ava Pigtails

 Baby Ava let me put pigtails today. 

Dinner with Work Friends

 After work, we went to Lockside Grill in Chesapeake. Always a blast with these ladies.

Valerie and Sheree....         Me and Ally

Below:

Me and April...   April, Val, Sheree, Shannon, Me and Ally...  Val and Sheree

Claire's First Tattoo

There's not a card for this, but when your niece asks you for advice on getting her first tattoo... you help her research, help her select the right artist and go with her. It doesn't hurt at all when you know someone (Olivia) who is an amazing artist who made an opening for her on the weekend that she was visiting!

Terry and Me

 

Some days he will placate me by allowing a selfie or 2 before we head out to a movie. Today, was one of those days!

Grrrrr

Well Grrrrr was feeling some kind of way this morning and let me snap a few pictures AND get in a few pets before she decided that she'd had enough. She's such a beautiful girl and on occasion she does let me love her. It's not often, but I take advantage when she does. I love you tiny monster!

Dex and Rocket

Big Jinx and Tiny Rocket

Ah, my big ginger floof! I love this face. He has no idea how big he is!! He'll be 6 on March 26th and weighs in at about 19-20 pounds. He's a B I G boy!!

And then there's this guy! He was super helpful helping me plan the grocery list and menu this afternoon.. Rocket J. just turned 3 on Jan 29th.

He was trying to drink my tea as well!

Happy Birthday Terry

Since he hates his picture being taken and attention, I made him a cake. 

Boop Happens

The evolution of a boop. So, I'm at my computer and I look over and see Der looking kinda sneaky, so I grab my phone in the hopes of getting something awesome. Well, I did! He snuck down and smelled Rocket's head and then gave him a boop on the face. So awesome. I love these two!

Handsome Ollie

My Little Lord Oliver. 

1 Year and 5 Months Old

Sweet Bears

 Baby Dexter decided he was extremely interested in what I was crocheting this morning.

Oliver was a cuddle bug

And then there was Rocket. Dexter Morgan was on the One Fast Cat Treadmill and Rocket does not like to share.

Cooking, Cats and Creativity

Rocket J. loves to play with his toys, the problem is that he sometimes plays with them in a way that I don't even think the toy creators intended. I love that about him. Today was no different, he played with his Catit Design Senses Roller Circuit upside down and then emptied all of his toys from his toy basket and played IN the empty basket. 

Started a new piece today. It's going a lot faster than I was thinking. 

Oliver and Jinx

Theres NOTHING like walking into the living room and looking over to the couch and seeing two of your five baby bears cuddling/holding hands. 

Oliver is 1 year and 4 months old and Jinxie is 5, 6 in March.

Cats and Windows

I know, I know. Everyone thinks their cats are the cutest. BUT, look at this face! Baby Dexter Morgan, age 3 (4 in June) loves to watch out of the front window.

Then Rocket and Jinx decide to come in for some camera time. They know when I'm taking pictures and the majority of time, they pose!

New Years Day Hike

So, after a heavy brunch with Ally, Val, Jason and Cole-- it was decided that we should go take a hike to work off some of the food. First Landing State Park is a few minutes drive from our house and we decided to go and take one of the 5 mile hikes.

First Landing State Park is near the site of the first landing of Christopher Newport on 26 April 1607 as they established the first colony in Jamestown. The part is toughly 2900 acres.

So much beauty in one place! Even a swamp looks amazing here!

Val, Ally and I decided to hide in the woods from Jason and Val's son Cole to "scare" them, which started a domino effect of "scares" on the trail for the next 2 hours!

We just had to stop right here and take a moment to appreciate the view. It's insane to believe that this is just a few minutes drive from the house. 

Ah, Jason and Val make such great hike companions. Always up for a photo. Thanks Ally for taking!!