My friend Barb Werner hosted a Baby Shower for me this weekend. She really outdid herself with fabulous food and super fun games! Baby bingo, baby lotto, and baby scratch-off. (BTW, my Granny would have LOVED these games...the little gambler that she was!) The entire event was so fun. Ramiro and I are beyond blessed with amazing family and friends that are so supportive and generous. And yes, I did have one small breakdown during the shower. I couldn't help it. I started unwrapping gifts, and I couldn't stop thinking about our Birthmom. She is the reason I was even opening those gifts, and she holds a very, very special place in our hearts. Because of her, Ramiro and I will soon be a Mommy & Daddy. :) I just had to take a moment to acknowledge her, and of course the tears started flowing. Pretty sure my hormones are vicariously carrying the baby with her...doesn't take much to drop a tear these days! Here are few highlights from the day. ;-)

It all started with Allen (Barb's son) riding in the back of Rome's truck with 30 pink and purple balloons...priceless! Lucky for him, the ride was only around the block.

Yep...it was caught with a digital shot. The beginning of the breakdown. I'm going to be a HOT MESS during the delivery...geez!!!

From my Aunt Gin and Uncle Peter. She always gets me crosses...it's our thing. :)

Barb's husband, Pat, recently deployed to Iraq for 12 months. He picked out this dress for Baby Girl before he left...how sweet is that???

The flower was with some of the wrapping...couldn't help but rock it behind the ear. ;-)

What a blessing! God has placed some amazing people in my life...no doubt.

So a few of us Aviano couples headed to the Ca' Bruzzo winery in Vicenza for a winery tour, tasting, and dinner. It's actually an organic winery, so I thought that was pretty cool.

Barb, my childhood friend that lives in Vicenza, met us there with some of her friends. An evening of good wine, good food, and good company....good times!

Aviano crew: Todd & Stephanie...Kate & Mike...Me & Rome

Rome finishing off the last appetizer...they were to DIE for! Pretty sure I can replicate them at home. ;-)

Me and Stephanie...

...and with Barb.

We celebrated our friend Kate's 40th birthday tonight. Good friends...good food...good times. It could only have been better if Ramiro were there.

Me with sweet baby Lucas...my friend Becca's baby.

The birthday girl with her family.

Valentine's Day & Carnevale

Today is Valentine's Day, and Ramiro is TDY...bummer! So I decided to go to Venice with my girlfriend and her daughter to celebrate Carnevale. Carnevale is the Italian festival celebrated 40 days before Easter. Venice, especially, is known for their masks and costumes. I'm glad I can say I've attended Carnevale in Venice, but once is enough for me. Kind of like Mardi Gras...been there, done that...don't care to do it again. WAY too crowded!!! Here are a few pics from the day.

"Painted" masks were everywhere...

Of course I had to get one! BTW, that's supposed to be Charger blue and gold, but the blue and gold made green...oh, well. ;-)

Look at the sea of people...we battled these crowds all day. :(

The costumes were spectacular, and the people would just stop and pose.

Yep, that's a stuffed animal on top of her head...not sure what that was about...yikes!

Stephanie, Macey Jean, and myself...waiting to get in to the Hard Rock.

Arrivederci 2009...

Wishing all of our family and friends a 2010 that is full of surprises, adventure and blessings! Happy New Year everyone!

Friends, Farewell and Football...

We had a fun and busy weekend. Dinner and a movie Friday night. (Blind Side was really good and I highly recommend it.) Saturday night was a Farewell for Jimmy....a young Airman in Rome's squadron. He's PCSing back to the states....lucky duck! And last, but not least, was the Chargers/Cowboys game on Sunday night. Friends of ours are die-hard Cowboy fans, so we've been waiting for this game all season. Here are a few pics from the weekend....good times! Oh, by the way, the Chargers were VICTORIOUS over the Boys! (In case you didn't know...;-) )

Rome and a little bit of beer.

Todd's throwing up "five" to remind us that the Boys have won 5 Super Bowls. Ya, ya, ya...ours is coming!

Christmas Party...'09

MOS (Rome's squadron) had their Christmas Party last weekend...good times. My plan was to browse the room with my camera...didn't happen. Here's a few from the night.

The restaurant was beautifully decorated. Trees decorated like this are typically not seen in our rural area of Italy...gorgeous!

The Hubbards...Troy works with Rome.

Not sure what's going on here, but Rudoloph is behind me and I'm apparently giving someone a serious scolding...LOL. :)