Meeting Olivia...

13 September 2023: Today is my niece Olivia's birthday. Thinking tonight about the first time I met her--when the family went to the airport when she, her mom, and her dad got off the plane with her. Here they came, pushing her in a little carriage, her eyes wide with skeptical and tired wonder and something deeper and harder to decipher. We squealed in delight to meet her, flooding around her, so glad she was here, filled with such love for her. When I knelt down and sort of held out my arms to ask if I could hold her, she opened her arms back. Her Russian name means "Love." Certainly that day, that little one indicated she was looking for just that.  

Graduation party...

16 July 2022: 

[Catch-up post...]

The reason for my quick trip up to NY? Olivia's high school graduation party, which was on Saturday. It was nice to celebrate this achievement for a remarkable kid. 

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.

Thank you notes...

11 October 2018: Year after year, my niece’s thank-you notes delight me. And if you are taking notes as you plan your own parties, note her closing line and adjust your guest lists accordingly: If I had been there, her fiesta would have been a DANCE PARTY. That's what I offer, my friends.

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...

13 years old!

13 September 2016: My niece Olivia turned 13 today. How can that not be today's good thing? She's an awesome kid: full of life and energy and love. What a blessing she is to our family!

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. 

"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.

Drive-by hug...

18 January 2014: I saw my niece Olivia yesterday. She's such a sweet kid--full of energy, enthusiasm, and love. At one point, she randomly got up, came over to me, hugged me, and told me she loved me. Made my day.

Krista's Baptism

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.

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.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving 2012 was a good one! I had seven family members in town for the weekend and hosted dinner on Thursday.

 

Me and Colin.

 Me and Olivia.

 Olivia.

 Colin and Ryan.

 Ryan and Olivia.

 Dad and Jeff. (They actually were having a better time than this picture indicates!) And notice Olivia trying to photobomb into this one.

Mom, Olivia, and Tara.