Family Time

Fun Time

Yesterday was the last day of The Bates Of Clonsilla's visit. We took time off to just enjoy the day.

My sister brought our grandniece Sophia over for a swim and my brother's daughter came over again to chill with our Irish nieces. 

Luckily it was a perfectly wonderful pool day at the Bates Estate.

Sophia loved the pool. We all pulled her around.

And around, and around.

She can be a bit timid with new people but she loved playing in the pool with Ali and Caroline.

By the time we got out, we were singing Sir Mix A Lot....'I like big butts and I cannot lie'.

Luckily our family had a late flight so they were able to enjoy the whole day before heading off the airport.

Of course, I had to get our 'traditional' leaving shot of the girls in front of the lilacs. I've been taking their picture like this when they leave since they were very little.

Do not adjust your monitor. That is Carolina's real hair color. She's a Ging. No denying it. We chalk that one up to Granny O'Toole, who nobody knew had red hair because it was gray. That was until one day when Garrett was making fun of the girl next door with red hair and Granny O'Toole set him straight, telling him she had beautiful flame red hair when she was young.  Which he found eventually for himself when his beard grew in red. Just his beard. Weird, huh?

Back to the visitors.

They were all sad to go.  Lucan was sad to see them leave.

Goodbye for now Bates of Clonsilla.

The Bates of Lucan will be arriving on Wednesday for a longer stay.  Yup, Bates of Lucan. It's a town just outside of Dublin's city limits. That's where the hound got his name.

Oh, I almost forgot. The girls got to be the first to put their John Hancock's on our new chalkboard wall. Stay tuned for the chalkboard reveal in the coming days.  Either tomorrow or Tuesday. We'll see how the chips fall.

Monday's post will be my picks from the current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Up Party. If you have an online shop or blog, be sure to link up your stuff. If you don't, you're still invited to the party. Have a look around, you never know where it might take you and what you might find.

Sunset Meadows

I've said it before and I'm sure to say it again. We're so blessed to have the most beautiful sunsets right at our front door. I never get tired of them.

What's hot for your Saturday?  I'm doing laundry and general prepping for the next wave of Dubliners. I'll be heading into the pool later, then we're planning on a campfire and burgers if all goes well. Doesn't get better than that.

Ciao for now,

This Is My Country & Freeform Friday

Memorial Day Rewind

Hi guys. First I'd like to say thank you to all of your for your kind words and sentiments on the death of our dear friend Cindy. It means quite a lot and always helps.  How sad that so many of you have also suffered some very diffucult losses, but I guess that is something we all have in common in the end, isn't it.

Yesterday was an especially hectic day and boy am I glad that's done and this week for that matter. Well, almost. Still work on the plate, but oh how I love Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Playing a little catchup today. Didn't get a chance yet this week to post our Memorial Day. On of the things I love about the pictures I take each and every year at our parade and services, are that they could probably be any town in the good old U. S. of A.

We walk uptown in time for the start. (OK, I was late this year, but I still hoofed it uptown and finally caught my group right at the beginning of the parade).

The engines lead and the kids wave.

(Nephew Matt, friend Charlie's grandson Cayson, my great nephew Cayden, and Charlie's grandaughter Makenna, sister Di and bil Al in the back.)


Veterans of all ages step off for the march through town.

Uncle George riding co-pilot in the jeep.

More firefighters.

The Marine's marching with colors. Nice unison on the step, eh? You'd think they'd practiced or something.

My high school's band sounding the call.....'This Is My Country'.

Then the boy scouts, the cub scouts, and of course the girl scouts too. (Hi back Sammy).

The laying of the wreath at our town's War On Terror monument.

Applauding our veterans.

Marching along following the parade. That's the way we roll. More bang for your buck. More parade, more exercise......

...more friends and neighbors along the way (hello Roys).

Mom and Dad ready for services.

Benediction. Playing of Anthem. Terribly sad stories of war time friends and family lost.  Laying of wreath. Taps and tears, well at least on my part. Always. Pledge of Allegiance in closing.

Jaunt back to sister's house for Memorial Day BBQ with family and friends.

(Uncle Norm, who served on Guadal Canal and fought in the Pacific Campaign, including Bougainville, in WWII  and Mom.)

Decked out in red,white and blue to celebrate all the wonderful things and ideals that our service people have fought for including freedom, and against, most notably...tyranny.

(great niece Sophia aka punky brewster)

Sound and look familiar?

Freeform Friday

There could be no other freeform Friday this week. It's a double shot for my pal Cin. Man do I miss her. Click here if you're reading by email.

And click here too if you're reading by email.

It's sunny today, but there is supposed to be rain moving in for the weekend. I'm ok with it. I haven't even done Spring cleaning and it's almost Summer, so maybe I'll get some of that done. I know, it's sounds thrilling, yes? I hope you have bigger plans for your weekend. What's on the docket?

Thanks again for your kindness this week. You guys rock.

Be well,

Easter Monday

Easter at Di & Al's

Great day yesterday, hope yours was too. The hound and I took a very peaceful walk at the Phillips Exeter trails in the morning (more on that tomorrow).  Then midday, Gar and headed over to Di and Al's for the annual Easter celebration. 

Memere and Sylivie came down from Canada (4 hours), and the Robinson gang from Jefferson (3 hours), nephew Joe home from college (2 hours) and all of us local yokels made for a full house.

The weather didn't quite cooperate, but there wasn't any rain. It was a bit chilly though.  It didn't stop the kids from playing outside and Garrett teaching Cayden a new football touchdown dance. Nephew Pat pulled his niece Sophia around and around and around in the wagon. She went in circles most of the day. (Funny, how most of my nephews on this side of the Atlantic are now Uncles.)

A good day had by one and all....

My poor parents were taunted and taunted by the Red Sox, who ended up blowing it in the 11th. Ah well, at least it's only the beginning of the season. Our Yankees didn't fare much better.

As Gar and I drove home, I said 'Look at the pretty glow of the sunset.' It was a very muted yellow. That didn't last long.

Sunset Meadows

It was quite a long sunset last night, and it was the first time the sun had really shown its face all day. It was worth the wait. The two of us were on the couch and I said to Gar, looking at the color streaming in from the window, 'Did that sunset just completely change?'. He stretched his neck to look and said, WOW! Out I went with the camera again.  Wish you'd all been able to see this one. Truly spectacular.

Mellow yellow..............

Sun going down.............

All of a sudden, sky on fire.........

I stood there in awe, snapping away...........

This one reminds me of the scene with Scarlett in Gone With the Wind...."As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again."

What an beautiful end to Easter. Quite a show.

Peace out,

Birthdays Galore

90 minus 88 Equals 2

While Uncle Norm turned 90 on Friday, yesterday it was all about the 2 year old.  Our grand niece Sophia was the princess of her Hello Kitty party and she thoroughly enjoyed herself.  Lots of people came to help her celebrate including her cousin and our grand nephew, Cayden who was stylin' a mohawk.

Of course, there were presents to open.

Lots and oooos and awwwws from the crowd which included two great grandmothers, a great grandfather, a grandmother and grandfather, great aunts, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.

There was also pizza and tiaras of course.



Sophia and Cayd were 'lovin' on each other as always. Big hugs all around.

Sophia was leading everyone all over the place.

Yup. She got a 'biker chick' jacket from my niece.  Classic.

She was taking a page from the Material Girl playbook when she added the glasses. Sometimes less is more, but sometimes more is more. Especially when you're 2.

There was coloring at the table. I'm not sure my niece Cait and nephew Matt had to oversee, I think Cayden had a handle on it.

Grammy Di showed off Sophia's new argyle platypus, which I was so happy to get from SockSockWorld. So damn cute. I mean come on, a pink argyle platypus? Now, the often maligned platypus holds a special place in our heart....right Di? Let's suffice it to say, brother Mike taunted my sister when we young, but I don't think she resembles the platypus at all. Well, maybe just the eyes. Sorry Di, couldn't resist.

Sophia wasn't real happy about us all singing Happy Birthday. That could scare anybody. 

That didn't stop her from blowing out the candles.

And it didn't stop everybody from eating the cake either.

Not a bad day for a 2 year old. 

I'm about to tackle some organization in my office. I'd like to start the week off without a giant pile of papers taking over my desk.  Gar is doing the same in the basement. I know, it sounds like an absolutely thrilling way to spend a Sunday, right? What's on your plate today?

ttfn,