Zfamof4

HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!!!

2009-02-02T09:18:00.005-05:00

What a nail bitter, edge of your seat kinda game!! Unbelievable! Needless to say ~ the Zfamof4 household is beside themselves! Here are just a few of our photos gearing up for the big game, and during ~ wow!!

My poor baby!

2009-01-14T21:33:00.004-05:00

Today, my hubby went to the dentist to have some work done ~but I had no idea the extent....he has stitches on two sides of one tooth that had an infection inside a tooth! The doc had to cut and pull back the skin from the gum line, clean out the damage, and reattach the skin. Needless to say, he is in a bit of pain and taking vicodine to help with that. I must go and administer some more medication to my sweetheart, in hopes he feels better soon!

'Twas the Night before Christmas...

2008-12-25T14:25:00.006-05:00

....and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a dog.

...The curtain was hung in the hall way, you see,
to make sure the boyz did not get a sneak peak!

When during the night we heard such a clatter!
Only to find BOTH boyz making such splatter!

To feel better soon, we gave them some toast,
but they still felt weak, and started to roast!

Their body temps were soon on the rise,
and you could see the their hurt in their eyes.

Back to sleep soon, my sweet little boyz,
for in a few hours you will get to play with new toys....

When they awoke, a suprise they did like,
to see their long awaited new bikes.

I am pretty much out of rhyming words so now I will just say, even Jazmyn got in on the fun!

They loved their new gaming rocking chairs with speakers,

and the new tv to play their new games.

Here they are being ever so strong,

when all they want to do is go back to sleep.....

...Now the time is 3 pm, and this is where they have been and have not moved since 8 o'clock this morn!

We hope you have had a very Merry Christmas today, and a very Happy New Year to come!

Look who just turned 12!

2008-12-08T10:58:00.008-05:00

So this year was a big year for Randy and in my sisters words ..."you guys aren't fuddy duddy's anymore!" lol We got Randy his own cell phone this year, and a texting plan was a must! He loves it! We also have peace of mind that he will be able to call us anytime to let us know where he is ~ (thinking more of baseball season and back and forth between the two fields...)

Mimi and Papa helped us in opening Randy's gift ~ I gave them his new number, and when they called it, he had to find the package, and open it and then receive his very first phone call! He was thrilled!

Jared was also very thrilled and recognized what it was before Randy did!

Mimi and papa sang happy birthday to him....and sent him some mooola to purchase the muchly loved trading cards! He will love being able to get more than just one box next trip to the store!

Here, he opened a gifted specially made my Uncle Allen and he loved it so much he took a picture of it, and uses it as his wall paper on his cell phone!

He got a Juke phone, that is capable of playing music ~ now we just have to figure that part out!

Aunt Dinda also provided him with ringtones so as soon as we can get him on line, he can find a song he likes and that will be what he hears when people call him ~ thanks so much to mimi, papa, aunt dinda, uncle charlie, tyler & uncle allen!! love randy

Jared gave his brother a steelers fleece blanket for his birthday.....

....and Grammer and Pap Pap gave him his first "real" gun! Its two guns in one in which you change out the barrels. One barrel is a 20 gauge shot gun, and the other barrel is a 22 rifle. He imediately put it together and went outside for some target practice! Thanks grammer and pap pap! love Randy

Finally! I know!

2008-12-01T20:44:00.002-05:00

It has been a really long time since I have posted to this blog, and I am sorry! It has been very busy these last few weeks, and it hasnt slowed down yet. I am also slacking in the photo department of my own family these days, and so I do not have anything from Thanksgiving to upload for you to see. wow! But we are so very thankful for our families, and also wish terribly that we lived closer together! I miss everyone so very much ~

I hope to have some updated photos...soon! so my Christmas scene and background still do not have football pics to look at!

Afternoon at the Lake

2008-08-28T17:50:00.001-04:00

Lotsa Dirt!

2008-08-22T20:48:00.001-04:00

End of Week One for South Side

2008-08-22T20:47:00.001-04:00

My Vikings!

2008-08-20T21:54:00.004-04:00

OK ~ here they are! The football season is under way this week with two practices a day for the first week, then only in the evenings after school starts. They are two very tired and sore guys right now, but they will get into shape real quick! They love football! You can check out the Vikings blog by clicking on the link in the side bar here in this blog.

Camp Sandy Cove

2008-08-20T21:30:00.001-04:00

PROJECT COMPLETED

2008-08-11T18:38:00.005-04:00

While the boyz are away at camp Randy and I decided to do something special for them. They both have long outgrown the swing set, and you can only swim for so long, so we thought they would truly enjoy a place to play basketball. It would not only give them hours and hours of fun, but great outside activities for them and friends.

Here is the beginning of our project ~ trying to figure out where it will all sit. The small form in front here will be for my gazebo later on =-) but since we were having concrete poured we did both at the same time to save $$!

After we got the forms set and rock layed down, we decided to move the extra dirt up to the form for added support. Well, Jazmyn claimed rights to the pile of dirt and kept giving Randy the "whatchadoin" look every time he took a shovel full away! It was a nice cool place for her to rest from the heat of the day. We called her the forman of the jobsite! lol

The morning of the delivery!

All done with that part! We were so nervous about how hard or difficult this job would be with only the two of us and one of Randy's friends (and co-worker). It was really not that bad! (ok, it was still nerve racking to get it done before it all sets up, but so cool to be done~!)

BOYZ ARE HOME!

2008-08-11T18:15:00.004-04:00

The boyz came home Sunday afternoon, and to their surprise ~ they found the basketball pad! Can you tell by their expressions they are super duper happy! Seeing their faces made all the hard work and sweat totally worth it!

Golf anyone?

2008-08-11T17:54:00.003-04:00

One Saturday morning, the boyz were outside playing golf in the yard ~ when I heard a different voice I looked out and saw our pastor out there playing right along with them! Randy had told him before that if he ever wanted to brush up on his golfing skills, he could come out and use our "par 3" course. Well, he drove up that day started to play the course with the boyz. Of course Jared was done playing much sooner than the other two, so he got in the pool. Pastor and Randy starting hitting the balls in the pool and Jared retrieved them and threw them back out ~ (Pastor Ken called him the automatic ball return ~ haha) it was alot of fun for them! and pastor got to spend some quality time with both boyz and he enjoyed that to.

It's so Quiet

2008-08-04T15:26:00.002-04:00

It has been so different not having the boyz around. I try to keep busy with things around the house, but I find myself just sitting and waiting to here "mom, I'm hungry", or "mom! make him stop!" ~ I miss it ~ I miss my boyz ~ I know they are having a great time, though.

Randy's mom did call yesterday after they arrived and got the boyz settled in and I was soooo thankful for that phone call. She said they were checked in, and she helped them put their stuff away, and helped them get their beds made and they had met their counselors. Jared connected with his through sports and Randy connected with his through hunting. I think that helped ease their transition as well.

I will hear from mom again sometime Tuesday or Wednesday with an update on how they are doing. So then you will have an update on mommy at that time ~

In the meantime ~ daddy and I will have a special suprise waiting for the boyz when they get back. We are working on a concrete pad for them to play basketball. (they have so outgrown the swingset that has been negleted) And the one thing Randy would like to have when he gets back is a special dinner for the four of us ~ Meatloaf and mashed potatoes~ so of course I will be sure to have all the ingredients for that~!

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

2008-07-31T19:04:00.002-04:00

I was just sitting here thinking what a lazy day we had today. The boyz enjoyed the pool in this hot humid weather, Jazmyn likes getting in to cool off as well! I didnt get any photos, but it was cute.
Daddy and the boyz are off to hunt more of those pesky ground hogs, and I stayed here to get some burgers on the grill and get some fruit cut up for dinner. As quiet as it is right now, I guess that is what I will have to look forward to next week.
Randy's parents are taking the boyz to a christian camp called Camp Sandy Grove ~somewhere in West Virginia/Maryland area ~and they will be gone from Aug 3-10. I am already missing them (even with all the bickering and pestering they do=-) I know they will have a great time. Jared is signed up to do canoeing, nature exploration, archery and outdoor cooking and Randy is signed up to do guiter, archery, soccer, outdoor cooking and as a bonus white water rafting (must be 10 and older to do that). On top of all that, they will have all kinds of water things to do ~ its Wet and Wild week that they are signed up for! I am really excited for them and they are ready to go!
Off to get dinner finished ~

BIG HUNTER, JARED

2008-07-30T09:10:00.004-04:00

So while Randy was out on his "excursion" to the park (see next post) ~ daddy and Jared went ground hog hunting. That was more exciting for Jared, and he wasnt upset he didnt get to go to the park. Such a sweetie! He and dad saw one ground hog ~ way out in the distance so dad took the shot and got him! Since they didnt see any other hogs for a while Jared got to shoot at a can they found. He's a pretty good marksman!

DATING!?

2008-07-30T08:52:00.003-04:00

As a mom, you can never prepare yourself for the first "date" of your oldest son! Not that it was a "date" date, but Randy was invited to DelGrosso Park to spend the afternoon with ...Jessica... ohhh dear! They came to pick him up and boy was she dressed to the nine! I seriously doubt she wanted to get her hair wet at the water park! lol ~~not to mention the cologne Randy was sporting when he left here ~ so very cute. Wait, did I just say that? I am still not ready for the girlfriend thing with either of my boyz.
When daddy got home, he asked about Randy and did he get to the park ~ Jared was around the corner and he started his "punkin" laugh ~ "hehehe~ He's out with his girrrrl friend ~ oooo ~ kissy kissy~" We just rolled laughing! that was funny!
Now Randy was due back home around 7 ish so when he called to ask if he could stay longer (because they spent the whole afternoon at the water park, they wanted to catch some rides) I couldnt say no. He limited his extra time out to one hour saying he could be home at 8ish. Well bless his little heart ~ at 8:30 he tried to call the house but I was on the phone with a friend (no call waiting) and after a few mins I checked the voice mail and his little voice was there telling me he knew he was late, he was sorry and that he was ok. awwww!! He called again to let me know they were on their way home. When he got here, he just said he was sorry again for being late, but that was the only time his ride could be there to get him. I just gave him a big-ol-hug and said "it's ok, sweetie! thank you for calling and letting me know ~ thats all".

He is such a good kid and we are so very blessed to have him as our son ~ but I am still not ready for him to be .....dating......

My TWO All Star Baseball Players

2008-07-23T20:12:00.004-04:00

YUP, Jared's season was not over like we thought ~ he made the 9 and under all star team! ~ for which they played in three tournaments. He did very well, and just enjoyed himself. The team did lose almost every game.....well every game.....but they still played their little hearts out!

Randy's all star team has one last tournament this weekend (making it the 4th for him) playing in Bellwood this time. Daddy has been so very busy planning and coordinating the whole tournament and I am busy taking photos for posters. This past weekend we had the 10 and under tourney and the parents loved seeing instant photos of their boyz in action! (thanks dinda!) I did take a humongo printer to the field with me and as I created the posters, I was able to print a proof page for them to see and they instantly said "yes! I want one!" woo hoo! I did pretty fair for one small tourney ~ we will see how it goes with this one.

OUR MINI VACATION

2008-06-27T10:56:00.010-04:00

We planned a special weekend for the boyz just to get away and spend some time together ~ it was a lot of fun! They did not have a clue as to the suprises in store for them. Needless to say, the hotel was a highlight! lol

After we got dried off from pool time, we headed into downtown Pittsburgh for a Pirate game! They were so excited to see a "real" game!
Walking across the Clemente Bridge to get to PNC Park.... Then our picture taken with Roberto Clemente ......

Jared was really getting into the song and having fun!

Then we were able to catch up with Mr. Pirate and get our picture taken with him (mommy was not going to give up on that photo - op! LOL)....and after 12 innings of play, the Pirates pulled out the win with bases loaded and no outs, a fly ball drops into center field, and one run comes in! We definately got our monies worth out of that one! afterwards, they had a fireworks show....it was very cool.

When we got back to the hotel room, the boyz were hungry~ so daddy and Randy went on a midnight McDonalds run and got everyone a cheeseburger and fries ~ I think we all finally fell asleep around 1am! While they were out, they also got our lunch for the next day......

......which was a trip to Kennywood Amusement Park! We followed the yellow signs through Pittsburgh, to get to our destination!

.....waiting for our first ride the open ~ the exterminator!

:Later that day we got on a ride called Raging Rapids, and boy were they raging! We got SOAKED!

Hey! Its Odie!

Daddy and Jared behind me on a roller coaster....

Mommy and Randy on the humongo swing! It was waay cool!

On the way out we all decided to get "tatoo's" and this is what the boyz picked out....Randy's says "Jesus" in the shape of the fish, and Jared's is a cross....mommy got a butterfly on the ankle and daddy got a dragon on his arm....

The ride home was priceless ~ the heat and being just pure tired they didnt make it out of downtown before they crashed.

It was a great weekend!

OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS

2008-06-18T09:39:00.003-04:00

Our family of birds have new additions to their family! This first picture was taken yesterday afternoon ~ with one not quite out of its shell! So awesome to see!

This picture was taken this morning! Four of the five eggs have now hatched, and one thought its mommy was bringing food ~ so sweet!

TIMELESS TUESDAYS .... ? HAHA

2008-06-17T09:58:00.002-04:00

What can ya say? Lazy day ~

FATHERS DAY

2008-06-17T09:49:00.004-04:00

On Father's Day we went to a friends house (actually one of Jared's coaches) for a team picnic. It was Fathers vs. Sons woofle ball game ~ and both teams won! =-) It was a great time!

/\ Brothers? \/ =-)

so if dad missed it, Jared was there to pick it up for him! lol

Happy Fathers Day everyday to all the dads out there!

The team pitched in and purchased thank you gifts for our coaches ~ personalized bats with team name and their own signature (provided by their wives for secrecy!)

JARED'S SEASON COMES TO AN END

2008-06-13T20:40:00.003-04:00

Tonight was Jared's last game of the season, and thankfully we won! The final score was 13-3 ~ now the question is .......where was this team Wednesday night when we needed that win to push us to third place overall?.....?? Oh well, its over and Jared had a great season. He pitched for one inning tonight and struck out one batter, and no hits (due to the fact that we soft toss after 4 balls, the kids struck out on soft toss!) ~ the rest of the game he played first base, and one inning made two of the three outs himself ~ he was soooo proud and was beaming! He made many other great plays throughout the evening, and we are so very proud of him.
We are unsure as to what will happen with all-stars.....they want to have a 9 and under team and there are actually enough 9 year olds to make up that team ~ so Jared may have to wait till next year, we shall see.
Randy had a game this evening as well, and lost by 1 run! 11-10 the final. SOOO close! We are still in the running for third place in his league, too. Much better than our one win all season last year...
Enjoy the photos and I will talk to you again tomorrow!

Going home!

BREAKFAST ANYONE?

2008-06-12T08:35:00.003-04:00

I am so thankful for my little guys (well, not so little anymore) but they sure know how to take care of mommy. Jared loves to cook breakfast ~ sometimes eggs, sometimes pancakes. One moring he surprised daddy and I at 6:30 in the morning with breakfast in bed! (sounds familiar, huh mom?) I remember doing the same thing ~ up in the wee hours cooking a surprise for birthday or anniversary....anywhoo....Jared made us pancakes this morning and they were yummy!

YARD SALE FIND

2008-06-12T08:29:00.003-04:00

Ronie and I went yard sale"ing" last weekend where Tipton has there yearly community sales, looking for photo props that we could use. Instead we came across this find! I was so excited! A butcher block top, with the blue rustic paint ~ and the bonus is the 4 drawers at each place setting for stuff! Ronie said it is for the boyz to put there plate and fork in . Once dinner is finished they just lick the plate clean and put it back in the drawer! lol

FEATHERED FRIEND

2008-06-12T08:19:00.004-04:00

We have a nest of feathered friends that have moved in above the outlet we use to plug in our pump for the pool ~ we think it is called a Phoebe ~ we have investigated on line and it matches the information closest ~ she was a persistant little mommy! Every time we took the beginnings of the nest and threw them out, with in an hour she had built again. Apparantly, these birds are not concerned with humans being so close, and do not care where they build there nest. She has 5 eggs in the nest, and we cant wait to see the little ones.

HELLO'S FROM THE POOL!

2008-06-11T16:04:00.005-04:00

Whew! I managed to get the video clip to upload! Enjoy!

SUMMER TIME!

2008-06-11T15:57:00.004-04:00

Its been a crazy first week out of school, and the pool has been a life saver from this awful heat wave we have been experiencing! We have two games this evening and as hot as it is right now, we will be jumping in after we get home!

Here they go!

RANDY & JARED

2008-06-10T17:13:00.003-04:00

Here is a photo of the boyz with Grandaddy ~ when we visited in March ~ so many more photos I will try to share later!

Randy, Jared and their cousin Tyler! They had so much fun together!

BASEBALL SEASON

2008-06-10T17:04:00.004-04:00

Now, granted its almost over ~ in fact Jared has two games this week, and Randy goes till next Monday with 4 more games ~ but at least I got the photos posted before it was all the way done! lol ~

There are so many more photos, but I wanted to get something up here to update the blog since Easter! lol

CLEANING DAY (weekend)

2008-06-10T16:58:00.003-04:00

We put an order in for a 10 yard dumpster, so we could do some "spring" cleaning over memorial day weekend. Well, the day of delivery, they didnt have a 10 yard, but a 22 yard dumpster ~ and wouldnt you know it!!! WE FILLED THE SILLY THING! LOL How, oh How did all that shtuff fit in my house? and where? ~ amazing how much you collect over the years~! lol It felt so good to throw that first piece of junk into the dumpster and here the loud ka-bang! hehe

THE SHOOTING RANGE

2008-06-10T16:41:00.007-04:00

We took the boyz to the Bellwood Sportsman Club, which Randy is a member, and let the boyz target practice. They had so much fun! (and pretty good at hitting the middle of the target!)

Jared got a surprise with this shot! He was rubbing his shoulder for a bit after this one!

Woa! that was a hefty kick back for him!

VALEWOOD FARM FIELD TRIP

2008-06-10T16:24:00.005-04:00

Jared's second grade class went to the dairy farm for a field trip at the end of the year as well, and had lotsa fun, even though it rained on us toward the end of the day.

DelGrosso Day!

2008-06-10T16:12:00.002-04:00

The kids in the B-A school district get to spend the day at the amusement park each year as an end of the year blast ~ here are jsut a few photos of Jared and his friend, Jack. Randy, being in 5th grade and all, did not require a chaperone, so therefore was able to roam about the park and have fun with his friends. Only later did I find out that he spent the day with two other girls! lol No pictures of him though ~ he kinda avoided the camera ~ go figure!

Video Hellos To Tennessee

2008-03-17T16:42:00.004-04:00

We cant wait to see everyone!

Love, Jared XOXO

Love, RandyXOXO

Jared's Birthday

2008-03-16T18:18:00.003-04:00

Can you believe our little guy has turned 8 years old! We had a small party for him and he invited one of his friends, Jack, to spend the night. They stayed up and played games on the Wii, watched movies and painted a one of a kind mug all for themselves.

OUR NEW RIDE

2008-03-12T16:16:00.002-04:00

The van was just on its last leg, and it seemed in the shop more than in the road....so.....Randy wheeled and dealed and then ~ voila ~ a new ride to last a lifetime!~ lol I love it!

Last Project for Living Room

2008-02-13T09:39:00.010-05:00

We converted a dresser into an entertainment center. We took out the drawers, made shelves and built the top to house the TV. I love it!~ Randy cut grooves out at the top and bottom of the front to make sliding doors to cover and hide the games, movies, stereo and vcr.....cool!

REMODEL PHOTOS

2008-01-23T18:05:00.001-05:00

Starting in the hall way looking into the living room, and then the photos pan around to the kitchen....

.....then down to our basement with the new washer and dryer! Luuuv it!

Then on to the bathroom project with a new paint job, and new shower curtain....the circles will eventually get a trim of white around them, but work has been keeping me busy.

I also am working on refinishing the desk now in the living room, as well as Randy building a new entertainment center for me .....its almost completed ~ just the asembly of it, and I will get new photos of that next time! thanks for sharing in my mini makeover!

MORE "REMODELING"

2008-01-17T16:28:00.000-05:00

I am experiencing technical difficulties at the moment, and cant upload photos right now. I will try to upload again later. Sorry!

I am excited though, because I put up new curtains in the dining room and living room, and they truly make the rooms look so much better! I also repainted the bathroom (and yes, I painted over the strip of handprints) but I still have the plaster print, and they are still on a shelf in the bathroom. The color scheme changed a bit, and you will be pleasantly surprised!

I also received new appliances in the kitchen. We had to replace the stove and refridgerator, and also the washer and dryer downstairs. I have been speeding through the laundry since last night! lol

Again, I will try again later to upload the photos ~

KITCHEN REMODEL UPDATE

2008-01-06T18:32:00.000-05:00

Well, this weekend project far exceeded my expectations! Randy and I worked all day Saturday, and finished the cabinet doors, and got them hung back up with new hinges, and knobs. On Sunday afternoon, we installed the new light fixture, and I painted the back wall. ~~Boy did it make the kitchen look so much bigger!
New appliances are the last thing to get installed ~ more photos after that!

UNCER CONSTRUCTION

2008-01-03T21:34:00.000-05:00

We are starting a small remodel project in hopes to spruce up the kitchen a bit. I bought new hardware for the cabinet doors, and will be getting a new sink faucet as well. I hope to add texture with making the cabinet doors look like bead board, and framed out ~ will kinda look like a cottage door. Eventually a new ceramic top stove, and bigger fridge, yeah! Here is the start of our project and what we got done today ~ I will post as we get things finished!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2007-12-26T20:52:00.000-05:00

December 25, Christmas Day at Home

2007-12-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

We had a very relaxing day today, and enjoyed our Christmas dinner with friends at Sukora Japanese Restaurant ~ It was such a treat for the boyz to watch their food being prepared right before their eyes ~ and all the little tricks they perform with the food ~ such a great time~

Christmas day the boyz enjoyed opening a few more gifts ~ which included for each a new radio, a new controller for their Wii game, and some new clothes as well as a desk for Jared's room, and a wireless keyboard and mouse for Randy. Aunt Dinda, Uncle Charlie and Tyler sent a cool game for the Wii with Hot Wheels ~ Mimi and Papa helped in getting the boyz new coats ~ Thanks to all!

Enjoy the photos!

December 22, Christmas at the Zitterbarts

2007-12-25T21:35:00.000-05:00

Randy and Jared with their cousin, Hannah...

Jared played Santa and passed out all the gifts...

Imagine their surprise when opening a gift from
Uncle Gene and Aunt Melody of a game they couldnt play..?...

Then imagine the excitment when they realized they could play that cool game!

Now having fun playing baseball and bowling ~
notice the one Mii character? haha~

Now, WHO could this be?....lol

Randy's Birthday

2007-12-25T21:18:00.000-05:00

For Randy's Birthday, he wanted to do something as a family, and he chose bowling ~ we had a great time!

2007-10-29T16:01:00.000-04:00

Our updated Family Portrait