It's Finally Happening!

 We broke ground on Monday, November 4th.  Here is Ava in front of our lot and she is next to what will be our house number.   

 These pictures are the concrete footings. 

The footing in the front is for our porch.  We currently have poured walls and this week they should be backfilling and begin framing the main level.  



Ava's 4th Birthday Party

Yesterday we had Ava's birthday party at Scamps. It was her first friend birthday party. It was so fun to watch all the kids run around and have their parents there. Ava was so excited to have her friend, Nikola, from Miss Zivka's there. He doesn't go there anymore and Ava really misses him. He's less than a month younger than Ava.

Ava and her friend Morgan and Nikola. Ava and Morgan are friends at daycare.

Gianna even got in on the fun.

 Bouncing with friends!

 Ava also misses her friend, Payton, from Miss Zivka's.

 Ava's cake turned out awesome! We had Katrina make it again this year. She went over the top!

 Make a wish!!

 I think Ava was a little overwhelmed with the presents. She was funny when she opened them. She kept saying, "This is just what I asked for!" We had a great time celebrating Ava's birthday with family and friends!

 

 

Honor Flight Homecoming

Last week Saturday, Dad accompanied Grampa on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Grampa's brother, Nello, also went on the flight. There were about 35 Zarletti's waiting for Grampa and Uncle Nello to return to Milwaukee. The homecoming was the most incredible thing I have ever seen! I was amazed at how many of the Veterans came through thanking us.  

 Auntie Anna waiting for Uncle Nello.

 Ava patiently waiting for Grampy and Great Uncle Nello. (Can you tell she wasn't feeling well?)

 Gramma waiting for Grampa.

 Gianna played with Great Aunt Maria and watched the band with her.

 While we waited, volunteers carried signs with facts about the Honor Flight participants.

 This was Dad and Grampa realizing there was a Zarletti cheering section and welcoming committee. Since Grampa's leg amputation was just about a month earlier, it was uncertain for a bit if he'd be able to participate in the Flight. He was beyond thrilled that he was able to go.

 Gramma and Grampa.

 This is an awful picture, but I had to include it. This man was the sweetest, cutest man ever! The woman with him (I assume his daughter) told us he loved children and just wanted to see all the kids that were at the homecoming. He had huge tears in his eyes and just smiled and held the kids' hands. I got a little teary eyed watching him hold Ava's hand. He was so sweet and didn't say one word while he was by us.

A Sick Day

Last week Friday we had a sick day. It started with Gianna, but Ava also woke up with a fever. Chris and I tag teamed. He had to be to work by 10:00 and I couldn't find a sub and had to test my kids to finish report cards. I went in for a couple hours and it ended up working out.

 Ava laid on the floor in her new tutu and watched movies.

Gianna is 6 Months Old

 

 Mom, I would rather be eating my toes that taking these pictures!

 Please mom, I'm tired!

 I need a nap!

Gianna is already 6 months old! A few things about her...

* Gianna wears a size 2 diaper and is wearing 3-6 month clothes.

* She is 27.5 inches tall (96th percentile) and weighs 16 lb 13 oz (61st percentile.)

*She LOVES eating her fruits and veggies. She's liked all foods so far, but isn't too keen on bananas on their own.

*She's still drinking her Neocate formula.

* Her favorite toy is her duck.

* She loves to bounce.

*She is an expert and blowing raspberries, some of which are extremely sloppy!

*Gianna loves to be sung to.

* She's mastered the art of rolling to where she'd like to go.

* She's working on sitting up by herself.

*Talking is on of her favorite pass times.

*She's still working on those teeth. There are 4 trying to push through.

 

Halloween Dinner

We had "mummy dogs" for Halloween dinner.

ARRRRG MATE!!!

The kindergarten teachers were pirates for Halloween this year. We made a grand entrance to greet our students and may have scared a couple.

Trick-or-Treat

Since Kenosha changed their Trick-or-Treat to the day of Halloween, we decided to make our rounds early. Ava was a tomato (her request since the summer) and Gianna was spaghetti and meatballs.

 We stopped at the nursing home. Grampa and Auntie Florence were there. Gramma was visiting so we made one less stop. Auntie Florece is the oldest Zarletti family member at 100.5 years old and Gianna is the second youngest at 5 months.

 We stopped to see KK and Josh and went across the street to Tammy and Joe's.

Painting Pumpkins

KK and Ava bought some pumpkins to paint when they visited the craft fair at my school. Those two little pumpkins and some paint kept her busy for awhile!

Fly, Butterfly, Fly

I found some caterpillars on some parsley that was brought in from the garden. We put them into Ava's butterfly house and one of them made its cocoon. A couple weeks later it came out and we had to release it.

 We had to give this guy lots of encouragement to fly away. We never actually saw him go away. After quite awhile we left him on the porch to fly away when he was ready.