Gabe's 18 month pictures!

As many of my close friends and family know, I have had a love for photography since about 8th grade. That is when I took over my mom and Dad's manual Cannon camera. I started doing photos of my sisters and then of close friends, engagement, wedding and family photos. Since serving my mission I didn't really get back into it until I had Gabe. Since then I have done all his pictures and my sister wedding last year. I figure I usually like them more when I can dictate what is done and how it is done. So, here are his darling 18 months pictures. The flowers have been so beautiful that I had to take them outdoors. I'm used to using a film camera, so it has taken some practice to get used to the whole digital idea, but I think I am slowly begining to like it more. But, I will always have a love for film. As you can tell from these he is a little bugger lately to photograph. He will not look at the camera. I managed to get a few priceless pics though.
















Here are some that we took at temple square on Cinco De Mayo, Our anniversary. Temple square is beutiful right now.

Our 3rd Anniversary!

The last weekend Garrett surprised me with a trip to Park City for our 3rd anniversary. He made all the arrangements, even for Gabe. We stayed in Hotel Park City. It was the nicest hotel I have even been in, let alone stayed in. No worries, we didn't pay full price, not even half. Garrett always find the best deals on hotels and since it is the off season it was an even greater deal. It was a great and relaxing vacation. We didn't do much else but that, relax. We had a whole cottage apartment to ourselves. It had two flat screen TV's, a hot tub on our balcony, a full kitchen, two bathrooms (both with european showers and one with a jacuzzi tub), washer and dryer, and the most comfortable bed with a down comforter and pillows. The Hotel itself had a full gym, a spa, and heated outdoor pool. I also got an awesome one hour maternity massage. It was so fun to slow down, relax, and spend time together, especially with him studying so hard for boards. It was a much needed break for both of us. Thank You Garrett for 3 wonderfully exciting years of marriage. I Love You!

Gabe and Mommy in California.

Last week Gabe and I took a trip to visit my grandparents and his great-grandparent in Los Angles California while Garrett studied about 16 hours a day for his upcoming medical school board exam. It was a nice break from the normal routine and great for Gabe to get to spend time with "MaMom and Papa or G" (as he calls them). It was fun to visit with my grandma and grandpa. They are so full of great stories about their lives, their children, the lives of their parents, and their grandparents. Every time I visit them I come home full of more knowledge of where my family came from and priceless stories about their lives. I also managed to get copies of a few photos of my grandma and grandpa's wedding, their parents and even my great-great grandma. For those of you who know me well, know that I love family history and feel that it is an important part of our lives. So, as you can imagine the time I spent with them this week was and will always be treasured. We mainly hung out at the house, played, and visited with family. On Friday and Saturday night my 9 year old niece, Italia, spent the night. She is such a big helper and little mother. Gabe loved wrestling, playing soccer and cars, watching movies, and throwing the balls back and forth with her. They were more like brother and sister then cousins. On sunday my brother and his wife, both of my dad's brothers and their spouses, and my cousin Nikki came over for dinner. It was so good to see and spend time with the Passanante side of my family. On monday night we stayed the night with my brother and his family in LA. My brother was a 2nd year medical student last year, so he understands fully the stress and pressure Garrett in under to study for board. It's nice to have a family member who understands our situation a little better then others. Gio (JoLee) is a great example to us of hard work and dedication. He has fought hard to be where he is today. I love his family so much, especially his Italia. She is such and amazing little girl. We love her so much and are so lucky to have such a sweet niece. On tuesday morning Cindy (My sister in Law) dropped us of at the airport. It was sad to say goodbye to family and the warm weather, but it was also good to be home. We had a great time and I will always remember the time we spent especially with Grandma Joan and Grandpa Joe. My Grandma Joan is an amazing example to me of so many wonderful qualities. Those qualities include; patience, dedication to family, understanding, hard work, loyalty and love etc. I hope that someday I can be half the women that she is. Thank You Grandma and Grandpa for the fun week. We love you so much.

Gabe with (as he calls him), "my PAPA"! He loved his great-grandpa. Every morning he would ask for him as he was still waking up. It was so cute to watch them together. They went out back and picked oranges a couple of times. Gabe loved it.


Gabe showing G-ma and G-pa his tongue. They got a kick out of him. He has become quite the character and made us laugh a lot.

Gabe watching the airplanes while we were delayed 3 long hours for the cock-pit window to get repaired in LA. This was all after boarding the plane and making it to the runway. They then decided they needed to go back and have it fixed. It was supposed to take 5 min, but ended up taking 3 hours. Fun trip home!!



I love this picture. He loved his aunt Cindy. He preferred her to me while she was around. Maybe he's a little jealous of his little brother growing inside me?



Gabe and Italia having fun.





My Dad and his older brother and Gabe next to them. Any resemblance? I think so!



Gabe staying busy!





My Grandma and Grandpa Passanante's wedding Dec 2nd 1950.

Yes, It's a BOY!

Yesterday we had our ultrasound, and yes it's another boy! I am officially out numbered. We are excited to know what it is and to begin preparing for his arrival in mid september. We are so excited that Gabe will have a brother. As of right now he doesn't really understand and when we ask him where the baby is he points to his belly and says, "baby". He's a little confused, but hopefully when it comes time it will be a smooth transition for him. He does love babies. Every time we see a baby he has to go and see it up close, point at it and again say, "baby". We are excited and nervous for baby number two.

My New iPOD!

This week I got a surprise from Garrett... A new iPod shuffle! It is my favorite color and he even had it engraved. I have a Nano, but have been using Garrett's shuffle for over a year to go running with and to use at the gym (I guess he wants it back). I have to say that I LOVE it. Yes, more than the nano. It's smaller and clips right on to your clothing. I love that I don't have to wear an arm band. Those things drive me nuts. Apparently, Gabe loves it too. I caught him listening to it the other day. He loves music and loves to dance and sing. Here are some cute photos.