Clearwater, FL

Erin Go Bragh

Even though they skipped last year, Freddy and Maia once again threw a green-tastic St. Patrick's Day party with lots of green and Irish colored treats and food. Everyone sported their green gear and joined in the Irish spirit.

Sugar cookies with shamrocks and graham crackers iced with Ireland's colors.  

Even Cleo, their dog, joined in on the festive fun.

The tasty treats were followed by a minty drink, made especially by Lori.

Happy St. Patrick's Day (Weekend!)

Happy 12th Birthday!

With so many cute pictures of my oldest niece, I couldn't choose just one to say Happy 12th Birthday! Wow, it was only yesterday she was crawling around (and this blog has taken super long to actually finish because I needed to purchase more space!)

As any one who knows me knows, I love my nieces and nephews - they are the absolute BEST!

Happy Birthday to my Liva...one more year until you're a teenager! Yikes!

First Halloween and Thanksgiving

Wasn't she adorable?

Summer at the Beach...she LOVES it there, still!

My high school graduation...so cute!

And, then came Joseph...September 2002.

She loved being a big sister!

Easter in Lancaster

Matching shirts at a Baltimore Orioles Game when they lived in Maryland.

2007-2008

School year

Happy 12th Birthday

Love,

Aunt Lexy



Olivia's MB Night

My niece, Olivia, wasn't able to come to Max Brenner the night of my birthday so we headed there once again to celebrate her birthday a week later. Once our night was finished, she said she doesn't know how we don't come back everyday - I think that's a testament to Max Brenner's yumminess!
This time though, we only had dessert.
We split Peanut Butter Chunky Chocolate Crepes and Crispy Chocolate Eggrolls and the three adults had coffee while Liva enjoyed a milkshake in a fun 'drink me' ceramic glass (which I later purchased).

Crepes with caramel sauce, bananas foster and a dollop of ice cream

Crispy Chocolate Eggrolls 

Liva and I before she bought her chocolate pecan truffles

Sixers

After scoring four box seat tickets to the March 6th game against the Golden State Warriors, I thought either my niece or nephew would love to attend. After celebrating Olivia's birthday decoupage party and a full birthday weekend, she was partied out so Joseph opted to go instead. The little guy was extremely excited and couldn't wait to leave.
The three Joes and I headed over the bridge in a torrential downpour to watch Iggy and the Sixers. Weather aside, the game was nail biting and went down to the last few seconds as the Sixers beat the Warriors 125 to 117.

On the way to the game.

It was during this short ride that my godson, Joseph, made several quotable comments including the outrageousness of the bridge toll cost.

Huddle!

Cheering on the team and hoping they win.

Raising his arms to score a t-shirt!

Let's Go Sixers!

Decoupage Party

Since visiting Mosaic Mojo in the beginning of February, Olivia kept mentioning she wanted to have a decoupage birthday party. That being said, we decided to pick up the supplies including a couple packs of brushes, various tissue paper designs, modpodge glue, paint and lots of different wooden objects. We set up two tables to start the artsy fun time. It took me forever to finish my mini-suitcase, while some of the younger girls completed their projects ever so quickly.

More details and photos to come...

Red Velvet Birthday Cupcakes

Courtesy of Aversa's Bakery

Olivia LOVES them!

Finished decoupage products

I think she liked the tray I made at Mosaic Mojo!

Cousins



March Birthdays

I might have mentioned this before, but my niece, Olivia, and I celebrate our birthdays each year with a joint birthday dinner. Sometimes I pick the place, but this year she chose the spot. After dining at Riverwinds Restaurant in Deptford, NJ back in December for her mom's birthday and loving it, she wanted to go there again for OUR birthday. And, so we did!

Although I chose something more unusual for my main course this time around - tuna steak with thai noodles - it really didn't matter what or where we ate. That being said, I still have to say the food is generally fabulous. Last time, I had the pork chop and it was absolutely delicious!

But, more than anything, I just always love hanging with the majority of the clan (and Liv's friend).  Plus, Liv and I always have the same taste in dessert, which is wonderful especially since we usually share. While waiting for our main course and after enjoying our tasty calamari and seafood appetizers, we had ample time to snap some photos. 

Liva and Me

The Abate Family

(Joseph LOVES his big cheese!)

Mom, Joseph and Dad 

Me and Joe  

Joey, Diane and Joseph 

Liva and her rich chocolate cake - yummy! 

Olivia and her friend Anna, who joined us for dinner 

Grandparents 

Joe, Me and my niece and nephew

 

So, I'm missing a photo of the girls in front of the 'Riverwinds' sign. Hopefully, I'll be able to update it soon.

But, when all was said and done, I love sharing birthday festivities with my Liva. She's literally like a 'mini-me' in more ways than one especially when it comes to personality - yikes!

  

More birthday festivities to come...