1994

To my husband: Happy Anniversary!
New Year's Eve 1994, still in high school, I left a party to get to an apartment on High Street before midnight. I knew then, that I wanted to spend all my New Years with you. You told me I looked promiscuous. I fell for you anyway. Now 15 years later here we are-grown ups. With a house and kids and a dog. Life is just awesome with you by my side. Crisp clean sheets are cozier. Stewie and Peter are funnier. The Jeep ride is smoother. Playlists are louder. The hot tub is warmer. The waves are calmer. Spaghetti tastes yummier. Soap smells cleaner. Sunsets are prettier. My heart beats stronger. With you by my side. My best friend. My Love. My Man.

2009 in Photos

New Year's Eve Party for 2009

This whole business of recaping the decade took me by surprise. A. Wow! Has it really been 10 years, I'm still getting used to writing 2000 anything. B. Does the decade end this year or next? Either way, I have a game. You are having a New Year's Eve Party. All your friends will be there. You can also invite 12 celebrities. They have to be alive. (So no M.J.)

My Guest List:

1. Howard Stern-to interview all my guests and show off his dance moves

2-3.Barack & Michelle- always a good idea to invite the leader of the free world

4. Martha Stewart-somebody will have to help me cook and decorate

5-7. Jack Johnson, Alicia Keys & Fergie- sing me a song and maybe bring a Marley or the Black Eyed Peas

8. Bear Grylls-to save the day in case anybody gets lost in the woods

9. Annie Liebowitz- to document it all on film

10. John Stewart- for the politcal commentary

11. Jay Z & Beyonce- one good power couple deserves another

I'm sure it would be a good time. Celebrating a decade with me & all my friends- why wouldn't Martha want to come? We could even go back to the Gold Ball Room at the DuPont.

PS- HappyBirthday Rosalita!

SAR Sundays

Yes, Yes. There were 2 days of no blog. I gave my creative team off for the weekend. But now it's back to business. There are soooooo many items to take care of before the year comes to a close. Top ten lists, resolutions to envision, and retrospective slide shows to create to name a few.
Our Christmas was great. ("Grrrrreat" in the Tony the Tiger sense) Lots of family, excellent food, and presents. Cause who doesn't like presents? Seth and I decided on a realistic gift giving theme for '09. Firstly, the girls have everything, and second- with our economic upheaval, it is in our best interest not to live beyond our means. I had to present a power point presentation of intended gifts to the monetary committee for Christmas funds to be released. It all worked out and Santa brought me new boots and sweet black jacket for Search & Rescue. Proper foot wear and wind resistancy are essential for a day in the elements. I wore both on Sunday. As it turns out, Sunday was sunny and stunning. A good time to break in my new gear. Smear a little mud on my boots and run though the burs a few times. What kind of Search and Rescuer has shiny boots? The dogs must also have been excited to show off their new Frisbees and tennis balls. After the dogs trained, they all got to run and play together. It is an amazing sight. A pack of giant Shepherds (a Rottie and Golden too) chasing and jumping and barking. Very cool. A subjective sight I suppose. A jogger might disagree with me. Probably take a different route. I intended to take pictures but neglected to re-insert the memory card. And that my friends is one of my resolutions. Take more pictures. (And have an extra memory card in my pack).

A MacDonald-Ryder-Volgger-Gentile-Speakman-Liberto Christmas

Silent Night

Dearest Kaya Moon & Marley Sky,

On this Christmas eve I write to you, my darling babies. Somehow, you are no longer my blond cherubic infants but real kids- with your own ways. And you are what makes me happy on Christmas. The next 24 hours are all yours. I will be watching and snuggling and playing with you. It's what makes my Christmas merry and bright. You are both such extraordinary children- each in your own ways. It's more than just a twinkle in your eyes. It's something you were born with. The passion, intelligence and confidence of all the women (and men) that have come before you -ingrained in your little souls. My devotion is infinite. I know that you will both change the world. For now though, we can sing as loud as we can in the Jeep and host coffee table dance parties. (Even if it's waaaay past your bed time) My dearest girly whirlies-My spirited children of wonder- Go forth and be Merry!

All my Love-

Mama

Have yourself a Marley little Christmas

Day 3 Mall Santa

Took my wee one to see Mall Santa. My pixie. My spirited child. My baby.

Day 2- White Christmas

Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow. How could I not mention the fabulous snow storm? But today's blog centers around the fat man in the red suit. White beard. Drives a sleigh. I never believed in Santa. I knew of him, just didn't think that he or his toy making elves applied to me. I believed in The Christkind- the baby Christ angel that flew in the window on Christmas Eve bringing gifts. In Austria and Switzerland, we always had a white Christmas. Our tree had real candles and sparklers. It was all very magical to me. I was 10 before I had any inkling that it was myth propagated by my family.
I feel that this is probably my last year with Santa. Marley is on to me. Part of me is ready to let it go. No darling, there is no Santa. Daddy works his ass off all year and mommy is the one that wraps all your gifts in coordinating paper. Santa nor Rudolph slept on the sidewalk of Target to get that Wii. The effort to support Santa and his magic can be exhausting. However, that first year that your babies actually get the whole Santa thing is something to behold. The pure uninhibited excitement is magical. The look in their little eyes when they race down the stairs and see that Santa actually brought presents- priceless. And of course the Santa threat is all powerful. Don't make me call Santa!

So this year, we'll hang on to the myth. And take lots of pictures.

Who needs presents when you've got a blog?

In an effort to send less paper to the landfills and because we are just so darn hip- we are not sending a paper Gentile Family Christmas card out this year. Instead, we have created the 12 Days of Gentiles blog. 12 days of holiday fun. The best part? It does not end when all the Christmas paper has been balled up. The 12 days continue to New Year's Eve. It's a little bit advent calender, it's a little bit like the song (without the 30 some birds). So please check back every day for a new bit of fun.

Today: Baby girl sings Oh Holy Night.