Fran's photography....Nailed it!

Yup, I'm okay with never being a photograph. I took the kids to take some pictures and lets just say between Kaelyn looking everywhere but the camera and baby Jake being the worst client ever these photos have got me laughing. Seriously, this is my life, not perfect not in order and constantly changing. I wouldn't have it any other way! I don't think anyones life is perfect but at times we have to take a step back and enjoy what we have and not be jealous of others. Baby Jake, one day you will sit still and be the perfect doll....ha, yeah right! Crazy boy.

Let the holiday festivities begin

Uncle Brandon and Aunt Christa sent the kids some gifts the other day, the kids were so excited. Jessica got her snow globe and ran around to show everyone and especially tell them they can't touch it. Jake has been working alot so I had to go in the rafters and get the Christmas stuff down with my little helpers, kind of a hard task when they don't know how to climb down by themselves. And of course our elf Fred came and his presence was very much needed.

Going home :(

I'm not going to lie, I didn't want to come home and neither did the kids. In the morning we had brunch with the family and then headed to the airport. It was hard, when my cousin Franca hugged me I started to cry, then when my cousin Lorenzo came to the hotel his hug was hard as well. I think to him we are the closest thing to his father and it's hard. I met a lot of great people and was part of a wonderful event. I was able to make great memories with so many and show my kids so much.
When we were on the run way and started for take off I balled, even writing this is hard, I miss Chicago and the people there. I didn't want to come home! My father always talks about family but I don't feel that in California I have much of it lately. My definition of family is different from others.
Oh well, I do have to say that the plane ride was perfect, the kids were great. Baby Jake slept, the girls colored or listened to music. I played the list of todo's when I get home in my head. Jake and I were snickering at each other because my mom and dad sat in-front of us and due to the kids being so great, it made us proud parents.
When we arrived Joe was there to pick us up, he is always great to see and when we got home our house was TP'ed and decorated with lights. It was a nice welcome home for sure.

Wedding part 7

Ater the wedding the bridal party hoped on the party bus back to the hotel for a few more pictures and then off to the reception. The reception was help at Poretta's and was an amazing place, they did such a great job. The DJ, decor, food, and people were just perfect. Baby Jake enjoyed every bite that came his way, my cousin made sure that they had kid food aka Chicken nuggets for the kids so they wouldn't be picky. Before everyone came in the hall the bridal party got to go at the appetizers and oh man were they good, 6 large tables good. I was impressed with how well the kids sat threw dinner and not being crazy with Jake. I had to sit at the head tables with the bridal party and was not much help to him.
When it was time to have all the people invited come in the wedding coordinator said the line was out the door, 420 people showed up out of 500 invitations sent. The toasts were very touching, the grooms speech made me cry, he hit everything on the nail about my aunt being the mother and father to her children and what a great job she did. The video that was shown was hilarious, some pictures of me as a kid with her should of never been seen but I let that pass, I was a Talia look alike in them.Everyone seemed to have a great time, my aunt got out on the dance floor and shook it like a salt shaker, my cousins did the Jersey fist pump and Talia and I did princess turns, it all it was great.
One of my favorite things from the wedding was how nice my Chicago family was to my kids, they kept going up to the kids and teasing them and hugging them, I tried several times not to cry. I left the party around 1am and most of the people were still there and going strong,

Wedding part 6

From the hotel our limos picked us up. These were not just cheap limos, the groom spared no expense we rode in style in a porsche and mercedes stretch white limos. We were running late and it was FREEZING cold. When we got to the church the directors rushed us in line and we walked down the isles. Such a wonderful feeling to be chosen to be apart of someones wedding. the ceremony was emotional, when the music started for the bride and I saw my cousin with a huge smile arm in are with her two brothers and then handed off to my aunt all my childhood memories of her and her family rushed thru my mind. My uncle years ago walked out on my aunt and cousins, leaving them to fend for themselves, they had nothing and it has always bothered me. My aunt was the father and mother to these kids. I am so happy that my cousin has found a man that will love her, spoil her and be the man she deserves. I had never been able to meet Ono till this wedding came along and I have to say that he is a great man, he made us feel welcomed and was complementing my family left and right.
After the ceremony the party bus was really late and after the groom let the driver know that he was getting a beating Italian style we hug out and took fun photos and had some great laughs.

Wedding part 5

So the morning came to get ready for the wedding, I woke up early and headed to my cousins room and hung out for a bit. My cousin Maria did my hair and a make-up lady name Francesca dolled me up. I was very happy with the outcome. It was chaos for a while and the ladies and I headed to the lobby where we took pictures walked around, got stared at, and random strangers took our picture. Good Times!