The DiTore Family: January 2012

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Happy Birthday to me

Tuesday, January 24th was my 29th birthday. I can't believe that next year I will be 30. That's scary! I enjoyed a great lunch with Joe and Bella and then later Aunt Linda and Uncle Ed babysat for us and we went to dinner with Rich and Lindsay. This was the first year I was able to celebrate with them and I'm so glad they were in town. I'm going to try and make this a great last year in my 20's!

Happy Chinese New Year!

January 23rd was the Chinese New Year. This is the year of the dragon. When Joe and I went to San Francisco we picked Bella up a Chinese Cheongsam Dress. I thought it would be fitting to let her wear it for the New Year.

we couldn't put the pretty dress on and not play dress up, so here she is with her clip-on Dora dangling earrings

we wouldn't be complete without a crown and necklace

Friday, January 27, 2012

Hammock Time

My parents got me a hammock for Christmas and Bella and I finally got to put it together yesterday. She came outside with me and she handed me each part as I needed it. She was such a big helper. Afterwards we enjoyed laying together on it.

Potty Training

We started potty training this week. Nothing serious but starting to introduce the idea of big girl panties and peeing on the potty. She has gone a few times before on the potty but that was in between wearing a diaper. We took the risk and have been spending the mornings and afternoons in panties. We of course have had many accidents and I have done a great deal of cleaning the floors, but she has had a few successes too. She gets so excited when she does make it to the potty and of course we make a big deal about it and she gets rewarded with candy.

hear she is playing around while wearing her big girl panties

using the potty ( she looks so big here)

Station 45

2 weeks ago the city of Maitland opened their brand new fire station 45. They have been waiting for some time for this day to finally arrive. They had a nice ceremony for the occasion and all the fire fighters looked so nice in their class A uniforms.

Honor Guard presenting the flag

raising the flag at the new station

bag pipers

instead of cutting the ribbon they unscrewed the hose and then opened the bays

this is a piece of steal beam from the World Trade Center that now sits inside the new station

Joe with his LT and fellow "brother" Brandon

kitchen table which a fellow firefighter made for the new station

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

RIP Bill Elliot

Friday, January 6th, a Pompano Beach Fire Fighter died on duty during a tragic accident. Bill Elliot was his name and he worked with my father and 2 uncles for years. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all of his "brothers" at the station. This past Friday, the 13th they held a memorial service for him. It was one of the saddest yet most beautiful days I have ever experienced. I am a very fortunate person to witness the outpouring of love and respect. Bill received an honorable send off. I am so proud to be a fire fighter's daughter and now wife. May God bless Bill and all other service men and women.

This is his jacket on the back of the truck

My dad and his brothers

My dad and his "sonny boy"

thousands of fire fighters from all over the USA lining up for the processional

The casket arrived on the back of the first ever fire truck in Pompano Beach

The bag pipers playing. They had a group called the "Black Pearl" which was comprised of men from all over to include Boston and Canada. They were amazing and they rocked it out later at the reception.

The original truck

They ended the day with a wonderful block party/reception where everyone gathered. Businesses from all over donated food and drinks for everyone. Even waste management was there cleaning up. They also had a band to end the evening in style.

This truly was a day I will never forget!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Look Whooo's Two!!

Saturday we had Bella's second birthday party at the house. It was a gorgeous day out unlike last year's party where it was pretty cold out. We had a good turn out and I think it is safe to say that the party was a success.

some of the owl decor and dessert table