Everyone yell "Surprise!"

Giana tuned 5 on September 6th and we had a surprise birthday party for her at Skyzone. Giana and I were talking several months ago and she told me that she thought it would be fun to have a surprise party. So note to self...I knew right then that I was going to have a surprise party for her. She was shocked to see everyone and her reaction was priceless. I thought she was going to cry but she finally looked up at me and said "You and Daddy knew about this party and I didn't?" I think she was a little bothered by the fact that she wasn't "in the know." That's my girl...she's a nut! My friend Cindy took video of the surprise. I will post it soon.

Friends!

Blowing out her candle

Aunt Dee, Mom Mom, Grandma and Dominic

Giana wanted a surprise pink and purple birthday party. No theme. So that's what we gave her.



Enjoying pizza and cake. Daddy, PaPa and baby Dominic were loving the pizza in the back round. Fun times!

Baby Dominic Turns ONE!

The sweetest and most precious baby boy EVER turned ONE on August 7th. Time sure does fly! I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital. We are so blessed to have him and this past year has been full of joy. He's doing all the cute and sweet things that babies do and has conquered every milestone...including walking just a few days ago. He hasn't quite mastered it yet but he takes steps here and there. I'm sure he'll take off one of these days. We had a BIG party at Dominic's parents house and it was a fun day. We love you, Dominic Massimo!

Our little prince trying to eat his #1 candle.

Yummy...well sort of. He threw up shortly after he ate his cake.

Choo Choo Train Theme

The cake and the invitations match. SO much fun planning this!

Opening gifts!

Dominic with Giana and cousins

Grandma, PaPa and Mom-Mom

Mommy, Daddy, Giana and Dominic

Before and After

Here's the inside of our new place! It took one month but we finally have it the way we want it. The entire inside of the house has been painted (every room!), the kitchen had 4 paint colors before we chose this one, a big wall was removed between the family room and kitchen with duct work rerouted, new pantry, tile back splash, crown molding on cabinets, light fixtures throughout the house, granite, kitchen sink and faucet, moved and extended the island (for all that cooking I do, NOT!), storm door installed and french doors added to front bedroom, which was originally a dining room. I haven't decorated yet with window treatments or pictures but I'm working on it. The kids bedrooms turned out really cute and I'll post pictures once they are completely decorated. We are happy with the way it all turned out...so much more open and so much brighter!

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

View from kitchen sink into family room. The wall is gone!

Family Room before with dark paint.

Family Room After

Steps Before with dark orange/brown paint

Steps After

14 Years!

"It was no accident, me findin you. Someone had a hand in it, long before we ever knew. Now I just can't believe, you're in my life, heaven smiling down on me, as I look at you tonight. I tip my hat to the Keeper of the Stars. He sure knew what he was doin when he joined these two hearts."

Happy anniversary to my best friend. Thank you for your love, support, our family and for this ride we call life. I wouldn't want to share it with anyone else. I love you.



On a side note, I was hoping to have a scanner so I could scan one of our wedding pictures but I haven't purchased the scanner yet. Then I realized that our wedding pictures are still packed so I guess it's OK that I didn't buy the scanner. I will work on this for our 15 year anniversary. And the picture that Giana took of us turned out really BAD so that's not going on here either. I think it may have been the angle of the lens. Surely, it was the angle of the lens, right? xxoo

Where's Giana?

...with Sarah, of course. Here are just a "few" outings from this summer with Sarah Jane, Giana's BFF.

Swimming!

Sleepover at our house. All fun and no tears!

Vacation Bible School. The girls were in the same class.

Awwww...

Vacation Bible School class picture. Of course they were standing near one another. This is a picture of a picture so it's a little distorted.

Lost in a corn maze. Literally. More on this later.

All pretty in their party dresses at baby Dominic's first birthday party.

Skyzone! These girls love to jump!

Fun Summer Pics

"Dee Dee" turned 40! We celebrated at the beach. She is going to kill me for posting this. :)

Build A Bear!

Zoo fun with Mom Mom and all her grand kids (except Dominic...he was at home with Daddy.)

Ohio State Fair with Caeden and Erin. I love going to the fair!

Awww....

Milking a cow at the fair!

Giana and Daddy

Putt Putt Golf

Hole in One on the 18th and a return ticket for a free round!

Yes, we do take pictures of Dominic. He's usually attached to me so he doesn't seem to be in many photos...but I've got more coming on him soon!

Fire Station Tour with the Mom's Club

Celebrating Grandma's 65th birthday at Eddie Merlots. Yum!

Papa's birthday! (And I had one in there, too. But there was no reason to take photos of my 29th birthday, again. :-)

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I say this every year and this season is no exception. I LOVE THE FALL! So bring it! Bring on the cool weather, pretty leaves, fresh air, Halloween, fire pits, pumpkin patches, our wedding anniversary and everything fall. And do I dare say...everything that comes after fall too. The snow and cold. It's part of life so embrace it. You can find something good in everything if you just look for it. Speaking of looking for it...I'll be posting lots of pictures soon. This summer got away from me but it was fun and I have a lot of pictures to share. Stay tuned!