My Birthday

My 32nd birthday was a very special evening. I had a few local friends over for a dinner party...my 1st dinner party. It was pure, beautiful, fun! Livy and Dave went to my in-laws, and gave us the place to ourselves. Girls Nite in! Jenn was the bartender extroadinaire...whipping up all flavors of "tini's!" The menu was perfect, with vegan lasagna as the main course. It was the best lasagna that I've ever eaten, thanks to Jenn again! My mom made chocolate cupcakes with a recipe that I sent her from Mothering Magazine...they were delish. Here are a few photo's!

Mama Mia!

I haven't posted in forever, and here I am posting about a movie instead of something more exciting! But really, Mama Mia is a must see. What a fun, festive, and hilarious movie. Dave and I saw the musical years ago in Toronto, so I was pretty excited to see the movie. Tonite Grandma Z came over for dinner, and afterwards I took to see Mama Mia because she hasn't been to a movie in forever. We had a blast! She knew all of the songs and remembers Abba, despite a stage 2 dementia diagnosis. Go Grandma! Really, it was a very wonderful and fun evening....I am so enthralled with this movie. Afterwards we went to coldstone and she was still singing the songs while eating her ice cream. All in all, the movie is a must see for anyone from 13-103! :) I was happy to have a way to connect with my grandma tonite, and even as I write this I realize that this movie gave us a common ground. We often don't have that anymore because she has detached alot into her own world, which goes along with Dementia. I am her only family in Rochester, and I try to come up with outings that will be meaningful for her, or just sit and enjoy her company but it will still feel like she isn't there. But tonite we celebrated life and joy, together, and had alot to talk about afterwards. It was wonderful! She was still thinking it was a different year, and thought it was 3:00am, but I could see the joy reasonating from her, and we were having fun together. Joy is the point. So besides my ramblings, again I urge you to go and check out this movie! Take your grandma with you. ha.

Happy 30th to Jenn!

This is where the fire started, and yes it was too funny to put out. Don't ask any questions, with Jenn and I on the loose, wine, and fun what more do you expect!

Wine Trail or bust! Opening presents on the Limo bus!

Wine down by the bayou
I'm alittle belated here, but my bff turned the big 3-0 on May 31st, and we had quite a celebration! We rented ourselves a limo bus and made a break for the wine trail! The day was quite memorable, complete with laughter, games, a luncheon on the terrace, free flowing wine, salad dressing that was worth fighting over, wine down by the bayou, a risque tasting, a brewery that had everyone swapping spit, a fire that was too funny to put out, friends, family, and the beloved birthday girl whom we all adore! What more could we ask for! It was a break for everyone to take time and enjoy the view, and celebrate a pretty special birthday person! We love you E!!

Avery and lulu

Carefree and chillin

These two are something else! Enjoying their Saturday nite out on the town! Krony's and Abbotts, what more could 2 year old's ask for?

2 pea's in a pod

The Brewery Tour

Lulu getting windblown before the tour! Papa G yelling at Luc not to snap his pic. :)

Some of the happy shopper! Pom wheat came home with all of us!

Some of the happy fam, gearing up for the tour

The famous Shultz & Dooley!

The family took some time out to visit the Saranac Brewery together, and what a great time we had! We have been trying to make yearly trips to this brewery since I was very young. If you are ever in Utica be sure and check it out, its not to be missed! Olivia had a great time touching the hops, smelling the various stages of the brewing process, touring the holding tanks, and stayed pretty cooperative given that the tour is 60 minutes, most of which is learning about the history and learning how the process works. At the end she had her 1st shirely temple while the rest of us sampled our new favorite beer on earth, Pomegranate Wheat! You must must try this beer...its very good.

The Ducks

Quacking at our front window at half passed 6 tonite, were two little ducks who were trying to get our attention. They wouldn't leave, so we finally caved and gave them something to drink. This same little pair comes around every year, about this time, and walk through our neighborhood. They went to our neighbors door last nite, and yelled until he fed them. I felt bad not to offer something, after all I always talk about being kind to all creatures. I felt like they were our guests. When they finally slipped away we were actually sad. They brought an energy to our house tonite and we loved it! How they ended up at our house we're not sure, but they definetly brightened our evening.

The Big Girl toddler bed!

We changed Olivia's crib into a toddler bed on Sunday, with the help of Dave and papa Gary. Olivia was very excited to have this new freedom, and she ran around the house shouting about her big girl bed, and shes still excited a few days later. Since she has all this freedom she is using it by getting up 2 hours earlier every morning! Ack. Guess I'll have to walk her back to bed just like my mom used to do to me. :)