Nine!

5 July 2025: Eric sent me this picture from Isla's pool party for her 9th (!) birthday today. I am glad to see she put this silly little bag that I sent her to use on the one day is it relevant. 

My goodness, is time flying! Colin turned 21 this past Tuesday, which also blows my mind. 

Christmas: Part 2

29 December 2024: Hosted Erin and company, Tara and the boys, and my parents today for Christmas: Part 2. Pretty great time!

(this last one taken--obviously--shortly after everyone left)

Ten years...

25 July 2024: Today marks ten years since Ryan's death. I won't even pretend to have anything particularly new to say, but I am deeply moved by the strange coincidence that today is also the day that my nephew Colin graduates from basic training, something that would have made my brother very proud. 

Boot Camp Birthday

1 July 2024: Thinking about Colin, whose birthday is today. I have no idea what a birthday is like when you are in boot camp, but I hope he gets at least a moment for some fun and celebrating. Hard to believe Little Man is in the army now. 

Little Man

1 July 2022: A lot on my mind today, but I just had a phone conversation with Little Man (my nephew Colin) who turned 18 today. It's hard to believe. He's a good kid: works hard, moves through the world with generosity and respect, and has a nice sense of humor. He's been a blessing in our family and I am eager to see what the future holds for him. 

One of my favorite pictures of him, watching geese down at Harpers Ferry back in 2009.

Soccer Tante?

[Catch-up post...]

16 May 2021: When Colin was little, I got a chance to see him play exactly one baseball game. It was so much fun. He's quite the athlete, but because I live far away and tend to visit when school isn't in session, I don't get many opportunities. It's too bad because I realized on Sunday that I am still delighted by a game at just about any level. I saw Evan play soccer and, whew, even a bunch of 6 and 7 year-olds playing was a blast. 

Passing through...

5 July 2020: Saw Tara, Jeff, and the kids for a bit as they were passing through this way. Lovely to see them. Not getting to hug was sad, but maybe a small sacrifice to feel a bit safer.

Nephew time...

22 April 2019: Saw these two today and found it quite delightful.

Nephew time...

29 August 2018: Had dinner with my nephew, who though he will always be "Little Man" to me, is on Instagram with a hilarious/mildly disturbing name that includes the words "hot Russian." "That's what people call me," he shrugged, as I nodded like I understood.

Colin's First Communion

23 April 2017:

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'" --John 20: 19-23.

How wonderful that when Jesus first meets the disciples after the resurrection, as they are hunkered down in fear, he greets them with peace. And then he sends them out to love and forgive. Hearing these words again in church today--and seeing my nephew take his first communion--gave me a lot to think about on my drive back to WV this afternoon/evening.

Thanksgiving...

24 November 2016: These people...the "good thing(s)" for the day, of course.

Tara and I.

Tara and Jeff.

My dad and I, taken by Colin, who has some things to learn about photo composition.

My mom and Colin. He looks good here, but she's looking away, so we took another one...

...and he looks (intentionally) psychotic. Sigh.

This guy, our dear Wolfie, turned 18 in September, so he gets a seat at the table and some turkey.

Lots of karaoke...

Family selfies

3 July 2016: Spent some time with these folks, which is certainly a good thing.

Skyping with the Little Man

23 January 2016: Best part of today? No, it's not the 30+ inches of snow. I mean, that's just obscene. It wasn't the hour and a half of shoveling I did to clear about 1/3 of my driveway, even as the snow kept pouring down. It wasn't the time I was in snow up to my butt, fell over, couldn't figure out how to get up for a moment, and thought, "So this is how I die..."

It was Skyping with Colin up in NY. They are getting walloped, too, though not quite like here. Every story I told him--about the towers of snow, about the untouched roads, even about the fall--either made him laugh or say "Lucky!" It's fun to spend time with a kid, even virtually, and be reminded that this stuff is still joy-inducing for them.

Pictures and notes

6 January 2016: You know what made me smile the most today? These notes and pictures from my niece and nephew.

Here are Olivia's:

I

The picture is entitled "Christmas Day" and is a pretty accurate depiction of her family room. The note cracks me up. Some highlights: "How did you know I love Taylor Swift? Her perfume is amazing." (Those are actually double underlines.) "My mom likes it to, so I've let her use it a couple of times. Then she talks about how she's reading the book I gave her, even identifying an "interesting character!" These documents are so very Olivia: bright, frenetic, energetic. 

Here are Colin's: 

The picture is careful and controlled, as is his handwriting in the note. It's Colin in document form. The picture also has a title that cracks me up: "Good Life." Awwww...Little Man trying to sound grown up. His note is also great: first he talks about how "it will be interesting to learn about the history of the presidents" in the book I gave him. Then he says, "You would also not believe how cool the light is. There are different colors and it looks like you are underwater! Perfect for a dance party!"

These kids rock.

Dancing queen

My quest to be a cool aunt receives some much-needed validation.

 
I certainly don't think I am good at playing Just Dance, but the kids seem to like it. 

Look who's ten!

1 July 2014: My awesome nephew turned 10 today. Although I didn't get to celebrate with him in person, we did talk on the phone and my sister sent me a picture of him with the gift I sent him. (Also worth noting: he's wearing the gift I gave him last year.) Anyway, I love this little guy a lot, and talking with him was one of the best parts of my day.

"Major look!"

15 April 2014: I had dinner with some of my family the other night, including my nephew who uttered the malapropism I am using as my post title--when he meant to say "Made you look!" The kid makes me smile, as does his sister. The evening ended with the three of us enjoying a kitchen dance party to a Frozen/Sound of Music/Elvis/Beatles playlist.

Christmas in New York

A bit bummed that I didn't get any pictures of Jennifer, Jeff, Ryan, or my dad, but here are a few pictures of other folks.

Kelsie.

Olivia.

Aidan.

Colin, Christian, and Olivia. Wish the kids would stop with the rabbit ears thing--and that that candle wasn't in Christian's face, but I think he looks very nice otherwise!

Colin with the sock monkey I got him.

The boys with the Lego headlamps I got them.

Colin (with lamp) and me.

My mom and Kelsie.

Me, Tara, and Christian.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Just a few more pictures from Thanksgiving Weekend...

Tara and I at dinner on Friday night.

Mom and Dad at dinner on Friday.

My dad trying on a dapper hat at O'Hurley's in Shepherdstown.

Colin used his own money to buy this nifty walking stick at O'Hurley's.

We took Ava (Tara and Jeff's dog) down to the Potomac and she dashed right in. She didn't even hesitate. Here she is coming out...

...before heading back in.

Colin down by the river.

We took in more of the sights and activities of Christmas in Shepherdstown, which included free face-painting for the kids (and maybe adults, too, if they wanted?) and a visit with Santa.

Friday Visit to Erin and Eric's

On Friday, we drove into Arlington to see Erin, Eric, and baby Krista. Tara, Jeff, and the kids hadn't met her yet, so it was extra-special for them.

Tara and the kids.

Colin.

 Cousins.

Waking up...

 Olivia and Krista.

Tante Tara and Krista.

Tara, Jeff, and Krista.

Opa and Krista.

Jeff and Colin.

The happy (if tired) parents.

Krista and Oma.