Congrats Dr. Arnaud Colantonio, Ph.D.!!

To my brother, who has worked so hard all these years, you deserve it!!! Finally, Arnaud has completed his Ph.D. at UCLA! Monday night was quite stressful, but after all was said and done, well worth it. His talk was from 3pm to 4pm and afterwards there was a lab party. I think I speak for everyone when I say, why didn't you at least smile when you walked back into the room?!?!

After a few minutes, and holding his daughter, Arnaud finally cracked a smirk...although looking back I think we should have had some champagne waiting for you!

Yea, can anyone read this face? Does it look like someone who was just told that he received a Ph.D.




After a bit, Isabella finally made the rounds being carried by everyone at some point in time. I think she knew she had to mingle at this great celebration.

Nonno and Isabella

Nonnina, Nonno, Isabella and Grandma

After the little lab party, the evening continued at India's Tandoori a few minutes away.

Finally, a picture of my brother and I!!

Quite a large party showed up, and luckily we had the place all to ourselves. I was the papparazzi taking pictures of everyone.







Arnaud, CONGRATULATIONS! It's been a very very long road, but you've done it! I have never been so proud in my life!

Superbowl Sunday

Well one of my favorite holidays has come and gone :-( Superbowl Sunday. I had the girls over for a little sports party, with lots of food and we were ready for a good game. All but one of us were rooting for the Pats.... and unfortunately they lost. Just my luck, but at least Nancy was happy. Lucky girl!

Nancy and I

some of the girls, making fun of Tom Petty, more like totally silent and staring, why the heck was he on?

Nancy and Bonnie

It had been quite a hectic morning. Nancy had stayed over, and in the morning we went food shopping for the game. It was quite an ordeal trying to find the recipe for cocktail weiners. We ultimately found one, but if anyone has a favorite recipe - Please email me that recipe for future reference!!! Thanks.

The perfect little helper

High Tea!

On Sunday, we were invited to Urmi's for a high tea. Go figure, the British influencing other peoples. We had wonderful black tea, and lots of little bites of food, and yummy fried fish! Isabella was great, not even fussing for a second, and she learned the word 'hot'.

Zia and Isabella

Mashima and Isabella

she started out in the red shirt but then Zia changed her mind :-)

she wanted to eat the Arrowhead water cup.

*she's a rockstar*

Isabella's 1st Birthday Party!

Happy birthday to you Isabella! It was such a fun filled day on Saturday, helping you to celebrate and have your first party!!! Mountains of people came, and there were plenty kids to go around! Not to mention the amount of food, from salads, sandwiches and homemade lasagna, to homemade cupcakes and birthday cake!

myself and Dad

Allie and Isabella

some of the crowd

Isabella and her godmother Rebecca

Is that the same baby? But she isn't in the same clothing.....as you may notice, the party was 23 hours long and she had a new outfit every hour :-)

too cool for the party

After everyone had had plenty of food, Isabella got to devour her first ever piece of cake (and all the sugar that comes with it...)

Here's a play by play of how the cake debauchery proceeded:

First she was a bit distracted by the balloons and ribbons...

Then, with cookie monster....but hey this isn't edible...

the yummy birthday cake covered with Sesame Street characters

she seems a bit put off by the sheer size of the cake....but no matter

mom has to help just a tad to blow out the candle

and so begins the demolishing of the piece of cake...

it starts out pretty clean...

let's try cookie monster again..ooop no

cake it is...

cookie monster?...

ok, maybe not still, cake it is then...

is that it??....wait this plate still has stuff on it...

She wanted to share her cake with everyone. Unfortunately no one would take her up on her offers.



And now that the cake was devoured, and her clothes were filthy, it was time to open presents. (and wear her final outfit of the day)

she had plenty of practice learning to unwrap presents on Christmas....she's a seasoned pro already.

Nick and Evan

I think someone likes her little kitty :-)

the cutest rain coat if ever I've seen one

Long, only wishing he was going home with all these bags!!!

The day went splendidly! Isabella was such a trooper having not taken a nap in the morning. She never once cried and just loved dancing and mingling with everyone in sight. It was 3 hours full of high energy and excitement...if only every weekend was like this one...but until next year when we get to celebrate Isabella's 2nd birthday!!!