Exhibit A: The beanstalk.








we have a 5-month old tummy on the loose and it is HUNGRY! Gabe agrees...
I think if Gabriel could eat all day long without getting sick - he would - with a smile! Our little man LOVES to eat. He is so hungry all the time that we had to start him on rice cereal this weekend to see if we can curb a little bit of the appetite. So with some support from our pediatrician, we introduced Gabriel to the world of solids...and I have to tell you- he's a fan!
the following video footage is actually last night and tonight combined...you can tell a difference because tonight we ate dinner in our swimsuits. Happy viewing!
We love our hungry hippo.






Mr and Mrs WallaceWe were sitting right next to the yummy cake...how tempting is that?!?!? So, as a result about 19 of my pictures are of the cake! I was a reader for the ceremony which meant that we were a part of the rehearsal as well! Molly and Gabriel went with us to Time Tens Cellars in Lakewood. I have absolutely NO pictures because I was having WAY too much fun! It was catered by Matt's and was absolutely delicious! Molly just might be in more pictures than the bride and groom. She was the CENTER of everything. At one point she was dancing in a truck bed in the middle of a circle of people...I see trouble in her teen years! I am sure that I will have some pictures to share soon!
Back to the wedding. Okay, so the reception was at the Arboretum and it was BEAUTIFUL! It was in the room with amazing lights, beautiful flowers had a mashed potato bar and GELATO! Did I die and go to heaven? It was yummy!
Mom and Kelly breakin' in the dance floor!
A couple of us enjoying some nice catching-up! Tara, we can't wait for your wedding!!!
Our Moms love each other too.
So it was a super great end to a BUSY weekend... I will switch out better pictures as I get them!
Congrats Lauren and Robert- we were so happy to share this special time with you!!!
Molly liked the "fire booms" as she put it but her favorite thing of all was the live band inside... She dominated the dance floor... and she literally danced till closing time!
Here is Molly doing her signature move...it is a cross between a clap and monkey arms...we like to pretend she is doing the "what time is it" dance move.
Such a fun fun night! It was SO great to have fireworks two nights in a row! On the fourth we spent the day with family and then at some wonderful wedding festivities...but that is a post for another day!! Hope you all had a happy holiday too!
Gabriel's baptism was such a beautiful moment. The funny this is that I can't pinpoint the exact moment that it happened. Here we are sitting in the church that my first reconciliation, communion, confirmation and marriage all took place. The familiar room where i attended Mass every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday more or less for the past 21 years. And all the sudden...I have this overwhelming feeling of familiarity and happiness- like coming home after a long trip. Perhaps it was the smell of incense on my sweet baby's head that instantly took me to memories of third grade where Lauren passed out during the stations of the cross, maybe it was when I looked around to see everyone I love smiling back at the littlest love of my life supporting this precious moment in his faith journey, or maybe just the knowledge that my son was wearing that same 85 year old baptismal gown that my grandmother, uncle, mother, 3 siblings, myself, two nieces and daughter had all worn too. For whatever catalyst propelled this rush of grace- I have been left with this overwhelming sense of peace... and it is one that I hope to carry with me for always.

Here is Gabriel with his godparents Melissa and Chris.
How could you not love these people?!?!? Chris and Melissa are two of the most loving people I have ever met. Their humility and ability to give unconditionally is SO humbling! We love them so much and are SO happy to welcome them to our family! 
I knew that "get me out of this dress" was just moments away...
We have been so BUSY this past week and have so many moments to blog about!!! I am going to attempt a post a day until I am caught up so stay tuned!!!



Our little cookie monster.