It was family picture time again and the kids handled it like troopers -- 173 pictures in 25 minutes! Here are some you probably won't see in the pictures we hand out.

We don't take pictures as often as we used to when the kids were little so I thought I'd post an older one. This is last Christmas when we visited Eileen and Jenny and Megan were there too. (Look at how little Reesey is.) We get to see Megan (and sometimes Jason) more regularly now that they are in Colorado and it is nice to have some family around. If anyone else wants to come out we'd love to have you for a visit or to stay!!!!

Homecoming 2007

The three girls getting ready to go to meet up with their friends.

Josh and Lexie 'How do you get this thing on?'

Josh and Lexie all dressed up and ready to go.

Lucky Nathan among all those beauties. L to R: Jessie, Nicole, Sammy, Kerry, Nathan, Casey, Alex, Lyndsie, and Bree.

Sammy, Alex, Jessie and Nathan

My friend Katie, from Chicago, came to visit and we got to spend more than just an evening together (which we haven't gotten to do in years). It was wonderful. We took her to our club for brunch and since everyone was dressed so nice (or as nice as it ususally gets) I thought I'd take some pictures. Now I'm sharing them with you.

Back to school -- High School that is!

Four new freshman taking off for their first day of high school.

Second day for the freshman, first day for Josh, the junior. (He thinks I'm lame still taking my pictures but it's a mothers right!)

What a good looking pirate wench!Bob was hanging out with Madisyn Berggren for awhile.
I guess that's how you can sleep when you don't have a care in the world.

We were lucky enough at the beginning of August to be home when Jonathan and Jen came to visit (Bob, Josh and I missed their first stop). We also got to spend some time with Jen's sister and parents and yes, even the little dog, Bailey. We enjoyed seeing everyone and especially the sushi with Jen and her sister -- sorry Jonathan.

On our July trip to Chicago, we got to enjoy John and Janets (my brother and sis-in-law) annual Life Can Be bash with this year's theme being "Pirates". Here's Sammy holding her newest cousin, Avery.
The party was a blast and the karaoke was great. Here Carissa, Jenny, Sabrina and Jen wow the crowds.
Jonathan, Carissa and Eileen took a turn (I'm not quite sure but I guess Jonathan is the back-up singer).
Mark, Sabrina and John had a go.
One of the cutest little pirates: Reese Staniak.

The party was a great time as usual and I will post some more pics in the next day or two.

We went to Chicago in July and celebrated Josh's birthday at Maggiano's with some family. Here's Mark and Noah.
Josh with Reese, and Sammy too. (Carissa's there at the other table.)
Avery Connelly, the newest addition.
Josh with his birthday cookies!
And, last but not least, Sabrina (we were celebrating on her birthday).

We were also joined by Jenny and Ryan, Jonathan and Jen, John and Janet, Mauro and Kim, and Nonna.

Montana with the Berens

We had a great time in July with our friends Kevin and Lynn Berens at their place in Montana. (Yes, the same place mentioned in an earlier post.) We went out on their boat... (all seven kids) They rented a water trampoline that the kids greatly enjoyed...

(Sammy and Nathan) Everyone rode at least one of their two jetskis...

(Jessie and Erika) and all the kids experienced chills and thrills tubing...

(Erika and Josh) a great time was had by all and we can't wait to go back next year (If they'll have us -- 7 is a lot to endure.)

More Montana pics

Alex, Lyndsie, and Sammy tubing.
Lyndsie and Sammy.
Josh and Nathan ready to go for a ride.
Jessie and Alex on the jetski.

Josh is 16. Happy Birthday Josh - 7/12/07

We had more visitors from Chicago in June. Our friends Daniela, Hugo, twins Stephanie and Lexie (10), Matthew (4), and Daniel (6) came for a week and we had great fun showing them around.
We went to our favorite little hiking spot at Garden of the Gods, and to Waterworld Water Park another day.
Daniela, Hugo and the two girls went rafting one day while the two boys enjoyed hanging out with Josh and the other Puccini kids.
We also took a ride up to the Continental Divide where it was quite chilly way up there.

We had a visit from Jenny, Ryan and Reese and Carissa. We had quite a great time and hated when they left.
Reese is quite a happy, content baby.

We went down to the 16th street mall (I made everyone stand behind these silly animals), we also went and bowled, played laser tag, miniature golfed, and rode bumper cars. Everyone over 10 and under 40 went to the show, most went to our outdoor zoo and we were introduced to "So you think you can dance" on TV. We had a great time and can't wait till they can come again.
Nathan is showing off his new metal-less mouth!

The girls and mom, and two of their friends, drove to Durango (just 370 miles away) on May 11th for a soccer tournament. This was the view from our condo -- beautiful!
Sammy,
Alex, and
Jessie all made up to play hard.
And play hard they did, the results weren't what they'd hoped for but they all played well and had a great time too.