Florida Friends

One of the best things about visiting Florida is catching up with friends we don't get to see enough of. On New Year's Eve, we met my friend Jenny & her husband T.J. at The Briar Patch on Park Ave. The Goco's are expecting baby Eliza Rae very soon and we can't wait to meet her!

Lola was an angel as we waited for our friends to arrive. The drove about an hour just to have lunch with us. Love them!
And while we were walking to the restaurant, we came across a little store called "Bella"...
...so I had to stop in and ask for a souvenir for our Baby Bella--we brought it to the hospital when we went to visit the new DiTore family and they thought it was pretty cute.
And even though we had plans to hang later in the day, we ended up running into Ronnie & Tom and their lovely ladies at the Patch. Winter Park is such a small town. Glad I got a good one of the boys.
An added bonus of being in town on New Year's Eve--celebrating the triplet's 5TH birthday! (Ray & Meg--you are rock stars!) Merril, Dickson & Cole had a sweet ice skating party in the park. You have no idea how excited I was to attend this bash!
Tom & sweet Tate
It felt so good to be back out on the ice. John said he loved the smile on my face while I was skating around the rink. Blades were permanently attached to my feet as a child and every time I lace up, I wonder why I don't do it more often. Lola starts Tot Skating at age 3....yea! My dad & I can't wait.
I think he's ready for one!
Winter Park's Prettiest
A great action shot of Cousin Ray.
The Trips. Their shirts were so cool!
Fast friends, Tate & Lo were.
And leave it to Tessa to introduce Lola to the magical world of Sun Chips. Lola was in heaven!
After the party, we dropped Lola off at Grandma & Papa's and headed back to the Peck's for a nice and relaxing New Year's Eve with great drinks and yummy food. Thanks you guys for always being so darn hospitable whenever we're in town. XOXO

Finger Painting

Ellyana gave Lola lots of fun art supplies for Christmas and this afternoon we finally got a chance to break it out and create some masterpieces. After she made a "rainbow" like picture with washable markers, I stripped her down and let her have some fun with finger paints (in the kitchen, of course!)

(I know I have bags under my eyes and look exhausted--but that's because I protested my nap today!)

Lola originals--soon to be auctioned at Sotheby's...

*bella*

Meet the newest member of our extended family...

Princess Bella Grace DiTore
December 31, 2009
4 lbs. 6 oz.
17 in.

Our cousins Joe & Traci weren't expecting Bella to arrive until February 8th, but after Traci developed preeclampsia, the doctors decided it was best for Bella to be born ASAP. After only a few days in the NICU, Bella is now home and the new DiTore Trio is complete!

John & I were so lucky to be able to meet Princess Bella just one day after her birth, hold her and visit with Mommy & Daddy. There is nothing sweeter than new life and we are so excited for Joe & Traci to experience all the beauty that their baby girl will fill their world with.

Motherly bliss. (And might I add Traci looks MUCH better after her c-section than I did!)

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was so special--we were all together--and that's what matters most. Without even realizing it, I captured some really great moments.

Mommy & Lola by the beautiful tree.

Brothers.

I love these next few of Lola & I captured by Daddy...


This was our favorite moment of the day. Just perfect.
Hanging with G. G.
A beautiful Aunt Jan.
Heaven on a plate crafted by Gracie & Uncle Rich. With a side of anchovies, my cherry on top!
Prime Rib Roast for dinner with Delmonico potatoes.
Mommy doing what she does best!
The fashionista.

Giving G. G. her gift.

"Baba, how many instruments can I hold at once?"




Perfection.

Christmas Morning

Lola put on her cute Christmas jammies Christmas Eve in hopes that St. Nick would come visit her again...


He did!

I don’t think Lola could be more blessed. The generosity our families showed her this year was incredible. She is so loved...

On Christmas morning, Lola opened gift after gift after gift. Awesome toys and adorable outfits. Nonna & Papa got her a great Elmo doll that we can practice our ABCs with and an awesome Leap Frog reading pad and the Leap Frog Alpha Fridge Set. Baba (Uncle Mikey) got her a cell phone and Make Your Own Sock Puppets. Titi set her up with some SWEET DVDs to add to our collection, Yo Gabba Gabba! toys, clothes galore and of course, Elmo earrings. G.G. picked out some REALLY adorable outfits as well, and you already know Aunt Janis and Uncle Rich got her that great music set. Cousins Joe & Traci (and Bella!) gave her a little Elmo doll that will be perfect for car rides. And even though they couldn’t be with us, The DiTore’s from St. Louis had a super cute outfit waiting for her and a number puzzle. Lola loves her puzzles! Even Aunt Janice in New York remembered Lola with a super cute vest our little fashionista will be stylin' in!

Lola and her new favorite movie. She laughs at her favorite parts which we all is hilarious!


Nonna & Papa with their Lola calendar, 2010 edition.
My Christmas gift from John--new "wellies" for our trip to Ireland. I LOVE them!

A perfect gift for our resident baker.

Shoes for Daddy, too. Nike SB P.Rod III's.