Guiliana's 2nd Birthday 4/3/10

Our beautiful baby girl turned 2 years old yesterday and what a fun day it was! Guiliana's most recent LOVE/interest is Minnie Mouse. She has recently with-in the last few weeks has found love for Mickey as well. So when we found out that Disney on Ice, 100 years of Magic was going to be in town the weekend of her birthday, we thought that a weekend of Minnie was the right way to go. Guiliana and I started off her Minnie Birthday weekend Friday with a trip to the Disney Store. I let her do a little shopping and she picked out Mickey and Minnie plush toys, a shirt, and a cup. We shared a pretzel and lemonade and it was time to go home.
The next morning (her birthday) she started off with a Minnie Mouse pancake and revisiting her gifts that she picked out the night before. The Disney show was at 11:30am so we didn't have much of a morning to hang around.
Grandma and Grandpa joined us for Disney on Ice and bought Gules a Mickey to go with the Minnie that she got at the last Ice show we went to. She got her usual bucket of popcorn and she was ready! She was so excited when Minnie and Mickey came out! They were very present throughout most of the show. But when they would leave the ice show she would say "Minnie, Are you?" She sat the whole time, there were lots of ooooohhhh's and ahhhhhhs, and clapping. It was a great way to start off her birthday.
Later that evening around 5pm we had a small Minnie party at Grandma and Grandpa Tortora's house. She had a blast playing with all of the kids. She especially enjoyed body slamming the big kids!!! She ran and played hard with the kids in the yard, it was such a beautiful day yesterday. It was so nice to visit with some of our closest friends and family. When it came time for the cake she once again was very overwhelmed with everyone singing happy birthday and she cried. But once it was time for her to dig into her cake, it was all smiles!!!
I am so glad that yesterday went so well. We talked about her Minnie Mouse birthday for a few months and I think that got her more excited! So now when she sees Minnie she says "Minnie Mouse Birthday party"

Guiliana,
You have brought so much joy to Mommy and Daddy! We love you more than life it self. Two years ago god gave us the greatest gift in the world and we are so lucky to have you as our daughter. Happy 2nd Birthday baby girl!! We love you!!!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy


Cupcakes that she brought to school on Friday to share with her friends:

































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Jammie's 30th Birthday weekend 3/25-3/28

I turned the BIG 30 on March 25, 2010!!! It all started with a few gifts from Guiliana and my in-laws. Guiliana (along with Grandma's help) made me a beautiful card and gave me a charm for my necklace that I have been wanting, a little girl charm with her birthstone. I also got some perfume, CELINE DION's Sensational. My work gals treated me with lots of little goodies, from Starbucks to Sunflowers, it was such a nice day. That evening we had my favorite for dinner, Sushi from Eastwind and another beautiful dozen roses.
But the best surprise of the whole day was the knock on my door at about 8pm that evening... MY DAD!!! He along with Greg and my in-laws had been planning on him flying in and surprising me for my birthday!!! It was an amazing surprise and I was so happy to have him here to celebrate my big day!
The next day we were all off of work for the day (for about 2 months, Greg had insisted that I take the day after my birthday off for a family day and now I understood what he was really doing!) We headed out to breakfast at Chompies and then to the play area at the mall so my dad could watch Guiliana play. The rest of the day and most of Saturday we all just relaxed, hung out, and enjoyed some much needed quality family time.









Saturday, March 27th was my big party that my friends threw me. Greg, Michally, Eric, and my in-laws had been planning this party for quite sometime. I knew that they were doing this for me but all the details were kept a secret which kept an element of surprise. I did mention that I would like a Wine and Cheese party as a suggestion and they really out did themselves. I can't thank everyone enough for all of the hard work and love that went into this party and to all of the very special people in my life who came to celebrate with me. Eric and Michally were kind enough to open their home for this special occasion.
Oh... and on another note... this was Guiliana's very first sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house and she did great! (I know what you are thinking... she is almost 2 and she hasn't had a sleepover yet?? Well, we work all week and the weekends we love to be with her. There hasn't been anything important enough for us to want to be away from her overnight. But, I am glad that we chose this night. I had a blast and didn't have to worry about my baby girl. She was very well taken care of)


Caution!!!!!
It has been about 3 years since I partied like this and Mama got a little crazy!! Some of the pictures are embarrassing because I am so trashed BUT, super funny at the same time!!

March 19, 2010 Our 6yr Wedding Anniversary

Greg and I just recently celebrated our 6yr wedding anniversary. We didn't get a chance to go out on our special date because Guiliana was feeling under the weather but we did manage to take some time out and exchange some little gifts. Our gifts for each other are sometimes silly and cooky but that's us. Greg brought me home a dozen beautiful pink/orange roses, Dr. Pepper and a bug slice of chocolate cake for us to share. In return Guiliana and I got him his favorite cookies from Chompies and a home-made card. Our last 6yrs have been full of so many blessings. We are lucky to be so much in love and to share that with our beautiful daughter!