9 Years

Love and miss you everyday. 

That's me

Julia turns 17

Oh my...17!  This year went by super fast!  Wasn't it just a few months ago when we took Julia and her friends to Mohegan Sun for her 16th birthday?!?  I hope this 17th year goes a lot s-l-o-w-e-r!

Julia had so much fun with her friends the past few days.  The night before her birthday she invited her friends over for a sleepover.   They ate pizza and ice cream and played some really fun games.  Such an awesome group of girls...all so thoughtful and sweet.  She's a lucky girl!

Then yesterday on her actual birthday, she invited Andrae and Lizzie over to help her celebrate...

The original plan was to go to Boston but we had to move on to Plan B because it was pouring out.  So instead we went to Dave & Busters at the Providence Place Mall for dinner and games.  It turned out to be a really fun night...

Andrae bought them matching sweatshirts.  So cute!!  He truly is the sweetest boy ever... 

Happy Birthday to my Julia Rose.  She may be 17 but she'll always be my sweet, sweet, sweet little girl who loved to dance for me in the living room, play dress up, dance around the house in her fairy wings and watch Disney and Barbie Princess movies endlessly...

And I'm so very proud of the amazingly beautiful, smart, loving, confident and mature young lady she has become.  It's been nothing short of an honor to be her Mom.

I'll love you forever!! 

Beauty

Julia sent me this picture to show me how long her hair is getting.  Can you imagine just taking a quick random picture and looking like this?  She's a beauty...

St Anthony's Feast North End

Last night Danny and I went to the North End for St. Anthony's Feast. It's always a great time...

We had a delicious dinner here...

and then walked over to the feast...

We've never seen it this crowded before.  But it was a Saturday and we've never gone at night...but it just adds to the fun and adventure. The weather couldn't have been more perfect...

These were amazing...

Live music...

and then we walked over to Faneuil Hall to watch street performers...

Meanwhile on Block Island...

Gianna looks like she's having a great time...

As for our two other teenagers back at home who didn't want to come with us this year...all hell broke loose over cars.  Teenagers can be a joy at times...and at other times a total nightmare.  Last night they were a total nightmare.  Oh well.  We had fun in Boston and they didn't.  : ) 

Block Island

Gianna's on her very first trip away from our family to Block Island.  It feels so strange having her away for more than just one night.  I'm not sure I'm liking this but I know she's having a great time!