Summer Fun

I can't believe it's already July 11! Summer is already half over and time has flown by. Jeff and I celebrated our 5-year anniversary yesterday. Giovanni got to have a sleep-over with his Grandma Jane one night and Grandma Jennifer and Grandpa Mark one night while Jeff and I enjoyed some summer fun in Cincinnati. We had a very nice time, but were so happy to get home this morning and wrap our arms around our big boy!

Giovanni has had a great summer. Take a look at some of the pictures. I have to be honest -- his babysitter, Jennifer, is much better at getting good pictures than I am. So a bunch of these pictures were taken by her at her house. Giovanni has such a wonderful time over at her house playing with all his friends.

Giovanni is growing up so fast. It seems like every day he shows us something new he has learned. He is climbing, swimming, sliding, laughing, singing, dancing, and talking up a storm! He is truly a blessing, and I can't count how many times a day I thank God for our precious little boy. We are so lucky to have him in our lives. I hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July and is enjoying every minute of the summer. I am loving having this extra time to spend with Giovanni, and just want time to slow down so the summer doesn't end too soon!

Happy Birthday Giovanni

On Friday, June 5 our precious Giovanni turned one! The day was exciting yet sentimental. Saturday was Giovanni's birthday party. As you can tell from the pictures he had a great time!!!.......until....he ate the mac and cheese and had an allergic reaction......and then rubbed the cake in his sweet little eyes...... Despite all that, Giovanni really was a trooper. He had a blast opening presents and playing. By cake time he was just a bit overwhelmed with everything going on. All in all he had a wonderful day. The weather was great and we all really enjyed ourselves. Thank you to all of you who made it to the party and thank you for all of the fun presents. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and family in our lives. Happy Birthday Giovanni --- We love you very much!


p.s. For all of you who wanted the famous mac and cheese recipe from my friend Erin Smith, here it is (Erin---I hope it's ok I'm passing on your famous recipe to the world. It sure is a big hit! :)

Erin Smith's World Famous Mac and Cheese Recipe :)

2 cups of elbow macaroni
2 cups of mostacceoli
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups of sour cream
2 eggs
24oz. cheddar cheese
salt & pepper to taste

1. Boil your elbow mac and mostacceoli until cooked-you can put these together in a big pot
2. In a large bowl put your drained noodles
3. Add sour cream and cottage cheese
4. lightly scramble your 2 eggs in a small bowl and then add them to your noodles(you can mix as you are adding everything or mix it all at the end-you can't mess it up!)
5. Finally add your 24oz mega bag of shredded cheddar cheese and then salt and pepper . Mix all of that in the bowl first and then put into a 9x12 casserole dish.
6. Bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes(some people like the top to get all brown and crusty but I never let mine get that way. Basically you are just baking to finsh melting the cheese and cook in the egg. 20-30 minutes should be perfect!

ENJOY!!!

First pair of walking shoes!

Today Giovanni and I went to Stride Rite with Grandma Jennifer to buy Giovanni's first pair of walking shoes! Big Boy! Poor little Giovanni wasn't in the best of spirits -- he has been sick for the last 10 days, and we just found out he has yet another double ear infection! But he is now on antibiotics which will hopefully help...and hopefully he won't wake up every hour again tonight! (I can't afford grande lattes with an extra energy shot from Starbucks every morning! :)
Giovanni sure enjoyed being at the shoe store and checking out the new shoes. He knew it was a special day even if he wasn't feeling 100%. What a fun, amazing little boy! Watching that grin on his face as he walks is one of the greatest feelings in the whole world! :)