Picnics

The new favorite thing. I can convince them to do just about anything if a picnic table is involved.

The Boys

It seems there are lots and lots of sweet little girls in our Coastie crew and only a few boys. This cutie shot is of the boys with their adoring Dads. Our friends, Scott (in the middle) and Mary Lou had T-shirts made up for Owen, Trevor and Grady that say "My Dad is a Pilot". Ironically, each boy is seen by many to be an exact mini-me of their dads. Too cute for words!

Happy Birthday to Me!

It's really sad to live in place where I have to bundle up and wear a turtle neck on my birthday. But, it's where the CG sends us, so I will deal. I had probably the best birthday I've had in a very long time. After throwing a baby shower/BBQ the night before for 35 people, I was ready for some R and R. I woke up to breakfast and a brand new laptop...well, a piece of paper that said my laptop would arrive in June, but it was still exciting! After a trip to Best Buy to see the model, we came home and had pizza, beer, and S'mores cooked over our new chiminea (Again, it was that cold!). Our friends came over armed with gifts of a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine (ah, a dream come true), gift certificates to my favorite garden store and yes, sparklers to celebrate the good times. (Mom, we all held the sparklers and none of our fingers fried off...that's another story...).

The following weekend, the ladies took me out to a fancy schmancy trendy restaurant called "Red Ginger." I'm typically not a sushi girl, but this place rocks. I felt like Charlotte surrounded by her ladies, while sipping a red dragon martini. It was awesome to feel like an adult and actually get to eat a meal without being interrupted. I also had the best dessert, which we joked probably read "You're Old" in Japanese, but hey, it was still delicious!

Finally, after another trip to Ohio, we celebrated Memorial day with a family BBQ complete with cake and ice cream.

Overall, I felt like a queen, a 33 year old queen, but a happy one!

It's been a while

I know, it's been a while since I last posted but things, as usual have been crazy. We have made 3 trips to Ohio, Paul went on a trip to New Jersey, Kailey finished school and I started another class, I celebrated a birthday (gasp), our friends are having babies and moving, etc., etc. It's been a whirlwind few weeks, but the sun is shining, I have a new laptop to use on the deck, so I am ready to go and armed with lots and lots of pictures.

Prepare yourselves, I hope to around a lot more!

My Grenna

I lost my Grenna today. She was 91 years old and one of the classiest ladies you'd ever meet. Grenna lived an incredible life; one we all hope to have. She traveled around the world, had an amazing education and was married to the love of her life for almost 62 years. Grenna was known to everyone as the orchid lady as she had a greenhouse attached to her home that housed over 2500 different species of orchids. She even has one named after her, how's that for a legacy?

However, Grenna's proudest legacy is her family. Family was always the most important thing to her and to Poppa. Some of my favorite memories of Grenna will always be playing the penny game on the steps, her saying "Who-who?" when someone came into the house, bright pink lipstick and poofy hair. I will always think of her when I eat Lorna Doones and might have to even sip milk from a dixie cup just like she did...I don't think, however, I'll have the urge to eat green jello with olives...yuck! When I was little, I used to think that she really tried to make her hairline look like an "M" for Margaret. She also called all of us her "honey cakes." I remember feeling very special because Poppa used to say I reminded him of Grenna because, well, I'm short like her and we share our dark hair and dark eyes.

Hours after Poppa died, I had to turn in a speech for my Golden Apple presentation. I was able to honor him and pay tribute in a very special way. It took everything in power to not melt away in tears giving that speech, but it was also cathartic and helped me deal with such a huge loss. I found that writing really helps me and also hope to pay a special tribute to my amazing grandmother.

I know Poppa is waiting for Grenna with open arms and is so very happy to see her. I can just see him kissing her on the forehead. I'm sure all of their big band favorites are playing and they are already doing a very long overdue swing dance.

I love you, Grenna! I know you'll be watching over us...

Happy Anniversary

I put together a little montage for our 6th anniversary. I hope you enjoy!

Siblings

Sometimes I'll go back and look at old videos I've posted just to reminisce. I started to realize that most of our videos have to end because Kailey's beating up or picking on Owen. It really doesn't paint a very accurate picture of how Kailey feels about her brother. Of course she gets sick of him at times, but what siblings don't get sick of each other? Now, I KNOW Nancy never got sick of me...ever...I was simply her play toy. Likewise, Nancy was the coolest thing on the planet in all her Rick Springfield hair, blue eyeshadow glory! Anyhow, today Kailey and Owen were walking all around the house holding hands. Everywhere they went, one would reach for the other and off they would go. Despite what I broadcast over YouTube, they truly adore each other. Each morning, after we get Owen from his crib, he bangs on Kailey's door, and yells "Kai-ee, Kai-ee!" She mothers him and tells him, "Don't cry little boy, you'll be okay." We have always hoped that through think and thin, no matter where we go, they will always love each other. It looks like, for the most part, they're off to a good start.