Merry Christmas...really, really late.

This was supposed to be posted on Christmas night, but I had some issues uploading the pictures because of their size, so I had to send them over to my computer saavy sister and have her resize them. So anyways, here's the post that was meant for the Christmas season:

Tis the season to see all kinds of cute family photos enclosed in Christmas cards - smiling, cute children and their proud, happy parents. Well, unfortunately, our family seems to be completely incapable of producing such a picture. There is always at least ONE of us who looks weird in some way...
The Sunday before Christmas we tried, in vain of course, to get a nice family photo. The pictures that we ended up with were, well, at least entertaining, but not exactly Christmas card material. :) So, without further ado, I invite you to look at our blooper photos and have a good laugh!

Hey there.

We lovingly call this Maria's "Chandler face". Those of you who ever watched the show Friends will get the reference.

Seriously, why does her on-camera smile look like a grimace?


I thought this one was decent, until I saw the strategic placement of Josephine's fingers...

Again, Josephine, so charming.

Here is me trying to "make" Maria smile. It didn't work, by the way. And is Josephine conducting a choir or something?

Here is the Chandler smile again, and now Josephine is conducting with her eyes closed - impressive.

Aahhhh, there are no words...

It's official - now we ALL look like freaks. And by the way, did Lou become Amish when I wasn't looking?

Josephine is getting away!

So next time you think it's hard to get your kids to be cute for a picture, just think of the DeGaetanos, and you'll realize it could always be worse...

Let it Snow!

All of you who are living in warmer climates and bragging about your 60's and 70's degree weather...you can have it! I am 28 years old, and I still get excited everytime it starts snowing! It just all looks so magical and peaceful and beautiful. I wouldn't trade it for a sunny day down south if you paid me!

And hey, without snow, Lou and I wouldn't have been able to go sledding this past weekend with some friends - talk about fun!

Seriously, when is the last time you went sledding - it is AWESOME! We went down the hills over and over and over...


Oh yeah! You can't get these kinds of good times on the beach!! (although I will say, that, as you can see in this picture, going down face first is a good way to get a face full of snow, which can get quite cold...)

Isn't this a beautiful view? I love this place!

You just never get too old for this stuff! I happen to think that Lou looks pretty cute all decked out in his snow gear.

Lou and the other guys (Dave Hart, Ryan Gleed and Scott Johnson) reminded me of a bunch of overgrown kids, all trying to outdo each other with their crazy ways of going down the hill (standing on sleds, using two sleds at once, etc.)

What a great date night! I am thoroughly convinced that going sledding is a great way to stay young! The ride down is so much fun, and the walks back up the hill are GREAT exercise. Thanks again Johnsons, for inviting us out!

HOORAY SNOW!