Bruno's 40th Birthday

A few months ago, we started talking about how Bruno wanted to celebrate his 40th birthday.  We discussed a few different options but he decided that he wanted to spend a nice evening surrounded by friends at his favorite restaurant, Lyon Hall.

We are so happy that 23 of Bruno's friends were able to join us.  We started out with drinks and appetizers while we all chatted and then we had a fabulous dinner and red velvet birthday cake!

Bruno gave an amazing toast.  He spent a lot of time working on it and everyone truly appreciated his humor and kindness.

I also toasted my best friend.  Bruno and I have known each other for 15 years and have spent 12 of those married.  He has brought so much happiness to my life.  He helped me to appreciate good food, and sometimes spicy food.  He helped me to see the other side of issues I never even considered. As our family has grown, he has shown what an amazing father he is.  It's hard to even put into words what he means to me and I am so blessed that we have each other.

It was a magical night - to be surrounded by friends who care so much about Bruno and we celebrated his 40th birthday!

 Bruno's buddies - Ralph, Arvy, Julio, Tom and Don

More of Bruno's buddies - Mark, Don and James 

Abby's 4th Birthday

Abby had been talking for months about having a "rainbow party".  We decided to have it at a local little gym so that the kids could all run around and have fun.  Grace had a couple of parties at this gym for her birthdays when she was younger and Abby was very excited to have her party here too.  It was the first year that she really anticipated her party and seemed so excited the day of her party.

 The rainbow cupakes were actually the only "rainbow" thing at the party.  Grace helped me come up with the idea for the rainbow candy on top.  I used Funfetti mix to create the rainbow sparkles in the cake!

I was excited to find this cute Minnie Mouse rainbow outfit for her to wear to the party.  The crown came separately - ha!  Now she won't wear it again saying it was a special outfit for her birthday.  Oh well!

We had Abby's checkup this week and she is 37 lbs and 40 inches (50th percentile for both).  She passed her hearing, eye sight and color blind tests.  She is very healthy little girl and we are so grateful for that! I remember Grace's 5 year check-up and the doctor asked her what she likes to eat.  In fact it was quite funny and I blogged about it then.  Abby told the doctor she likes oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly for lunch and steak for dinner!  The doctor asked her what vegetables she likes and she said "strawberries"! The doctor was also checking to see if she knew her colors so she asked Abby the color of the chair - yellow - the color of her shoes - pink - the color of her dress - aqua and white.  The doctor laughed and said "well if she knows the color 'aqua', I think she is probably set on her colors!"

Abby has a fantastic sense of humor and she has a million expressions that keep us laughing!  She is loving and kind and loves to cuddle in the morning.  She is a great listener and follows direction really well.  And she eats...as slow as molasses - ha! Happy birthday to our sweet baby girl!

Back to School

Grace started third grade this year!  It is so hard to believe.  She is 8 1/2 and an amazing little girl. She is very happy with her teacher and with the kids in her class.  I clearly remember the anxiety of waiting to find out who my teacher would be and which of my friends would be in my class.  She is a very good student and LOVES to read!  She is trying some new things this year after school: track and choir, in addition to pottery and brownies.

It was also Abby's first day in the "red" room at her preschool.  She was very excited.  I made signs this year for the girls to hold but Abby grabbed the wrong sign.

 She may be mature for her age but not quite ready for third grade.

 She laughed when I told her she was holding a sign that said "First day of third grade".

 Back on track with preschool!

Two fabulous daughters!

Pure Michigan

Every year, we like to spend some time in Michigan during the summer.  If you have ever lived in or been to Michigan you will understand why we prefer to spend the bulk of our time there in... the summer.  It is always a welcome reprieve from the hazy, hot and humid summers in DC.  We had beautiful weather - warm, sunny days and cooler evenings (where you can sit outside with shorts and a sweatshirt on).

We spent some time with my friends in Lansing and stayed at my friend Jami's house.  She has a beautiful home and made some delicious meals for us.  It was a great, relaxing way to start the vacation.

Then we spent time at my mom and dad's on the lake.  For the first year, we were able to go tubing!  It was so much fun.  Grace was a little nervous to go but loved it once she got on the tube with me.

Abby has NO fear and started yelling "yeah, baby, that's what I'm talking about" and "go faster poppy" while she was on the tube!

Bruno and I spent a couple of great days in Chicago taking full advantage of all it has to offer... great shopping, excellent restaurants, fun boat tour of the city, a giant ferris wheel and a cubs game!

The view from the huge ferris wheel!

We also spent a day at Lake Michigan.  We went on a dune ride which I have never been on before and it was so much fun!

 I love this picture that Bruno took of Grace - so beautiful!

The lake had really big waves and we all had fun jumping in them and getting tossed around!

 Kids love to be buried in the sand!

The kids even had time to dress up in Halloween costumes - why not?!

And some more fun pictures from our trip!

We loved spending time with our family - Ryan, Erin, Nolan and Owen and my aunt Nora and uncle Len.  It was such a relaxing week.  Bruno and I are always incredibly grateful for the help my parents give us with the girls and the wonderful time we all have together!

Welcome Baby Olivia!

I realize this post is a little delayed but I also use the blog to journal our lives so I will be posting a few belated posts in the next few days so that I can capture all of the fun memories of the past few months!

There is nothing quite as exciting as getting a call/e-mail/text that a new life has joined the family.  We were so thrilled to get such a call on May 2 when our niece Olivia Kaitlyn Albonetty joined our family!  My sister-in-law, Maurilia, said her labor was much easier than with Ava and everything went smoothly with the delivery.  We told Grace and Abby and they jumped up and down in excitement that they had a new cousin!

We were also so happy to be able to see baby Olivia over Memorial Day week, just a few weeks after she was born.  There is just something so incredibly precious about holding a new baby (especially a beautiful one who never cries - Olivia)!  And I always forget how tiny newborns really are.  She is perfect in every way and will bring so much joy to our lives. 

We had a wonderful visit with Bruno's parents.  Grace, Abby and Ava loved playing outside in the pool, slip-n-slide, eating ice cream and cupcakes and holding their new baby cousin, Olivia.

I love this picture of Grandpa pushing Abby and Ava pushing Grandpa!

Enjoying lunch on the deck and swimming in the pool!