Busy October Around These Parts!

Heather threw a SURPRISE wedding shower for Brittannie... and can you believe it? No one told!!! There were a few slips, but luckily Brittannie was so busy this last couple of months that she didn't figure it out! Whew! Much to Heather's relief, loss of sleep, upset stomach, and all the other stresses of a surprise. Heather, you did a great job!

We really were missing only one thing... Rosie mom was home sick. We were really sad because we all know how much she loves Brittannie, and how much she would have loved to be there!



Grandpa Reel was able to be with Britt at the shower through a gift from the heart! He sent a coin counter through grandma... as you can tell by Britt's expression, it was a well-received gift! Tradition, childhood memories, and lots of love in that one! There were more precious moments of the afternoon, too numerous to mention here!

Talk to Britt!



The kids stopped by right before Trunk or Treat at church! Now how cute are they?

Hannah was so giddy to get going, that mommy and I had a hard time getting a good picture! While this was going on, Mason just kept buzzing by!


And...

Ashley called with news that their black clown fish are proud parents... had about 2,000 eggs a couple of nights ago! She left a cute message on the phone, then hoped that we didn't think that they were pregnant! Whoo hooo! Check out their blog for the pics of the fish.

How exciting! What more?

The first nine weeks is over!!! Woot!

Brittannie and Manny's Civil Ceremony

Saturday, September 19th, Brittannie and Manny held their civil ceremony - -renamed a family get together since their papers were pre-signed.

The cutie-pie couple are standing in front of the delicious pale pink and blue cake for the occasion.

The Cestari family threw an "un-toppable" party with GREAT PEOPLE, great food, and great times! Brittannie could not ask for a more wonderful family to bring into ours! Love was really in the air... and I think a little bit lingered on Jimmy... oh, wait, that was Marilyn! ; )

Felix dad was busy with preparations, helping Felix with the grilling and anything else that needed doing - -but always had time to pop in a picture or two! His love and care for his family showed in every touch of his hand!

Rosie mom and Rosie were exquisite hostesses - -Rosie mom worked very hard to coordinate the party, prepare food, and decorate! I am sure that there was a ton of behind-the-scenes preparations that are too numerous to share. Her special love for Brittannie makes her one of my "favoritest" people on earth!

Rosie made fragrance hearts for everyone's tea light warmers with special personalized touches for the day! (Marvel Products!) Tatianna is in the middle - -we are all very thankful that Felix, Tati, and Yrene are here now after such a long ordeal!

The girls are watching Britt and Manny cut their cake.

Laura and Greg came up for the party, too! And I bet they are glad that they did! Yes, that is Greg in OHIO for the second time this year! Can we hear a 3??? Yup! December 19th!!!

Watching the cake cutting, too!

The men were all helping the master chef, Felix, with the grill. His perfect pyramids of hot coals were the magic behind the wonderful flavors of the steaks, the sausage, the chicken, and the lamb.

If you went away hungry it was your own fault!!! ; )

Mason buddy got to play with the other kids, but at this moment he got to rest and to tell Mammie, "Cheese!"

Daddy let him try a piece, and he was not really that thrilled with it!

Hannah had a great friend, too! (Maybe Britt will tell me how he spells his name, and I will add it here!) Sorry, I took French!

Rosie mom, Gram Reel, and Jimmy's Marilyn got to visit and had a good time, too!


At the condo with grandparents and Lori - this is after the tour!

And one more note - - Please keep Brenna and Kyle in your prayers. He gets shipped out to Iraq this week. Please pray for his safety as he helps protect our freedoms, and for Brenna as she waits state-side for his return.

It was sweet of them to keep his coming to the party a secret to surprise Manny!




Thank you, Cestari family, for all you did for Brittannie and Manny - - and all of us!

Words can't express our gratitude!

We love you all so much!

Hannah Made Me a C-A-K-E

When we were driving home, I asked Heather and Matt if H-a-n-n-a-h, if she was g-o-o-d, could make me a c-a-k-e before she goes to b-e-d. Hannah said, "'Before bed, I can make a cake!"

Okay, so who taught this 3 year old to read???

So, Mason was given a bowl, measuring cups, and a wooden spoon, and Hannah picked out the cake and got started. She decided chocolate cake and chocolate icing and sprinkles would be the cake of choice!

It is hard to look at Mammie and make a cake at the same time!

She wanted to get out the eggs all by herself, and I let her.

Mason is tasting his cake in the background!

The insides of this egg landed on the counter, but the shell...

made it into the bowl!

The water was added... click on the picture to see how much actually made it into the bowl!





Then the oil.

She was really concentrating; the last time she used the mixer, she only lasted a few seconds. This time she was able to do it all herself!

Still working hard to keep the mixer level!

You and I both know that the chef licks the beaters. Pooh pooh to the raw egg rules!


Well, Hannah absolutely did not want to lick the beaters, since it usually ends up on your nose when you do!

After the cake cooled, Hannah put the sprinkles on it!

"Is that enough, Mammie?"

click on the picture and look in her mouth!

A very Happy Birthday to me!

Guess What... (updated)

Now that I am ... well, you know, I should start using larger font so I can see this thing!

Just kidding!

Matt and Heather took me out to HOG HEAVEN for my birthday! That was really nice! Dad met us there after I ordered, since he was working. He came in carrying these flowers! Wow! Aren't they beautiful? Canyoubelievehecarriedthemthroughabikerbar!!! Amazing!



The food was great and everyone seemed to enjoy it; even Hannah and Mason liked their fish fingers.


Earlier today, my dear friend Sherrie met me for lunch at the Sahara Grill. We had kabobs. She gave me a very appreciated Knitter's Companion, a tea bag dispenser

and this Paris mug! I am using it now in my office, see the theme? Thank you very much, Sherrie! Very sweet of you!

When real life sets back in, this is what my first month of 50 is going to look like. I have put off and put off until I can put off no longer!

Happy Birthday to me!

My First Adult Socks are Finished!

I wanted to do socks in 2009. Started with Hannah Girl's at Christmas, and finally got around to mine! These are toe-up socks. One ball per sock...knit till it is gone! Cool striping? Fun to see the two socks match! (Got the yarn on sale... sport weight!)

The pattern is called Trilobites...first lace socks (lace because they have holes, not because of their weight).

My turned heels came out much better than I expected!

Dad said, "If you knit these socks professionally, you would have to charge $100." Not sure if he meant per sock or by the pair. : )

But I get it! The yarn, the time, the Are you kidding??? I have a hole in my sock??? All things one must consider before starting these! I found a darning tool that we inherited from Mrs. Brauchler... for some odd reason I kept it! My holes will be darned with thread when that happens... remember? I used the whole ball for each sock!

Hhhhhhhmmmmm... Won't these look amazing in clogs?

LAURA'S 48th SURPRISE PARTY!!!!

Happy Birthday, Laura!!!





Laura was surprised to find that she had a houseful of guests for her 48th Birthday! Barb Briggs, Barb Lewis and Jeff, Michelle Beaupre, the Courtneys, the Eashs, mom and dad, and Tom and I were all there!

Leanne used her pastry chef talents to make Laura's cake: Top layer was coconut, icing between was a layer of Starbucks coffee chocolate, then the dark chocolate cake layer, then a carmel layer of icing, then macadamia nut cake. Quite tasty and moist! Really good!

Other guests included Nyla (who came up to me right away and later kissed me on the cheek!) and Mazie (Michelle's dog). I figured that Nyla heard Laura's voice in mine. She is a very sensitive dog - but very lovable!


She is big - -see last picture for size comparison... but still needs to add about 40 pounds. She has come a long way - -very special dog! Loved her!

This is grandpa with Mazie... see her?

We were getting ready to leave, and dad said that he would really like to pet Nyla. She had been abused by a man evidently, and she doesn't take to men well. So, Laura put her in her 'place' so she could feel safe, dad got down on her level, and she stayed for a little loving! She did come up to dad on her own to say her last good-byes before we left when dad was standing up - - wow!

Good party!

Las Vegas with Books Are Fun!

We left out of Atlanta with a pilot who used to be guide in the Grand Canyon. He was really excited to point out all the sights, but due to the weather and rerouting, we missed the tour. I did take some blurry pics of the changing landscape as we flew over. Lake Mead is under the wing toward the tip (the largest man-made lake). After the shuttle to the hotel and a quick unpack, dad and I were off on a food-seeking mission! We ended up at the Excaliber Hotel for a $25 per person steak dinner. However, with the 'upgrades' it was a bit more pricey. I talked dad into getting the jumbo shrimp appetizer, but this pic does not do them justice. They were HUGE!!! Dad ate all but one, and I got the fun part of getting all the "tender morsels" out of the tails as my dad would say. I got a lovely glass of champagne!





I am so glad that I have a husband who loves to travel! He took me to Paris! Even though it was not quite the same, the shops were spot on! They used all old tiles and the stores looked like you had walked back in time. Great fun. We found gelato (yum) and saw a creperie.




If you look closely in this picture, right above the traffic and the tree, there is a Terry Fator sign. He is the guy who won America's Got Talent last year.

Dad and I spent Wednesday sunning IN the pool for about 5 hours, and sitting in the beach chairs for about 25 minutes. Dad was amazed that you could be dried off so fast after leaving the water! It was a very cozy 104 degrees, wonderfully blue and sunny. We did not feel the burn until Friday... guess you could say that we slow roasted! ; )

Now, isn't this a postcard?