Busy Weekend

We have headed back into our crazy, busy weekends with the holidays approaching. Friday night, we met up with my cousins Frankie and Trish in the city for some dinner and catching up. They were up visiting from Texas and we haven't seen them in over 2 years. We had a great time and it was really great to see them both. Sunday, we headed down to Atlantic City for some rest and play. We had a great time even though the weather was dreary. It's too bad that we didn't win, but we had a lot of fun. Grandma Gladys came along and this was special since it was Jenna's first time down. We took her shopping and swimming. She loves staying at hotels - wonder where she gets that from???


Frankie, Jenna and me
















The guy taking the picture cut Jenna out, but us 4 came out good.














My cousin and me



















Jenna and her frog getting a shoe shine.













The view from our room. Too bad it was cold and dreary out there!















Grandma and Jenna checking out the Tropicana














Jenna loving the snowmen in the Tropicana.

NYC Marathon

I can't believe it is November!!!! Jenna and I braved the hurricane warning (it turned out to be a lot of rain and the wind) Jenna hung out with Grandma, Uncle Jason, Kristin and of course Murphy. We took Jenna to the mall and Santa was already there!!! They are really pushing Christmas on us this year. They had a Santa train that Jenna loved. She would have rode that all day if she could have.
Sunday the NYC Marathon came running through NY this weekend. The weather was perfect for running and for those of us watching from the sidelines. It is always exciting to see them run by. We watched them run by with Jen, Mark and Madison. The girls had a great time cheering the runners.



Jenna riding the Santa train.














Someone was very excited!















NYC Marathon - look at them go












Best Friend hugs

Halloween 2007

Happy Halloween! Jenna had a very full day between school and trick-or-treating. She started out as a cheerleader for school. Her teacher threw them a party and all the kids got many treats. We headed home so Jenna could change into her Tinkerbelle costume for trick-or-treating. She had a blast this year since she has finally grasped the concept of going to people's houses and if you say trick-or-treat, they give your candy. The weather was great and we really had a lot of fun. Madison and Jennifer came along for the ride and the girls looked so cute together. Enjoy the pictures.






The little cheerleader doing a cheer to get ready for school.

























BFF's trick or treating

















Someone's very happy to get lots of candy.

















The fairies heading into a store for more candy.















Our little Tinkerbelle ringing the bell for candy.

Pumpkin Picking

We took advantage of the beautiful weather that rolled through and took Jenna pumpkin picking out on the East End of LI at Harbes Farm. Grandma, Uncle Jason, Kristin and I had a great time with Jenna picking her pumpkins. Unfortunately Mike is still stuck with his crutches, so he missed out on all the fun. But as many of you already know, we had another Rivera with us that day. For those who do not know, are family is getting larger. We are thrilled to announce we are expecting a baby and the newest member of the family should be showing their face May 4. Jenna is very excited that she is going to be a big sister. We'll see how long that lasts.
Enjoy the pictures below. We really did have a great day.



Jenna playing on the tractor wagon.















Of course the princess can't walk to get her pumpkins. Uncle Jason had to pull her in the wagon.














She picked this one all by herself.













Me and my girl













Jenna with Kristin and Uncle Jason

Ragamuffin Parade

I think I'm all caught up now.
Here are some pictures from the Bayridge Ragamuffin Parade. They host a parade every year and have all the children dress up in their Halloween costumes. It was tons of fun this year since Aunt Susan and Uncle Thomas were able to bring out Brandon and Ethan to march with Jenna. Jenna was so excited to see her "Spiderman" cousins! It was such a perfect day.



Jenna trying to grab a hug.














The 2 Spidermans and Tinkerbelle.













I thought this picture was adorable.













Playtime!

Quick Florida Trip

Mom, Jenna and I headed down to Florida for a quick visit with Grandma and Grandpa for a weekend. We had a great time with them. I think Jenna entertained both Grandma and Grandpa the entire time. We hit Downtown Disney when we arrived for some shopping and lunch. Jenna had a great time posing with her favorite characters.




Jenna and a Mickey Hat.














Buzz Light Year to the rescue!














No trip is complete without a kiss to Minnie Mouse.














Can you believe this is 4 generations?












Jenna having fun with her Great-Grandparents.

First Day of School

Jenna's first day at St. Anselms. She is doing amazing and loves her new teach Mrs. Dunleavy.





Jenna and Madison waiting to go in.














Jenna and Dylan posing for the camera.













My big girl with her backpack waiting to be let in.

Did September really pass by??????

So it's October 1 already. Where did all the time go????
In case you didn't know, Mike had gotten hurt on September 9 playing Softball. Sliding into 2nd base, he ended up breaking his ankle. He was in the hospital for a week and had to have surgery. So it has been a longggggg September.

Here are some pictures to try and catch everyone up!




The day before Mike got hurt, we spent the day out in New Jersey with our friends Scott, Sonya, Joey and Olivia. They had a BBQ at their new home. Here is the old Tutor Time crew.











Jenna playing in Joey and Olivia's playroom.

Summers over :(

Can't believe that summer is over! It feels like it was just the beginning of summer. We decided to celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a trip down to DC. We headed down Saturday morning with Jennifer, Mark and Madison for a long weekend of fun. We hit the monuments Saturday afternoon. It was a perfect day - not a cloud in the sky. Sunday we met up with Mike's friend Jay and his family at the DC Zoo. The kids had a great time playing around and checking out the animals. We ended the day with a dip in the pool. Monday was another day without a cloud in the sky. We hung around Old Town Alexandria before heading back to NY. Great way to end the summer.


World War II Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.















Mike posing with the Washington Monument in the background.















Posing in front of the White House.














Dads taking a break at the zoo.
(Actually they didn't want to climb the steps to see the outside bird sanctuary)














Jenna and Madison













My big girl

























Knocked out after a full day at the zoo.


















Checking out the sights in Old Town Alexandria.

After dinner picture.

Sesame Place

Last weekend we headed out for some fun out at Sesame Place. Jenna was thrilled to see Elmo and to stay in a hotel for the weekend with Madison. It was like was long sleepover party for her. The rides were great, though she could have done without the Roller Coaster. We went on just about everything in the park. Weather was great all weekend. Thank goodness for the water rides to cool us off since it was well in the 90's on Saturday all day. It really was a fun weekend and I know both Jenna and Madison had a blast. Enjoy the pictures.



Taking a whirl on the spinning teacup.s















Jenna getting a big hug from Elmo.













Jenna and Madison jumping around on the bouncer.














They loved the double stroller. This was taken at the start of our first day in the park.














Hanging out in the Grocery Store on Sesame Street.














Mark and Jenna riding the Elmo Fish ride.














Me and Madison riding the Elmo Fish ride.













Mike, Jenna, Jen and Madison trying out the Elmo Free Fall ride.