Fall

Well as we all know lots of time has passed since my last post. I cannot seem to remember to update often but maybe that has alot to do with lack of time. Tomorrow will be the annual West View Halloween Parade and I will be posting some pics, however, they will only be of Jimmy as Billy has now decided he is not dressing up. Wow 7th grade is still the big year change. Billy is having a great year so far and absolutely loves being up on the hill. Jimmy is now in 3rd grade and loves the fact that he has Mrs. Bollens. So what can I say I have 2 boys that love school. Way to go Mom. Well until tomorrow night!!!

SUMMER

Billy is no longer in elementary school, wow is he growing up quick.
Wow, it is hard to believe that there are only 26 days until school will start. Where has summer gone or has it even begun? The weather has definitely been purely Pittsburgh this year. I know that I am not that much into updating, but will get there. I will be posting communion pics of Jimmy and 6th grade graduation pics of Billy. Some of our great summer pics and who knows what else. Maybe those of you that remember to do this all the time can nudge me to update regularly

First Holy Commuion

The day is almost here and Jimmy is patiently waiting to wear his suit. At mass this past Sunday, we were sure to let him know that it was his last time to not receive Commuion. He really cannot wait to join the family every week. Tonight we have rehearsal and also get to have his gifts blessed. One from Mommy, Daddy and Billy, the other from Nana and Pappy. We are getting ready for the party we will host on Sunday for dinner. I hope that everyone has a great time there and I know Jimmy is really looking forward to showing off the new duds. Well, as you know there will be pictures to follow after we are home and settled Sunday night. Once this is over the countdown to Joni and Dave's Wedding begins.

DISNEY 2009

I wanted to continue with our vacation. Our days at Disney were long, funfilled and hot. I could not believe how fast the time went while we were there. We did use Wednesday as a break day just to hang at the pool and hot tub. The boys loved going out to dinner everyday, along with breakfast and lunch. But of course those who really know me will know that I could not wait to get home and cook. The plane ride home was very uneventful, except for seeing snow flurries out the window. Now, we are trying to come up with a game plan to return to Disney in 5 years. Will be great to go back before the kids are gone from the house. Here are some more pics.
Enjoy!!!!

Epcot-March 16, 2009

Another day of parks, but we did start out later. After an early lunch at Applebees we headed to Epcot. It was great fun to get to experience all of the countries with the boys. Jimmy was overwhelmed that we could go from Canada to China to United States. Seeing all of the countries is a definite favorite for the parents. The scaariest thing for Jimmy there was Honey I Shrunk the Audience, he really is not into the 3d shows here as some of them get really dark. Bill and the boys stood in line for TEST TRACK for a little over an hour, and well it broke down so therefore the ride was terminated. Off to guest relations we tromped and ended up getting passes to back on the 17th after 6pm with a fast pass directly onto TEST TRACK. It was a definite must do in the park and really made the kids happy that we all got to do it this time. Here are a few pics from Epcot and the rest of the trips pictures will not be uploaded until we are back in the burgh on Friday.

MAGIC KINGDOM March 15, 2009

The morning was great, we started off to a great breakfast at Denny's then off to park at Magic Kingdom. Took the tram to hop the monorail into the park. The boys faces were unbelievable, there are not words to describe the awe. Upon arriving at Magic Kingdom, Jimmy said "We better all stay together" , there were people everywhere. We got there just in time for a small parade celebration 70 years of Pinnochio. Then we were all dancing in the street in front of the castle. It was awesome. The boys didn't know which way to go first, they were both sooooo excited. We did about half of the park and will finish the reast on St. Patty's day. It was a day to remember, but honestly we saw the fireworks and then the night parade at 10pm then headed back to the parking lot by way of the ferry boat which was great to do as a family. We got back to the hotel after 11 and the boys finally went to sleep around midnight and as I am typing this on Monday they are still sleeping and it is 8:30am. TODAY IS STEELER SHIRT DAY FOR US AT EPCOT!!!!!! Keep checking back for more, SEE YA REAL SOON!!!!!

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Wow what an awesome park. Bill was in heaven with the tigers. The boys didn't know which way to look first. But of course there is a story that must be told before I get to all the fun. All 6 of us loaded into the mazda5 and headed off to Animal Kingdom, upon arrival at the pay for your parking gate, Gramma Dar realized that she forgot her and Pappy Justin's park passes. Well off us Hollinger's went to the park while they headed back to the hotel for their tickets. It was a great morning and then we went to see ITS TOUGH TO BE A BUG, it was really a great 3d production, but Jimmy got really upset with alot of the effects and I had to take him out. Then it was off to the tigers, up close and personal while they slept. They look so harmless then. We got on a safari ride which was very exciting and bumpy. FINDING NEMO musical was spetacular and by that point the boys were exhausted but we had to hit DINOLAND. Rode to roller coaster, got pictures with Goofy and Pluto and Jimmy got their autographs in his book from Gramma and Pappy. Billy is now a pin collector which Gramma and Pappy helped him get started. Jimmy found an awesome Mickey Mouse watch with his hands helping you tell the time. After leaving the park we headed to Downtown Disney and were treated to a awesome dinner at the Rainforest Cafe and then hit some shops. The boys had to get legos at the LEGO Store the pics Bill got there are sweet. Then as we hit nightfall and wanted to snap a few more pics the camera was not working, so we are probably heading to walmart in the morning before hitting MAGIC KINGDOM.

Pittsburgh Airport

Hi All.

Thought we would start with Friday March 13, 2009 as our first day of our exciting vacation to Walt Disney World. The morning started out very early as you all know, misty must have a clean house before heading on vacation. Billy and Jimmy called Gramma Dar and Pappy Justin to get us quick because they really wanted to get to the airport. Well, off to Charlie Brown Parking we headed and got to the airport with plenty of time on our hands. Had a great breakfast/lunch at McDonalds (gotta love the boys). Bill had a beer at O'Briens. Upon check in for our flight which they overbooked. They called Gramma Dar over and told her it must be her birthday because we were being given 6 seats in first class. Wow what a first flight for Bill and the boys. We got to Orlando at 2:40 retreived our luggage and got the ugliest colored Mazda 5 according to Billy. Finally we made it to the hotel where 40 winks were needed for most. Jimmy headed to the pool and I just sat back and enjoyed the quiet.. Off to Olive Garden for dinner and only got done ther at 10pm. Way too late for this family to eat. More to follow as each day progresses. Tomorrow Animal Kingdom.(which is actually today since I never blogged yesterday),

As many of you know it has been a cold and snowy weekend in our town. But the Steelers heading to the super bowl makes it quite exciting. Friday the boys and I did not have school due to the bitter cold temperature, but come Sunday they firgured out sledding down the back steps was quite fun.



Before the Steeler's game came on we decided to try to take some family pictures with the timer and tripod, I think Bill did pretty good considering we do not have any photography classes behind us.



It is back to school tomorrow, Billy will probably watch the Inaguaration, and Jimmy will be finishing his GATE testing this month, how exciting.



Here are the latest picture updates which include some fun ones of the dogs playing too.

End of winter vacation

Lunar looking innocent.

Jojo as big as ever.

Well, the big day of back to school for the boys and back to work for mommy has finally arrived. Tomorrow morning will probably be a challenge since today is the only day we got out of bed early the entire break. The boys will no doubt be exhausted after school, as is the case with any break from school.

The new year is going well so far, we have rearranged Jimmy's bedroom to make room for Roy the gecko (who turns out to be a female). Today, we removed the carpeting from Billy's room and rearranged it and finally hung up the moon phases picture from a year ago. Taking out the carpet sure got rid of the puppy smell fast. The dogs will miss going under the bed but oh well that is life.