Traditions ~ Old and New

In our family, traditions have always been an important part of our heritage.  Hess family and Kolbell family traditions have been "married" for more than 42 years.

Messina Family

Kolbell Family

Holidays and celebrations have highlighted these customs and practices

Pasta for every celebratory meal

Calamari, ready to go into hot oil ~ Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve

When our children came along we created new traditions...

Cookies for Santa

Halloween Parties (1987)

and we continue to do so....

Resurrection Rolls

Some things never change, and we're so very happy for that....

Easter Mass at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish ~ 2013

Colored eggs the old fashioned way

My cutout sugar cookies with symbols of our faith

Easter baskets

So, thank you Mom and Dad, Mom and Pop for giving us the traditions we treasure, and encouraging us to build our own....

Sending you Easter Peace and Love as we continue through this most sacred time of year.  Thank you for sharing your precious time with me!

He Is Risen ~ Allelujah!

O God, 

We saw the bread crumbs, emptied vessels, damp towels  Scattered over the shaking floor of our faith.

Justice was swept under the rug of violence  And redemption hung in the balance of a cross. 

Just when all seemed lost and death began to dance The long night came to an end.

               We proclaim your Death, O Lord!.

At dawn, on the first day of the week

We pulled ourselves away from tear-stained pillows And walked in tired mourning to the place 

Where unguarded, the stone, was rolled away, Revealing an empty tomb 

Full of life and possibility! The earth shook with the news, "He is not here!"

               And we profess your Resurrection!

Light shines and lilies bloom. 

You are with us again in this upper room.  We sigh and laugh at stories of darkness past.

At your table we eat and sing Alleluia! Alleluia! Bells of blessing ring!

We dare to touch each other's hands and side. Peace is your gift, Love is our guide. 

              Until you come again!

- David L. Coppola

Joyous Easter, one and all!

Baby Boys and Big Boys

We are so lucky to be surrounded with a new baby boy, a soon-to-be baby boy, and six year old twin boys who light up our life!

My week ended with a fabulous baby shower, honoring our sweet friend, Kelly Tesi.  Hosted by her cousin, Jen Crawford, we sailed the high seas with the theme ~ "Ahoy, It's A Boy."  A lovely turnout of well-wishers, friends and family, a delightful spread of light Springtime delectables, and perfect Arizona weather.  Here's a collage of the event, with Kelly and the adorable big sis-to-be, Gianna, at the center of it all the fun.  Not a detail was missed!

Following the baby shower, we headed home to welcome our "Phoenix Family."  The twins are now 6+ and we thought a dinner at Pinnacle Peak in Old Trail Dust Town was just what these little wranglers would enjoy.

They were all decked out, including ties....Neckties are important when you dine at Pinnacle Peak because they are OUTLAWED!!  Which means that they're cut off upon arrival!!

Those kiddos are such good sports! (Note:  ties stapled to the wall in background)

And now the twins have left their mark on Tucson and are a part of Pinnacle Peak history!

They are both looking forward to a return visit when they can bring their unsuspecting Dad, Uncle, and Grandpa!

A visit to Old Trail Dust Town wouldn't be complete without a ride on the ponies, so after dinner we headed over to the corral for just that...

Today we caught up with Chiara, Chris, and baby Hutson who just celebrated his 1 month birthday.  We had lunch and a fabulous visit, before our sweet company headed back north.

So, this will probably explain the delay with my Monday blog post, but I wanted to share all this fun with you....

This is an important week for me and I pray that you will enjoy all the blessings of your holiday, be it Easter or Passover.  Thank you so much for sharing your precious time with me!