After our weekend at the lake I took the kids back to Warren for the week and Tyler headed back home. It was a challenge being away from home for 9 days, but thankfully it was at my grandparents house. We spent the week visiting family and friends and preparing for Oliver's baptism and Jessica's shower.

Nasa and Nasu (Godmother and Godfather) Jessica and Justin helped get Oliver dressed for church. Jess and Justin are preparing for their little boy to arrive in early November!

Father Jim was kind to Oliver — he only splashed him with the Holy water instead of dunking him.

Oliver was the 6th person to wear this baptismal gown made by my great-grandmother (my Buni). It has been worn by Dacia, myself, Ian, Amelia, Ellie and now Oliver.


Oliver knew that mommy took the camera for a moment — he immediately shot a look at me and I captured it. Oliver was SO well-behaved the entire service. And his pacifier is now a holy pacifier...earlier in the service we were standing near the tub of holy water and Oliver spit his buppy out and it dropped right into the water. We all shared a silent laugh as this happened.

Amelia was entertaining herself by reading and singing.

The Godparents, Father James, Oliver and mom and dad.

No, the girls' outfits were NOT planned. Sisters just think alike — even if we don't like to admit it sometimes.

Amelia and Nasa Jessica.

While we were in Warren we hung out with my life-long girlfriend, Rachel, and her family. The boys played together very nicely :-) This is Nolan and Oliver. Nolan is only 12 days older than Ollie but looks a good 2 months older in this photo.

Amelia and Addison (Rachel's oldest who is 2 years old) played like they were old buddies.
Amelia had her very
first play date while we were in Warren, too! It was was a big deal for me. I needed to run some errands to get ready for the baptism and Rachel offered to have Amelia come over and play with Addison for the a few hours. It worked out wonderfully.
Jessica's Shower
Our week-long stay in Warren ended with Jessica's shower which was held at Candywood Golf Course. She had a ton of girl cousins there and Dacia managed to gather them all up for a group shot. From left, and forgive me if I get the 3 Opritza girls mixed up, is Ellie (Dacia's), Sophia, Natalie and Olivia Opritza, Amelia, and Addison Allen.

Amelia, Addison and Ellie.