Baby's First C'mas

Vance's first Christmas with the Faraci family on Dec 23rd.

We traveled down to Roxbury, NY on Friday the 22nd to stay with Vin's family for a few days. Our trip down was uneventful--thankfully.

For the last 30 min of the trip however we were unlucky enough to get behind a VERY drunk driver. He was swerving all over the road and was lucky not to kill anyone. We watched helplessly as this driver swerved from ditch to ditch. Each time a car was coming at him he would drive into the headlights and barely missed four cars and a tractor-trailer. He was on the opposite side of the road more than he was on his own. He was in front of us and we kept our distance, but we were helpless--as no cell phones work down there. It wasn't until he finally came to a full stop in the road and turned off into a trailer park that we could get around him, take his license plate, and make of car, and then put as much distance between us as we could. We then stopped at Vin's brother's house and called the local sheriff. I have not idea what happened...it was very stressful to witness and you could say all of us on that road were very lucky that night!

Saturday we were surrounded by family from all over NY. Vin's sister, husband and two boys (Sue, Dan, Brian and Eric) were down from Oswego, both brothers and family (Thom, Lisa, Kenndey, and Matt) and (Gary, Carolynn, Shane, Kyle) as well as aunt Jean from Rochester. We had about 19 people and lots of food...Oh and gifts galore.
We made a trip out to see Grandma Cammer with all of us and had a great time. She met her great-grandson Vance for the first time. (that photo is above)
We ate four chickens--which by the way cannot be cooked in one pot, in one oven...we tried...it didn't work. We had lots of other food as well and deserts.
Opening packages with 19 people was a free-for-all. Vance received lots of gifts and love from everyone. We took the photo of Vance and Vin's baby picture to show the resemblance between the two. He is definitely a Faraci baby with the Codella cheeks! So CUTE!

On Sunday morning we decided to work off some of that food and played in the local school gym--Thom is the athletic director. Vin's family is full of athletes and we decided to play friendly dodge ball and kickball.
Let's just say by the time we were done, all the adults were tired, the kids worn out, Thom had a torn shirt by brother Vin from a tackle at 2nd base (since when is there tackling in kickball?) and I walked out (yes, walked out...) on a swollen knee and a sore back. We all acted like 12 year old, no matter what our age, but had a blast. Thank goodness for hot tubs and heat packs!

On Monday morning we stopped at each brothers house to check out their C'mas loot and then headed up to Nisky to stay with Angie's parents for a night. Vance received more gifts and love, and so did the pups. We ate a great turkey dinner, prepared by mom, and watched a few movies. On Tues we headed back to VT so Vin could return to work Wed.

That was Vance's first C'mas. He has lots of new clothes to wear and toys to play with.

Vin and I are back to work. I have a soccer tourney tomorrow from 10am-3pm. I will get my first experience with Vance on my belly for a day of soccer, we will see how well I can coach with a 4 month old helping... Then Sat we hired a sitter so Vin and I can go skiing/snowboarding. (I am not sure it is a good idea...because I have not been on my snowboard for over a year...yikes.) Then Sunday for New Years Eve we will head down to Bristol to spend it with friends.

Hope everyone had a great holiday...and happy new year...

Family Updates

For those of you following the Faraci family blog here are some updates for this week:

1) Reese was going in for ACL surgery today but we cancelled. After talking to our friend, Maria, she convinced us to see a different Vet. So now Reese will go in for ACL knee surgery on Jan 8th--after the holidays.

2) This is an old picture but still nice. Vance has changed so much and I would like to think I look 10 pounds lighter myself.

3) Work is good for both Vin and Angie--just very busy...but who isn't busy with work?

4) Nala is great--can't leave her out. Both dogs love Vance and try to kiss him all the time and lay with him. It is very cute.

5) You won't believe this one...I actually did yard work today for an hour while Vance slept. That's right...I was raking my yard and clearing flower beds on Dec 13th. There is no snow, rain, and warm weather...WOW.

6) And you guessed it, Vin has skied only twice! He is very upset about the weather pattern...I hear him complain every day.

7) We are officially done with C'mas shopping--YEAH. Now we just have to wrap and ship.

8) And speaking of C'mas...my parents bought us a 20" flat screen computer monitor and I just LOVE it! It is the one thing I stare at all day for hours...it's great...we LOVE it--thanks. We even went high tech and made the house wireless so I can use my lap top on the internet from the couch if I wish...so cool! So those are all the techy updates.

That's it for now...updates later this week or next.

Four months old

Vance is officially four months old. WOW...it goes by fast.
It is a lot of fun to see all of the changes he goes through. He gained about two pounds when we were gone in Vegas and Vin was so shocked to see how big he got when we came home.
He is quite the big boy. He likes to sit up. He likes to bounce in your arms. He likes to stand with help from mom and dad of course. He also likes to laugh at Dad and his funny faces/noises.
The two of them spent guys day together on Sunday setting up our new surround sound stereo system in the living room. They rocked out all day. It sounds great. Now I keep telling Vin to get me my LCD big TV I want...we'll see.
Vance seems to like all noises and motions on the TV too. I tell Vin he would love a big TV for Cmas...he he.
Vance is our cutie and has lots of hair. We are trying to figure out if we need to cut it or let it grow and see how long and shaggy it actually gets.

Things are busy at home. Angie is bogged down with lots of Nordic work and her class. Luckily the class ends Wed so she has one exam left! YEAH. Nordic however is ongoing and a lot of work...but she knew that.
Vin is doing great at work...he likes the hours and people there. We will see how well he handles the ski season though...he can't ski everyday like he used to.

Reese--our dog--is headed for knee surgery on Wed next week. Then we will have to care for her. but it is so sad to see her limp around that we just have to do this. SO rehab on the dog is next.

That's it...hope everyone is well. Happy holidays!

Las Vegas and back to VT

Happy Las Vegas Thanksgiving...and back to Vermont.
Vance and I have returned to Vermont to find a new kitchen/dining room hardwood floor. Vinny was very busy and did a great job on the floor. Here is the picture of the kitchen table and new floor.

Next you will see a very funny photo of my nephew Dominic. We are on the trampoline in the backyard. It was a great hit with all the family...even Vance loved to bounce in my arms.











Vance and I found time each morning to walk in the 70 degree weather. Boy how I miss that now since it is snowing in VT.
My niece Elliana in the car...we did a lot of traveling around in the family Sequoia (like I can spell that one!)











And the last photo is for my mom. She bought the dogs a toy for Cmas and attached it to a pile of dog food cans. Wouldn't you know they found it and started to drag the food across the floor in order to get the toy. They are great dogs!