Many Blessings for the New Year!!!!!!!

Fun Fact I learned while studying Ancient Rome with the kids: In Early Rome the calendar was divided into 12 months. The year began with Martius and ended with Januarius and Februarius. Later, Julius Caesar modified the calendar so that it began with Januarius--Januarius meaning Janus, a two-faced god who looked forward to the future and back to the past.



Well, I look forward to this new year spending time with Kenny and the kids as well as extend family and friends. I am also looking back and remembering this past year and all the happy occasions and events that occurred. I've highlighted a few with pictures.

The year started with celebrating Kenny's birthday with dinner and a game of bowling.

Kelly came with me to work at Park Place. She had her very own uniform complete with an apron and helped set the restaurant up for the dinner crowd and folded napkins. Now all the kids have had a chance to come to work with me--and they really are good workers.

Lauren's Birthday celebration at Bugaboo Creek and a game of bowling afterwards.






In March, we drove to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and met Ken (H), Sheri, Kelsie, Cameron, Mom, Dad, Gena and Philip. That's Kelsie, Alison and Me in the rough waters of FL.







While in Fl we celebrated Grandma's birthday and Tommy got a shout out too with a pizza party, cake and an episode of American Idol.






A trip to The Everglades.




We were able to get tickets for a Mets vs. Cardinal spring training game.






While we were watching the game, my husband mentioned to Sheri that Mookie Wilson was standing behind us just as you see him in this picture. Mookie was gracious and allowed us to take a few pictures but within minutes he was being crowded around and eventually had to move--sorry Mook.





After a week in Ft. Lauderdale, we said good-bye to everyone and headed north to Orlando & Disney world. We had a great time--thanks again Shannon :)


Alison & Tommy after a ride on Thunder Mountain. This was nothing compared to Space Mountain.

Tommy ready for baseball season.

Easter Sunday on our way out to Church.

The kids painting Easter eggs.

Tommy's birthday celebration at T.G.I. Friday and then bowling.

In June, we went strawberry picking at Secors. After, we made delicious strawberry sauce and drizzled it over sliced pound cake that was topped with whipped cream, mmmmmm.

Father's Day.

Celebrating Alison's birthday with a trip to the batting cages and ending with dinner at T.G.I. Friday's.

In the summer, Kenny spent his vacation washing the house and cleaning all the shutters and then painting the window trim but not without a lot of help from Alison.

Celebrating Kelly's birthday with breakfast of her choice served on the special "Birthday Plate"

In August, Lauren was my helper during Vacation Bible School--she was really good with the kids and kids liked her as well. We had the 5 & 6 year old class. This picture is at the closing program and Lauren is trying to keep everyone quiet until it's their turn to go on stage.

In September, Brian (Kenny's youngest brother) & Rose were married and Tommy was asked to be the ring bearer. It was a beautiful celebration with lots of family & friends visiting from all over.

Our trip to Barton Orchards farm for pumpkin and apple picking. This place is great and the views are beautiful.

The kids get dressed up every year for a Harvest Party at Ridgeway Alliance Church.

My birthday present from Kenny and the kids. I've wanted this angel for so long but every time we went to buy it-it was always out-of-stock. Thanks!!

And finally, Christmas.

We had such a nice Christmas week with family and friends and of course a visit to Rockefeller Center. Lauren and I had a dentist appointment in Harlem and so Kenny decided that we should take a quick run down to see the Tree. So off we went after a tooth was pulled and cavities were filled and with two numb mouths, we were off. It was the Friday before Christmas and the streets & sidewalks of Manhattan were packed beyond belief. We parked the van at the NY Hilton, said hello to the usual suspects, Mike & Dennis and walked over to Rockefeller Center. We passed Radio City Music Hall, saw the tree, went over to the angels, took a few pictures, waited on line to see Saks Fifth Ave's decorated windows--which weren't that great, then headed back to our van to start back home, but not without a trip to Starbucks (because there were no Dunkin Donuts around) for an iced latte w/ two sugars and topped with whipped cream, coffee black w/ one equal & 4 hot chocolates for the ride. As we were driving down 53rd & 9th Ave. standing there on the corner, waiting to cross the street, was the guy from "What Not To Wear" but because I was the only one to see him, Kenny said it couldn't have been him. The festivities continued the next day with a special visit from Marty & Elaine. The festivities still continued on Christmas Eve when we went to Granny's house in the Bronx and got there just before Uncle Brian had to leave for work. It's always a fun night full of lots of laughs and of course a visit from "Santa." The festivities STILL continued on Christmas day at our house with my side of the family-again just another really fun time (although it's not complete without Richie, Justine, Taylor, Emily and Kenny, Sheri, Kelsie and Cameron there). (Thanks Gabrielle for the frappuccinos:) The festivities STILL continued the next morning with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Gena and Uncle Philip coming back to our house for breakfast.

Kenny and I feel truly blessed to have such great families & friends....


Grandma & Grandpa opening their gifts......

Now Chris's turn...

Nice jacket, Chris

Uncle Philip's turn to open his gifts

Joseph & Gabrielle waiting for their turn to open gifts.....

Aunt Gena opening her presents...
Chris & Tommy were dressed alike...very cute and not planned.

At Granny's house Kelly helps Granny open her presents.

On Christmas Eve, Santa came to Granny's house for quick visit....

All the Croke grandchildren together at Granny's. Starting from the left we have Kelly, Alyssa, Kailey, Alison, Tommy, Michael, Darren and Lauren.

Marty and Kenny with an angel on his head.

Time spent with great friends, Marty & Elaine. "Hey Marty can you give me a transfer"?? Elaine you look great!!!!

Lauren, Alison, Tommy and Kelly at Rockefeller Center in front of the angels. Lauren's mouth was still numb.....

I forgot to add this one of us in front of the tree.

O.K. so, I have wanted to start a family blog for the last few months but coming up with a name was stumping me and therefore stopping me from creating one, but finally I went with the name Kenny suggested; and I actually like it.

What inspired me was my brother, Richie and his book, my sister-in-law, Sheri and then her husband, my brother, Kenny. They have all created their own blogs with different themes in each. If you want some good political insight go to Richie's blog @ richhandband.com--Sheri's blog makes me feel like I'm not missing soo much of our niece, Kelsie and nephew, Cameron's life--thanks Sheri--and if you want to get a taste of what it was like growing up in the Bronx or if you grew up there, check-out Kenny's.

And the final inspiration that started this blog were all those beautiful Christmas cards and notes that we rec'd from all of you, some were from as far away as Australia, some with pictures of your growing children and some with a special Christmas message. That was it for me and so we decided this was a great way to keep in closer touch with you.

So we hope you enjoy it here @ THISfunctional Family's Blog.

On our way down to see the tree at Rockefeller Center we stopped someone to take a family picture for us...Kenny was wearing his favorite outfit ;)

This is a test, I repeat this is only a test........

This is a test page to see how this blog actually works.......Kenny and I are not the most computer savvy people, so please bear with us.......