Congrats Chris and Tracy

Before I say congratulations to my cousin, I want to start with a big HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! 34 Years and going strong! You both are an inspiration to us all and excellent role models when it comes to making a marriage work.

Congratulations to my cousin Christopher and his fiance Tracy on their engagement. Tonight was a wonderful little family reunion and a chance to meet Tracy's family as well. The party was a blast and filled with surprises.

The first big surprise of the evening was when Chris's father (my uncle Mike) and Julie came walking into the party. They hopped on a flight from Buffalo and landed right before the party to surprise us all.



The look on Tracy's face was priceless! Chris was shocked as well.


Me and the hubby!


Justin and Rachel

The Frisoni Family!!! It was nice to see them for another occasion other than Christmas Eve. Wish we all had time in our busy schedules to visit more often. Aunt Helen never changes. It was nice to chat with my cousins Julie and Joe as we celebrated Christopher and Tracy.

Hello 90's

This morning was absolutely beautiful and the kids took full advantage of it! The weather was warm but not hot and there was a nice breeze. The kids played in the backyard while Abel and I had coffee and breakfast on the patio. It was so nice to actually use our backyard again (the main reason why we bought the house). It has just been so hot that after a long day at work, the last thing anybody wants to do is go outside. This morning brought back memories of the fall months and we look forward to this weekend with the temperature being in the 90's instead of 100's.

Gianni and Carmen played in the water table and got their pj's soaked. Gianni asked, "mommy...can I just take off my shirt like daddy sometimes does?" Well, you guessed it....miss thing has to follow what brother does. Off came the shirt!

Birthday Celebration

This past weekend was totally amazing. It was probably the most well thought out birthday I have ever had, and I owe it to my husband. I am very lucky to have him and with a birthday like mine it reminds you to count your blessings.

My friends, family, children, and husband made my birthday on Monday very special and I thank them so much. On Saturday my husband took me to the Arizona Cardinals game. We sat in the company suite and it was incredible. I had so much fun and Abel treated me like a queen! On Sunday morning, I brewed my favorite iced team that my mom shipped me all the way from NY and then was taken to the movies by Holly. It was nice to see a chick flick! Also, Holly gave me a new pan for all my recipes. When I returned home from the movies the children jumped out with balloons and surprised me, "mommy we helped daddy clean the whole house for you!"

The plan for Monday (my actual birhtday) was to go out to dinner just the four of us and open presents. I have spoken to most of you but on Monday a teacher came to my classroom to relay a message and told me that Abel was in the hospital. He was taken by ambulance due to chest pain, tingle in his fingers, memory loss, and high blood pressure. He is home tonight resting and doing fine. His doctors are investigating what went on but it may have been dehydration or possibly related to his bad back. Thank you to Holly and Adam for picking up the children,feeding them, and entertaining them until we could pick them up just before bed time.

So, tonight, Tuesday, we finally went out to dinner. The kids wanted Italian and I had lamb! I was also presented with a super cool vacuum that I have wanted and new utensils for cooking. When we came home there was a package from my mom. New knives!!! Just what I wanted. This birthday weekend was relaxing and perfect thanks to all the people that love me.

Once we knew that Abel was ok....I had the camera in my purse...we were starving and just wanted them to release him...hmmmmmm why not snap a picture to pass the time!

First Day of School

Today we sent our little boy off to Kindergarten! He was so excited. We packed his lunch and pencil box and got everything ready. He was totally mature about it, almost too mature. No issues, and no fears. Today daddy took him since it was my first day with students as well. Tomorrow he will be dropped off at the playground where the teachers are on duty. Tonight I asked him if he wanted me to park and walk him to the playground and he said, "mom, I got this, I know where to go, and I line up by my teacher's name!." He is so grown up.

Gianni and Sydney caught up on the playground. They are in different classes this year : (

It was a long day but he came home in a great mood. He said that they learned lots and lots of rules and they went to the library where they learned about computers. He really liked that part. At the end of the day they had to draw a picture of school and he drew a computer because the library was his favorite part of the day.

Carmen....oh she was a total mess today! Tears were pouring down her face. She got up this morning and said, "Good morning mommy. I go to Cole's house today all by myself and Gianni goes to school?" I told her that was correct and she got upset. When I dropped her of at Nicole's, her legs dug into my sides and she cried at first for Gianni and then for me. I had to peel her off of me. She went to daycare all last week and was pretty much fine but being without Gianni is really throwing her off. Poor baby.

My Little Monkeys

For those of you that like rice or enchiladas...

check out my new recipes on the right hand side of this page.

These are Kristin originals!

I snapped these two pictures while the kids were jumping around Gianni's room singing, "two little monkeys jumping on the bed...they fell off and bumped their heads." They played so well together all morning while mommy cleaned the house.

Last night we went out to celebrate with our friends the Pape's! Adam recently landed a new job and we are very proud of him for going back to school and trying something new. He is very brave! Good luck Adam when you start your new venture on the 16th!

Clouds Rolling In

The past three days have blessed us with cooler temperatures and rain. The humidity leading up to the storm was horrible. I'm sure my east coast family are all laughing at me when I use the word humidity, but I believe that 101 degrees with a dew point of 85 is humidity!

The kids sat on Abel's lap yesterday and just watched the weather

from our front porch. It was so peaceful and calming.

As the summer draws to an end and I am faced with going back to work tomorrow, I sit and reflect upon my life. I love being a mother! I am good at it! This summer brought about so many wonderful things like Gianni riding a bike, learning to swim, and he is now officially reading. Carmen is learning her letters and their sounds (she knows about half of them) and has developed into an artist. I love this part of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Being a mom, wife, and teacher is who I am. It is my identify. It is a good identity. But, the kids will grow up...and they will not always need me as much (my mom is saying...that's what you think!). And, the teaching job will change and present new challenges. Eventually I will begin to form a new identity.....which I have decided will involve my new passion.....I want to cook! I have so much I want to learn about food and one day I will go to school when I have the time and I will express myself through the art of food. Until then, I will continue to watch Bobby, Ina, and Giada with my children at my side. Gianni and I will cook together. We will put our own little tweaks on the recipes of others. I will share my passion with my children. Hopefully my children will find their passion in life early and will follow it to the end.