Party Time!!!

Things may have been a bit busy lately to post about Sara's birthday party, but things definitely weren't too busy to celebrate her birthday!!!

Last month we were so very excited to celebrate Sara's birthday with everyone! And the feeling was mutual! Upon our arrival at Auntie Lisa's house, cousin Lauren had this card up and ready for Sara's arrival! What an amazing cousin!





It wasn't long before the excitement of everyone being together showed!





We spent quality time hanging out with each other relaxing on the couch! Nobody however, relaxed more than the birthday girl herself! What a perfect way to enjoy a yummy bottle of milk!













Pool Time! Who says to wait 30 min. after eating before going in the pool...not us! Sara had a great time splashing poolside with Grandpa and cousin Lauren!





Amazing Auntie Lisa cooked and baked all day long to make Sara's birthday that much more special! Not only did she make a delicious dinner for everyone, but she baked a cake made special for Sara! As well as a cake and whoopie pies for everyone else! Thank you soooooo much Auntie Lisa!!!



A 7 year old, two 2 year olds, and a newly 1 year old, can sometimes be a wee bit loud under one roof. What better way to help your ears from hurting...simply put on your construction hat!



We couldn't wait to put Sara in her special Princess dress, so that's exactly what we did! She enjoyed crawling all around in the grass, while cousin Lauren got to catch lizards! Eeeww!!!









It was then time to head inside for some yummy cake! However, we didn't have anywhere for the birthday girl to sit. Grandma and Grandpa to the rescue! What perfect timing to open their gift..a booster seat! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! It's perfect!



Sara's speical smush cake!



The Mr. couldn't take his eyes off the prize, but first...



Happy Birthday To You! Happy Birthday To You! Happy Birthday Dear Sara! Happy Birthday To You!





Her very first wish has been made!





After our tummies were full, it was time to open gifts! Sara loved each and every one of them! Literally! She hugged her cloths that Uncle Paul and Kelly got her, she hugged her doll Grandpa got her, and did her loving coo at the school bus cousin Lauren and Tyler got her!









Who knew these blow out popper toys could be so much fun...WE DID!!!

(and dangerous!)







We couldn't have asked for a better 1st birthday for our birthday girl! We love you Sara!

THE PRINCESS DRESS

Dear Sara,

There is a story about to be told.
Did you know this dress is fifty years old?

Great Grandma and Grandpa didn't have much,
But they wanted the best for your Grandma, for they loved her a bunch.

She was about to turn one and needed something to wear,
So Great Aunt Fran made her a dress with much love and much care.

"The Princess" she was on her special day,
And when the dress came off, it was put away.

Grandma's 1st Birthday


But away the dress could not stay,
For there were more Princess's to be made!

Auntie Lisa's 1st Birthday


Mommy's 1st Birthday


Generation to generation this dress has made it's way,
Making us feel like Princess's on our very special day.

Cousin Lauren's 1st Birthday


Sara's 1st Birthday


Thank you Great Grandparents for giving us something that will last,
For the "Princess Dress" has only just begun to be passed.



Though the dress is now safely tucked far away,
We look forward to the day you get to say...

Dear Princess, there is a story about to be told,
Did you know this dress is eighty years old?

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

* Thank you Grandma for allowing me to alter/grab lines from the poem you once wrote about the dress. Sara, you'll know which were Grandma's, they're the ones that sound good! Mommy doesn't really know how to write poems :)

Babysota!!!

Ever since Sara's been born, she's been Baby Sara to Eric. "You OK Baby Sara!", if she's crying. "Baby Sara, you too small sit up here.", as he sits on the tall bar stools. Which I might add, he was extremely proud to have climbed up on all by himself! "Baby Sara, you drink milk.", as he hands her her bottle.

Lately we've taken a couple trips to and from Sarasota. As we are heading there, Eric will ask, "Mommy, where Eric, Baby Sara, Mommy, Daddy going?" So we will tell him, "We are heading to Sarasota and you can jump in the paper!", "We are heading to Sarasota to go see some animals!", "We are heading to Sarasota to go to the beach!"

Just the other day we were in the car and Eric so innocently asks, "Daddy, we going Babysota!?!" We looked at each other and cracked up! He doesn't even realize he's being the funniest kid in the world, changing 'Sara'sota, to 'Baby'sota! Yes Eric, that's exactly where we are heading, Babysota! :) Love you!

Happy Birthday Sara Elizabeth!!!

As you can see, the Mr. is pretty obsessed with you! As are we! You have given us more than you can imagine over the past year! And have completed us as a family in the most wonderful way! Thank you for the past year Sara Bean, Mrs., Baby Sara, Princess!

Happy 1st Birthday!!! We love you!!!

Sneaky! Sneaky!

As Sara and I turned the corner, from having her diaper changed, we caught two little feet running as fast as can be. So we decided to follow these two little scurrying feet. To our surprise, what did we see...

...a guilty boy with a bag of mini Oreos!!!!




Rule was, you had to finish your hotdog before you were allowed a snack. That didn't seem to be an issue for this little Cookie Monster!!!




Yum! Yum!

New York

One beautiful weekend, in White Plains New York, Paul and I decided to take the kids for a walk. As we approached the main street, we saw there was an arts and crafts fair taking place. And if anyone knows me, they know there was no way I could walk by without taking a stroll through!

It was here that we fell in love with the work of Javier! In particular, this piece of the Brooklyn Bridge.

This piece of art was more than just a bridge. It was karaoke bars, girls nights out, BBQ's, train rides, birthday parties, Blue Sky, football games, winter nights, apartment 234 and 330, comedy shows, cab rides, central park, wrap parties, pumpkin picking, first time parents, Panera Bread, walks to the track/Stop and Shop, dinners at the mall (chicken fingers, gummy beeears!), neighbors, fall leaves, checking mail, red car, red van blue van, second time parents, first crawls, friends, Christmas parties, laughs, Bob B Q's, trips to Boston, visits to Florida, spring flowers, street horns, dog parks, drives to see if the fire house is open or closed, blueberry muffins, Tutor Time, elevator rides, Wednesday nights, first steps, and so much more. For that, we bought it.

August 7, 2011 was a big day for us. It was when we closed this chapter, that was symbolized so perfectly in this photo, and started a new one. It's now the beginning of yet another, beautiful chapter in our lives. Priceless memories, just like the ones above, have already been made. And we look forward to making many more, while this photo hangs beautifully on our wall, for us to always smile at!

We love you New York family and friends!

Paquettes!!!

Carroll's House!

A couple weeks ago, we purposely forgot the date because it was a sad day for us, the Carroll's had a going away party for the Paquette's at their amazingly beautiful home!

Of course Mommy forgot her camera, but thankfully not everyone did! She is so thankful to have swiped these very special photos from her friends!

The Boys!


The Girls!

The Kids!

Paquette's House!

A few days later, we had another get together at the Paquette's house!

Although we looked forward to spending time with everyone, it was hard knowing this would be the last BBQ we had here before they moved away :( We so clearly remember sweeping the floors to this house before the movers came to move the furniture IN. *sigh*

But we didn't let anything stop us from having a great time!!! There was fun to be had indoors...

And outdoors...

We love you Paquettes! And though we may be sad you've moved away, we are so very thankful for the hundreds of memories we will take with us! We cherish each and every one of them, and look so forward to making new ones with you during our visits with one another!!! We love you!!!