The Parrillo Family

Sure, Pikachu looks cute.  And Hermione looks like trouble.  But how about that Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren?  She has a plan for that.  (but, umm...can't win! 1 ) We had a great time at Noonie's annual Halloween party.  Eloise - as she usually does - chickened out of wearing her real costume (Mary Poppins) and instead just wore a sweatshirt from Tokyo Disneyland.  She takes after her father in that regard.  1. [Let the record show, this editorial mention is from JAKE. And might not represent the full beliefs of "The Parrillo Family". Not that he's not wrong, though...] ↩

For Spring Break this year, we joined up with the girls cousins and went down to visit Mickey the Mouse at Walt Disney World.  Where else, right? This was our 11th trip to WDW and while each trip is different, this one was very special because we got to share it with Noonie and our family.  My sisters brought their kids down and we were able to wander around the parks together for a few days. Having Noonie there was great, not just because she's a big help with our kids, but because we get to see the kid-at-heart come out when we're trying to keep up with her!  My goodness...Noonie is a machine!  She walked every mile with us and rode every ride.  Simply amazing. Aunt Sharon and G & I were a special treat, too.  We've been to visit Disney World with the Gooz a few times including a trip in 2015 and in 2014  and all the way back in 2012 - when we were total Disney rookies. This trip, Aunt Linda and Uncle Shaun, along with C & J came...

Here's all three kids in their costumes joined by Noonie who took them out trick-or-treating.  Also, all three of their jack-o-lanterns, too!  Ellie's is the big one behind Frankie.  Sadie's is the one with the crown in front on the right and Frank's is behind that one with three weird eyes. Sadie was Zuma - a character from Paw Patrol. Frankie was Marshall - another character from Paw Patrol. Eloise was a Ghostbuster.  For real!  Her costume was awesome and she even had a proton pack backpack. While the girls did some early trick-or-treating, Frankie hung out with me and handed out candy to the neighbors.  He loved it.  And even had a prime spot to take it all in right next to the door. I took the girls out later at night to hit up even more houses in our neighborhood and we had a blast.  Ellie loved getting a lollipop all dressed up like a ghost! Here's the post showing Halloween and Trick-or-Treating last year in 2015 . ...

After a good run of more than 25 years, this past weekend, we said goodbye to Paw Paw Lake and Papa's place up there.  I have so many memories from my childhood up there and I'm so fortunate that my kids got to begin to grow up there.  We spent many a night at Noonie and Papa's place and having 'lake life' is so important to me and my family.  It was a joy to be able to live there all these years. Here's Ellie and SD along with their biggest cousin saying their respects and farewell to Paw Paw Lake.  I have a feeling that this isn't 'goodbye'.  More of a 'See you later'. So...so long Paw Paw Lake.  Thanks for all the fish.

We were able to sneak away with Noonie and Papa to attend the wedding of one of our dear family friends out on Cape Cod.  The trip included plenty of down time (no kids!) and beach walks!   The rehearsal dinner was loads of fun with childhood friends and craft beers courtesy of the groom's brewery. And then we got all doll'd up for a black tie affair. Here's Jake with his childhood buddy Matt who served as the host and officiant. What's better than a wedding?  A wedding with a photobooth, of course! Papa and Nat rocked the Solemn Oath Brewery hats pretty well!

Back on July 12th, we celebrated both Natalie and Noonie on their birthday together.  Yep...my wife and mother share a birthday!?! We feted Natalie over a taco and margarita dinner in Hinsdale and Noonie joined us for a glass of wine. That's where we took that photo above.  We were lucky to be joined by the Morans and Aunt Sisi and the kids' cousin!  After, my sisters celebrated Noonie at a different restaurant across town and stayed out way too late, I'm sure! One of the best - if a little stressful - days of the year!