This group photo is so special (beside it being Derek's cousin Jennifer Cucolo's wedding day!). Grandma Pauline was getting ready to be taken home and as her aide began to move her, I watched as the family slowly began to take notice, then each one getting up and making their way over to say their goodbyes to her. It was the most amazing thing. My camera was quickly given to Joe, who took this great impromptu group photo.
I remember feeling overwhelmed by this show of emotion and realizing what a testament it was to how Pauline has shared her life. She is so loved by her family that it makes one pause; I've never seen anything like it, and if you ask any one of them, they all say the same thing. That she is the best mother and grandmother a person could have ever asked for and deserves their devotion one hundred fold.
I HAD THIS IDEA TO SHARE A MONTHLY BEST PHOTO AND WHY.
Burlington, Vermont was the setting for Derek's second marathon run. Time 4:19:56. Cheering him on were myself, Nicolas, and Samuel.
I know, it's hard to believe Derek just finished running 26.2 moments before this picture was taken. Looking Good Derek, way to go!
The medal ribbon says 'Achieve Anything.' Love that.
How adorable is Nicolas? I simply love that when this little boy smiles, he uses his entire face. He even gets the half moon slits just like his mother.
Here he is playing with the water spout in his pool and looking so cute in just his diaper that I wish for a picture. I begin to sing one of his favorite songs and when I pause, he looks up in anticipation of the next line, and yes, I get the money shot!
Sadly, this photo and some 600 others were lost when my hard drive crashed this past summer. I am so glad I have a copy of this one. I adore him and this picture is an all-time favorite.
Derek and I were at the local park one evening with the boys, sitting under the pavilion having pizza and we got the idea to have an old fashioned barbecue for Nick's second birthday. Out went the invitations and along came almost all of our Syracuse and Connecticut families - what a celebration. This party even had surprise guests. My adventurous cousins Karen and Ken and their son Daniel drove up from Maryland and totally blew me away. They rock. It was the best feeling to see the three of them and it bumped the day to another level. After the park, the party moved up the street to our house for cake and singing to our little man. Nickpalooza was a huge success and I want to do it again next year!
Sigh. Twelve days in Europe, three in Antwerp and a week in Tuscany with four other couples. It was unforgettable and every single moment was savored. Eric Pirone snapped this photo of Derek and I in a dreamlike trance on our terrace with the vineyard in the distance. This picture says it all.
Okay. I had to put this picture up for best of October. It totally cracks me up. This is my friend Georgi's son Jack trying to rip off the monkey suit his mother made him. I was so impressed when G told me she was making Jack's Halloween costume and then when she sent Derek and I this picture through e-mail, telling us how much he hates it, we laughed tears. Jack is a great kid and this picture is priceless. Great photo (and costume) Georgi!
It took me awhile to decide on the 'best' for this month. I finally chose this picture of Sam tearing apart his Aunt Michele's box of gorgeous ribbons. We had a sleepover at our house that included Auntie Michele, Mimi Pat, and cousins Chase and Madison. We had a blast and the next morning while Michele was making her awesome bows that she sells on EBay, Sam decided to join her. He never left her side for several hours and loved playing with all the colorful ribbons.
This picture was an easy choice to make. It was the last day of the year and what's better than a gorgeous newborn baby and his proud parents. Meet Greg and Kathy Voros and their son Christian James. Greg and Kathy live next door and we were so happy that they joined us for our New Year's Eve dinner. For the second year in a row, the guest list also included Kevin and Kerri Lacilla (whom are expecting their first child!) and the Levanti's; Karen, John, Gabe, and Frankie. It was a great night and Christian was a perfect baby; sleeping through dinner so his parents could enjoy their meal, and then flirting with all the ladies before going home!
