Today I had to start making apple pies already — Bethany even went and got some of the ingredients!  I only made a few, and one is almost gone.  I will be making pies all month now with all the apples we picked!  I LOVE my apple pie recipe and have it to a science how I like it, and it’s my kids favorite apple pie now too!  It is SUCH A CHORE to make them, but everyone LOVES them….

One of our fav traditions:  Colasantis!  As you can see, Hannah and Gabe, Nina and Matt, Bethany and Mike and Rachel all agree!  What an amazing day together with my amazing family.  I look around me here and don’t have to go far to count my many blessings.  Each and every person is such a blessing.  I get a kick out of just watching everyone!  We first go apple picking, then to Colasantis, the petting farm and good eats, then to…

Off to Palm Desert, CA for a trip that even my wildest expectations cannot compare to how wonderful it is.  Just to be with Laurie and Michael is such a blessing.  We love them so much.  We have so much fun, laughing, hiking, tennis,….  from side splitting times to deep conversations, all the while doing what we ALL love MOST — There isn’t a moment on this trip that I don’t just appreciate beyond belief!  See more pictures here:  Palm…

Marathon Day — started off beautiful, but HOT.  But everyone made it!  Christa and Hannah came across first, followed closely by Bethany, then Jesse (who ended up ripping 3/4 way through his miniscus), then Mike, then Gabe.  See the whole story at their running blog:  Girgenti Runners.  Sadly, I never saw Jesse, Mike or Gabe!  So no pics of them!  But they’re still marathoners and heros as far as I’m concerned!  See tons of pictures here: Chicago Marathon Slideshow

Walked all over Chicago.  Went to dinner at Luxe’s and met up with Shalene, Diane, Greg, Angie and her friend Carly.  Then some people went to a movie, and a few of us went back to the Expo. Mike and I went to Garrat’s Popcorn and waited in a very long line for some amazing popcorn. Then everyone went home early to get some rest and to get ready for the big day tomorrow!

First got to Chicago and walked TEN miles while waiting for everyone to come!  Later in the day everyone starting arriving, and we all got together and ate at the Cheesecake Factory and shopped around.  Then we went to the expo.  It was Gary and I, Jesse and Amber, Gabe and Hannah, Mike and Bethany, Christa, and Grant.  Although Shalene was there with her parents and Angie and a friend, we didn’t see them Friday night.

Tony called Bethany and Mike to come and look at an amazing house at an amazing deal in St. Clair Shores.  Tony came there and we toured the house.  It WAS great.  Although Bethany & Mike didn’t end up getting it, I know it sparked their interest big time.  It was fun to tour it, and later Bethany and Mike DID find a house!  (See Mike & Bethany’s blog!)

Jessie and Kaylee came and took me to one of my FAV restaurants:  Da Francesco’s.  We had a fabulous dinner.  Kaylee made me TWO cards! PLUS a bird house and ladybug!  It was a special time with Jessie & Kaylee!

It was amazing to me to have all my kids at my Church for my birthday!  I was SO HAPPY to look down the row and see everyone, that I almost BURST…  After that we all went out to dinner at Maggiano’s and then watched the Truth Project at our house.  A perfect day with some amazing people I am privileged to have as my children and their “significant others”!

I get to share my birthday month with my darling adopted niece Kaylee.  She is so adorable!  She is smart and loving and kind.  I love spending time with her!  Look at this FACE — how could you ever refuse her anything?!  At my house, she is allowed to do ANYTHING and I tell her she is the PRINCESS! Here we are at Kaylee’s birthday party.  The only sad thing was I had to leave QUICKLY because I had a…