Nov. 17-29 FLORIDA
We had a great time in Florida, enjoying the beautiful weather and relaxing. My mom joined us for Thanksgiving- we had lobster instead of turkey!!!
Charlie loves it here- he’s using words like: “palm tree, manatee, dolphins, shells, pelican” His new way to my heart is he says “Close your eyes” and then he kisses my nose- it’s adorable.
Here’s a picture of Charlie with his chocolate goatee

Bill and Charlie making scary faces

Mimi and the cool sandcastle

Out for dinner

Happy Thanksgiving

Barried in the sand



Baby news:
Congrats to to my friend Megan & her husband Scott Woodworth- Baby Taylor Grace was born Nov. 16
Congrats to Bill’s cousin, Mike and his wife Abby who had their 3rd boy, Will on Nov. 25
Our Favoritie Celebrities
Sam Shish

posted by Nicole at 3:31 pm
I can’t believe I haven’t written anything on my blog yet about this topic- I have to share it all with you… The nanny scene in Manhattan is crazy, the weirdest thing I have ever seen. Here’s how it works:
1. EVERYONE in Manhattan has a nanny- it doesn’t matter if the mom works or not, usually the mom doesn’t work but her day is too busy for her kids (getting nails done, massage, working out with personal trainer, shopping, getting hair blown out, lunching, getting ready for dinner, going to dinner, sleeping in)
2. The nanny takes the kids to all of the classes, to the park, to school, everywhere
3. The nanny is with the kids at all times, even when the mom is there (park, etc) so is the nanny
4. The nanny pushes the stroller while the mom walks next to the stroller and/or pushes the grocery cart while the mom walks next to them
5. The nanny does all of the disciplining even if the mom is there- the mom looks at the nanny with fear in her eyes like she has no idea what to do
6. sometimes the nanny has to wear a uniform
7. the nannies hang out in packs and don’t talk to moms (i.e. me)
8. the nannies often fall asleep in classes, talk on their phones/text while they’re supossed to be watching the kid, and gossip with other nannies while the kids fall off the slide/push my kid
This city is crazy!!!!!
posted by Nicole at 4:32 am
Well, it’s official… I’m old. I’m 30 today.
Charlie greeting me this morning by saying, “Happy present” (so cute).
I had a great day. Amanda got Rachel Ray tickets and was nice enough to take me- it was lots of fun. We got to tape 2 different show, one will air before x-mas, and one after the new year, so keep your eyes out for us. The guests were Susan Lucci (she is so tiny and cute) & the fashion guy, Kojo (has had lot of plastic surgery). We all got a copy of her new cookbook.
Then we all met up with the guys for dinner- it was a great day-
Funny Charlie story: Charlie was yelling at me and i told him to “zip it up”, he looked at me and said, “have no zipper”, pretty funny!
posted by Nicole at 4:32 am

Nov. 9-11 we headed to Cincinnati for the big 30 “surprise” party.
My sister Allie flew in from school at AZ- that was the best surprise ever
The party was Saturday Nov. 10 at the Pavilion bar. It was awesome. THANK YOU to everyone that was there for making so much fun. We have missed our Cincy friends like crazy and it was so great to see you all. Thank you also for everyone who traveled to the party- it wouldn’t have been the same without you there. Thanks Bill for the best “sweet 30th” birthday party ever.
Dinner with the out-of-towners before the big party at Mongomery Inn-

my parents, grandparents, and cousin Kate

left side: me, Allie, Megan, Amy right side: Todd, Sam, Steve, Bryan, & Laura

Love those bibs: Todd, Sam & Steve

my future cousin-in-law, Brad & my dad

my mom & grandpa
At the party

friends from jr. high & high school, Amy & Laura

Sam & me (her 30th birthday was at midnight)

The guys

my grandparents dancing

My Aunt Kim thought is was her birthday

dancing with the band, Dave & Rae
Being in Cincy reminded us how much we love it there and what amazing friends we have- we can’t wait to come back!!!!
posted by Nicole at 3:12 pm
Nov. 2-9 we spent the week at home in Valpo. We had Bill’s cousin, Melissa’s wedding which was beautiful and nice.

Charlie dancing at the reception
Saturday Nov. 3 we went to the Notre Dame game and tailgated with Bill’s family. On the way there my dad backed into the telephone pole at the end of their driveway and the pieces of the brake light landed in the recycling bucket- pretty funny


The weather was perfect and is was such a fun day. Our tailgate was the best courtesy of the tailgate masters, Uncle Bill & Aunt Sue- Thanks for everything, it was awesome. We even had a RV to use


Uncle Larry, Uncle Bill & my dad

The Zikesch’s

Hearse at the tailgate

touchdown Jesus

Aamie found some seamen

the band

The Murray siblings
We enjoyed the rest of the week playing at playgrounds, shopping at Target, going to Chucky Cheese, seeing The Bee Movie and relaxing. What a nice time in Valpo- thanks mom & dad



Charlie is obsessed with candy and cake right now- when we go to restaurants, he tries to order “cake” for dinner.

He has started talking in complete crazy long sentences this week. The kid doesn’t miss a thing or forget anything. My mom was telling him how big she thought Clifford the dog was and he responded, “Mimi, it cartoon”. Again, he is smarter than all of us. My mom also told him one day that he was fragile when he was crying about one of his many injuries, so now he walks around the house saying “I’m fragile, need bandaid”. What a wimp
Congrats to Steve & Megan Spiegla who are expecting baby #1 May 30! We can’t wait!!! We also can’t wait to see Steve changing poopy diapers.
posted by Nicole at 7:18 pm