What a Weekend!

We left Friday afternoon for Denver-took till 3am our time to get there as the storms in the midwest were too significant for us to fly through. So we waited on the runway for 2+ hours aboard our Jet Blue flight. As uncomfortable as that might sound I can at least say that the crew of our flight did everything possible to keep us comfortable. Free movies once we were en route was much appreciated. I actually enjoyed Gulliver's Travels. Probably not so much if I had to pay for it but it did help pass the time in those bumpy skies.
I've come a long way in my ability to fly again. For years I avoided it-partly due to my true dislike and partly due to the constant memory of how a ill-fated flight took the life of my father. I certainly never forget that every time I board but I have found ways to cope (without medication now!) that get me through a flight. I know that much of what helps is that my children are all grown and fully capable of taking care of themselves.
As for the rest of our weekend-we packed in a lot! Saturday morning we drove out to Boulder for the Celestial Tea Tour. Did you know that tea doesn't have an expiration date? If it's been on the shelf a long time just use 2 tea bags!

The big surprise for our friend Joe was just that-a big surprise! Carol managed to pull off 9 months of planning and when he walked in to the castle it was apparent that he had no idea that his simple dinner out was actually a night to celebrate his nearly 39 years with Ge/Martin Marietta/Lockhead Martin!


Sunday brought another day of fun and beauty. A trip to Castle of the Gods which was enjoyed on an hour long Segway tour. Breathtaking views of one of the most unique places we have in this country.

A red-eye flight home-thank goodness no delays this time!

Arriving home we saw our yard was an explosion of purple-the rhododendrons are in bloom!

We managed to snap some shots of Molly giving kisses, putting on her new super-cool crocs and holding her precious baby sister.

As if the weekend wasn't fun enough-we went to watch the Memorial Day parade which conveniently goes right by Jason and Liz's house.

Thank you never seems like a big enough phrase to all the women and men in our Armed Forces. But it comes from the heart. Thank you.

Oh how the time flies

Tonight we celebrated Elizabeth's 23rd birthday. Seeing her hold her newest niece, Emily, makes it all the sweeter to remember back when she was born. A girl after 3 little boys. I went into Kids World and said to Dave: Give me everything pink!
What a wild ride those years were! While we were in the middle of it I remember trying to take it all in because I knew how quickly those sweet years would fly by.

Tonight we feasted on lobster tails, homemade biscuits, some very good early corn on the cob, yummy caprese salad, and a mixed berry delight-which Molly thought was just for her! And to end the evening a delicious coconut cake-thank you to my baker daughter in law Liz!

With everyone gathered together for the birthday celebration we were able to get a few snapshots of the family. Molly wasn't interested in sitting for even a second until her mother said "chocolate"? She came running!

We also managed to get a few candid shots of Cale and his newly expanding family along with our newest little angel Emily with her fans.

Elizabeth and sweet Emily

Liz and her precious goddaughter

The many faces of Emily Anne

May 24, 2011

Emily Anne

Today is significant for many reasons. Locally our community hosted The Ride for Missing Children.
Although I have not personally lost a child I have lost a parent. And by that I mean, truly lost. My father disappeared in a plane crash in British Columbia in 1983. As horrific as that event was, and truly life altering, it pales by comparison to losing a child.

As my son and his wife prepared to bring home their second daughter today it only made me take a moment to think of the many parents who go to bed tonight not knowing where their son or daughter is. I will never be able to understand what brings a person to abduct an innocent child from their loving family. We can never really sleep well knowing that so many children do not have the security of going to bed in their own home, with their true family.

And so tomorrow begins my son's family newest adventure. Life with 2 young daughters. We will never let them out of our sight nor allow them to be left unprotected. From the moment Emily Anne was born she was protected in the hospital with a wander guard. A sad testament to the horrors of our current society. As much as an inconvenience that little guard around her ankle was it was there to remind us that we should never forget that all too many children were left unguarded for just a second. A second long enough to shatter their parents and siblings lives forever.

Let us hope that while we continue to support The Ride for Missing Children that the day will someday come when that ride is only a memory.

Today's weather was everything and then some! Lots of rain, periods of sun, thunder and lightening! High of about 70!

The excitement continues!

Initially I told Cale I would wait and see Emily this afternoon when I bring Molly to see her baby sister again. Then I realized-what! Wait an entire day before snuggling my newest granddaughter? Absolutely not! I know I won't be able to wait till 5! So I have my camera in my bag and as soon as he calls I'm off!

And today's weather forecast?

Today-  Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers.  A thunderstorm is possible this afternoon.  High 70.

Tonight- Scattered rain showers.  Low 55.

She's Here!

Emily Anne Tallman arrived tonight, weighing in at 8lbs 2oz. That's a lot of baby for her tiny 4' 11" mama!
She looks just like her big sister Molly. Considering Molly has not really acted like she understood anything about her mother having a baby, she sure did get excited when she met her baby sister for the first time. She giggled and said "baby!" She was grinning from ear to ear, as were the rest of us when we watched their first introduction.

What a day of joy for all of us!

May 18, 2011 Think today's the day!

Today- Mainly cloudy with scattered showers.  High 65-70.

Tonight-  Scattered showers.  Low 55-60.

Took Molly to school today. That's because her mama wasn't up to driving-unless she plans on driving herself to the hospital! Exciting to know that sometime today our sweet little granddaughter #2 will be here! And the secret name will finally be revealed!

Today's Weather May 17, 2011

Cloudy with another round of rain arriving this afternoon.  High 58-63.

Tonight-  Cloudy with rain showers.  Low 53-58.

Why post the weather every day? Tim and I have always enjoyed teasing each other about the weather in the Mohawk Valley. He's a true optimist and always sees the report as partly sunny and never partly cloudy. Great outlook on life!

All this rain has left our backyard looking like the Emerald Isle. Such a rich color green!

Little Miss Holly Polly has not yet made her arrival. Perhaps she's allowing her big sister to remain in the spotlight just a little while longer. 

Met one of my Wish kids at the airport last night. She and her parents were returning from a magical week at Give Kids The World. What an honor it is for me to be part of such an amazing organization. I am so thankful to be able to volunteer for Make-A-Wish! 

Today's Weather May 15, 2011

Cloudy with occasional rain showers today.  Cool, with highs only in the 50s.  More rain showers tonight with lows near 50.

New Week New Adventures!

My daughter-in-law Maggie is due with baby #2 tomorrow. We know she's having a girl but the name is a secret! We've enjoyed playing along with her and gave the baby the name of Holly Polly. Fits with her older 2 year old sister's name of Molly. Tim and I have guesses as to what her name will be but have decided not to share our guesses either!
Oddly enough last month Tim was looking through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and mentioned he thought he had an idea what Cale and Maggie would name the baby. I asked him where he got the idea and he said he saw it in the catalog. I then asked him what his guess was and when he told me I responded quickly with "that's what I think too". So when I asked him where he saw it in the catalog neither he nor I could find it! Bit odd. Guess we've been married long enough that we really do think alike!
One thing most of the family agrees on is what we think her middle name will be. And that's.........guess you'll have to wait till she's here to find out!

Local legend has passed

Good-bye to a local legend

Ronnie Smith, a local talented country music singer, passed away Thursday. As a young adult I knew Ronnie as my parents and Uncle J.C. and Aunt Sharon were friends with him.
Imagine how lucky I felt when Ronnie asked me to photograph his album cover! And being the odd duck that I was all I asked for in payment was a bunny!

Day One

I've certainly read my fair share of blogs and seriously don't know if it's something I'll be good at. But I think it's time to give it a try. I need to say thank you to Krista, as she is my inspiration for creating this blog. A mother of four-all under the age of 5(!) she continues to amaze me with her beautiful photos and updates on her growing family. Her love of that family shines through in everything she writes and all the photos she shares.
I think this blog can become a great way to honor my family and create a history of all we do.

Considering today would have been my dads birthday it's fitting to use my computer as a tool for connecting to the world. His predictions of how computers would impact our world were made over 40 years ago. And to think we now carry our tools of the trade with us everywhere we go.

Let's get started!