Sicilian Newlyweds

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Walk

2009-01-20T20:24:00.003+01:00

Trying to find Vendicari....

2009-01-20T20:07:00.002+01:00

but instead of the whole nature reserve, we just found this beach. Not too shabby!

Artist in Residence

2009-01-20T19:46:00.003+01:00

Snow, glorious snow!

2009-01-11T20:44:00.002+01:00

Child labor.......I say fun in the snow!

Only the innocence of childhood could garner that smile while holding a snow shovel!

Ella's "Christmas Story" moment as she was packed into her snow gear to fend off the bitter cold.

"Where are my thumbs?"

Look what welcomed us on our arrival into Michigan!

Dancing Queen

2008-11-02T09:25:00.002+01:00

Ella's in Charge!

2008-09-11T17:39:00.001+02:00

That's right, look who's in the driver's seat! Jack, Ella, and Eddie at the McKown's for a Labor Day BBQ.

Cousin Cooper and August!!

2008-08-18T17:43:00.006+02:00

What? We promise we're not planning on smooshing him again!
Enjoying their favorite summer time treat in Cooper's backyard.
Smile for the camera, cuz!

Poor Cousin August, the victim of too much love from two lively and excited two-year-olds!!
Sitting in time out because we squashed Cousin August while trying to love on him!

Cooper, Phil, Ella, and Oscar (when he had just been shaved for the summer) at the Andres' house.
Trying on shoes with Cooper. Do you have this in an 8, sir?

Cooper, or as Ella calls him, CooPoo! Ella was able to spend a lot of time with her cousins Cooper and August for the first two weeks of her time in MI. They enjoyed numerous activities together, including raiding Moma's spare rooms, trying on shoes, swimming in the baby pool, squashing baby August (for which they both received a time out--they actually are quite fond of him, but just love him so much!), riding on the three wheeler, and much more! We were also able to visit their new house in Pittsburgh where he showed us all his favorite things.

A Hands-on Mother

2008-08-18T17:20:00.005+02:00

Not only has Ella become very fond of baby dolls lately, but she is also a very good mama to them. See here where she actually climbed into the baby doll's Pack-n-Play to calm her down--what a hands on mother!

La Famiglia Siciliana

2008-06-13T16:06:00.003+02:00

In case you've been wondering who the people are that take care of Ella everyday while Phil and I work, here they are. In the top picture is, from the left, Nino, Pippo, Pina, Ella and Phil. In the bottom picture is me, Pippo, Pina, Ella and Phil. As you can see, Ella wants nothing to do with them while Mom and Dad are around, but she has a great time with them while we're gone. Today they took her to church for the children's day celebration for Saint Antonio. She received bread (not sure why) and maybe a blessing of some sort. They said she had fun, more so playing outside of the church than inside.

Jaguar Men's Soccer

2008-05-25T21:02:00.002+02:00

Some of you may know that it was just Ella and I at home this week while Phil traveled with his soccer team to the DODDS European Soccer Championship in Ramstein, Germany. He had a really outstanding team this year and just to quickly recap, they ended up winning all but one game in the pool play, (the last of which was against Brussels and ended with a shoot out after a double overtime, our boys winning after making three straight goals and blocking all of the opponents' shots), which lead them to play in the finals game on Friday against the team from Rota, Spain!! The finals game was also a very close match, going into double overtime again. Unfortunately, Rota scored with 30 seconds remaining in the second overtime and our guys just didn't have enough time to score. So they ended the tournamelt in second place for Division IV. This was an awesome way to end the season and I know Phil is very proud of all his players. Go Jags!! You can check out the article about the game in the Stars and Stripes at this link:

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=123&article=55048

Ella is.....

2008-05-10T11:16:00.004+02:00

the

go!

What we love in Sicilia...

2008-04-21T18:30:00.001+02:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by ajaphilip

....almond blosson petal paths, ancient temples, pizza with rucola, extremely old olive trees, waters of aquamarine and cobalt, the rocks thrown by the Cyclops, theatres open to the skies....just to name a few.

Ella has been Warhol-ed

2008-04-21T18:17:00.001+02:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by ajaphilip

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jack McKown!

2008-04-14T16:20:00.009+02:00

The Birthday Boy and Ella

I did not take any of these pictures, but I just had to share them with you all since they are so adorable! Enjoy!

A rare moment of calm between the two. Aren't they a cute couple when they're not bickering over the same toy or adult attention?

Ahh, check out the adoration in Ella's eyes! Meanwhile, Jack is oblivious; typical guy!

This is classic Ella and Jack behavior! As you can see, Ella has clearly crossed over into Jack's personal space while trying to see/grab his new toy and he will have none of that, thank you very much! Poor Matt just looks on in wonder at the "sibling" rivalry.

Technically, Jack's birthday is today, but we celebrated it on Saturday with a Super Hero theme party. Here you can see the crowd of girls watching as Jack opened his presents. Just to clarify, this was like a junior high dance and all of the boys were on the other side of the room!

Beach Day in Brucoli

2008-04-11T20:28:00.007+02:00

Nice look, Ella!

Ella and Amity Crone, Ella's adopted big sister!

Picking out that perfect rock to throw into the sea.

Our friends, the Crones, rented a condo at the beach near the town of Brucoli for the week of Spring Break, so we drove down there today to join them for some fun in the sun. It wasn't a very pretty day, and the water was very nippy, as you can well imagine since it is only mid-April, but we still had a good time in the Baia Arcile! Ella really enjoyed the cows that were resting under the trees further down the beach, as well as the neighbor's dog, Poncho, who was just her size!

Ella's Galloping Good "Step in Time"

2008-04-09T15:27:00.002+02:00

Ella Poppin' Wheelies with Grandpa

2008-04-09T15:09:00.002+02:00

Blog Makeover!!!

2008-03-29T16:03:00.002+01:00

Buon giorno, tutti! As you may have noticed, there are a few new features on our blog, including the Blogarithm tool which you can use to be notified via email when our blog is updated, my favorites list through Amazon, and a list of post labels so you can view all posts related to a certain label, e.g. holidays, Ella, friends, etc. I am currently working on adding a slideshow of our pictures that will run continuously. More to come!

Unfortunately I will not have as much time to idle away on the computer everyday since I will start working as a teacher's aide in a Sure Start classroom this coming Monday through the end of the school year. Ella will be watched by our Italian neighbor and friend, Pina, so I know she'll be in good hands while I am gone. This was a tough decision to make, since I have been out of the work force for nearly two years while staying home to raise Ella, but it feels like it's time to get back out there.

We hope you enjoy the new look of the blog. Please continue to check in with us!

Arrivederci!
Aja

Easter Egg Hunt 2008

2008-03-25T15:25:00.004+01:00

Don't stop hunting, Ella! You can eat the treats later!

Don't mess with Ella's eggs, or you'll feel the wrath of the Hulk Fists! I've heard of "Stage Moms", but "Easter Egg Hunt Dads"? C'mon Phil, just let the kids have a good time!

Hmmm, is there an egg in that watering can, Ella?

The hunt continues in the McKown's yard.

Buona Pasqua!

2008-03-23T10:07:00.000+01:00

Okay, so I guess getting to eat this chocolate bunny was worth having the "scary" Easter Bunny creep into our house last night to leave my basket.

Hmmm, is the Easter Bunny trying to turn health conscious, or is this just a plastic carrot filled with candy? Further investigation may be required!

All dressed up with someplace to go! We're having an Easter lunch with some new friends today.

Here are some delectible treats from our neighbor, Pina. She made the smaller cookies using homemade almond paste, which Pippo (her husband) opened every almond for by hand from their trees, as well as lemons from their yard. The larger cookies are a traditional Easter egg cookie, which I think are a Sicilian tradition. Ella ate a bit of hers this morning while she rifled through her basket, and we passed the other cookie onto Jack.

Some additions to Ella's list of things she loves...

2008-03-16T17:12:00.001+01:00

Ella took this picture, no lie!

I don't know how these two were missed last time, because they are so obvious! Mama, or Mommy as I have now become, and Daddy.

Her John Deere tractor and RED firehat, because the yellow one is completely pointless (her opinion, not mine) and only good enough to be offered to Jack, even though he wants the RED one too!

Don't be messin' with a girl's John Deere!

Her awesome shades, both practical for eye protection and stylish for fashion's sake. This is Italy, after all!

In like a lion, out like a lamb...

2008-03-16T16:59:00.000+01:00

Hates the bunny, LOVES the bunny arts and crafts!

...that's MARZO!! Crazy, rainy weather one day and blue skies with sunshine for miles on the rest! Spring has sprung here in Sicilia, so yesterday we headed down the ol' bunny trail to sneak a peek at our favorite Easter candyman, the Easter Bunny. Now, the Easter Bunny is right up there with Santa Claus as far as Ella is concerned, meaning that she hates them both equally and would like NOTHING to do with them, thank you very much! So, here is a picture of Jack and his mom Carrie with the Easter bunny and a bit of Mt. Etna in the background because my kid wouldn't go for this photo op!

A Visit from Grandpa Tim!!

2008-02-27T16:00:00.000+01:00

Supercalifragilisticexpyalidocious! My Grandpa Tim is here in Sicilia with us for two whole weeks! We've been taking him to all of our favorite Sicilian hotspots, but I know his favorite thing so far has been watching Mary Poppins with me at least two times a day!! It's my latest obsession.

Picture Perfect View from the Greek Theatre in Taormina taken by Grandpa

"Oh, how you flatter me, Grandpa! I know I AM your favorite grandchild and all, but come on!"

To view more pics taken by Grandpa Tim on his Sicilian adventures, check out our Dropshots page at www.dropshots.com/ajaandre . Ciao!

The Loves in Ella's Life...Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-16T17:19:00.000+01:00

JUMPING!! Up, up into the air! Mama's pretty good at tossing her into the air, but Daddy can throw much higher and do fancy tricks like 180(s) and 360(s).

Darn that crappy camera! Can't seem to get her hold body in one shot!

Again! Again!

WATER!!! Sometimes for hand or dish washing, but mostly just for the pure joy of feeling it slip through her fingers and drenching her clothes!

RUNNING!! In lieu of her regularly scheduled Tiny Tots gym class on Thursday, the base gym hosted a Cupid's Run for the little ones. They were each given a number, ran around the indoor track a few times, then refueled with little cups of water and stretches.

Cousin Isaiah...he's one year old and growing!

2008-02-03T19:10:00.000+01:00

Sooooooo big! This must be how they get him to stretch out!:)

Cute as a Button!

Isaiah and his mama, Mo

La famiglia ANDRE

2008-01-07T15:15:00.001+01:00

Phil, Ella, and Aja

Ella, self proclaimed and stained "Warrior Princess"

(Don't fret, it's only washable marker!)

Ella, aka "Chatty Cathy"
(Seriously, that girl is always on the phone!)

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

2007-12-26T11:32:00.001+01:00

Christmas Rocks! 'Nuf said!

Hmmm, do you think she likes the kitty cat?

Retro Kitchen and.......

...lots more! What a lucky girl! Thank you for all of my presents!

Getting into the Holiday Spirit...

2007-12-24T14:54:00.000+01:00

....with COOKIES!

A Strictly "Quality Control" taste test. Mmmmmm, that's good!

Carrie and Jack doing the "icing squeeze". Cookie time allows for great bonding time between family and friends.......

....but mostly it's just an excuse to eat a lot of frosting right before bedtime. That's my girl!

Frantic, last minute Christmas shopping, in sweats and rain boots, of all things!

Hmmmmm...what to buy for mama and daddy?

Some like it HOT after a long night of shopping! This girl LOVES to eat bell peppers like an apple!

"Stay at Home" Moms--Get Your Office Holiday Party On!

2007-12-18T14:33:00.000+01:00

Just a lil' bit o' something here, and a lil' bit o' something there! Perfect!

Ella and Currier make their first attempt at a domestic decor partnership.

Delightfully Tacky! Think Hansel and Gretel would be tempted by this concoction?

"What do you have there, Ella?" asked Currier. "Might I take it off your hands for you?"

As we sipped on mimosas and supervised the kids' decorating a gingerbread house yesterday, my good friend Coleen pointed out to me that this was our office holiday party, since we technically work mostly out of our homes and are responsible for our children 24/7--Cheers!

I love my Mama and Dada so much!

2007-12-04T18:34:00.000+01:00

Couch Potatoes!

Give me a hug, please!

Give me the camera, Dada, and there won't be any trouble!

All in a Day's Work

2007-12-04T18:18:00.001+01:00

Ella arrives at her "office" at 9:00 sharp every morning.

Then it's right to work on the household budget.
She has to keep Mama and Dada's spending in check!

Now it's on to the park for some R & R.

She feels an inspiration to write, so....

...she takes immediately to pen and paper!

Voila! It's all in a day's work for Ella Louise!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-23T15:54:00.000+01:00

Sure, she looks cute and innocent in those pigtails, but.......

....Meet Ella, the great yogurt bandit!

Beware, she will grab your grocery bag out of your hand to get to her beloved yogurt and then leave a trail of gooey destruction all over your house!

We spent our Thanksgiving surrounded by close friends, one of which was a 26 pound Sicilian turkey who we referred to as "Giuseppe Grasso" (Fat Joe)! Yes, we decided to pass on the ol' Butterball brand this year and instead supported our local poultry farmers, and it tasted buono!

Long time coming.....

2007-10-29T17:47:00.000+01:00

Look at how big this girl is becoming! I'm trying to put more pics on our Dropshots page, but we'll see if the computer will cooperate. Check it out just in case it works! I believe the site is www.dropshots.com/ajaandre. Ciao!

Well, it's already Halloween! Hard to believe! As you can see, Ella dressed up as Genevieve the Giraffe (ala Aja's old dance costume) for the Autumn Fest held at our base last weekend. Phil and I attended a costume party where we proceeded to win the "Best Couple" prize as the devil and a Mormon! No offense, we just think Mormons are funny!

Ella is One Year Old!

2007-07-20T18:17:00.000+02:00

It's official; I'm one year old now! All hail to the Birthday Girl.

I loved all of my presents. I am now a one girl band!

I also loved all of my party guests, especially Ellis.

I don't know if she feels the same about me though!

Thank you to all of my party guests!

2007-07-20T17:45:00.000+02:00

How sweet it is to be one year old and allowed to have cake at last! I love birthdays!

Hanging out with my cousin Cooper on the farm in Michigan

Buon giorno from Napoli!

2007-06-25T18:07:00.000+02:00

Ella in the baby pool in Naples. She is quite the water lover and likes to walk around the pool in her lily pad floatie.

Is that Ella or a gondolier?

License to Drive--watch out for the duckmobile!

Ella is 11 Months Old!

2007-06-12T20:25:00.000+02:00

Ciao! I'm 11 months old!!! I now have 8 teeth, still detest sitting still for anything, love to eat pickles, say "nana" for mama and "dada" for daddy, and prefer to crawl (walking's overrated anyway!).

I really like to push and pull things like chairs, doors, and stolls.

Hello there! What's for dinner?

Chunky Monkey

2007-06-08T15:39:00.000+02:00

Okay, so she wouldn't make a great monkey, but she's cute, isn't she?

Happy Birthday, Nonni!

2007-06-08T09:42:00.000+02:00

It's my Nonni Linda's BIG birthday today! If you see her, wish her a great one!

I love and miss you, Nonni!

Memorial Day Weekend in Scoglitti

2007-06-02T09:26:00.000+02:00

Last weekend we headed south to the beach town of Scoglitti with our friends, the McKowns, for some much needed R&R. At this time of year the beaches are not crowded at all, so we pretty much had the area to ourselves.

It was a bit windy, but Ella still loved going to the beach! She got to sample sand for the first time!

Ella and Phil at our secret beach.

2007-05-25T17:33:00.000+02:00

Flowers in her hair.....music everywhere!

2007-05-25T17:26:00.001+02:00

Checking out nature in our front yard. She likes to eat the grass!

2007-05-21T14:35:00.000+02:00

Ella's favorite new toy--a chocolate soy milk box!

Ella Louise is 10 Months Old!

2007-05-13T17:08:00.000+02:00

I'm a big girl now! As you can see in my picture, I now stand up all the time, but only while leaning against something sturdy. I am a master crawler on my hands and knees and I especially like to test my Mama's attention by making a beeline for the stairs! I have six teeth, still only two on the bottom, but all four front teeth on the top. I can clap my hands together and wave hello or goodbye. I also love to point at everything, especially all of the artwork on our walls at home. I really love my Auntie Monique's painting entitled "Poppy Fields", probably because I see a lot of wild poppies outside right now. My Mama and Daddy think they have a budding scientist on their hands because I love nature, especially putting flower heads and leaves in my mouth! That's all for now...until next time! Ciao!

2007-05-13T17:03:00.000+02:00

This is how I slide back down so I don't hurt myself.

2007-05-13T17:00:00.000+02:00

Check out this chair I received from my Moma and Grandpa Andre for my 1st birthday! I know, my birthday is still two months away, but I'm not complaining!

2007-05-13T16:35:00.000+02:00

They finally gave me a chair that's just my size!

Little Miss Independent

2007-05-06T17:49:00.000+02:00

Rise and shine, Ella!

2007-05-06T17:19:00.000+02:00

Time to get up and start the day!

2007-05-06T15:18:00.000+02:00

Okay, I'm off to see the world in my new backpack! Peace out, Mama and Daddy!

2007-05-06T15:16:00.000+02:00

Well, maybe I'll just hang out with Mama and Daddy a little longer:)

Ella Louise is 9 Months Old!

2007-04-23T12:18:00.000+02:00

Buon giorno, mondo! I have made leaps and bounds since I last wrote. I am now a speed crawler; sometimes up on my hands and knees, but mostly on my belly like a soldier in boot camp! I figured out how to pull myself up onto things like a couch or chair and I also know how to get up to sitting from my belly. I still prefer pureed baby food to anything chunky, but I'm now eating small things like Gerber puffs with my fingers. I am also saying "dadada" a lot and "mamama" a little. It's okay, my Mama knows I love her! That's all for now. Until next month, ciao!

2007-04-23T12:14:00.000+02:00

2007-04-23T12:06:00.000+02:00

Ella and her mama.

Where are you, Mr. Easter Bunny?

2007-04-15T12:07:00.000+02:00

Mr. Easter Bunny! I have a nice little egg for you! Come out, come out wherever you are!

2007-04-15T12:03:00.000+02:00

There he is! Ella met the Easter Bunny for the first time, but she didn't want him to hold her! Oh well, he still left her some surprises on Easter morning.....

2007-04-15T12:00:00.000+02:00

Look what the Easter Bunny left for Ella Louise!

2007-04-15T11:58:00.000+02:00

Ella checking out the goodies in her Easter basket.

2007-04-04T20:11:00.000+02:00

Awwww, isn't she cute? Our friend Matt took this pic of Ella at a birthday party last Sunday.

2007-03-19T19:21:00.000+01:00

Ella hanging out at the gym.

2007-03-19T19:19:00.000+01:00

Video of Ella

2007-03-19T19:14:00.000+01:00

Check out this cute video of Ella doing the Macarena. She's wearing those cool glasses because she had her eyes dilated at the doctor's office that day. We didn't think she would wear them, but she didn't seem to mind! You can also view other pics and videos at this site.

http://www.dropshots.com/ajaandre

Ella is 8 Months Old!

2007-03-13T08:33:00.000+01:00

Ehhhhh, what's up Doc? I am getting very big! I love to gnaw on carrots. I was sleeping through the night, but just recently I started to wake up again. I think it is because my third tooth is coming down! It is on the top in the front. I am moving around a lot more by dragging myself on my belly or scooting forward on my bottom. Arrivederci!

2007-03-13T08:31:00.000+01:00

Makin' Mischief!

2007-03-13T08:29:00.000+01:00

Flower Power!

Ella Louise Andre, Rocks!!!

2007-02-25T14:19:00.000+01:00

Ciao!

2007-02-25T14:15:00.000+01:00

Ella and her puppy bucket head.

Cooper Olen Zentner!!!

2007-02-24T09:19:00.000+01:00

Cooper is one year old and apparently can play the drum with his foot. What a kid!

2007-02-24T09:10:00.000+01:00

La famiglia Zentner--Cooper, Carrie, and Andrew.

Isaiah Michael Aiuto!!!

2007-02-24T09:07:00.000+01:00

An intriguing storytime with mama Monique and Pat the Bunny.

2007-02-24T09:05:00.000+01:00

Isaiah is tres magnifique!

2007-02-20T19:52:00.000+01:00

Ella and her mama after a long day of hanging out together at home.

2007-02-20T19:48:00.000+01:00

Ella and her daddy after a hard day at work.

2007-02-20T19:45:00.000+01:00

Just Jack and Ella. Jack is the son of another teacher at the school.

2007-02-20T19:43:00.000+01:00

Just Ella.

2007-02-20T19:39:00.000+01:00

Ella in her adorable overalls!

Meet our New Nephew...

2007-02-11T08:35:00.000+01:00

....Isaiah Michael Aiuto! Monique and Vito welcomed little Isaiah last Wednesday--Lovely family, don't you think?

2007-02-11T08:33:00.000+01:00

Isaiah awake! What an adorable face!

2007-02-11T08:29:00.000+01:00

Apparently Ella has something in common with all people over the age of 70--she loves prunes! Ciao, Isaiah! I love you already!

2007-02-04T18:28:00.000+01:00

Ella's sitting up pretty well on her own, but it never hurts to have a little cushion for those unexpected "Timbers!"

2007-02-04T18:26:00.000+01:00

Ella's hard at work in her ExerSaucer!

Ella is 6 1/2 months old!

2007-01-29T20:50:00.000+01:00

2007-01-29T20:48:00.000+01:00

2007-01-29T20:46:00.000+01:00

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes...

2007-01-21T19:56:00.000+01:00

Ella and Phil are very tired because we just returned from a four week trip to good ol' Michigan. There we saw many a relative, shopped till we dropped, ate at our favorite restaurants (well, Ella's favorite place to eat is always open and always with her!), and spent time with friends. It seems as though Ella has made leaps and bounds in the time we have been gone. She's now rolling all over the place, sitting up on her own, blowing raspberries with her lips, grabbing anything within her reach, and so much more! Check out the pics below to see some of the people she met and the things she is doing.

2007-01-21T19:53:00.000+01:00

Ella and her Grandpa Tim during their first meeting--family resemblence, anyone? Ella loved it when Grandpa would help her "walk" and she can't wait to spend more time together next summer when she'll be walking all over the place!

2007-01-21T19:49:00.000+01:00

Ella met her Poppy Bob for the first time while in Michigan. They had a lot of fun playing together in the mornings while Phil and I got ready to go out for the day.

2007-01-21T19:46:00.000+01:00

Ella also visited with her Moma Donna, Grandpa Lee, and Nonni Linda, all of whom she met for the first time in Sicily.

2007-01-21T19:42:00.000+01:00

You can't see it right now, but just under her bottom lip is Ella's first pearly white, precisely where her Nonni predicted it would make the scene!

2007-01-21T19:37:00.000+01:00

Ella made some new baby friends, including Ellis, my friend Melissa's little girl.

2007-01-21T19:28:00.000+01:00

Ella is also eating cereals, fruits, and vegetables. She especially loves sweet potatoes!

2006-12-14T19:28:00.000+01:00

Ella is 5 months old and Mr. Froggy just keeps on shrinking and shrinking and.....

2006-12-10T15:43:00.000+01:00

"I'm adorable, don't you think?"

2006-12-10T15:41:00.000+01:00

Ella and Phil get ready for bed by reading a story together.

2006-12-10T15:38:00.000+01:00

Ella and her favorite "chew toy".

2006-12-01T22:21:00.000+01:00

Ella's getting pumped up for her trip to see Santa Claus at the base tree lighting ceremony.

2006-12-01T22:20:00.000+01:00

Ella and her first visit with Babbo Natale (Santa Claus). She seems more interested in looking at his boots than telling him what she wants for Christmas!

2006-12-01T12:22:00.000+01:00

We can't take credit for this awesome shot, but just thought you might like to see what our little volcano (am I Le Petit Prince?) is up to. This picture was taken from the front yard of a teacher who lives near Acireale this morning.

2006-11-30T19:53:00.000+01:00

I'm just chillin'. What's up witchu?

2006-11-30T19:52:00.000+01:00

What a pig! Can you believe that Ella demanded all of this Thanksgiving food, then refused to eat any of it? I guess some 4-month-olds just can't handle their turkey!