The Parrillo Family

Well...hello there.  2022 was a banner year in the Parrillo household.  We had new experiences.  New growth.  New emotions.  And new fun.  Together as a family.  There's nothing more a guy like me could want:  three strong, independent and kind kids.  And the best leader-of-the-pack in Nat anyone could imagine.   Now...on to that Christmas card.  By now, you've already received it in the mail and that's why you're here.  I'm sure you saw the photo.  And, you either laughed.  Or....wondered what the heck is going on? I'm certain that *some* of you are in on the joke, right?  This was a little moment of joy in 2022 when Nat surprised us all with these embroidered berets right on the spot in Paris this Summer.  What's the inspiration?  None other than Clark and Ellen and family on their trip to Europe in the 1980's. Alright...now with the yucks out of the way, let's talk about 2022.  Despite my b...

Sadie continues to get involved in making the world a better place.  This year, she was a leader in the school Environmental Club where they learned about the impacts on the Earth of our behaviors and how to best recycle.   She also continues to be our animal lover.  All sorts of animals.  She DESPERATELY wants a ferret.  Not going to happen.  But, she does love her Lizzie. And, she's still involved with Girl Scouts.  Here she is (below) sorting her Cookie orders to get them ready for delivery. And, 2022 marked the first ever FULL 5K that Sadie ran with Nat.  They ran 'the whole thing' during the Downers Grove Turkey Trot this month.

Every year, we try to get to see Santa at the annual Wannamaker's open house and this year was no different.  The kids keep growing, but this tradition is a nice way to kick-off the Christmas season.  All three - Eloise, Sadie and Frankie - gave the reindeer a little pet and then talked to (note...didn't sit on his lap.  lol) to the big guy about what they want this year.  Here are some photos from this same visit to Santa in 2016 - six years prior.  

What has Frankie been up to this year?  Taking on new activities, staying busy and learning more things than I did when I was eight years old.  He's taken to STEM/science kits.  He's done experiments in chemistry and biology and even electricity this year.  Here are a few photos showing some of his experiments he does at the kitchen table.   He also is interested in the workshop - taking things apart mostly.  He was gifted a new workbench from Granddad this year and has been using it all the time.  He's even trying his hand at music - with a new set of electronic drums.  Thankfully...they come with headphones.   

Halloween is - for us - still full of costumes, candy and trick-or-treating.  All three kids dressed up this year.  Eloise went as Alligator Loki.  (If you don't 'get it', she will gladly roll her eyes in your direction.) Sadie went as one of her favorites;  Eeyore.  (One of Winnie the Pooh's pals) And Frankie went as Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) from Jurassic World.  He even had a little 'Blue' velociraptor in his pocket.    Here's a look back to Halloween 2016 . And also to 2019 .  

Who is the best boy?  Frankie.  Or, as we still call him:  Beef.  He's now eight.  That's one more than seven .  But, it sure feels like he's packed in so much in just one year.   Frankie is a delight of a child - most of the time.  He's smart.  And...I think he kinda knows it.  That means, he tests his boundaries.  But, he also is a pure lover.  He gives good hugs and snuggles with his mom.   He handled the school transition this year the best of all the kids and has found new friends that have shared interests.  He continues to be enamored with screens.  He plays Minecraft.  And Wordle.  And, keeps trying new sports including soccer, baseball and basketball.  He's recently started to work a little bit in the backyard on his longsnapping.  Here's hoping I can 'Richard Williams' him into an All-Conference snapper!

We continue to be lucky to be able to immerse the kids in all things Fighting Illini football.  Like every Fall, we packed the minivan and pointed towards Champaign for a Saturday football game in Memorial Stadium.  We started the day with a Parrillo family tailgate in Grange Grove with all of the cousins - including a few new undergrads. Here's a look-back to 2019 when we attended Homecoming at Memorial Stadium .   And i n 2016 .  I have very fond memories of my time in Champaign and my time on the Illini football team, so I LOVE the chance to share that with all three kids.  And, I'm grateful that Nat puts up with all the nonsense.  Here's a few photos of the kids in their orange and blue. 

This is year two for Eloise at Camp Tecumseh in Indiana where she spends a week with her cousin in a cabin and gets to do all sorts of traditional camp things - like swimming in the lake, climbing trees and eating in a mess hall.  This year, she was in Cayuga - and here's a photo below of them on their first day of camp this year: But this year, she was also joined by Sadie.  With her first camp year.  And, this was something that SD was looking forward to ever since dropping Eloise off last year.  I don't think there was anyone more amp'd up for Camp that SD this year.  And, she was blown away.  What did the girls do?  All of the things.  Horseback riding. Chapel.  Sign Language.  Friendship bracelets. Swimming.  And pickleball.  With real pickles!

After we returned from our European Vacation, we took some time in our own backyard.  With a little staycation.  That also allowed us to take on a small DIY project with the building of a gravel firepit area that makes the BEST s'mores.  Here I am enjoying some quiet time in the yard - one of my favorite places.   

We started in Tuscany with visits with the Parrillo family.  In Italy of all places.  What a treat.  After puttering around Florence, we drove up to Lake Como for a weekend getaway.  Pretty nice.  From there, we took a train to Paris where we fell in love with the City all over again.  A trip of a lifetime.  Lucky kids.