Halloween

Just realized I didn't do an October/ Halloween post. The kids were so cute in their costumes, I'll have to do that! Many thanks to Aunt Anne for making Katie's butterfly costume, which was cousin Jorie's when she was Katie's age. It has held up beautifully and she received MANY compliments on it.

First, while our kitchen was being remodeled, we took a trip down to Indy. Thanks so much for having us, Grandma and Grandpa Henn!



Katie went to a giant party with Dad and two of our neighbors - dads and daughters only! They had a blast. Of course, what 2 year old wouldn't have a blast when dinner is a huge cookie? Note that all 3 were butterflies for Halloween.

Everyone looks just a shade guilty here - "Dad said I could eat this cookie!!"

Katie even trick-or-treated this year. She got to do it twice -in our neighborhood, which was busy as always, and at Latham, where all the attorneys and secretaries had treats out for the kids. Despite the cold, it turns out that getting candy is pretty awesome. And it was great to have Jenny there to help!

We also went to the same Halloween concert we attended last year. Everyone had fun and Katie got to dance up front by the stage.

And Katie was really good at making Halloween cookies!

Oh, and one last thing - a picture of the screen on the Today show - our (literal) moment of fame. I just happened to look at the TV while the Penna family was wandering across the screen. This is us, leaving the H1N1 shots line after we realized it would be a 3 hour late. No worries, we all eventually got the shots.

And because I just recently figured out how to upload pictures from my iphone onto the computer, I thought I'd share this one of a nice moment with cousin Louie from last summer! I'll have to upload some more because I know we have some cute shots of the visit from Aunts Anne and Jennifer and Uncle Christian in October!

November

Climbing out of that hole! Pretty soon I'll have us in 2010.

Here are some pictures from November and Thanksgiving, and few from early December. Rocco got to meet all his grandparents and we hosted a delicious Thanksgiving celebration. Lots of fun for all!

Another big event in November was Katie's first day of school at Creme de la Creme. This is a real school - mom drops her off and leaves. She is going 2 mornings a week, and LOVES it! We especially enjoy the cute uniforms.

In action:

Katie's old preschool hosted a Christmas celebration, complete with Santa. Rocco enjoyed Santa just about as much as Katie enjoyed him last year. Of course, Katie only enjoyed Santa this year from the comfort of Dad's arms. Baby steps!

We even traveled to Indiana to meet Great Grandma Tutu and Grandma Henn at a dairy midway between Chicago and Indy.

Opening up some AWESOME cookies from Grandma Henn. Katie makes us all a lot of cookies in her kitchen, now.

Back in action!

OK, after a long hiatus, I would like to introduce the NEW Katie and Rocco blog!

Without further ado, here are some photos from the arrival of Rocco James Penna, on October 2, 2009. Time sure flies!

Playing catch up again! Katie's Second Birthday Party

We need to really get in gear to show all the fun new pictures that come along with Rocco's birth, but first, a post dedicated to Katie's second birthday party, which we had a month early so she could have her special Katie time before a new sibling was in the picture! The party was a great success, we think. Or at least Katie had fun and everyone liked the cake. We had lots of food, and we were really happy that so many of our friends were able to make it.

It was a beautiful day, and we had a great balloon artist at the party, making lots of fun creations. Grandpa Penna and Dad put together Katie's brand new Big Girl Bed! She has been sleeping in it like a champ ever since. She's so proud of her bed, Grandpa Penna and Dad also put together some furniture in the new baby's room. Thanks for all the help Grandpa!

Ring around the rosy with some of her friends from playgroup.


Eating cookies with Grandma Henn. The cookies were delicious! The cookies and cake came from a new bakery nearby - Fritz Pastry. I would HIGHLY recommend it. The food was amazing.
CAKE!!

She has a laser-like focus on pastry that may or may not have been inherited from her mother.

Posing with Dad and the balloon artist. We had to wake Katie up from her nap, so she looks a bit dazed in some of the pictures from the early part of the party.
Balloons are Katie's favorite thing. Indy also needed to give them a good sniff to make sure they were all okay.

Opening presents with Dad.

Ripping wrapping paper is a party all by itself!

Grandma and Grandpa Henn, enjoying the day.

Bye bye!

Visit to Minnesota

We had a great trip to Minnesota in August. It was so much fun to stay with Grandma and Papa Tews, play with the Schwabs and relax! We can't wait to see everyone again soon!

Even though the lake was low, Katie still had fun playing with her cousins!

Holding hands with Jorie and Grandma is a great way to walk to the water.

A highlight of the trip was singing songs with Papa and Grandma before bedtime every night!