The LaGreca Family

I think the name has become somewhat of a tradition, in itself. I can’t come up with anything better.  It really is a festival devoted to sausage.  We make it and then we eat it!

With ~25 friends and family gathered at our house and the garage transformed into a Butcher’s Shop – we successfully made 77 lbs of Italian Sausage…in RECORD time!  We weren’t trying to break a previous record, but the fact that we were eating by 3pm was amazing!

Here are some of the event photos (I didn’t take very many pictures – I stayed super busy in the kitchen with dinner prep and watching the kiddos).

The early preparations – waiting for the meat to arrive.

The meat has arrived – 77 lbs of pork butts (thank you Costco).

The man with the meat and the Grand Master Sausage Maker – Mr. Joe LaGreca

Little LaGreca helps out. He attempts to “fix” the laundry basket handle with his pliers (he calls them “bites” – because they bite things, of course)

Penny chops Italian parsley

Dennis came dressed for the occasion (I should have snapped the picture earlier when he had the fake sausage links around his neck – it was awesome).

The men are hard at work – grinding away.

A team of girls twisted links and packaged – like pros!

I don’t have a picture of the cooked sausage but we did get quite a few compliments.  It’s my favorite – you just can’t buy this stuff at the store!

Thanks to all the friends and family that helped. We had a GREAT time and we certainly look forward to the next Sausage Making Party (perhaps a Sausage Fest November 2010????)

I mentioned this in a previous post – but it’s such a big deal, that it TOTALLY warrants it’s very own post on the blog (besides, we have a picture of the two of us to prove it!)

Details on our date night:  First, we went to dinner at Outback Steakhouse.  Joe’s parents gave us a very nice gift card to the restaurant and we have been holding onto it until we had the chance to go out, and enjoy a nice meal. We got a drink at the bar and then enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner.  Fabulous – we treasured every minute (and I have to quickly say — the table right across from us what a couple and their young daughter, maybe 3 years old.  We both looked at each other, smiled and were thankful that we weren’t battling our 2 yr old at dinner).

After dinner, we went to the movies!  I know, it’s nuts – we did the traditional, “Dinner and a Movie” date.  It was so awesome.  We really don’t see/watch that many movies (because we lack the time AND because it seems like most movies these days aren’t very good, and when we do have the time to sit down for 2 hours..we are mostly disappointed in Hollywood..for wasting 2 precious hours of our time!)  BUT – we picked a WINNER this time.  We saw The Blind Side, with Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. We really liked it – ALL 2 hours of it! Not a waste of time at all – and actually, I would LOVE to see it again.  I highly recommend it – if you want to see a good movie (and true story at that!)

Going back to my “Totally Random Thoughts” post a few days ago, Thought #10 – I was saying that I love my friends. Well, here is one of my chances to say THANK YOU to our dear friends, Jen and Tre.  They offered to babysit NCL on a night that we chose (that would work with everyone’s schedule), so that we could go out on a date.  Jen and Tre just celebrated their 1st anniversary in November – and they don’t have any kids…yet   So, I have to admit, it feels a little strange to have them babysit our little one. NOT at all because I am nervous about leaving the house…but more because I feel like it’s not fair that this young, newly married couple should spend a perfectly good Saturday night at our house – playing with, feeding, bathing and rocking our boy. Shouldn’t they be out on their own “date night” on a Saturday night?

The Harris’ have babysat NCL many times before and they always say the same thing — “he was so EASY!” — I think that is why they keep coming back. That…and they also enjoy cuddling up on the couch (after the boy is in bed) and watching a movie & eating popcorn/ice cream. If that is all it takes for them to be happy – then we will “invite” them over anytime to babysit…and we will always have ice cream in the freezer…he he.

As we walked out the door — this is what we saw:

You might say to yourself “What kind of babysitters did the LaGreca’s find???  I assure you, NCL LOVES Tre!! If Tre puts him down — he uses his “baby sign language” and signs “MORE” until Tre picks him up again. I was also told that NCL would only go into the bath if Tre would come with him into the bathroom.  Very cute   Tre is the oldest of 3 boys…so, he has LOTS of little boy play time under his belt.  THAT is the kind of babysitters we look for! It doesn’t get better.

We had a CRAMMED packed long weekend in Turlock for the Thanksgiving holiday. All 3 of us had a GREAT trip — and we are all still very thankful for the traveling comfort of the RV. Wow – what a difference it made on that long drive.  Joe is a champ for driving the whole way – up and back! I couldn’t have done it (but then again, I have never driven the RV – guess I should probably try it someday…)

Most of the drive, NCL was perfectly happy to be buckled in his car seat – watching Disney cartoons.  I had to change it up a bit when we were on flat, open road. Playing with cards in the kitchen is always fun.

On the way up to Turlock (Tuesday night) we stopped off in Visalia at Miller’s parent’s house – we got to share birthday cake with the family and NCL got to take a bath.

First thing on Wednesday morning, (we rolled into town late on Tuesday night — parked, and went to sleep!) we went up to my Mom’s work to check out all the Christmas decorations. Anyone been to a Bass Pro Shop before?  Wow! It’s a little boy’s dream come true – especially with the giant fish tanks, the Chrsitmas train and the race car track!

After leaving Bass Pro’s Winter Wonderland – we headed back to Turlock and parked the RV at the Johnson’s house. You will never believe what NCL found to play with at their house?!?

Nels has been collecting cars for quite awhile (he has 2 years on Nicholas) and NCL was loving the collection!

We finally got to meet Johnson baby #4 – Max Carter (almost 9 months old). What a doll!  He was so cuddley – I loved it!

Ms. Gracee is looking so grown up!  I don’t know how it happened. Joe still remembers her as a baby – when we got married! (He called her “Sabertooth” – since she only had her bottom teeth at the time).

When Max and NCL went down for a nap…we took advantage of the time and played a few hands of Uno. It’s never a complete visit with the Johnsons unless we play at least ONE game. I love it!

Time for OUTDOOR PLAY!

(I will note that the “outdoor play” ended in the evening – when NCL fell on the cement and hit his forehead really hard.  It’s been a week and a half since the incident and NCL still has a scab on his forehead)

While at the Johnson’s – we introduced them to the old “Duck” cartoons on youtube. NCL’s favorites!

(NCL had his own chair – but I guess, he wanted to sit with Nels)

(There is the bruise/scrape on NCL’s forehead)

We owe a HUGE THANK YOU to the Johnson’s for letting us park the RV in their driveway.  We had a blast staying with you guys! Now, it’s your turn – San Diego would LOVE for you to visit

I think my strong *dislike* for “good-byes” started in college (if this wasn’t a family blog, I would probably use a stronger work than dislike, but you get the picture). Even more specifically, it relates to the fact that I was in a long distance relationship with this guy and had to, often, say “good-bye.” Tears were shed..it seemed to take days for the sick feeling in my tummy to subside. It was just awful. BUT THEN, the mother of all good-byes took place at the very end of college, in August 2000.

I was still seeing the same guy – but this time, it was me that was leaving..for a very long time.  Of course, you all know, “that guy” was Joe – and he was the one that kept leaving me (he went to school in Northern CA, while I was missing him in San Diego).  When I moved over to Europe after graduating college — I was the one that left (for almost 6 months!) and I was the one that had to force myself to get on a plane…in a crying heap of a mess.

So, since all of that — I have decided that I just don’t like “good-byes” — I have to turn them into “See ya later’s” – otherwise, I will feel very sad and cry.

Since all of the “good-bye” drama with Joe over the first 5 years of our relationship, I have had to say “see ya later” to many friends and family members over the years.  I guess I can honestly say that it gets easier, sort of.  Because I have the experience – I know that when I say “see ya later” – I really do mean it. I genuinely want to see that person later.  It just seems easier to swallow when you believe it’s not good-bye forever.  (Of course, there are those “good-bye forevers” that we KNOW are really forever…that is a different subject, for another time).

• **Disclaimer** Deb – if you read this, please know that this is NOT to make you cry, but it’s just a girl’s thoughts and feelings. When I am thinking about something, I like to write about it.  So, keep the tears to a minimum. This next part is a tribute..if you will

Our most recent “See ya later” happens to be a family that frequents the content of this blog — many of you have heard me talk about them…and you have seen pictures of their family often.

The Sharp’s are moving to Delaware!

A little history: It all started at a place called HSBC, with the annual MS Walk.  Kevin and I always participated in the SD MS walk.  We got to be friends. He talked about this girl that was living in Germany (yes, Germany, as in a MILLION miles away). Debbie came to visit and we all got to meet her at lunch. I knew the SECOND I met her that they would be married.

(I didn’t know it would be at the Zoo…so, I guess I can’t claim to know everything).

(I do have to mention, just one more time, that I got to try on the BEAUTIFUL diamond engagement ring that Kevin picked out for Debbie, before it was flown to Germany for the proposal. I love that thing.)

I was pregnant with NCL at their wedding (April ‘07), and the newlyweds were in our first group of visitors once the munchkin was born.

(In the picture above – the happy newlyweds are expecting their own baby! Nov ‘07)

Soon enough, Sophie Sharp and Nicholas LaGreca (with Dads in tow), were in swim class together:

(Joe/ NCL are the bottom 2 in the picture, and Kevin/Sophie are the top 2 – all the way at the other end, Sep ‘08)

And, since NCL and Sophie got used to the ‘pool’ water together – they figured it would be totally acceptable to take a bath together (Oct ‘09)

Since we missed the Going Away Pot Luck for The Sharp’s a few weekends ago (we were camping in the desert), we decided to throw together a dinner at our house last week (Nov ‘09).

And, since the Sharp’s wanted to hang out with us just a little bit longer — it made sense to let the kids take one more bath together (because this will be it until they are 30…he he).

(Jean and Samantha were over for dinner that night, too.  Nicholas had two girlfriends over in one night..lucky kid!)

By the end of the night, the kids were TIRED – evidenced by the picture above.  They went “nigh-night” under the blanket in the livingroom.

It was super fun to have the Sharp’s over one last time before they hit the road on life’s next adventure. Kevin takes off in a car, with his brother, on Friday — they are driving cross country to Delaware.  Debbie and Sophie will follow on a plane in the coming weeks.

Sharps: We are so thankful for your friendship and your family.  We are praying for safe travels and a quick settlement into your new home/neighborhood.  Can’t wait to see all the pictures and updates on the blog   We will “See Ya Later!“

NCL’s first visit to the Wild Animal Park, if you can believe it.  With Joe out of town this weekend, and Miller visiting us, and the weather cooling off a bit – I decided it was a perfect time to introduce this San Diego “must see” to our little guy.

On our way down to the tram ride, we stopped to see a few monkeys.

Seems as though we might be taking a monkey home with us…??

And, then it was a quick stop to check out the Lions!

They have this hot air balloon ride (I guess) and NCL thought it was a really cool flying “ball”!

In line for the tram ride, NCL learns a few exotic animals.

After the tram ride, we decided to stop for lunch at a really cool playground area for kids. NCL loved it.

And, the last stop before we left — the petting area. In the petting area, there were only deer – and NCL couldn’t have been more excited. He absolutely loved them.

Oh, and how could I forget.  A highlight of the petting area was the “pooper-scooper” – NCL was very happy to be asked to help with picking up the deer poop.

Time to go home…NCL has to say good-bye to his favorite deer.  I told him it was time to go and he held onto the deer and said “Mine!”