The Season Begins....

Our church's annual Snowflake Fair is this weekend--a fact that doesn't mean much to anyone outside our immediate area, we're sure. But, to us, it marks a significant time of year given that the Fair takes place the same weekend--year after year. Our family gets involved, of course, but at home, we begin preparations for our holidays. The Christmas tree will go up, holiday greeting cards will soon be mailed, house decorations will be hung and an immense amount of food will be prepared. It is a time of year when we welcome guests near and far (or travel to see family and friends) and time when we give thanks for all we are and all we have. The last year has had its share of challenges, but we've also experienced some amazing joys through distant family visits, strong friend bonds and new connections we never knew we would have. So, as the Thanksgiving holiday rolls around, we hope you too will give thanks for all the good in your lives. And, if you are north of Boston tomorrow, check out the Snowflake Fair and buy some of our homemade, handcrafted gingerbread ornaments! :) Special orders are now also being accepted...... :)

They sure do look good enough to eat, and prior to covering them with ribbon, glue and fragrance, they were delicious. But now, they are for decoration only...made with all natural ingredients and now destroyed with all the fake, man-made stuff we could find in our crafters basket! :)

Are you ready for the football.....?

...because WE are! Now that the Red Sox season has officially ended, the Kingdom is in full swing with professional and college football. The San Diego Charges and Alabama Crimson Tide are getting lots of good fanfare from our neck of the woods. King Tony has corralled the twin princes into this circle of football love--although he never wants his sons to play football--just enjoy it from stadium seats. We'll have to see just how long that lasts.... Anyway, here are 'Big T' and 'Little T' who both appreciate the fleet-of-foot antics of San Diego's 'LT.' Go Chargers!

King Tony and Prince Ari this year....and in 2007. Some things change, while others, stay just the same! :)

Sushi Time...Take II.....

We believe we created a monster. In the kingdom, Saturdays have been designated as special days as King Tony takes Princess Abigail out for swimming and then, out for a date to enjoy a sushi lunch together--which is Abby's favorite. However, when swimming is cancelled, that leaves a bit of a quandry. To avoid changing their routine too much, Queen Wendy pulled out the bamboo mat and nori and turned some delicious leftovers from the fridge into Abby's favorite sushi! I guess homemade handrolled sushi is being added to the Kingdom's 'specialities' for visitors. Seafood anyone?

Hand rolled sushi before cutting....looks a little like a caterpillar without a head, right? :)

The final platter. Delicious sushi for the family.....yum!

King Tony presents Princess Abigail with an entire tray. She seems pretty pleased! :)

An ode to Mommy for making homemade sushi....yeah! Worth every sesame seed!

Happy, happy Halloween!!!!!

Back in the late 1600's, New England played a very important role in our country's rich history. Salem, Massachusetts, also known as 'Witch City" is the site of the famous witch trials--a series of hearings through which more than a dozen people (women and men) were (wrongly) accused of witchcraft (in colonial Massachusetts) and thus, put to death. Some were hanged. Others were crushed to death and the remainder, died in prison. The episode has been used in political rhetoric and popular literature as a vivid cautionary tale about the dangers of religious extremism, false accusations, lapses in due process, and governmental intrusion on individual liberties. These days, Salem leverages its place in history and the Halloween holiday to capture and entrance and prey upon the fear of many who travel from across the globe to experience the museums, haunted houses and galant balls and events organized the entire month in celebration of All Hallows Eve.

Salem neighbors the Kingdom and during the month of October, the rich and tragic history of Halloween is brought into full spotlight North of Boston--via psychic fairs, history lessons and of course, full blown execution of the commercialization of Halloween--"trick or treat." The Kingdom and its royalty did not miss out on said events this year and enjoyed balmy 70 degree temperatures while 'battling the empire in search of edible sweets.'

Happy Halloween to all!

Our Princess dressed as R2D2...the 'undercover robot'

Queen Wendy and Prince Ari as Princess Leia and Chewbacca!

King Tony and AKA as Han Solo and R2D2....

Prince Alec as C3PO...who just happens to eat animal crackers... :)

Prince Ari...in his 'Chewy' uniform....

The dump....after we return from trick or treating....the time when parents review the booty to insure its safety (and to also hoard the goodies we want since we too did all the walking--but don't get any of the free treats! :( So unfair!

Look at this sexy beast...Han Solo.....

The 2009 version of Princess Leia! Hee....heee.. (hair danishes still in tact). :)

Hmmm...what to eat first? The somewhat nutritious animal crackers, or wait... a very large and not nutritious at all Hershey chocolate bar.... No contest! :)

Our sweet nanny Carol with Prince Alec after carving jack o' lanterns....

This is what you look like AFTER eating your Halloween goodies! Covered in melted chocolate and super high on sugar. Look at those eyeballs! He's ready for an all-nighter! :)

Can you believe it...look at this guy eyeballing the chocolate and trying to figure out how to get some more....he's so sneaky!! :)

Alec at the park earlier in the day...getting some exercise in before the trick or treating festivities begin. So cute! :)

Prince Aramis in his day-time Halloween garbe. Just stop taking my picture already!

"That freakin' flash bulb is blinding me!!! " :)

Look out now, 'hot' Han Solo is on the prowl..... :)

Grandparents visit....

Just a few short days ago, the Kingdom welcomed the Bulawa grandparents. Not only did they come bearing gifts (for the King and Queen, of course), but brought with them fresh blueberries from the ranch and prepared dinner for all. It was a welcome treat to say the least, and Princess Abigail, and the twin princes, adored spending time with their grandparents--who played ball with them, did a nature hike, collected leaf bouquets, and many other fashions of lunancy.

It was a very pleasant visit for all.

Grandpa Frank and Grandma Lu play ball with the kidlets....
Prince Aramis gives a little love to the camera....

..while Grandpa Frank and Princess Abby hide from it!

King Tony and Grandpa Frank hard at work in the kitchen preparing homemade Chinese food, which Grandpa has perfected using all sorts of fresh ingredients--and shrimp with shells-on!! :)

Grandma Lu and Alec....

Video of what grandparents seemingly believe is important to teach their grandchildren. 'Leaf boats, anyone?' Nothing quite like pretend play, eh? :)

And the most fun and relaxing treat of all--driving mini match box cars and trains up and down Alec's body! Talk about sensory overload!! :) He loved every minute and keeps asking his mother and father to imitate what Grandma Lu did---

but only the grandparents seem to be able to do it right! :(

"I love sushi!"

For years now, Princess Abigail has show some of the strongest food aversion known to child-kind. She eats a very small number of food items and hasn't shifted gears much since birth. Now four years of age, one thing that has held true from an early age is that Abby loves sushi. No one understands how this is possible since most of it is a combination of fake crab, shrimp, cucumbers, carrots, cream cheese, nori (seaweed) and rice. Any of these things offered independently get a cold shoulder, yet wrap these babies together into a tight hand roll, and you've achieved a winning combination resulting in the 'I love sushi' decree. Who would have thought a child that wouldn't go near a McDonald's french fry or milkshake, becomes enamored with raw fish and veggies?

A day at the park.....

Pictures are worth a thousand words...so here are the twin princes, at a park in New England, in October. :) Priceless!

Thanksgiving is comin'......

..and I think the wild turkeys in our neighborhood know it. They have been making their way across yards in search of food for the last few months, becoming even more visible as November rolls around. Here are some photos taken this morning as I returned home from a morning run in cool New England. :)
Just strolling along...dooo..dooo.dooo.doooo....

Hurry up...cars are coming!

Buddy Walk 2009....

The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (http://www.mdsc.org/) hosted its 13th Annual Buddy Walk in Wakefield with guests Karen Gaffney (http://www.karengaffneyfoundation.com/) and pop singer, Ayla Brown (http://www.aylabrown.com/). The MDSC again surpassed its expected fundraising and attendee goals and it was a celebratory day for hundreds of families across the Commonwealth.

Daddy and Abby--smooches! :)

Team Abby's Cadabbies begins to form...

Robert and Carol join the Agudelo 'kidlets' for the Walk....

The Bedrosian family ROCKS! :)

Sincere THANKS to the Bedrosian gang, the Dubes, Peter Silva and Abra Degbor, and of course, our kick-butt nanny Carol and boyfriend, Robert for being part of the day. And, to Uncle Mario and Auntie Carmencita, the Metsch's, the Schmediels, and all others who donated, for your very thoughtful gifts. We love you all! Mwahh!

Karen Gaffney, who won over the nation's heart this week by swimming across the frigid waters of Boston Harbor (and who also has Down syndrome), poses with the Kingdom's royalty... :)

Princess Abs (her best 'wow' impression) and her Godmother, Abra

The family chariot...just about ready for the start of the Walk...

And, pop singer and former American Idol finalist Ayla Brown with AVA, AKA and AAA.
Run out and get her CD now...it rocks! :)