Jackie & Marc's Wedding

My good friend, Jackie, got married this weekend to Marc Armstrong. They met in Michigan for the OSU/Michigan game 4 years ago. Marc and Corey went to the SAME grade school in Batavia. Isn't that a small world? She called me the day she met him and I told her she was going to marry him! It was a beautiful wedding & I've never been to a poolside reception - it was pretty cool! Jackie was a beautiful bride. She sent me a text the day of the wedding telling me that there is a saying that you usually dream about what you are worried about the night before your wedding - well her dream was that Corey and I didn't show! What's funny about this is we scheduled a lunch date on Monday and I got the date mixed up and didn't show! I guess her dream was sort of right? Grammy & Poppy watched Luca all day and spent the night so we could enjoy their wedding day.

Like Father, Like Son

One of the qualities that I love about Corey is that he's a handy man. Corey can make anything and can put anything together. Luca wants to be just like his Papa. Luca had this little project that he got for his Bday and Corey and Luca worked on it together. Corey read the directions & Luca screwed all the pieces together to make this submarine. It was a Handy Manny Project which is one of Luca's favorite shows next to Yo Gabba Gabba. It came with a little screwdriver , "Turner." Luca also had a Phillips screwdriver and I was trying to teach him the difference between the two. I said this is a Phillps screwdriver and he said "My screwdriver not Phillips." I thought it was the funniest thing.


We are so lucky because he's such a good boy and it has been nice to spend some one on one time with him. We are very excited to pick up Olivia tomorrow - I think he misses her because he doesn't have someone following him around the house and to play with. He's been asking me "Mommy come me, play train?" He's so loving and caring and we are blessed to have him in our life.

One On One Time

Yes, I know...it's 90 degrees out and he's wearing his snow boots! He actually took a nap with his boots on without us knowing! He's so silly!


When my parents were here this weekend my Mom asked us if they could take the kids So they are spending some time with Olivia for the week. It should be good for her since she's very attached to Corey and I. Luca is loving the one on one time and all the attention we've been giving him all week. Here he is at Katie's pool for another playdate.

I also took him to a Lolli-Pops Concert but it was postponed. Good thing it was at a park because he ended up playing instead.

Luca would go down the slide and yell "I did it!"

Waiting his turn patiently- I was so proud.

He was a little apprehensive at first but then couldn't stop going down the slide!

Last year he LOVED this splash pad. I remember when we had to go he had a fit because he didn't want to leave. This year, he had no interest - he's so concerned about getting water in his eyes we think it's due to a bad experience in the bath when he got soap in his eyes. Now he hates getting his hair wet.

He's always so considerate, thoughtful and very polite. The other day we made homemade donuts which he LOVES and he noticed that Papa was finished and he said more donuts for Papa please. He also loves his monkey and I asked him if I could hold his monkey and he said no, then this morning when he woke up he came into our room and laid in bed with us to watch cartoons, he gave me his monkey and said "here momma."

Baby Elle's Baptism

Baby Elle on her baptism. She's adorable!


The cousins eating Grammy's famous pitzells.

Olivia giving Elle a kiss.

I found out today from Elle's Grandma that the dress she wore is 47 years old. It's been worn by all the Caserta's, even her Dad, Kevin.

Elle's always smiling for her Aunty JoJo

The Caserta's. This pic was taken by Luca...impressive.

The Andres

The Caserta Family - growing!

Elle's Godparents, Cara and Tom.

Luca posing before going into church.

Giving his sister a big kiss.

Olivia smiling at GOD.

Our family.

I have to share this story. Corey is always doing push-ups at home. Today when I was checking on Luca, when he was supposed to be taking a nap, he was on the floor trying to do push-ups just like his Papa. So cute!

Me and my little man. He's getting so big.

Seven Years Ago...

Our Anniversary was 7 years ago on July 5th. The date - July 5th is pretty special because it was when Corey proposed in 2002, when we got married in 2003, and when I told Corey we were pregnant with Luca in 2007. My parents watched the kids on Saturday so we could celebrate at Oceans Club - one of our favorite restaurants.

Happy Birthday Nonno!

My Dad turned 73 today! He asked us to celebrate with him in Michigan but traveling with 2 kids for 3 hours is challenging. There is so much to pack and bring and the kids just don't like being in the car for 3 hours and it's just really stressful. I told them they could come here so they celebrated with my sister & brother in Michigan last night and with us today.


Luca loves Birthday parties!

Especially the cake part....he obviously couldn't wait to get into the cake.

1st Ice Cream Cone

Olivia and Luca had their very 1st mini ice cream cone. Olivia loved it. Luca not so much.

A special thanks goes to Tremont Electric for buying our kids their 1st ice cream cone.




Luca wasn't a fan and wasn't interested in getting messy.


She looks like she's becoming a little girl in this picture. I love her in red!

Her favorite show - Yo Gabba Gabba

Going for a dip in the pool

It's been so hot that we all went into the baby pool!


Luca thought it was fun to pour the water on me.

I wonder where he learned that from?

I Love Watermelon!

There isn't a lot of fruits that Olivia likes but she definitely LOVES watermelon. She ate three wedges today after her lentil soup lunch. It's funny because I craved watermelon when I was pregnant with her. What is also funny is that she still has NO teeth! Luca had his first tooth one week before his 1st Bday but still no teeth for Olivia but she insists on brushing her teeth because she sees her brother doing it. She does a lot of things her brother does. The other day Corey gave her milk and she signed thank you. We haven't taught her that but she learned by watching her brother!

So this little bathing suit cover-up she's wearing is size 0 to 3 months! It's a little snug and doesn't cover her bootie but I still had her wear it today. This was one of those impulse buys after I found out I was having her when I was pregnant. I thought it was the cutest cover-up. She never used it when she was 0 to 3 months because I never put her in the pool. I figured I had to have her get some use out of it or I would've felt a little guilty for it not to be used. I can't believe it even fit over her head!

Our 1st 4th of July Parade!

Happy 4th of July!

Olivia committing her 1st crime...ripping the United States Flag!

It was so cute to watch Luca wave back to all the people in the parade.

Luca being all patriotic.

That's one big Birthday Cake!

This was our favorite float.


It even had Brutus the Buckeye on the end of this long trailer!

Luca liked this Old Fashioned Firetruck.

There were a lot of these.

We thought this was pretty creative.

Luca found Papa's old motorcycle helmet and put it on him.

It's so big on him that he looks like an astronaut!

Since I've lived in Columbus I've never been to a parade here so this was my 1st one as well as the kids. Luca and Olivia seemed to enjoy it. I just remember when I was a little the parades had a lot more floats and kids throwing candy. At this parade, I got a Buckeye thrown at me! Maybe they knew I was from Michigan? We aren't going to brave going to the fireworks shows this year. They all start at 10pm which is too late for the kids. Maybe next year? Happy 4th!