Julia's 16th birthday

Yesterday was Julia's 16th birthday!!  It was a very busy day.  For starters...Julia passed her test and got her permit!!  Yay!!  She's officially driving. So you better watch out on the roads...

Then we all went out for a yummy birthday breakfast. I think that's supposed to be a pancake.  It was ginormous!! She ate probably an 1/8 of it...

Then we went home to open a few presents. I just love this landmark 16th birthday bracelet I found in Ogunquit.  It has sixteen tiny gold beads...

She wanted this eyeshadow palette but it didn't arrive in time to open so I printed a picture of it...

and she loves her new Swell water bottle...

A loving birthday card from her big brother...

Then I took Julia and her friends to Mohegan Sun for some shopping, swimming, dining and a fun sleepover in a huge double suite big enough for ten people.  They had a wonderful time.  We had dinner here...

I asked the girls if they would put their phones away for dinner...and they all did!  It was so much more enjoyable for them.  They were laughing, talking and playing games.  Just like we did in the days before cell phones existed...

Then after dinner everyone took tons of pictures...

I am so grateful to Lizzie's mom...and my good friend...Suzanne for coming with me to help drive, supervise and have fun with. Now that is a good friend...

Suzanne with her daughter Lizzie who is Julia's best friend. I adore these two...

Ready to go home this morning after staying up pretty much all night...

 

Happy 16th birthday to our sweet, beautiful, smart, funny, kind hearted girl.  I know it will be one she will always remember...

St. Anthony's Feast

Yesterday we went to St. Anthony's Feast in the North End.  So much delicious food!!

One of my favorite things to do in the summer...and I love spending it with my little family.

My Cousin Pam

I always considered Pam to be my cousin even though technically she wasn’t but…she was married to my cousin and I’ve known her since I was a teenager so I think that qualifies as a cousin. Pam worked for my Dad for about ten years and then when Danny took over she worked for him for about another ten years.  Pam and Danny were the best of friends.  We all loved her.  

Sadly she lost her battle with cancer on Thursday. She fought so hard and was very determined to beat it. I'm so happy she really enjoyed herself this summer spending lots of time with her kids, new husband and new grandbaby.  Oh how she loved that little boy…

She married Dave this past May.  He is just the nicest man and made her so happy.  She was so excited to get married. 

Pam, Danny, CeCe and I had a great lunch together a few months ago.  Pam carried on most of the conversation talking about her new grandson and her wedding that was coming up.  She was really so happy.  

Pam, we love you and will miss you. Especially Danny. He adored you. You were such a bright light and we are heartbroken for you and your family.  

I hope she gave my Dad a HUGE hug for me...

Canobie Lake Park

I took Julia and some of her friends to Canobie Lake Park yesterday.  It was perfect weather.  I've been there in the sweltering heat and that's no fun.  Thankfully Kimmy volunteered to keep me company for the day. We always have so much fun together...

We did one roller coaster and one spinny ride which were great...but we really enjoyed the slower rides a lot more like the train ride around the park and the carousel.  Yes...we're showing our age!  Haha!!

I was soooo happy to eat this soft serve ice cream cone. It was delicious!!!

Emily, Annie, Carlie, Ally and Julia.  Such a nice group of girls...

I have to admit I was a little sad reminiscing about the days when we would take the kids when they were younger to this same amusement park. I walked by all these rides they used to love...

We went every summer...

And now Julia will be getting her permit to drive a REAL car next week!!!  Wow the irony of this picture...

And this one too...

I was probably thinking I had years and years before Nicholas actually would drive his sisters in a REAL car...but here we are folks.  The day has come...

Ugh.  Sometimes I wish they were still little.

Cute friends

Gianna and Savannah...love their friendship!

Ogunquit birthday weekend

We're home from a long weekend in Ogunquit. The weather wasn't the best but we still had a great time!  We started the weekend by going to see Mission Impossible. The theater had those awesome reclining seats and we filled ourselves up with popcorn loaded with butter...

We ate more good food in downtown Ogunquit...

We did some shopping and walked the marginal way...

Fashion "don't" courtesy of Auntie Kimmy...

Nicholas carried Gianna to dinner at the BeachFire Grill (which has the best nachos ever) because her knee was bothering her. What a good big brother...

Ummm...I had a little accident with the pepper one morning...

Some of my awesome birthday presents from my sister and the kids...

And we finished my birthday weekend off this morning with a delicious breakfast at the Merriland Cafe in Wells. I had the best french toast and maple bacon ever.  I also tasted the pancakes and they were amazing. 

Danny gave me a BIG surprise in my birthday card.  It said "Happy Anniversary"...he's booked a 5-day surprise trip for our 25th wedding anniversary!!  I'm soooooo excited!! I have no idea where we're going!!  All he said was we have to fly there and it's warm.  Yay!! We leave in 5 weeks!!  So now that this eating frenzy weekend is over...I'm getting back on track with WW so I'll feel good for our trip! 

 I love surprises!!!