The Parrillo Family

"To thy happy children of the future (i.e. Those of you who turned over our Christmas card and were curious enough to arrive here), those of the past (us Parrillos in 2025) send greetings ." 2025 was good to the Parrillo family.  And, we were busy.  Hard to believe another year has come-and-gone.   However, before we get to our annual Year in Review, I'd like to call attention to an important detail on our Christmas Card.  While the photo is lovely, it certainly won't top our Griswold-family-inspired card from 2022 .  But, after a long, difficult two-year hiatus, I'm happy to share that this year, "Leadership" allowed for the inclusion of a special greeting to all of our friends and family who celebrate Festivus.  Here's to pinning your father and the lack of tinsel this season. With that out of the way, now...on to our Year in Review.  Activities and Events From the stage to the field, the Parrillo kids got out there and participated.  ...

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...

Yep.  We caved.  Or...rather...Nat caved.  I wanted to hold out for at least another year.  But, our Eloise is now a phone-toting borderline teen.  And (gasp!), she didn't follow my advice:  she got an iPhone.  (For shame.) This feels like a big milestone for the family.  The kid/teen border is approaching and I want to do EVERYTHING we can to keep her a kid.  Time marches on.   Eloise is VERY trustworthy and has earned this access.  Of all the kids, I have the least amount of concerns with getting into trouble online.  I'm happy for her to be able to connect with her friends and see even more of the world.  Just wish it was with an Android. 

A big milestone in a young woman's life: shipping off to a week-long overnight camp.   Eloise and her best-est cousin are on an adventure this week at Camp Tecumseh. The property is beautiful and seems endless. There are trail rides and paddle boards and very sweet/cool counsellors. The t-shirts at the trading post are surprisingly high quality. We miss her already but we know she's safe and happy.We  can't wait to see them at pickup and hear all about it. 

And she's our gentle, loving little girl.  Who cries a ton, laughs even more and is so caring and thoughtful.  We love you, SD.  Seven looks good on you.

What a smile!  Our SD lost four teeth - including her two front teeth (on the right) - in the past month. 

Our Eloise is now the proud wearer of these stylish frames.  Just like her Momma. She mentioned to Natalie that she was having some difficulty seeing the board in her classroom so off they went to the eye doctor.  And they came home with a new pair of glasses.  That, she's really excited to wear.  Filing this under [ milestones ] here on the family blog.  We'll see if the other two go down this path too?

There is a long, proud tradition in both the Parrillo and Moran families of swimmers and being on the swim team during the summer.  Well...long in as much as both Nat and I were on the swim team when we were kids.  Nat was a good swimmer and swam through High School.  I on the other hand was the akward kid in the ill-fitting speedo who was on the team because my sister (Vic) was really good at swimming and my Mom wanted us both out of the house at the same time.   Despite me not loving (or being any good at) the swim team, I *do* have lots of fond memories of working at the pool during the Summer.  And so, too, does Nat.  So, we both keep Summer swimming in a special spot. And that's why I think we're both excited to see Eloise take on something new:  Swim Team. Last night, she had her first meet and swam in three events.  It was awesome.  And it was really neat to see Natalie engaged and helping her understand how relays ...

Just a few days ago, Sadie went off to Kindergarten for the last time .  Today, she is a Kindergarten Graduate!  Here she is, in her gold gown, entering the Church at St. Mary's for the ceremony. Sadie is still her loving, caring, silly self.  But she's also now becoming a kid.  She loves her friends, her teachers and also nature and animals.  She cares about her siblings and always wants to make people happy.  This was her first year at SMG and she certainly made her mark.  And her brain?  It is growing leaps and bounds.  I already told you this month about all the reading she's doing. But she's also so creative.  I'm so proud to be her Dad and to see her conquer this milestone of Kindergarten Graduation. It was only two years ago that Eloise hit the same Kindergarten Graduation milestone.  She was, however, at Immanuel Lutheran in Elmhurst.  Here's the photos from that day in 2016 . Along with a few of her fellow cla...