did you notice the TP all over the floor along with the hand towel? a proud girl!
no ---- she's not potty trained! But she loves the whole idea of sitting on it! Just like her big brother :) hoping it's a sign of what's coming!!!

they play together now.... we love it!
this is the little coat...compliments of Aunt Drea :) that Keira was wearing the day Quinn said it looked like she could drive the car all by herself!!

sometimes i can't believe how big he is....

Quinn helping Uncle Phil fix our tile.... looks like a pic. i remember of Phil helping my Dad... ;)

Hope you're all doing well!

xxoo genine

some pic's

these are images from the benefit Gina coordinates, and Andrea was the largest "contributor" -- getting a large donation from Paetec!!! So proud of you two...and so impressed!
Phil was "feein' the music"...

Happy New Years cheers --- we got together w/2 other couples that night --- hard to stay up to midnight these days!!! lol

andrea and her work buddies...




pic's from our car ride to Roch.....i got bored...... lol

love to you all....xxoo genine

follow up .... :)

OK --- back to the "happenings" the last month....

so i filled you in on Christmas --- on Thursday we headed to Rochester. The kids were pretty good actually, but the 1 st hour of weather was horrible...white out conditions --- the kind that start to make you nervous --- we pulled off around Utica, and took a long lunch break --- luckily, we were driving out of it - and within 10 min's of being back in the car - there was no snow!

We arrived at my dad's late in the afternoon -- got the kids settled and waited for my dad to get home. It was nice to give him a big hug --- i know he was so happy we were in. I had talked to him often the previous days --- it's hard to listen to your parents in pain or distress ---- funny how even being an adult myself --- you still fall into that "it's my daddy or mommy" --- and seeing them hurting just feels awful. My dad had a smile on his face, and seemed content --- had "said what i needed to say" --- and spent the last moments with his mom. It still makes the tears well in my eyes ---- the thought of saying good-bye ---- I think i mentioned here that I was surprised at how upset i was at the idea or her passing away. I had only known my grandmother sick --- this was such a blessing -- the sadness seemed to come from a place of mourning what she never had - what my dad and his brother never had --- what thank god I have had, and have been able to give to my children.... does this make any sense?

She (my grandma) was dressed in a lovely deep lavender suit --- her hair pulled back as always...and I tell you...not a wrinkle on her face --- she was days shy of 84....with so many years of mental sickness --- she was still so beautiful. And if you could have seen the pictures of her wedding....omg --- your mouth would hit the floor. I'm really not exaggerating...she looked like she stepped off the set of a Hollywood movie....glamorous, and polished....drop dead gorgeous... So we looked through the albums all weekend ---which I meant to bring a few pic's home with me...and forgot --- and listened to the stories of her as a well woman and mother - and aunt.

Friday was her calling hours - My dad, Debbie, myself, Andrea and Phil greeted the visitors - and accepted their condolences.... things wrapped up around 8:30 --- and having been at the funeral home since 3:30 --- we were all starving!!! I can't remember the name of where we went, but the food was amazing --- and we spend hours all together - laughing, eating and drinking with one another...it was a nice way to end the day.

Saturday we headed back to the funeral home - and then to the church and burial --- the service at the church was beautiful --- andrea and I did a reading ---- most of you know how much i LOVE getting up in front of people like that lol but it was nice to do it in her honor. When everything was over, my dad held a lunch --- which again gave the opportunity for laughs and catching up. Billy and I picked the kids up and brought them for this part, little ones certainly lighten the mood...

That night my dad kindly offered to hand home while the kids went to bed - and Billy and I were able to attend a fund raiser that my cousin Gina and my sister helped coordinate ---- great music, and again --- another opportunity to visit with family. I have more pictures to post - some are from that night --- but it's getting late....so they'll be up soon!

I'll leave you with a cute story --- today we were heading out the door, and I had just put Keira in this adorable pink - blazer style jacket from Aunt Drea and Bubba :) --- looking quite "smart" in her grown up little outfit ---when Quinn saw her he said...

"oh mom! Keira looks like she can drive the car all by herself!!!" the things they think of!!!

good night....
genine xxoo

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

As I sort through all of the pictures i took over the holidays --- i thought it would be easiest to just start posting a few at a time - fillin' you in on the details on our days!

So we start with Christmas Eve --- we spent it at our house w/Grandpa Bill and Grandma Kathy. They came over around 1 pm --- in time to see the little ones before their naps. A Gullickson tradition - is light fare for Christmas Eve... quite the opposite of mine...then again, I don't think there's a holiday or any other celebration that Italians do light!!! lol ---- anyways --- a big thing in my family was a Neapolitan (sp???) tradition --- the 7 fishes --- which as it says means lots- and lots- of fish and seafood! also lots -and lots of cooking!!! So we sort of blended the two ---- fresh veggie/dip plate - cheese/olives/ bread - shrimp cocktail - king crab legs - and salad with pomegranate seeds and Gorgonzola. sounds good hu? It was nice to spread it out over the day --- the shrimp/crab and salad were eating AFTER the kiddies went to bed.....aaaagggghhhhh the enjoyment of an adult meal! :) oh and of course can't forget the cheese cake with a mixed berry topping ---- now ideally I would have made the cheese cake...some of you know the one my mom made.....omg ---- you just can't buy one like that....but fortunately -- Sam's club carries the cheese cake factory's original --- NY style one for less than $11!!!!!! So - given the time that i didn't have --- and how much it would have cost to buy everything....we went pre-made! I did make macaroons -- dipped in chocolate - and biscotti - and even tried the Russian tea cakes/sandies for the first time!

We did attempt mass --- it was a 4:15 service...you could barely get in the door --- and having only been up from their naps for a bit --- neither of our kids were getting the stay still or quiet thing packed in the back of the church....so we did end up leaving early. Hopefully that'll get easier!!

The kids opened their gifts from Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bill - and gifts from Grandpa Gene and Debbie!

Cookies and milk - and carrots were left for santa and his sled team ---- and the kiddies shuffled off to bed! It was so much fun to bring down the presents - and to set up the Dora house Santa brought them decorated with a glittery sign reminding them of how good they were this year! Of course we had to throw in the "I'll be watching you for next year - so be sure to listen to mommy and daddy!" ---- gotta take advantage of any opportunity right? lol

Christmas morning came quick --- and we had Bill and Kathy spend the night to make it extra special....with the movie camera rolling --- we headed down the stairs! The kids were so excited - quinn really got it this year --- and giggled when he saw the crumbs and carrot shavings left behind! We opened gifts - had breakfast --- and headed out for a Christmas Day walk --- which lead into snowballs flying - and kiddies being pulled by a horse named Grandpa! For dinner we had primed rib - seasoned with Emeril's creole seasoning...yum! Salt pot's and asparagus. Simple and delish. Of course it didn't take long to break into the cookies and cheese cake again!

As mentioned in the previous post - my Grandma Mary passed away early Christmas morning --- and interesting day to celebrate new life ---- we headed to Roch. on Thursday --- more on those happenings --- check back!

Good night! genine xxooo