Caught some great synergy yesterday as Tara, Jeff, Evan, and their new puppy passed right through Martinsburg on their way to Oklahoma for Colin's graduation from basic training. So Isla, Krista, and I met them at the Sweet Frog just off 81 for a quick visit. Really lovely that it worked out!
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.
It's hard to believe that Kelsie is 13 and old enough to take part in the Rite of Confirmation, but she is and she did (this past Sunday). I am so proud of the lovely, smart, and sweet young lady she is becoming. Some pictures from the celebration afterwards:
Christian and Aidan.
Ryan and Colin.
Olivia and Erin.
My mom and Colin.
Me and Kelsie.
Eric, who always makes the best faces. He's going to be fun dad.
Jeff and my mom.
Me and Christian.
All five siblings. (Perhaps you might notice my wardrobe change? I had to leave straight from the party to head back to WV and changed from my rather pretty dress into driving clothes. That's when my dad decided it was picture time. Sigh.)
Christmas really flew by this year. I was only in NY for a couple of days. I actually left on Christmas Day, anxious about driving through the bad weather the next day. But I do have some decent pictures to share. (Again, I wish I had gotten at least one shot of everyone.)
Hanging out with Aidan on Christmas Eve. This is right before he helped me make the mashed potatoes.
Erin and Kelsie on Christmas Eve.
Colin on Christmas Eve. At this point, I had given the camera to Kelsie, asking her to take pictures while Erin and I finished dinner. This led to some pretty silly pictures, but this one is kind of cute.
Olivia--and Aidan peering in from behind.
Erin and I cooking dinner.
Jeff and Eric. I like this one quite a bit.
Olivia and I. I look like I'm about to fling her...
Aidan turned FIVE in late February and, for the first time ever, I was in town for the par-tay. As far as party goes, it was a good one: pizza (New York pizza, thank you very much), cake, and lots of time for me to play with the kids.
Once again, I didn't get a ton of pictures, especially of the adults. I am working on a theory--my family doesn't like to be photographed. It's frustrating. Anyway, here's what I got...
Erin and Kelsie. (See, Erin lets you take her picture...she's a good one...)
Jeff and my dad. It's a bit blurry and there's a weird white blob by my dad's mouth, but it's just about the only other picture of the adults that I have. (Jeff and my dad are also usually willing to get photographed.)
Aidan and Erin.
My family has gone dog crazy. In October, there were no dogs in our family. None. Now all four of my siblings have puppies. Crazy. Here's Savannah, the new puppy in Christian, Jennifer, Kelsie, and Aidan's house. She's pretty darn cute.
Some video of the dog. Also, how loud is my family?
Aidan with his cake.
Closer view of the super-cool NASCAR cake. He looks like he's about to karate-chop it, but don't worry, he didn't.
One more piece of video, featuring the family singing "Happy Birthday." Move over Von Trapp Family singers. Seriously, bet you didn't know I have one of the best voices in my family.
