Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Steph's Bachelorette & Giada's week...


Well the weekend came to help Steph celebrate for her bachelorette party. Steph will be marrying my brother in just 6 short weeks! We headed out to Ensenada on a 3 day cruise. There were about 14 of us and a good time had by all. Steph was a good sport and handled everything that was thrown her way. Her friends were full of surprises throughout the weekend, with many outfit changes and accessories to wear. There were quite a few other bachelorette parties on the cruise but everyone remembered the pirates from day 1! The scavenger hunt was lots of fun too! Thanks girls for including me and can't wait for rest of the wedding festivities!

Pirate Bride

Mother of the Bride
I've been to A LOT of bachelorette parties and never remember seeing a veil tail!
Good work Kyla!


The girls did a great job decorating all the rooms! As we arrived on the ship they told us Paco was too obscene for the guests so we had to keep him in our rooms!
Off for a day of fun in Ensenada, Mexico - which really meant spending the entire time off the ship at 2 bars. The girls were quite entertaining for this sober gal!
Lynz and Steph met some friends along the way
The first shot of many!
Fun on the ship!
This prego did not want to be in a swimsuit but wanted a tan!
And a cruise favorite the towel animals!

Some funny quotes from the weekend! People of course say all kinds of things to bachelorette parties when they are drunk!
- One guy was talking to us and asked my mom if we were happy about this guy she is going to marry. My mom said, "well I hope so, it's my son!" He was embarrassed but it was funny.
-Another lady asked us if it was Matt's first first marriage. I guess that's a question people ask these days. But my mom said, "yes and hopefully his only!"
-One evening Steph said, "that guy is hot but Matt's WAY hotter!"
-People kept asking my mom if she was my sister....real great pick up line
-Another girl came up to Steph and said, " oh you're getting married. Good luck, I've been on this cruise before and now I'm engaged to a different guy" We all looked at each other not sure how to respond. Real great advice.
- The morning after our trip day in Ensenada Steph had a letter under her door. Her ship and sail card had been revoked. I guess they thought the girl in the sombrero returning to the ship was a little drunk. We all had a good laugh out of it for the rest of the trip.

This was the longest I've ever been away from Giada. I told her before I left that I was going on a boat, she asked " Going fishing? Catch fish? Eat fish?" - Funny how a childs mind works. I missed her and Mike so much. Mike did a great job of emailing me a daily update and pictures which was fun to read at the end of the day. I came home to Giada telling me "I missed you when you were on the boat", and that I was "on the boat a long time." I also came home to a clean house which was such a surprise and so much appreciated!!! They sounded like they were so busy while I was gone. They saw both great grandmas, spent time at the ranch, played with the animals at Phillips Farm, took Sydney to the park, and watched the Giants game at the Kernals. She keeps yelling when the game is on "GO giants, hit the ball reeeeaaally high in the air!"

Earlier in the week we met Renee and Nico at Fairytale Town in Sacramento. It was our first time there, what a fun place!! We all can't wait to go back and are so glad that the Bushalacchi's live closer now. Thanks for the fun day Renee. Not the best pics, Renee might have some better ones later.

Nico and Giada riding Cinderella's Pumpkin Carriage
Giada watering the vegetable garden. Not sure if they got more
water in the planters or on themselves!
Before I left we also went to Funtastic Center in Elk Grove. That was a fun place too. You can watch the kids play on all kinds of things and still get to visit with friends! Thanks for the invite Jenny and glad you could come Heather!! While Seve and Preston played, Giada made a new friend Gianna!
Baby update - 6 month mark!
- Feel great, he kicks a ton now, especially at night, and you can feel it on the outside now.
- Belly is growing quick but so far that seems to be the only part growing. I'm sure that is soon to change!
- Giada still seems happy about him coming but I'm sure has no real idea what that means.
- We are thinking about names, nothing yet.....not that we will share it, but I will be glad once we decide on something.
- I started looking at bedding so we can figure out the room....no luck there either. I'll keep looking. Send any suggestions my way!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Spring Wine Show, Spring Pics, Giada/Baby Update


Another week...and here are a couple things we were up to!
Spring Wine Show. Our first time doing this event in Lodi and it was a great turnout. 3,000 people over the 2 day event. It was the first time we really had a chance to taste the the flavors for everyone and they seemed to be well received. We also won the Best of Show award which was fun since we were up against local competitors! Mandie made me pose for this photo along with the the girl who ran the event. Dorky I know. :)
Giada has been playing with scarfs a lot lately. And recently she has been playing with Sydney and the scarfs. Poor Sydney. She is SUCH a good sport!!! We think about getting another dog but how can they be as great and patient as her???? She was completely covered with scarfs!
After bath the other night I put Giada in her pajamas and then she wanted to also wear her hat and gloves. It was funny, and she insisted on going to bed with them. I ended up pulling them off when she fell asleep but it made me giggle.
Lately Giada has been spending lots of time with Nana since we have been so busy with the oil. They go on lots of walks and stop to play in the trees along the way.

This is a sneak peek at the pictures we took this weekend with Stephanie Moe Photography. She had baby ducklings for the mini session. Giada pretty gentle with them, but would occasionally squeeze them so tight we had to keep an eye on her - we were worried for the ducks safety! It was a fun morning taking pictures.
Giada has been a busy bee lately. She is talking SO much and says such funny things.
Below are a few things she has been saying & doing!
- "Baby got hungry in the night mommy, feed him"
- When I was writing something she said " What are you drawing g da" That is how she pronounces her own name, and when you are writing anything she thinks its the alphabet or her name.
- She asks if its the ABCs if she sees words written anywhere
- She can do a somersault on her own
-She bites the edges/corners of a piece of cheese and yells out "Octagon"
- She says "Hold you" when she means "Hold me"
- LOVES playing with worms, seeing trash trucks and playing outside...maybe having a boy won't be that much different :)
-Enjoys cooking in her play kitchens at Nana's and Nonni's - she comes up with the funniest things she makes for you
- Some of her shows ask questions. Mickey Mouse asked her is she was ready for a great day at the club house, she answered " yes Mickey I am"
- Giada loves her uncle Scott (Meyer) - the other night he was over and she asked what he was doing. It was mentioned that he was "tooling out" So then out of the blue now she says "Scott tooled out" it's so funny.
- Loves finding shadows outside
- Very into telling you a secret in your ear, but it's always the same secret and it always has to do with popsicles.
- My mom and I have always signed the I Love you sign to each other. As we drive away, we always have sign it to each other. So, we started trying to teach Giada how to do the sign. She doesn't really get it, but she sticks out one finger and yells " I love you sign" It's so funny, we both crack up and she does it every time we drive away now

Baby Update
- 23 weeks
- He is kicking a lot and I can feel it on the outside now
- When you ask Giada what we should name him she says "Baby Brother"
- He is the size of a mango and weighs 1 lb.
- Feeling great and growing quick!
- We are so busy this pregnancy is flying by! Can't believe it's only a few months away.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Pics w/ KR, Nico's bday, Calivirgin Body Butter, Baby Brooklyn & Steph's Shower


All weeks for us are crazy. But this spring is beginning to be the craziest yet!

Happy St Patricks Day from my "thug" daughter. She had on an assortment of new gifts from Aunt Patsy. She loves her new frog hat and wears it everyday!

Kristen and I wanted to take pictures last year in the yellow flowers (which I actually think are weeds) but look pretty this time of year. Last year we missed it, but this year we had a fun afternoon playing around the vineyards. Thanks KR. She had plenty of laughs at all the things KR and I were doing to get her to laugh.
It was windy out her hair was blowing around a mess, but she thought it was funny!

We did some bubble blowing...

And then..Giada found some sticks to play with..... and then the inevitable MUD!

Gina was in town for a few days. We always love having her home...so Jeanne and I had her help us with the Calivirgin Body Butter. So it's back by popular demand. We should have it for sale at the Spring Wine Show this weekend and on the website in the next couple weeks!

We were off to SF this weekend to celebrate Nico's 2nd bday. It was at the SF Aquarium - the kids had a blast! Nico signing himself Happy Birthday was the highlight- too cute!

The girls enjoyed the tide pools!

The boys and their babies!

As if that wasn't enough I hosted Steph(future sis in law's) wedding shower. I was ready to head over to start setting up Sunday morning when I got a phone call...... Woodbridge Country Club called to tell me the shower was cancelled the had no power! This was at 8:30am as I was walking out the door. I made a TON of calls and the Dancing Fox came through for us and did a great job!! Shower started at 11 right on time and went off without a hitch. I was pretty unsure of how things would go until from about 8:30-10....but then all was well. Steph received so many nice gifts and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
Giada joined us at the shower and had a fun time helping Auntie Steph open presents, playing with her nana and nonni, and eating a TON of candy!
A few guest pics...
Steph with her future mother in law and mom!
Bridal Party
Present time! She got a few gifts that were traditional..
Some that were fun...
And some that were unique with her new last name! Get used to people spelling it wrong for the rest of your life Steph! :)

I got this wine barrel personalized for the Mr. and Mrs.
RTB barrels(local Lodi company) did a great job and can put anything you want on a barrel. Logos, names etc. Look them up!
Maid of honor- Lynz, great job on the boquet!

Baby Brooklyn has joined the other softball babies.
She was born March 16 - 6lbs. 8oz. Congrats Dub and JJ!