9 Years!!!

Holy canoli did that go by fast. Right about now, 9 years ago, I think I was getting ready to walk down the isle. I hate being in front of a large group where all the attention is centered on me. I get horribly nervous. Nick thought it would be a great idea to say our own vows unprompted by the minister. I knew it was a bad idea and voiced my concern, but Nick assured me that I would be fine. The minister promised me that if I drew a blank, he would hand me my little sheet of paper and I could read my vows. Well, guess what.....I drew a blank, as I KNEW I would. And guess what else.....The minister didn't have my vows. So technically, as Nick loves to point out frequently in our 9 years of splendor, we aren't really married. I never said my vows. I didn't even say something generic. I just stood there in total panic, cursing the minister. Probably not the best idea to curse a minister. And I am sure I gave my brand spanking new husband the evil eye, which would be the first of many that he would receive from me.

Lets back up a little. February 2nd, 2002, we were at our favorite restaurant having dinner before heading to the Playhouse to see Stomp. Nick was acting like a total nut job. He wouldn't let the Maitre D' take his winter coat. Then 90 seconds later he changed his mind and had to chase the little Brazilian man to the coat check. I wondered what the heck was wrong with him and thought maybe he inhaled too much exhaust on the sidewalk walking to the restaurant. Anyway, after dinner, the  waiter brought over a box that was intricately wrapped in a napkin and put it in front of me. I opened it and it was a box of my favorite chocolate truffles. I thought, hmmm, okay, that's a little weird, but whatever. I like truffles so I dive right in and take a bite. Then before I can swallow the first bite, Nick starts talking about our lives and how much I mean to him. I kind of got the idea that he was going to ask me something life altering. All I could do was smile. Like a really big smile, and I probably still had chocolate on my teeth. When he asked me to marry him, I said nothing. I was really excited and all I could do was smile and wrap my arms around him. I didn't know that I didn't say yes until much later. I was screaming it in my head, but apparently the words never made it out. So here I am, 9 years later, with 2 more kids and a big house, living in the country. I never even said yes!

I love being married to Nick. He is my very best friend. His number one priority in life is taking care of his family, and providing a good life for us. I am so grateful that he chose me to spend his life with, and I love him more every year that goes by. Happy Anniversary, Nick.

4th of July Weekend

Every year, Taylor and Shea go to Massachusetts with their dad for the whole week of the 4th. We used to just hang around and go to the parade and either go to cookouts or have a cookout here. Last year we decided on the Friday before the weekend that we were going to go somewhere for the weekend. We tried a couple areas in Michigan and I called just about every hotel in those areas. No one had anything available. As a last result we tried Marbehead, and found a really nice hotel on the water who had rooms still available. I booked it on Saturday morning, I threw some clothes for us and the kids in a suitcase and we left 3 hours later. We had so much fun. Really all we did was swim in the pool and go out for pizza, but it was the perfect trip for small children. This year, we talked about going again, but were not sure we should leave because we were afraid the new baby would arrive and we wouldn't be here. But then we thought " what are the chances that she will have the 3rd kid 2 weeks early like she did the first two. And if she did have the baby what are the chances that it would be born at the beginning of the weekend? And lastly. we thought, if she does have the baby we'll just drive home. We were only going an hour and a half away. So we got there Friday evening, swam in the pool for a little while and then went out for a late dinner at the pizza place. We were awakened at 5:50 A.M. with a picture of a purple, wrinkly baby, titled "I'm here!!" So we stayed at the hotel until lunchtime and then packed the kids in the car and drove back home to meet our neice, stayed for an hour and drove all the way back to Marblehead. Little Natty said "no no Uncle Nick and Aunt Sandy - no Marblehead for you!"

The weekend was so fun. We decided to stay another night since we didn't have time to do anything on Saturday, so we had plenty of time. What a great place for a short trip, and this year we found much more to do and would love to take the older girls next time we go.

We spent most of every day swimming in the pool. Isabella was in the pool for hours and was happy to stay in there. Nicholas, the snack daddy, had to take multiple breaks to eat some goldfish or pretzels and then was right back in the pool. I am not sure that I have ever been submerged in water as much as I was on this trip.

We spent an afternoon at the lighthouse park which was so cool. The water comes right up to the rocks which are flat and easy to walk on. People just sat there and let their feet touch the water and soaked up the sun. It was really peaceful and beautiful.

This is a picture Isabella took of us with the Lighthouse in the background. I'm thinking we may have a future photographer in our family. She really captured the essence.

On the 4th, we ate at this fantastic restaurant called Mon Ami, then we went to the Port Clinton fireworks. We sat on the grass by the beach and had a perfect view of the firworks and the water with all the boats.

On Tuesday, our last day, we packed up our car and took the ferry to Kelley's Island. This was the first time the kids had ever been on a boat and they were super excited. When we got there, we rented a golf cart to drive around the island. This was also a first for the kids and probably the hilight of the day. They thought they were so cool driving around with no car seats in the open air.

We visited the glacial grooves and the quarry with the crystal clear blue water. And the houses are so cute that I had to take pictures of some of my favorites. I kept yelling up to the crazy driver to pull over so I could take pictures. Some of them are drive-bys with me hanging out the back of the golf cart because he wouldn't stop.

I just got everything unpacked and all the laundry done just in time to start preparing for our trip to Hilton Head this Friday.

Smelling Babies

Have you ever put your nose to the side of a newborn baby's head or neck and just taken a big whiff? It makes you feel like everything is right in the world.  

 Nick's brother and his wife had a baby girl last Saturday morning and I have been sneaking sniffs whenever I get the chance. Her name is Natalee and she is a little doll. Isabella, whom I believe loves babies as much as I do, is bubbling over with excitement. We have all been having so much fun taking turns holding this little creature. 

Welcome to our family Natalee Marie, and congratulations to Joe, Heidi, and her big brothers, Joseph and Anthony!