The Aftermath....

Yes..

THIS.... is what I woke up to the next morning...For a minute there I thought they were spiders.. The after math of the party was showing on just about everyone..

Yet the party wasn't over yet... We had a boat load of Canadians coming over for lunch...

So we had to get the party started all over again..
How do you do that?...
Food.... of course.
All that dancing and carrying on makes you hungry the next day... so much so... it makes your hair stand up straight !!

Of course the younger generation seems to hold up a little better

I said YOUNGER generation...

It was so good seeing everyone again..Why do we wait so long in between?...
A perfect day to enjoy the weather .... and the company.
Isabella.. ( I could eat her up with a spoon ! )
Laura.. I would use a fork for her...
Two Geminis in a huddle.. THIS could be bad...

Mamma was still in party mode too..
Raising a glass to it all

Than explaining...

"Disa no Vacca... Dis justa watta"
"Eh God Blessa evebody"
" I No kiddy.. itsa justa watta..."
"If my Mamma says it's just Watta... it's just Watta..!!"
Some people had every right to be tired.. I mean they are getting up there..

Others did not...
There's those two again...
Julia... and her sexy specs..
In the meantime.. Mo and I got Up Close... and
Personal..He thinks he has more hair on his chest than me....

Ha... Everyone knows a Menopausal Italian woman can beat that any day....

Right Sam?...
Ok.. I understand .. You just want to play golf ... and stay out of it..

Fair enough... what do YOU think Melinda?...

I know I know.. You married into ONE CRAZY FAMILY... never mind

Hey look.. it's Luca...

And .... Luca...

They are almost like BROTHERS from different MOTHERS..

Speaking of Mothers.. here is Luca #1's Mother..

Yakking it up with Sal...

Discussing the joys of being a Southern Italian as a opposed to being a Northern Italian...

Represent Sal...

Represent

Yes.. that is what the day after looked like.. Alot like the day before .. only in casual clothes..
Food.. Family.. and Friend(s)... Not too shabby..

Before I knew it.. I was saying good bye to all the kinfolk as they headed off to uncharted territory...

The Outlet Mall... and than home..

It was great seeing you all.. You clean up nice..

We can't wait to see you again in August.. so rest up!!!

A couple of days later..We had MORE relatives over..

Mr R's Sister and her significant other...

He was so happy to be seeing his baby sister and Michael...
Even if he IS from England...

I think the discussion was about accentuating your unique skills..

However... This.. Is not one of them..Poor Melissa.. I can almost hear the conversation in her head..

"Am I REALLY ready to join this family?"

Wait.. there IS Nana.. that counts for something good...

Yes Michael.. we are a crazy "Lot"

But that's just the way we roll..
Mr R couldn't have been happier...such a great weekend.

His daughter married and happy..

His son on the verge of getting married..

Plus....

He got to see extended family for a bit...
What's not to be happy about?

I have said it before.. I will say it again..

WE ARE BLESSED..

Look out August..

He's a coming...

We can't wait for Martin and Melissa's Big Bash !!!

Wedding.... Part II

There were no pictures during the ceremony.. (Other then the photographer)
Suffice to say it was all beautiful.

Once they come in I hope to show them here as well...


Until then.....A sneak peak at the family portraitAs well as the extended Family from Canada...
( Where's the Tim Horton's? )The new groom
Maria getting a little help from Aunt Lina with her dress...after all you can't do the hustle until you fix the bustle
Our beautiful bridesmaid Heather..Just Two words....... PARTY BUS !!!They don't call it a party bus for nothing ya know....Heather trying to get all Spielberg with the Camera.. Karen and Marty seem to be yucking it up as Melissa probably wonders how she got into this mess..
Deuce (Tom Mike's Brother in law) Jen (Mike's Sister) Heather and Alkie KarenJovo and Jake join Deuce in what can only be an AMEN...Maid of Honor and Best Man Mandy and TomKristen... Pimping with her shades.. Deuce.. Once a Chippendale dancer... Has given up that crazy job and now prefers to watch Chip and Dale with his son..Suburban Gangstas..Flashing the infamous double peace sign.. and Duck lips..Mandy is from the same hood it seems..That's my girl... such a party animal...Hey.. watch out.. you two are next !!!!The party arrived at the golf course for picturesSome pictures were taken... that is until the torrential downpour...

It only lasted a short while... and then the sun came out again...It's Ok....You're still looking good...


Waiting to make their grand entrance...( and trying to dry off)Glimpse of the table..After dinner.... Mike & Maria wasted no time in greeting her guests.. here we have the lovely Tina and Jessica.... Cousins from the great white north.. Toronto.. eh..Here is Julia.... also from the big TMartin and Michael.. these two hadn't seen each other in years.. In fact all these beautiful people grew up together...The only ones missing in the shot are Maria and Courtney ( Courtney is a nurse and busy making people in Tennessee feel better.. we missed you Court)

Sara with Maria.....Sara is my Goddaughter..
Her Mother is Maria's Godmother..it's a little confusing I know.
Ahhh speak of the devil.. and there she isposing here with her goddaughter Maria and her new Husband Michael...

Grazia.. also known as Aunt Ya Ya.. is my "BEST FRIEND" ( See Gra.. it's in writing)

( As a baby....My son couldn't say her name correctly ... it came out sounding like Ya Ya..

It stuck)

Here Ya Ya is with another dear friend Aunt Lesley.. she is just known as Aunt Lesley.. no pronunciation issues here..Her daughter Courtney (the one MIA ) is Mr R's goddaughter..To confuse you even more... I can tell you that Lesley's husband..Uncle Don.. is Godfather to our son... I know .. I know....it is one big baptismal conglomeration... and we love it...These are some of the dearest people to us.. We celebrated birthdays with each other for years and years.. each one of our kids turned out so wonderful..and we are so happy they could share the day with us... (L to R Mr R Emily Aunt Lesley Michael Maria Andy Aunt Marcy Aunt Ya Ya and Sara )

Speaking of good friends.. here we have Mrs G or Bridget along with Ya Ya.. Brig and I were neighbors from way back.. like since the kids were born.. Her daughter Kristen is a member of the bridal party.. ( You know.... the sassy blond flashing the peace sign.. & Duck lips again)Can you tell we are a little bit happy?

But....Why do they have to grow up??Heather here has been around since the 3rd grade.. She kinda grew on us..and we grew to love her.... As you can see.. after dinner things started to let loose...And how...Heather &Tom ( Mikes Brother and Best Man.. Working it with my niece Jenna..)
Shake her... don't break her... Before you knew it.. the entire crowd was in on the Y. M.C.A.

IN FULL GARB....
Jess and my other goddaughter..Teresa.. These Canadians are hardcore....
Take a look at the lashes.. they are ALMOST as long as Matteo's .. only his are real.I must say though.....The Americans are pretty hardcore too !My brother whipping his youngest Dante around like a rag doll... Laurel and I Showing them how it's really done.BAM !!! Maria and her MOH... doing it up..Again with those party animals..

Stell shaking what her Mamma gave her... I see My nephew Luca was AMAZING.. He has MAD DANCE SKILLZ
All I know is I was so happy.....I walked around the entire night with this stupid grin on my face.Everyone seemed to be having a great time.. and even though the little ones were exhausted.. they stayed up till the end... Well done young ones... Well done..

This....

Is what the entire day seemed like to me..

A complete blur.. and yet as I stood at the back of the room.. and took in how there were more people on the dance floor than there were at tables.. I could feel my heart almost coming out of my chest..

( Not only because I had been dancing non stop for hours.. although that may have had some part in it...)

It was mainly because I relized that ALMOST everyone I love was in that room..

They were having a great time.. and sharing our joy.

All I could think was .. How did I get so fortunate in life?... to be born into such a wonderful family.. to have married such a wonderful man... To have not one but two amazing childeren.. and now to be surroounded with so many people I love and who love me..

I wanted to cry from all the happiness..

The only thing that could have made this night any better for me is if her grandfather and grandmother were with us...

I know they were in spirit.. but my mother in law could really shake a leg... I would have loved to shared a dance with her..

My fathers face would be glowing from the same happiness I could feel rushing through me... Instead I closed my eyes and just said THANK YOU GOD... I am blessed.

THIS GIRL...

has always had my heart..

But...I will share her with Mike.. only because I know he will love and protect her like I would..

How DID I get so blessed?

Thank you to everyone who shared this specieal day with us.. either in person or in thought. It meant more than you could know.

THUS ENDS the LOVE FEST !!!

at least for now....