Rangers vs. Buffalo

A few weeks after my 30th birthday, a friend treated me to tickets to a New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres hockey game at Madison Square Garden - deemed the World's Most Famous Arena. A first time visit for me and even though we couldn't catch a Flyers game, I absolutely loved the experience. I sported my Rangers blue even though my friend was rooting for Buffalo and technically so was I . A win, which happened, was encouraged to help the Flyers' chance for the playoffs.

During the game, my friend, who experienced a behind-the-scenes tour a few days before, filled us in on some minor details of MSG's Transformation. But more in-depth details, photos and videos of the three year large-scale renovation project can be found on the MSG Transformation website.

I plan on making a second visit very soon - but maybe for a Sixers/Knicks game this time.  

Becoming a Teenager

I can't believe 13 years ago, my little (and oldest) niece was brought into this world. My post about her 12th birthday last year was complete with photos from when she was just a little tyke until our joint birthday celebration. I have absolutely loved watching her grow each day and every year. Through the ups and downs, I have bonded with my fellow March baby more than probably anyone - I mean, she is pretty much like me, which is a little scary as well as wonderful.
This year, since Olivia was becoming a teenager, I stopped at Bredenbeck's Bakery in Chestnut Hill to pick up some signature cupcakes. We love trying new bakeries (for us!) and enjoy decorative cupcakes. I also wanted to hit up a local bakery that generously donates to The Eye Institute's "Looking Out for Kids" charity fundraiser each year. Here are just a couple shots of the fabulous creations and Liva blowing out her candles.

My two nieces, Abby, and Olivia - Abby wanted to help Liv blow out her candles as all little kids love. 

Birthday Bash

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." 

- Oprah Winfrey

I LOVE birthdays - no, not just my own, but I absolutely LOVE celebrating birthdays and all the fun that goes along with them. That being said, for my 30th birthday, I celebrated before my actual birthday - March 1st - until basically the beginning of April (if you count the delayed gifts!). My first celebration was a trip to Atlantic City with a bunch of friends and family - I mean, you can't go wrong in AC, right?! Dinner at Phillips Seafood at The Pier Shops at Caesars followed with some dancing at Providence in the Tropicana were just a couple highlights. Adding friends and family to the mix made my 30th absolutely perfect!

 My first drink was a mojito - yum!

My best girlfriends! 

Gina and Mike surprised me and I was super excited as a result!

 My cousin Jenn and sister-in-law Diane!

Apparently, I kept telling everyone I loved them, which I do. I mean, they are simply the best!

 My pseudo brother and my actual big brother, Joey!

 Liz and Leo

From my 21st birthday to my 30th, my sister-in-law and brother always go all out!

The girls in the development office at Salus University surprised me with a small office celebration complete with flowers - the first flower picture below - and chocolate cake. On my actual birthday, I woke up to flowers and cards from my parents and then I spent the morning at Rizzieri Spa in Marlton, NJ - using a very old gift card. I must say it was probably the most intense massage EVER, which was wonderful! A fabulous brunch at Green Eggs Cafe, 1306 Dickinson Street, with two great friends - Stacey and Donny - followed by some tanning and shopping was how I spent my afternoon along with a trip to the nail salon with my niece Olivia. Later that night, my best friend, Eva, and I enjoyed dinner at a cute little Italian place not too far from home and she baked me an oreo cake - yum! She even sang "Happy Birthday" to me in the parking lot, which was classic! Love her!

Birthday Flowers

I enjoyed another celebration the weekend of my birthday with family after coming home from my friend's bridal shower. Kiddies and cake were the best part of that Sunday.

Fabulous at 50

My mom's youngest sister, Racheal (better known as Aunt Shell), who celebrated her 50th birthday March 25th threw a brunch the following weekend at Ristorante Toscana Wood Fired Grill in Cherry Hill for family and friends. Enjoying a few hours with family while savoring wonderful food was absolutely perfect for a festive birthday!
Several weeks before, my mom had an idea to compile an album with photos from when they (including their six brothers and sisters) were kids until the present day as part of her present. We instantly started rummaging through family photo albums and a case of old photos from my grandparents' house. After choosing a couple dozen photos, we scanned them and I started editing and correcting the colors (remember, some of the images were old).
When this step was complete, we uploaded them to Walgreens.com and put the photo pages together for a 50th birthday book, which my mom thought my aunt would absolutely love. And, she did! The album was passed around during the brunch while my aunt narrated and the siblings reminisced.
Here are just a couple of the old-school photos - it was so nice to go back in time, identify everyone and relive parts of their lives through my mother's stories.

My grandfather and Aunt Racheal on her First Birthday

My Mom and Aunt Racheal 

My two aunts and mom with their grandfather

Pictures of the whole clan...the first is just of the eight siblings and my grandparents.

My parents' wedding - circa 1973 

My aunt also ordered a fabulous cake from Haddonfield's Pretty Sweet Bakery. The two-tiered cake, which was NOT covered in fondant, but buttercream icing (can you even tell?), was a layer of carrot cake and a layer of chocolate. The icing was just right - not too sweet - and the cake was extremely moist, which is the reason why I would recommend Pretty Sweet Bakery for any celebration.

Yum!

Happy 50th Birthday Aunt Shell!

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