My Beautiful Sister

Here are some better pics of Annie and Rob. Look at her! She is so beautiful and so happy!

The Wedding Revealed

The only way to share this special event with you is in pictures. Annie was so beautiful, and Rob was totally in love. So many of their friends and family were there to share this day with them. It was perfect in every way. We are so happy for Mr. and Mrs. Rob and Annie Ochoa!

The kids did an amazing job with our traveling and late nights, but we ask that you pray for little Nate who has the flu, croup, and an ear infection since we got home Tuesday. We will post more pics as we get them. Love you all!

Daddy helping Nick try on his suit at the tux store.

Am I handsome or what?

Along with Annie and Rob being in love, Nicholas found a little love of his own. The flower girl, Rob's niece Isabella, instantly became Nick's best buddy. She and he were quite the pair the whole weekend. They had fun at the rehearsal dinner!

Let's party-- the rehearsal is over!

This girl is so funny!

Cheese from Nicholas.

Cheese from Isabella.

The baby was strapped to Matt for pretty much the entire weekend.
The scary part is how much he looks like Matt's baby pictures!

Nick and GaGa. What a pair indeed!

The Maresca girls!

The oldest of friends.

On the day of the wedding, I was off with Annie and the girls getting ready. Matt had the daunting task of getting himself and the two boys ready for the wedding. I was so surprised to see he captured them in pictures before the event. My husband is the best!

Ok ladies, I am almost ready to party!

The strapping ring bearer!

The two finest boys!

Does this not look like the front of a wedding card?
You know, the ones with the cute little kids in love on the front?
TOO CUTE!

I am going to do such a good job Daddy!

My camera was not cooperating in the church, so there are limited pictures from the actual wedding. When I receive some good ones, I will post those. For now, here is what I have.

Here they come, hand in hand.

How precious are these two?
They walked so slow and so perfect.

The unity candle

The Fine Family

The new family!

Nate with his cheeks and bowtie!

The girls.

Part of the bridal party.

Annie and Nick dancing.

Nick obviously having the time of his life.

I will post a video tomorrow, but Nate slept on Matt during the live band playing latino music.
Seriously?!!

The Maresca Girls Part 2.
Cousins!

The cake cutting.

Nate and his mommy!

Nate and his daddy!

Nick dancing with Gaga.

Finally, pajama time! Yahoo! Out of my tux!

Shirt out of pants but I still want to dance!

Shoes off, lying down, we are done!

Getting ready....

Well, the time has come for my little sister to get married. We leave on a jet plane tomorrow with two sick kids, two carseats, three carry-ons, three suitcases, one mommy, and one very strong Daddy to carry everything. We are very excited to welcome Uncle Rob officially into the crazy Maresca clan, although he has already been a part of us for a very long time. Nicholas is ready to carry the rings down, and I am ready to see my sister the most beautiful she has ever been. I think we are ready for Annie to officially become Annie Maresca Ochoa. Wow, I am going to cry already....... pictures to come.

What I Have Learned this Valentine's Day

I have learned a few things about life and myself this Valentine's Day.

First, all holidays are made better with children, even the most "romantic" day of the year. Nate woke up at 5:45 AM and fell back to sleep on me after I changed his diaper. My "littlest" Valentine sure loves his mommy. Nicholas woke up at 6:30 AM and I put Nate back in his crib to sleep. Nick and I went downstairs to the table I had set for his Valentine Day. A simple plastic red tablecloth, Valentine balloon, and Valentine cards and paper plates set the table. Nicholas declared the balloon the best gift of all and proceeded to tell me over and over that "the table was the most beautiful table he ever saw." My "medium" Valentine was made happy with some of the simplest decorations. Finally, my "biggest" Valentine slept in on Valentine morning. And I hope that it was one of the best presents I could give to my husband who works so hard to take care of us.

Second, I am officially all Italian-- I showed my love for Nicholas through every food given to him during the day. The way to a little man's heart is through his stomach.

Breakfast was heart shaped pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes. Don't think I stood over a griddle all morning. I used the frozen pancakes I had made a few weeks ago and cut them into hearts.



Lunch was chocolate and marshmallow sandwiches. If there are two things that Nicholas loves, it is chocolate and marshmallow. It was the easiest lunch I have made in a while, but too bad it isn't healthy because he won't be eating this again for lunch until next Valentine's Day.



Finally, dinner was the best. I made meatballs and spaghetti- Nicholas's favorite. I used a cookie cutter to make the meatballs into hearts and baked them in the oven. He was in heaven.




The last thing I have learned this Valentine's Day is that it doesn't take much to make my family happy. But I will do anything I have to do to show them how much I love them.

Happy Valetine's Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Nate's Sitting Up!

Besides both boys being sick this week, Nate has begun to sit up without support! This is a great milestone because it means playing takes on a whole new meaning! I am really excited about this, because I can carry him and put him down anywhere with a few toys and he is happy. Nicholas did not sit up until 9 months (remember, he was a preemie!) so Nate accomplishing this at 5 1/2 months is great news for Mommy!



Our friend Luke turned one this past week. Here are some cute shots from his party!

Aren't those cheeks the best you have ever seen?

Being a shy boy for the camera!

Happy Birthday Luke!

Valentine's Day at School

Today was Nick's Valentine's Day party at school. He of course was dressed for the event. Mommy could not help but dress Nate for the day as well.

I love kisses!

Look Nate!

This is too funny- Nick is teasing Nate with all of his treats!