Arabella meets the Orlando Family (8/18/2018)

I went to bed with grand aspirations of getting a mani/pedi this morning— but when I rolled over and saw 10:38a on the clock, quickly resigned to the fact that wouldn’t be happening. People are usually up and moving early at my parents house, but the late night airport run left us all exhausted.

I eventually made my way to the kitchen where I made what my parents refer to as “your kind of coffee” (the stuff they drink could be more accurately classified as coffee-flavored water). Then MJ lavished us with nut roll and pecan danishes from Delallo’s. The nut roll was especially delightful.

After enjoying two large cups of coffee, DD enlisted my help with his charcuterie board for the Orlando Reunion. We wrapped asparagus in prosciutto, sliced Fontinella and arranged various breads, crackers and olives. Because I’m an Orlando (or just OCD?), I even sorted the multicolored wooden toothpicks and only used red and green ones on the tray. It looked spectacular next to MJ’s cookie tray.

The reunion was at Debbie and Howie’s house this year. I’ve always had fond memories of the reunion as a child, so I’m thrilled Arabella is getting to experience it. We drank lots of sangria, played bingo and of course did door prizes. Lucia and Greta cleaned house at bingo. Jarmon and Patrick slipped away to drink cognac— reappearing just in time for the family photo. The evening was capped off with a fireworks show by Patrick. The reporter in me is generally terrified of home fireworks displays because all the things that can go wrong run through my mind, but this show left us all asking, “Zambelli who?” We told Patrick we are expecting music choreography next year. I didn’t see Arabella for most of the day, but I know she was in many sets of good hands. I tried to photograph as much as I could. It was so fun to talk all things baby with Lexi— it’s so exciting to think her little one will be here by Our next family gathering. The next generation is growing!