Terrific Twos...ehem, Here We Come!

It is so incredibly hard to believe we are already celebrating Olivia's second birthday!!! I say it every year...but where does the time go? The last two years have been filled with joy, love, laughs, a few tears, some trying moments, and tons of ENERGY---at least from the 4 and under crowd! While EXTREMELY different from your big sister, you have brought a level of love to this family we couldn't imagine living without! Happy Birthday "boo-boo", "Miss O", Olivia! Here's hoping that "two" is just as fun as one!


Mickey birthday banner for the birthday girl
Getting the party started...and trying to find some shade
A chocolate fountain with all kinds of goodies to dip
Goodie bags for the kids along with a few cookies on the ice cream bar
Special thanks to Eric and Tanya for the use of their tent and table...we certainly needed it on this sweltering hot day
Centerpieces
Some of the girls relaxing on the picnic table in the shade
The Tobin/Minich crew taking advantage of the tent to get some shade! Thanks for making the trip!!!

The birthday girl getting her fill of chocolate chip cookies...I think she had more on her face than in her belly! She sure did have a good time chowing down!!!!!

Olivia's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Cake...it didn't turn out as well as I would have liked to thanks to the black fondant...will have to try different black gel next time!
Singing to our little birthday girl...she sang along! It was adorable!
Time for more ice cream!!! Thanks Daddy!!!
Grandpa brought home a pinata during his shopping adventures..."How does this thing work...let me give this a try!"
After a couple of tries, Olivia passed the bat to her big sister...two whacks from Lexie is all it took and the candy went flying! Such determination and sheer force!
After most of our guests left...and GG& Nini made it back from their cruise, we ventured back inside to open presents.

Olivia loved tearing though the paper...and Aunt Allie was more than willing to help her out!
Lexie can't wait to try out her new goggles!!! Thanks Aunt Allie!!!
After a long HOT day...she is still going strong!

Thanks to everyone for your kindness, generosity, and thoughtful birthday wishes! Olivia had a wonderful time celebrating thanks to your efforts!! Special thanks to Aunt Marsha, Granny and Mrs. Tobin for all of your clean up efforts!!!

A perfectly "Precious" wedding!

Congratulations to the happy couple! It is hard to believe my baby cousin Kirsten got married! "Precious" as I, (we) started to call her some time ago...made for a absolutely stunning bride and Patrick didn't look too bad himself!! The ceremony took place at a beautiful Catholic Church in Cleveland Heights and an elegant (and VERY FUN) reception followed at the Hyatt at the Arcade downtown. Here's hoping your marriage is just like your wedding--full of love, good times, and surrounded by friends and family!!

Beautiful flowers

Eric escorting his momma...the mother of the bride

Here comes the bride
The groom's first glance--love it
A handsome groomsman...my cousin Eric


Taken just outside the church moments after the ceremony! It was a beautiful and very genuine ceremony! The priest did an amazing job capturing both of their personalities in the sermon!
She was beaming from ear to ear all day long! What a beautiful bride!
Kirsten and Patrick posing with Gg and Gpa inside the church for the professional photographer...thought I would take full advantage of the opportunity to take a picture myself
The cocktail hour at the Arcade prior to the reception
Beautifully decorated cake box used to collect cards

Lexie loved the music..."Momma...what's that lady playing"...she was an instant fan


Olivia dancing to the music provided by the harpist
Lexie danced and danced and danced...she was completely entertained--and the reception hadn't even started yet
Posing for a picture with daddy
Aunt Allie scooped up Olivia for a quick photo
Family photo
Gpa and Gg with their two girls


The guest tables were tastefully appointed

View from our table looking straight up...

Another view looking up toward the rooms...AMAZING venue!

Eric and Tanya
Lexie and Russ during the blessing...this makes my heart melt every time I look at it
The happy new couple at the sweetheart table

Let the dancing begin! Spinning around...wheeeee
Lexie breaking it down on the dance floor!
Olivia was having a great time, but she was getting tired! Thanks again Marsha for arranging a sitter to stay with her up in the room so Russ and I could stay a bit longer to enjoy the party!


Lexie clapping for the happy couple!
Gg and Gpa dancing the night away!
As the couple married the longest...they gave the newly wedded couple some great advice

Birthday Bash

Today was a very special day---one of Lexie's "very best friends" (her exact words) was celebrating her second birthday and I am not sure who was more excited. For DAYS leading up to the even Lexie would tell me how excited she was and that "the party was about to start"! So when she woke up from her nap and I told her "Sadie's party was about to start" she nearly lost her mind with excitement!

She was all dressed up and ready to get the celebration started!!!
Olivia was all smiles too!
The crowd started to gather for the big 2 year milestone celebration~
The next series of photos is our babysitter's attempt at taking a family picture...hence the reason why we have yet to attempt getting professional pictures taken!
Photo 1: Russ' head cut off, Lexie sneezing, Olivia looking like she lost her best friend...
Photo 2: Russ looking like "Are we done yet", Lexie wants to get down and play with her friends and Olivia not even looking anywhere close to the camera...
Photo 3: Russ looks great, I have a cheesy smile, Lexie looks like she is being tortured and Olivia I laughing at Lexie! Better luck next time!
The birthday girl is up from her nap and ready to party! (Where was this adorable face of Olivia for the aforementioned 'photo shoot'?)
I asked Sadie to smile and she tilted her head and said "Mith May-gen"...such a sweetheart!
The birthday girl about to blow out her candles!!!
"Happy Birthday to YOU!"
She got it on the very first try!!!
Yummmmmy! Good stuff!

Our sitter, Courtney and Olivia
The birthday girl modeling her new headband
Taking a picture of the picture taker, Joe!
Thanks for a great party Gretel and Al...and Happy Happy Birthday Sadie Sadie!!!