Happy 1st Birthday Dylan!

We decided to do a little celebration for Dylan's first birthday with my family before we left for GA since they won't be around for his actual birthday (luckily it's on Thanksgiving and he will have Grandma, Pop Pop & Uncle Peter here to celebrate with)! On Halloween night we had the family at my moms for pizza, salad, ice cream cake (awesomely made by Maria's brother Justin), cupcakes (compliments Maria of course!) and adorable cookies Maria had made! I was so lucky and happy to spend our last night home with my whole family! I am going to miss them all so much - there were lots of hugs and lots of crying when we were leaving! I was a mess! Most importantly Dylan got a nice party with lots of love around!

Can't wait to celebrate my big fat turker again soon on Thanksgiving!

Halloween!

This year AJ was a ballerina and Dylan was a skeleton - they had so much fun dressing up and Trick or Treating with cousins Julia (who was the most beautiful Bat Girl EVER - check out her little Uggs!) & Yuksel!

Good Bye to The Carras Cousins, The Weinribs & The Markferding Cousins

So happy to get to say goodbye to so many loved ones! Last night we got to see Aunt Marie, Tracy, Nick, Chris & Matt. AJ LOVES playing with the boys - they all played outside in the leaves and then we chowed down on some pizza, subs, and desserts! We are going to miss them all a ton and hope they make the trip down south soon!

This morning the Weinribs came by to say a quick goodbye - AJ is going to miss her little boyfriend David SO much! It means the world to me that my daughter and son and one of my best friends from high schools son got to be friends! Very special and we will miss them tons!

Then, this afternoon the Markferding cousins came by to say goodbye - I love my cousin Jacky to pieces and her kids are just the best! It was so nice to sit, talk, eat some subs, watch some football and just relax with them a little bit! I always love to see them and I am SO happy we got a visit before we left!

Going Away Dinner with the Cousins/Adult Halloween!

Last night it was SO nice to go out with all the cousins for dinner one last time before we go. Of course we went to Benvenuti (always a favorite)! The specials haven't changed in about 5 or 6 years but just being there is such a comfort for me! I even had something I never had before and it was great - yes folks, Benvenuti makes an awesome steak! For dessert we were surprised with the cutest cake that said "From Jersey Tomatoes to Georgia Peaches, Good Luck Matrales" - we blew out our candle and then we were off to change into our Halloween gear and head to see the NERDS!

I am going to miss my cousins like crazy! Some people hang out with their family because they are family, well I hang with my cousins because they are awesome! Love you guys, thanks so much for sending us out with a bang!

GA Bound!

Well folks the Matrale's of NJ will soon be Georgia Peaches! Alex got a pretty sweet offer from his company to move down to their Atlanta office and we just couldn't turn down the great opportunity!

Alex and I took a trip down and we found a great place - we were all set to go. Well as many of you know, our first house fell through on the night of our anniversary. At first we were pretty bummed but we remained calm and had some faith that what is meant to be will be.

Well sometimes you just have to thank God for unanswered prayers because we are SO much happier to be in a even more beautiful house in a much more built up and happening community - Johns Creek, GA! We are closer to the city, Alex's commute is going to be a ton better and there are tons of great restaurants and loads of great shopping in our backyard! Our new place is a 5 bedroom, 3 full bath. Downstairs it has a formal living room, dining room, a and a nice kitchen thats opens to the breakfast room and opens to the family/great room, which has a nice fireplace. There is also a full bedroom and full bathroom downstairs down a little hallway off the breakfast room. Upstairs is the master bedroom and bathroom, 3 other bedrooms, another full bathroom and a laundry room! We are in a subdivision with a playground, a pool and tennis courts. We are within walking distance to shopping and have found a nice preschool for AJ! Here are some pics of the new place - hopefully you will all get to come out and visit and see it first hand. We leave NJ on Nov 1st and hope to be in the house around the 3rd! My mother has a trip booked a week later and then Alex's parents and brother will be there for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My mother will be back in January and we are hoping she'll drag some people along with her! Here are some pics - enjoy! Oh and this time we are signed, sealed, delivered! Our new address as of Nov 1st is 5075 Byers Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Pumpkin Picking 2010

Today Alex, AJ, Dylan & I went to Alstead Farms in Chester, NJ to pick our pumpkins! It was a beautiful day - we got there nice and early and beat all the crowds. AJ was happy to go on a pony ride, a kids tractor ride, check out some farm animals, play on a giant hay stack and then take a hay ride to the pumpkin patch with the rest of us. Dylan was happy to check everything out from the comfort of his stroller in the fresh air!