All About Milo

At 19 1/2 months old Milo is still all baby. He has taken a few steps but isn't even walking consistently. Since he's the last baby of our family I can't say that I'm sad that he's taking his time growing up. He's an adorable, sweet, squishable, loveable bundle of love. He's the most timid of my children, spending a lot of his time observing others, yet doesn't hesitate to let us know (loudly) when he has a need. He loves french fries (something I would have never let Jackson eat at that age - oh how times change!). He can identify a wide range of television characters thanks to his brothers' television habits. Spongebob and Dora are his favorite. Although after watching an episode of Spongebob lately I'm thinking twice about that. I'll push more Dora :) And lets not forget about his funny faces. This kid can give some looks I have never seen before - and is particularly fond of scrunching up his entire face to communicate his dislike of something. Cuteness! If only he'd stay this little forever.

Grandma Babe's Sauce

I made this two times with her in my kitchen in Virginia, and tasted it many times at her home in New York. If anyone wants to make a (slightly labor intensive) delicious marinara sauce this is it. I make a big batch and then freeze the leftovers.

1 small pack pork neck bones
1 pack Premio Italian sausage (hot or mild, I use both)
2 cans 6oz. Contadina tomato paste
2 29oz cans Hunt's tomato sauce
1/4 yellow onion
garlic
basil
salt
pepper

Use heavy stock pot, coat bottom generously with olive oil. Set heat to medium high. If heat is too high the oil will burn. Slice approx. 1/4 of a yellow onion. Lightly brown onion in oil and then remove and discard. Rinse neck bones and trim any excess bits, pat dry on paper towel and brown in oil. Remove and set aside. Take sausages and hand "roll" them until they are straight and not curved. Brown all sides in oil. Only brown 3-4 at a time as not to crowd the pot. Remove sausages and set aside. Turn heat down to low, add two cans tomato paste and one can water, stir until "saucy". Raise heat to med-high and bring to a low boil. Add 1 layer around pot of garlic powder, a little pepper, and 1 tsp. salt. Add two cans of tomato sauce, stir well and then return meat to pot. Bring to a boil and add another layer of garlic powder and 1/2 tsp. basil. Lower to simmer and cover pot almost all the way to steam can escape. Simmer as long as possible but at least one hour.

Jackson showing Grandma his playroom during one of her visits:

Christmas with the Boys

We had a fantastic day, filled with adorably happy little boys. Everyone got what they wanted from Santa and had a great time opening gifts and spending time together. We made a few trips over to Ma Ma and Pa Pa's house and had a yummy seafood dinner at Granddad and Paula's!

Halloween Day

I'm finally getting up some Halloween photos. We had out of town visitors for the weekend so we were very busy! The boys all had a blast carving pumpkins, breaking open a ghost pinanta, and of course trick or treating. Even Milo enjoyed riding in the stroller and watching the big boys run around. :)

First days of school

The older boys started school last week! Jackson is in first grade and is really enjoying his teacher. Andrew has finally ventured outside of our home to a part time preschool. He attends a local church program on Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-noon. He has only gone one time but appeared to thoroughly enjoy himself. My boys love getting away from me ;) Monday through Friday I have Milo of course, who is 8 month old and growing way too fast, as well as a sweet baby girl who plays with us for around four hours in the mornings. It's very busy around here! I guess summer really is over now. As fun as it was I love all the excitement and coziness that comes with Autumn - it's my favorite season! Hope all of you with little ones at home got them off to school with ease :)

Half a year old!

The time passes so quickly! We've been busy enjoying our summer! Jackson has been in summer camp, having a blast getting super dirty every day. :) Milo, Andrew and I have been taking it easy, getting out of the house as much as possible when it's not 100+ degrees. Milo just turned six months old so we had his photos taken in the same pose as his brothers did when they were his age. I love looking at the differences. Milo looks just like Oren (at least I thinks so)! Hope you are all enjoying the summer break :)

Spring has Sprung

And I love my hydrangeas!