Happy Birthday Moms!

Yes, that's correct, "Moms". Ironically, my mother and Carmine's mother have birthdays only 3 days apart. For Carmine's mom we spent this past weekend at their house in the Catskills. Although, Carmine and I have both been wanting to go rafting, we didn't prepare for it this trip and we'll have to save that for another trip. We did hit a street fair and did a little antique shopping this trip. My mom, spent the weekend with her now fiance, David, and my Grandmother. Just how much I wish I could be there is hard to put into words. Happy Birthday Mom, I love and miss you!

(July 30th) (July 27th)

Summertime...

Saturday I got a nice summer haircut and shared my wedding photos at the salon. These days I don't go anywhere without wedding albums and pictures, no point in describing what my 10 albums can better show! Afterwards, I went to Rose's to spend some time in the pool with her family and her ever so sweet Aunt and Cousin. Carmine and I spent Sunday with my father and Marla enjoying crabs and bbq...mmm, mmm! Still no word on our home, can't help starting to doubt it will ever be ours and we now have to start the dreaded house hunting once again just in case we don't get it. NJ has to be the worst place to be a lower-middle class first-time home buyer. Carmine and I would appreciate any help with the prayers! No pictures from this past weekend. BUT here's a few oldies but goodies...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Grandpa (Thursday 7/24) Monique (Friday 7/25)

Happy 60th Louise!

We celebrated Louise Palmieri's 60th B-Day on Sunday with a surprise pool party, friends, food & drinks, and lots of fun. Carmine and I got to share some of our wedding pictures, relax, swim and really enjoyed the day. Louise was very surprised and deserved all the love and good wishes sent her way that day. She's someone I admire for her flawless style (I've never seen Louise and not had to ask where she got either an accessory or article of clothing that I absolutely adored), her genuine good nature, and for the way she's been a true friend to both my mother and I. We love her. You wear 60 well Louise! Just have to add here, Rose and Mom, you're next!

It's Never too Late to find True Love!

Great news! My mom will soon be Mary Stoops! Mom and David got engaged over the weekend during their fun trip to Universal Studios. They're both very happy and we're very happy for her (yippee, another wedding!!!). She has long deserved someone just like David, well actually, David is even more then one could wish for anyone you love to find. He's kind, fun, devoted, and completely in love with my mother. They genuinely enjoy eachother's company. My mother, my best friend, has finally found what she has long deserved. Congratulations Mom & David!

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave!

Another fun-filled 4th of July at the Jersey Shore has come and gone. We spent Thursday night in Red Bank, where in my opinion they have the BEST fireworks! We found what seemed to be a very decent spot in River Park close to the water, only to find that after 2 hours of sitting in our designated spot waiting for the show to begin and listening to a less then mediocre local band, that most people decided to just pop a squat last minute and some didn't even squat! For those of you who know me best, you will not be shocked when I say that I had to fight a guy who decided to stand directly in front of me and in my line of vision (despite the fact that fireworks are in the air) to GET OUT OF MY WAY! But, once he did, the show (as always) was excellent! Friday we spent with Chris and Monique (mostly Monique, as Chris was surfing and skate boarding) in Long Branch for Ocean Fest and then Asbury Park for sushi dinner at Taka with Rose, Chris, and Monique. Saturday was Paul and Jen's BBQ, the house and pool was a buzz with guests (more kids then adults), good food, good drinks, laughter, pictures, and fun! It's BBQs like that one that make Carmine and I anxious for the days when we finally have our own little one to run around after! And of course my cousins, the twins (Girlies) are bigger and more adorable every time I see them! Isabella has her first loose tooth and they both can swim in the pool now without their "boppers" (aka swimmies). Time flys when you're having fun!

Here's a little taste of the Red Bank fireworks, captured by my husband: