Family visit

20 August 2025: Got to spend some time today with my parents, Erin, Krista, and Isla. We celebrated my dad's 79th birthday a few days early, too.

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)

76!

22 March 2023: Happy to celebrate my mother's 76th birthday with her and my dad this evening.

Christmas, part two...

14 January 2023: My parents are in town and came by this afternoon. We finally exchanged gifts, which was nice. (They were, as always, too generous.) They also got to meet Jo, who was quite charming. We got Chinese take-out and had a nice visit. Grateful to see them and so grateful that they are okay post-COVID. 

Good news from Rocky Point...

27 December 2022: Glad to hear (directly from them) that my parents both seem to be improving, though my dad is still a couple of days behind my mom. I was worried; the unknown is so scary with this unpredictable virus. But I feel like we can breath a bit easier now. 

Thanksgiving 2022

24 November 2022:

Quarantine pop-over...

23 August 2022: My parents are in the area this week and Erin and the girls drove out to have lunch with them today for my dad's birthday. Of course, I couldn't join them, but they all swung by after so we could exchange gifts (my gift for my dad, "Annie and Sugie's" birthday gift for me) and they could drop off a take-out dinner. I stood on the porch in my mask and my parents stood in the driveway, with Erin and the girls on the lawn by the sidewalk. It was nice to see them because (already!) I am feeling a bit lonely. "Over three more days to go?" I said to myself not too long ago?

Of course, I am not alone completely. Had a good phone conversation with Vogel, texts from friends, and Wes is always here. (BabyCat also lives here.)

Speaking of BabyCat, this gift (again, "from" Annie and Sugie) is a custom-made depiction of my reticent little queen. It's a reclaimed slate from a barn in Beverly, MA (where Lucy Larcom is from!).

75!

22 March 2022: Happy 75th birthday to this legend! I've always been fond of this picture of us, particularly how she's watching me with affection, even though baby me clearly chewed on that toy and got it all drool-y.

 

75!

14 August 2021:

[Catch-up post]

Celebrated 75 years of my favorite guy yesterday.

Still her kid...

22 March 2021: "She sounds like she has a cold, doesn't she?" --my mom to my dad, as we wrapped up my phone call to her on her birthday. (She also kept saying this when we saw each other on Saturday.)

"I don't have a cold," I said, laughing as I hit the "end call" button. That "mom energy," so sensitive to her kid's health, so unwilling to believe me when I tell her I am fine, is kind of touching. 

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...

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.