Our first full day in NJ was a lot of fun thanks to the Graydon Pool! It was the perfect before naptime activity. Solomon was asking for the beach, like he does eeeeeveryday, but even more so since we got on an airplane to fly to Jersey. He was so excited to go to the "pool" with his cousins since it had sand like the beach!! The water was perfect for the little guys to walk around and explore since it wasn't that deep. 

Oh, just my kid trying to kill himself, like normal. Such a monkey!

It was also a lot of fun to hang out at a spot where daddy used to play when he was growing up. I love a good nostalgic moment and this place was full of nostalgia. It was fun to listen to his family talk about where they used to sit and play as they remembered all the memories from when they were young. I loved watching Solomon and Peter play and create new memories together. It was a very sweet full circle moment. I hope we have a lot of future days at this spot with our family and their cousins!!!

bath, beach, pool... any kind of water, all he needs is two cups, and he's a happy guy! 

My guys, love them so much!!! 

babies and NJ.

Our trip this past weekend to NJ was full of baby love and I loved it! Cousins playing together, family meeting our Solomon and a baby shower for the boy on the way very soon for my sis-in-law. It was such a fun weekend of celebrating and as always, I left NJ with a grateful heart for having joined this loving family. They can be loud and crazy, but they are so loving at the same time!  

The trip started with a "Sip & See" party for Solomon. My two sisters set everything up and the  whole family was invited to come meet our guy. We were overwhelmed by all the love and sweet gifts, it was so much fun to show him off a little bit!

The next party was the beautiful baby shower for Jane and her little guy. We have been planning all the details for months and it was so much fun to see everything come together. Jane looked so happy the entire time and I'm so happy we got to spoil her some, she deserves it!! 

The rest of the time was spent loving on sweet baby boys. I love that we are all having our kids at the same time and they get to grow up together. Watching Solomon and his cousins together over the weekend made me so happy. He would watch Jaden and smile at him no matter what he did, and the way that Jaden tickled him gently and wanted to hold his hand was absolutely precious! These boys have my heart.

conversations with daddy in the morning!

no make up face & wet hair drying but I don't care, I love this picture!

getting to know Umo Fadi, so sweet!!

Jane, thanks for everything you did to make us comfortable and feel loved!! 

We love you so much & can't wait to meet your little man!

Weekend Trip Littles.

For the past four months we have patiently been waiting for a weekend deal so we could fly to New Jersey to see Peter's family and meet our new little nephew! He isn't as new or as little as we hoped he would be when we first met him but I'm so happy we finally made it up north to visit. Whenever we find the time to travel and see family I'm always more tired when I leave because there is so much to do. I'm not complaining about it, I'm honestly thankful for it. Coming from a very small family (hello, one brother and two cousins) I find so much happiness in this big family that I now have a part in. Jumping from house to house, receiving big hugs and two cheek kisses, loving on babies and deepening relationships is what this family is all about and I absolutely love it. I love them. I also love tradition and since it seems to be normal that I share some littles from a trip to NJ I thought I'd keep that tradition going. Here are some little things that made me so happy over the past couple of days.

smelling that sweet baby smell while he slept on my chest for over an hour // wrapping up in a blanket with cousins and watching TV together // having Peter wake me up this morning with a baby in his arms... I mean, really // taking a walk along the Hudson and enjoying the sunshine before a tasty burger for lunch // the fact that I have almost a full day left here in NJ

New Jersey Trip.

New Years was the most interesting New Years we have ever had. The whole family sat down to have a delicious meal and then the guys and girls split to play their own kind of games. Guys, video games. Girls, card games. And with a little nephew sleeping upstairs we all quietly celebrated and laughed at how quiet the night actually was. I wouldn't change a thing though, it was absolutely perfect!

I pulled Peter away from the video games so we could take a picture.... 

below was his true response. ;) 

Seriously, the cutest little boy. love him! 

He was also interested in the video games like his Uncle Peter.

And our delicious meal for the night... 

We all got a big family picture which I love so much! Even if it is a little blurry... :)

The entire time in New Jersey was wonderful as always. From spending time with Peter's sisters and brother, his Mom & the cutest nephew in the whole wide world to all the aunties, uncles and cousins. It was just wonderful. I absolutely love to see all the new little babies that have joined the family in the past few years. It can be loud & crazy but I really wouldn't want it any other way. 

Holiday Littles.

With the hustle and bustle of November and December I find myself with an urgency for the little things. I try and notice them more and take them in. Really appreciate them for what they are. How they can make me smile, laugh and feel so thankful it hurts sometimes. We are so blessed and I don't want to overlook the blessings we have. Here are a few of the moments that made me very happy during the end of 2013.

watching Peter and my brother wrestle with the kids in the family after Thanksgiving dinner at my Mom's house // sending out cute Christmas Thank You Notes to the guests that brought me a hostess gift at the Ornament Exchange Party this year // the confused look on Peter's face when he heard Santa coming into my Grandma's house // opening gifts with my mom and Peter at her house on Christmas night while sipping on wine by the fireplace, so cozy and perfect // having a girls card game on New Year Eve with my sisters and feeling so thankful to have three of them now! 

The most beautiful weekend in New Jersey.

I honestly can't believe how perfect the weather was for the entire wedding weekend. The flowers and trees were blooming and the sun was shining the whole time. Jane was absolutely beautiful and Reinaldo was so handsome, they are gorgeous together! It was such a honor to be a part of their special day. The weekend was full of fun memories with all the family that I don't get to see enough of so I obviously had a blast and it went by way too quickly.

The bittersweet moment during every wedding weekend is that moment after the wedding at the hotel when everyone is so tired and we all just want to crash but we also can't stop talking and want to spend as much time together as possible. It really is something to be welcomed into such a loving family. After the fun weekend I am even more excited about our special weekend in September!!! I can hardly wait!