Merry Christmas

Jayda is enjoying her Christmas I hope everyone is as well. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and will surely enjoy today. Nana was pretty good this morning when we took her gifts down and spent some time. Hope to see most of you this afternoon. Jayda may go visit her cousins for a "play day" as Uncle Jared is the best. If she is good it may be an overnight-er!!! Oh the joys of being a puppy on Christmas Day!!!! Merry merry Ruffmas from Jayda, Jay and Jo Ann.

Kids night out for Christmas

Friday night was Christmas night out for the grand kids so we took them to Lights on the Lake something some of us adults have been wanting to do for years. Taking advantage of a free Friday night we packed a load of kids in three cars and called Big Papa and Grandma to help chaperon. We ate first at Plainville Turkey Farm where Justyn couldn't understand why they serve Thanksgiving dinner at Christmas time!!! We made it through dinner with just one little incident when Jill spilled the chocolate milk on herself. On the way out it was refreshing to have a gentleman come up to us by the car and say he has never seen so well behaved kids!!! We thought he must have had the wrong family but they were the only ones in the place under 30+++, so I guess it was them.

We then put on the pj's and headed for the Lights on the Lake. As soon as we hit the lights the three boys in the back of my car and one in the middle wanted as close to the front as possible so with 2 on my lap and one on Big papa's and the other in the middle with his head out the moon roof we proceeded to the entrance. We were greeted by Santa, Rudolph and a Panda. Big papa asked Myah if he wanted the window down to see the Panda and with both hands holding the window up said no Papa no Papa. The boys seemed to let the Santa know he was fake!!! Myah didn't think so as he waved. The girls car and the adult car was equally pleased. We all enjoyed ourselves and our company. It is nice to take a few minutes to enjoy the holiday with family.

Cohoes Decorations Are Up

OK the competition is on, who can beat Cohoes? Jay your excluded.

Jolly old Nicholas helps Papa Jay do his tree

Well at least one grandchild helped Papa Jay do the tree. I guess there will be no coal in his stocking his year. Old Nicholas may be a Netto but he is a real SAINT. Thanks, Nick and Jayda.

Mom & Dad's Christmas Tree

Well boys you can all relax, my favorite son-in-law and myself made sure our parents had a tree for Christmas. It is always a pleasure helping Mom and Dad out as I know I will be rewarded in the will!!! We took advantage of a few minutes tonight to get trees as the weekend is shot before it even started and we didn't want the good ones selected before we had a chance to review each and every one!!! Mom and Dad's came from the end of the last row! Either Mom and Dad's trees are getting small or I am ..... well never mind!!! I am sure we will hear when it is all decorated. Hope some of you can make time for a visit and see it!!! The shining star on it has my name on it. LOL!!!!

Monroe Community College honors our Jerome!!!

It seems our younger bro has been holding out on us in more ways than one. 2009 has been a very note worthy year for Jerome. Google his name and the college and you come up with News 10 stories on his talks to hundreds of parents on financial aid as well as other items - all good. It is no wonder he has to appear in disguise at college lax games as a ref. His fame is growing as he was recently recognized for his efforts and he gives his family credit. Who would of ever thought that the kid who couldn't wait to see the garbage man arrive once a week would aspire to such great heights??? Congratulations Jerome! I know how dedicated you are and deserving as does your supporting wife and sons!!!

Here is the website for Jerome's Award (check it out):

http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/ccr/chancellors.htm#stcroix

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Jerome St. Croix
Financial Aid Director Jerome St. Croix spent time working in admissions and coaching lacrosse at his alma mater, SUNY Potsdam as well as SUNY Canton and Jefferson Community College. However it was his family background that really prepared him for his eventual career. “I come from a large, close-knit family—I have seven older brothers,” he said, “and from a young age, I was instilled with the concepts of teamwork, cooperation, and responsibility.” Those are the values that St. Croix brings to the financial aid office.
“I’m here to alleviate the fear and the sticker shock,” he said. “Because whether a college education costs $4,000 or $40,000, if the family doesn’t have the money, their student can’t go. We try to find the resources needed to make an education possible. It’s an investment, so we work with students and their families to formulate a plan.”
St. Croix’s “laid-back attitude” is valued highly by his colleagues. A changing student body, more adult students coming to MCC to train for new careers and a tight economy are among the financial aid challenges that have emerged over the past several years. St. Croix takes it all in stride.
“I try not to look at it as strictly money, but as an opportunity,” he said. “I’m here to help MCC students make the best investment, encourage them to apply for financial aid and help them understand the entire process.”
St. Croix, who leads frequent financial aid workshops for faculty, staff, and students, is highly regarded as a relationship builder and collaborator. “I never quite understood how individual awards were needed or how they played a part in functions that involved working cooperatively. But when I saw how excited my staff was that I received this award, it hit me. This isn’t really an individual award; it’s a recognition to be shared.”
St. Croix lives in West Irondequoit with his wife and three sons. He keeps his passion for lacrosse alive through coaching youth teams and refereeing. He also enjoys traveling and hiking.

December Celebrations

December birthdays in the holiday rush ..... please try and make some time to send a little birthday cheer to one of these December babies after all we can't blame timing on them!!!!!

December 15 Jessie
December 16 Katie
December 19 Jared
December 20 Mark
December 21 Justyn
December 30 Julian

If I forgot anything please let me know. Happy birthday and Merry Christmas.

MVCC finds a "SAINT" to Coach Girl's Lax

The Good news is that Gina has accepted the coaching job for MVCC first girl's lax program. Here is what I picked up from the Oneida County Courier: Your news. Your voice.:

With the launch of women’s lacrosse program, MVCC adds to its winning traditions (Utica, NY) Mohawk Valley Community College has added a new dimension to its athletic programs with the creation of a women’s lacrosse team. MVCC will become the ninth NJCAA Region III college to offer women’s lacrosse “Women’s lacrosse is a growing sport with a number of high schools beginning to offer that sport,” said MVCC Athletic Director Gary Broadhurst. “Women’s lacrosse will create another opportunity for students to be attracted to MVCC and allow them to be engaged in a sport of their choice.”
With the addition of women’s lacrosse, MVCC will now host 11 women’s athletic programs and 11 men’s athletic programs. The women’s athletic programs have a long tradition of excellence, having won three national championships in as many years. Last year alone, MVCC teams won six Mountain Valley Conference championships, two Region III titles and two NJCAA national championships.
For individual student-athletes, 67 were named All-Region, 25 were named All-Americans and three were named NJCAA National Players of the Year as were two coaches. Nine student-athletes were Academic All-Americans as were four teams. Overall, MVCC had a winning percentage of .673 (417 wins, 185 losses, 5 ties) to win the NATYCAA Cup.
The MVCC Hawks have named Gina Fazio as interim head coach. The responsibility of building the program will fall to Fazio as she seeks to recruit athletes in preparation for the inaugural season scheduled for the spring of 2011.
“The challenge is getting the name out there and letting high school coaches and players know MVCC has a program,” Fazio. “There are a number of current students on campus who have shown interest in being a part of the new program. I am confident that these current students, along with incoming freshman will help make up a solid group of student-athletes for our first season.”
Fazio is a native of Watertown where she competed in soccer, basketball and lacrosse for the General Brown High School. She went on to play lacrosse at Jefferson Community College where she was named First Team for the Mid State Athletic Conference and First Team All Region III in 2004.
The following three years, Fazio played lacrosse for SUNY Cortland where she filled the position of starting attacker and helping the team compile a 52-7 record in three seasons. While the SUNY Cortland program flourished to advance to the NCAA’s Division III Final Four in 2006, individually Fazio became the 29th Player in the college’s history to eclipse 100 career points with 119 points and be named twice to the All SUNYAC Team.
“We are fortunate to be located in the middle of the state and coming from a lacrosse background, several of my former teammates are now coaching at the high school level. This will, hopefully, make it much easier to make contact with some of the recruits,” said Fazio.
Along with recruiting from programs in Whitesboro, Rome, Clinton and New Hartford, Fazio will be expanding her network to the Syracuse, Albany, Rochester and the Watertown area.
Along with playing at the collegiate level, she comes from a rich family history where her father has been a longtime coach. She already has several connections to people involved in lacrosse which will help her to network at the high school level,” said Broadhurst.
A New Hartford resident, Fazio is currently an instructor in the Center for Language and Learning Design at MVCC. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education from SUNY Cortland and a Master’s in Literacy from SUNY Potsdam.

Good luck Gina I am sure Matt won't mind recruiting while on his honeymoon!!!!

Thanksgiving Skating Party

We have starting renting an hour of ice around holidays for a family skate day where we can go with family and friends for a nice healthy activity where the kids all have fun. We actually rented 1.5 hours and I thought that was too long but the kids loved it. A few that looked alike had to be kicked off the ice for the zamboni. If you want to be included for some Christmas Skating let us know. Come watch you will enjoy yourself. Bring a friend! I see where Anthony is taking this....family hockey game so we can all sit down for a family dinner minus a few teeth!!! Jean come and join us if you get a few teeth knocked out you might feel more at home in Lowville!!!! LOL!!!

Celebrating Papa's Special Day

Two, Four, eight ....seventy-six are only numbers but the time spent with someone you love is unmeasurable. Papa enjoyed his birthday as confusing as it might have been with all the young ones around. They all seemed to simmer right down when it came to cake time and it is so funny to watch how each child seems to know their place. Seems like it was just yesterday when the twins took a place on Papa's lap to help with the candles and now it is Nick and Ella. Jo Ann bought a sign at the NYS Fair this year that reads: "Grandma's House - where cousins go to become friends." I think this says it all. Mark sits at the adult table making adult conversation but not to worry as the little ones had Sammy to entertain them. It reminded me of my kids playing with Jim, Jean and Jerome when they were little. Nana even came up to spend the day - two outings in one week she will be exhausted in a good way!!! Happy birthday Dad, to those that couldn't make it we missed you!!!

The holiday before Christmas!!! Happy Thanksgiving

Some maybe pushing up Christmas but Thanksgiving is the REAL holiday before Christmas and one should stop and give thanks before hanging the candy canes. We are all so lucky and to those turkeys in the family that have Christmas decorations up now......here is the bird!!!!

November Birthdays and Celebrations

Nov. 10 Happy 6th Birthday to EVA

Nov. 19 Happy 3rd Birthday to Jeremyah

Nov. 19 Happy Big Birthday to Tony Disisto

Nov. 26 Happy Thanksgiving to All (Dinner at 4pm at Jay and JoAnn's ALL are Welcome)

Nov. 30 Happy 76th Birthday to Big Papa!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy for the start of the Holiday Season and all throughout!

Dad & Mom Front Row Center with Vice President

Okay you know Dad's political career was going places when he was hanging with Hillary Clinton but today it reached an all time high when he sat front row center in front of our Vice President Biden. Heck his first name even fits into the family - Joe!!! While I didn't get a picture of him shaking hands I can tell you it was pretty impressive and he was very good. Bill Owen who the VP was there to support did a wonderful job as well. I guess when his daughter introduces herself as Jennah it also helped me support him. Nice family and very good with the people. No wonder Dad supports him!!!!

Happy Halloween Housefull

The annual trick or treat pizza party and then send them out for some treats took place tonight. It seemed the girls out numbered the boys this year, thanks Sam!!! Caroline, Ella, Jennah, Julia, Jensen, Eva, Hannah, Jeremyah, Jaymeson, Julian and Justyn. In second picture Nicholas is added. Watch out for ghost but if you find one just call this ghost buster!!!

Happy Halloween

Suggestion, we have a grandchild halloween contest, sorry Jon your disqualified. Have a good one everyone!!

Bryce survives his Papa's babysitting

Jessie asked us to babysit Bryce for a few hours and you can see he had a lot of fun. The yogurt went flying on the wall and floor and during our walk he fell in the parking lot cutting his lip and biting his tongue. It was a good Halloween show for us. Blue Clues is very difficult to tolerate (should be destroyed).

Apple Picking

Election Campaigners

These two campaigners for Big Papa have made it know who they support. I hope others jump on their band wagon!!!! Family support times two!!!!

Toothless cousins!!!

What can you be for Halloween with a tooth missing....2 witches, pumpkins or to old ladies!!!!

October Celebrations

October 7Th - Jerome & Heather's Anniversary.

October 10Th - Ryan St. Croix's birthday.

October 15Th - Heather St. Croix's birthday.

October 25Th - Jess St.Croix's Birthday.

October 31st - Halloween. Share your pictures of all the big and little goblins!!!

Happy Days to everyone!

"A-pull" Picking..according to Bryce!

Papa brought us apple picking today. It was suppose to rain all day, but it acctually turned out pretty nice! We picked apples, (Bryce had a bite of every single one--you would be lucky if you got it in the bag without a bite mark, thanks B)... and pumpkins, apple cider and apple cider donuts! YUM It was a great day! :)

Eva loses first tooth

Eva lost her first tooth on monday. She got five dollars for it. Hero wanted to know if the tooth fairy was hot????????????????

Sound Familiar

Here is a link to a story that hits close to home for you. Shouldv'e took this in with you when you went in for your conference.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090922/NEWS90/909229993.

Just in case, I put it on your facebook also

Gettysburg, A Few Days Back in Time!

We took a few days and a little journey back in time to visit Gettysburg with the Cloughs. Even through the greatness of the Gettysburg Address, walking around the monuments and battlefields left you with a very sad feeling and much appreciation for the soldiers who still give their lives every day to protect our freedoms!