my stud-muffins

enough said.

Love, T

Fall Fun Night!!!

We had a fun family evening. We dressed the boys up, somewhat, not extravagant by anymeans...Enzo decided last minute, like yesterday morning that he DID want to dress-up. So, Joe headed out to the local Workwear Store and bought up a few things: carharts, a new work shirt, this is what Enzo calls my Dad's shirts, and a tool belt. We already had the other items, the hardhat and tools. He had fun getting dressed. Rocco was just along for the ride.

Our night was great, we loaded up, stopped in at my parents house, had some fresh, out-of-the-oven caramel corn (YUM!) and showed them the boys outfits. Then we left Rocco with Nonni & Papa and headed to a local community church where they were hosting a Fall Fun Party. Oh, this brought back the memories I had made as a kid. I had a great time exposing "E" to the wonderful world of Fall Fun Parties! Then back to Nonni & Papa's to pick up little brother and get our dinner-to-go...Mom made homemade teriyaki bowls. Again YUM! She made it like a downtown teriyaki joint, called Yak's in Fremont. It was sooooo good, I was soooooo hungry! Then we loaded up once again and were on our merry way.

As we pulled into our driveway, we one last group of kids, actually our favorite kids! Enzo and Rocco's cousins, Hannah, Raegan, and Julia. Pirates. Super cute pirates!!!

Hope you all had fun with your littles last night!

Love, T

stats



Rocco had his four month well child check today; good report from the doctor, who only stated the obvious, "growing boy." And he used the word ... perfect! What mama doesn't like to hear that? Rocco is 18 pounds and 5.5 ounces (90%) & 26 3/4 inches long (95%). He's a good eater, eating 6-7 times in a 24hour period. Naps like a champ, 3x's a day at 2 hours each. Nighttime, eh, pretty good. Not complaining, but I am still getting up to feed once (sometimes twice), and binky him once or twice. And no, moms I am not ready for him to cry it out. He sleeps a 13hour night. He sleeps like his big bro - TONS!

He's sweet & happy. Loves to watch Enzo do everything. Is laughing a lot in the past few weeks. Smiles huge, he lights up every time he sees people that are familiar. He grabs for his toys, clutches anything that he can get his hands on, and is still trying to roll over. He has done it 3x's total. I am not rushing this milestone. He's still swaddled when he sleeps, he prefers to be in a cocoon, tight. That's how he sleeps best. So, if he were to roll over then we wouldn't be able to continue to swaddle him, because we wouldn't want him getting stuck. And for now, the more we swaddle, the more we ALL sleep!

We love you Rocco. You are a gift, a treasure, and we are beyond blessed to have you in our arms. And We love you so.

Thank you Lord for my handsome boy. You are a giver of good gifts. And I love you Lord.

Love, T

punk-ins' & coco (imagine Enzo saying this)

Today we had a very fun morning. It was filled with pumpkins and hot chocolate, this fun time was held at the ever-so-popular Ristrettos of Maple Valley. It was really festive around there with hay bales, corn husks, and a 700 pound pumpkin! We told lots of friends and their moms about the event, so Enzo had lots of little friends (and his little girl cousins, of course) running around. We painted, played, and drank yummy drinks, and I got to visit briefly with all the mommies that came. Enzo picked out his paints, "boy paints" as he said, the colors were, blue, green, and navy. He finished his pumpkin, and then insisted on painting me one, with "girl colors" those colors were pink, purple, and yellow. He is one sweet boy, always thinking of his mama. It was a great time with just Enzo, Rocco stayed home, out of the blustery rain with his Nonni.

Love, T

p.s thank you Mom for watching Rocco, so Enzo and I could have a date!

playing catch-up

Here's what we have been up to the past 4 weeks, in just a few words:

 

Enzo had an allergic reaction to something unknown. He had hives for 4 weeks.

LBS started the new season, called Inspire. It lasts from September to May. And it's my lifeline.

One of my dearest friends lost her baby boy. He's with Jesus now.

We went to Disneyland with Joey's family.

We road-tripped to Arizona with my parents (we did this from Disneyland, not Seattle!)

My oldest niece had her SWEET 16.

My best friend had her son, Zephaniah.

Ristrettos opened.

My husband's second home is now Ristrettos.

I'm seeing a renewed passion and gift on my husband.

My second oldest niece turned 10.

We are still praying for my brother-in-law's complete restoration of health. This will be a miracle.

Plus, all the normal days in between which are filled with feeding, bathing, napping, playing, teaching, training, and creating...And REPEAT!

 

Love, T

ristrettos. the restaurant. my new house.

Ristrettos coffee & wine is the the happening place in Maple Valley. Monday, October 10th was the Grand Opening. Curtis & Michelle Lang are the proud owners of a stunning "hot spot" called Ristrettos. Curtis is the visionary and dreamer. Michelle is the organizer and planner and director. And their trusted sidekick, my hubby, is their 'mastermind' behind the menu. Joe and his Uncle Curtis have been talking about the launch of a restaurant for years now. At every family function, Uncle Curtis aka Biddy would say, "C'mon Joe lets do something, we gotta open something..." As most of you know food & presentation are Joey's passion. A talent, a gift. Joe has been spending hundreds of hours on this launch (no I am not exaggerating!) It has been an instant success. And the city of Maple Valley is thankful to the Langs for opening this place. "We needed something like this," is the quote of the week of the patrons of Ristrettos.

The restaurant. This is what I call it. Technically it is a coffee & wine bar serving everything from your favorite drink of choice to a delicious bottle of wine and everything in between. The in between is your bakery items for breakfast, which includes a panini made with nutella and marshmallow fluff, yes it is delicious with a rich smooth cup of joe. Side note: my drink of choice at the moment mine is the ever-classic m-o-c-h-a. When trying a new coffee place, I always see how the mocha is first, then on to other coffee drinks depending on my mood. My second drink of choice is a hot americano with steamed breve, and two pumps of coconut (thank you to my sister in law who turned me on to this!). Then you head into lunch & dinner at the restaurant, your options are panini sandwiches and salads, and a various selection of small plates. And then you choose your beverage, will you go with beer and wines, and special bottled non-alcoholic drinks? I recommend the red flight, especially the Layer Cake, oh yum. It is quite the place, and because my hubby is the 'mastermind' behind the menu, and is spending all his days and nights there training and executing the food, I have deemed it the restaurant.



My new house. This is what Enzo calls Ristrettos. Yesterday he and my mom, his Nonni were praying together, and she asked him what he wanted to pray for. He said my new house. And after much conversation, about 3 minutes of trying to figure out what he was talking about, he said, "we go and see daddy," We finally figured it out! He wanted to pray for his new house, Ristrettos. So they did. And then he wanted to go there, so for the third night this week, we got to see Daddy working and eat his yummy food.

It has been a very busy 11 days around here. We got back from vacation on the night of October 1st and the next day Joe went to Ristrettos and it seems has not come back! He is living out his passion, his dream. And I believe this is Joe's practice, or his minor league, only to prepare him for the big leagues, one day having his own place...

Love, T

p.s thank you Andrea for the pictures.

Preview

As you may or may not know, we went to Disneyland! We had a fabulous time, made life-long memories, and maxed out every minute of our time there. Here is one picture, and this was the highlight of our trip. Our son got to meet the one and only, Lightning McQueen, aka "ighting a-king" as Enzo calls him. Cars-land is not open until 2012, so they had Mater and Lightning set up to promo it, it was the real deal. It was more than enough for Enzo, it made his entire trip. He checked them out from bumper to bumper. Talked to them. Looked into their mouths. And tried crawling up on them. Needless to say, we will be going back real soon to see Radiator Springs and all its pals. Love, T



p.s. more to come about our Disneyland trip...