I'm back!

The day I came back from California, August 23rd, parts of the east coast (including New York) were hit with a 5.8 earthquake. Four days later, we are hit with a hurricane. (Thanks, Irene). And now we are under a tornado watch until 5am.

No big deal.

!!!!!!!!!!

If there's anything to be learned here, it's that God has complete control over the world. He's sending us a flurry of warnings for a reason. So yes, God, I am listening. Even when I'm being a stubborn or lazy or an abundant of other things...I am always listening & waiting!

On a more positive note, California was one of those life-changing experiences.

I can't decide if what made it so special was seeing my aunt again or if it was just California itself but to be honest, as wonderful as Disneyland/San Diego/Los Angeles/SummerSlam was, getting to hang out with Chrissy again was a breath of fresh air! I miss that girl terribly and can't wait until the next trip out there. The lifestyle down in San Diego just seems much more relaxed. Jonathan and I had been joking since the trip that we'd like to move there. And by joking I mean contemplating it, LOL. Ya never know...

Seaport Village by the San Diego Bay

L-R: Jonathan, myself, Chrissy, Andrew, Chris and Robyn

Chrissy and Andrew were the perfect hosts. They welcomed all four of us into their home and enjoyed having us as much as we enjoyed staying there. They went out of their way to show us a good time and their generosity was not gone unnoticed. God bless both of them for their kindness! Chrissy has always been that kind of person and it makes me happy that she found someone just like her to spend her life with. They hit their 4 year wedding anniversary a few days ago too, so that was cool, being able to get them a little something while we were out there. In fact, when we spent our last full day in California, at Disneyland, they joined us and made that their anniversary celebration. Cool!

I will definitely update about each day and what we saw...but seeing as how it's waaay past my "bed time", I should probably hit the sheets before Irene hits us.

What's the worst part about making your big summer vacation at the end of summer? Spending the next two months counting down the days! That drives Jonathan nuts, LOL. But, that doesn't mean I won't be enjoying these next 44 days....it just means I'm aware of what day it is! :D

Some things that have happened since my last post, which now feels like eons ago.

Like this little miss getting so damn big! (and long)

In the beginning of June, my Opa's niece from Switzerland and her friend came in for 10 days. I had a blast with them and wished they could have stayed longer! In fact, coming to visit THEM was a hot topic! I'm pretty sure there's a whole army of us waiting to go visit that beautiful country....it's never too soon to start another count down, right? ;-)

Some pictures from Milena and Morena's visit:

This bar in South Seaport, Jeremy's, had bras hanging all over the ceiling. Really. I think it's actually an honor to get your bra up there or something. I don't plan to test that theory though, haha.

The final group shot :(

I have to say, those girls were absolute sweethearts. Maybe it's a European thing and everyone there is just friendlier? But they were so warm and friendly. It was fun to see the city through their eyes.

Mid June, we had something called ParkerMania XXVIII to celebrate one of Jonathan's oldest friend's birthdays. Parker threw it together at Manor Oktoberfest, one of my favorite local German restaurants. There were a bunch of musical acts, one wrestling match, and stand up comedy set. All together, I'd say the night was a complete success and give Parker a lot of credit for throwing something like that together!

Parker (center) with co-hosts, Pete & Kyle.

Joshua Smithson

Ted McAdams

YOUR BOY FOR LIFE.

Maximus Sex Power vs Yolanda

Not sure of this band's name.

There were a lot of special events too, these past few months: weddings, graduations, baptisms....

Remember that beautiful baby I went to visit the day after she was born in January? Alexandria is an absolute doll. Congrats to Matt & Christy on her Christening. God bless.

Towards the end of May I attended a gorgeous wedding for someone in Jonathan's family. My second to last wedding of the year, and third overall this year I think)

I loved the inside of the cathedral Joe & Lil were married in.

The reception hall was gorgeous too.

Speaking of weddings, two couples I know are engaged to be married next summer. These weddings never end! (Don't worry - I love it!)

My youngest brother Michael graduated (at long last!) from H.S on June 27. Although he is 19, he stayed two extra years in school to finish up because he was behind. He attended a public school for the deaf and his classmates were all so cute together! It was a class of 21 or so graduating and they all seemed like such a close community. I already had some glimpse of that when I tagged along on his class trip to Yankee Stadium back in March. They're all a great group of kids. I have to say, I was surprised to find myself getting teary watching Mikey walk down the aisle! It's either a girl thing or a big sister thing, LOL.

And what celebration is complete without grabbing a bite to eat.

Highly recommend that place!

I did manage to sneak in a beach visit earlier in the month too and completely BURNED the back of my legs. Let's just say the marks from the burn are still there :(

I will leave you with this adorable picture...

hi ho hi ho, it's off to disney we go.

Completely forgot to make a post about this but guess where I am headed this summer?

Yup!!

Jonathan and I spoke earlier this year (actually late last year) about making our summer trip to Disney World a trip to Land instead. We really liked the idea of checking out where it all began. What can we say, we just really love Disney. The itinerary became longer when I brought up visiting my aunt & uncle in San Diego. I have not seen Chrissy in TWO years. But even then that was very brief. So, this trip is taking on a whole new meaning. That's how we're starting off the vacation: with them in SD for three days and then the rest of the stay in Anaheim, checking out not only Disneyland but other parts of CA nearby. If all goes well, we'll even be attending SummerSlam at Staples Center!

And it's not just us two going, like the last two trips. Robyn and Chris (brother) will be coming, as well as two other friends. Although we've only booked the flights (the most important part in my opinion) we will be getting the hotel really soon.

Excited is putting it lightly.

Oh spring break...please don't disappoint me. Bring forth glorious weather and tons of fun activities to do!

Fortunately for me, I have some things to do this week besides study for that awful History of Photo midterm the Friday after we start up again. The idea of memorizing pictures & facts on a pretty day is nothing short of horrifying. The kind of horror I rather deal with is Scream 4. Which reminds me, I must see that ASAP! Jonathan and I made tentative plans to see that tomorrow but our schedules may not mesh. I just want to see it before someone spoils it for me. In this internet day and age, that could happen at any second.

Yesterday I got to see the little princess for the first time in a week (which felt more like eternity). She's much more alert now and really seems to grasp who we are...kind of. She'll look at us like she's studying our faces but then of course, you know babies have the attention span of a guppy LOL. So, Ayla will quickly revert to looking up into corners. Sometimes I think she can see things we can't... !

She's getting so long too.

My latest must have: the cocoa cappuccino at Starbucks.

One of my favorite things about spring....

...beauty everywhere.

April showers bring....more weddings?

Yup! This past Saturday, Jonathan's brother-in-law's sister got married and it was a great! Most weddings are, but sometimes it feels like the same thing over and over. But this one was genuinely a lot of fun and beautiful, from start to finish.

How cute are they?!

Johnny walked down the aisle so well!

During the ceremony, Johnny sat with myself, Jonathan and his mother. It was hard to keep him entertained so we had to take him outside and around the back of the church for awhile.

Little model!

Very sweet.

The reception was held at Marina Del Rey in the Bronx. Gorgeous place and amazing food!

Too cute!

Father/daughter dance

Mother/son dance.

I was very pleased with how my new flash worked. Well worth the price. Definitely want to use it again...and with another wedding next month, I'll get my chance!