Introducing...

The newest member of our family, and the reason Maddie came to stay for 2 weeks:

He is (to borrow a phrase from Game of Thrones) The Fifth of His Name: Michael V.  It's a name 174 years in the making.  III studying little V very carefully.

 Three generations with the same name: III, IV, V.  Our son was absurdly pleased to pass on the name (and I was thrilled, too).

 Both children with parents and grandparents.  The baby looks like he's wondering what that big kid there is doing, while Maddie just wants to romp and play.

Michael was under 7-1/2 pounds, which is 2 full pounds smaller than his sister, and that thrilled their mama.

So there you have it: the newest member of our family!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Another Birthday!

While Maddie was here, Cass and Bebop came home for Cass' birthday.  Birthdays are always a good time, and everyone loves an excuse for cake and presents.

 Of course, Bebop came to the party.  Maddie was amazed when he got to be so tall!

Cass opened presents, and Maddie taste-tested one.

Blowing out the candles....

 We got Bebop a doggie DNA test kit.  Look at how this poor guy was struggling; who knew that a cheek swab was so very painful?  Silly boy.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I'm Not Lost...

Honest, I'm not.  We had Maddie for 2 weeks while her baby brother was making his entrance into this world; it was delightful.  Our son said he and his wife missed Little Girl, but we told him that was just their imagination.  Sadly, we still had to take her home.

She loved Bebop.

 Aunt Cass helped her fly to attack Grandpa.

 Sharing a PB&J with Bebop...did I mention that he loved her, too?

 Maddie brought along this puppy, who sings.  Highly recommended for anyone with a 1-year-old.

 Sitting with Uncle Ryan.

 Watching Up with Aunt Cass and, of course, Bebop.

 "Are you gonna save me? We can play!"

 Maddie was just starting to walk; I bought her these adorable little sandals with a really thin sole.

 Surrounded by toys, life is good.  And that block is really tasty.

"Uncle Mark's gonna share. I know he is!"

 Remember the walking in the sandals?  Yeah, they usually stayed on the feet for at least 90 seconds.  But they were fun to carry around after she inspected them.

 And, of course, life is always better when sitting with Grandpa.  He reads good stories, and lets her play with his newspaper, too.

Happy Monday, everyone!

A Big Milestone!

Mark graduated from high school yesterday!  I can't believe it; for the first time in 30 years - yes, THIRTY years - I won't be sending anyone off to school in the mornings.  My baby will be going to college in the fall.  I'm not going to lie; this is weird. (I don't know why these pictures won't sit right.  This is annoying.)

Mark went to a Jesuit high school (and I learned yesterday that there are only 47 Jesuit high schools in the entire country), and the graduation was the most formal one I've ever seen. The boys were in tuxes ($133 rental, thank you very much) and the girls wore long white dresses.  I was in the middle of the audience, and couldn't get any really good pictures.  Even the 200mm camera lens wasn't much help.  But here he is, walking across the stage!

 Ignore the fact that Mark is on his side - he was really standing up straight.  Didn't he look handsome?  The school gave the rose boutoniers to each boy, and a red rose with baby's breath to each girl.

 Looks pretty pleased with himself, doesn't he?

 No, I didn't suddenly get taller; I was wearing 4" heels for the occasion. 

 Once we got home, I got a picture with Mark where I'm my normal height.  You can see just how delighted Mark was with having his picture taken....again....

 And, the day before he graduated, the school held a baccalaureate mass, and gave each graduate an inspirational medal, with a quote from St. Ignatius.  I hope this doesn't mean they expect to have just turned loose 173 fresh arsonists.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Garden Tuesday, on Friday

It's been rainy here for weeks.  Seriously, my weather guy just said last night that it was cloudy and/or raining 24 days in May.  That's just too many.

So, when I saw this sky, I had to take a picture!

Happy Weekending, everyone!

Another Birthday...

Can you believe Ryan turned 21 last weekend?  What happened to the cute little guy who used to haul around a Winnie the Pooh who started out as big as Ryan?

Of course, I made a cake.  When do I not?  Plus, that flour isn't going to use itself.

I'm not standing in a hole; I promise.

See? The boys are taller than their dad, and you know my Dearly Beloved is no short guy.

He looks pretty happy, don't you think?

Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone.

Overbought?

So, I often order pantry staples online, and let the guys in brown or purple take care of hauling it in.  Yesterday, Ryan dragged (okay, he carried; I'd have dragged) in a big box for me.  He and his father had a good laugh when they saw what I bought.

"What?" I demanded.  "It was the best price.  And it isn't like I won't use it fast.  You guys do like to eat, you know."

They should consider themselves lucky I didn't find a 50 pound bag for even less!

Happy Tuesday, everyone.

Kellie's Wedding, At Last!

Yes, as Pam rightly guessed, Kellie's wedding was Saturday.  Early May in East Tennessee equals perfect weather, right?

No. Not even close.

So, we flew in Friday with Shannon and family - Grandpa held Nora when she wasn't eating while we were going up.  She's up to 5 pounds, 9 ounces: That's 2 full pounds gained!

And the rain came down in buckets.  Big honkin' buckets.  Dan rented me a Suburban, and I didn't even get to really try it out, the weather was so bad.  Except when the rain let up on the Parkway at one point, where I might have opened up the throttle just a bit....nevermind.

The rehearsal was supposed to be outside, but we held it under a tent.  I had a pretty dress, and sparkly shoes, and d***near froze to death.  Wet feet does not a happy Marjie make.  And it was in the 40s even in the afternoon, and this dope insisted on wearing her open toed, sparkly shoes.  Good move.  No pictures.  (I realized when we were taking off that I forgot my real camera anyway; good thing the kids browbeat me into getting one of those fancy cell phones; that's why I have even these pictures).

For the record, rehearsal dinner was great; Larry, I can recommend Sullivan's downtown.  Their beef is quite good, and the atmosphere is very nice.  Parking isn't good, but that's downtown for you.

Saturday dawned clear and cold: 40 and sunny.  But then it clouded up, and drizzled.  Poor Kellie was not happy.  The wedding was set for 5:30, with pictures starting at 3:45.  Bride and groom pictures in the drizzle.  Not really ideal.  Then, at 5, the drizzle stopped, and at 5:25, the sun came out.  It was still cold, but we had sun!

Now I'll shut up; here are some pictures.

(click on it; she looks absolutely radiant.)

(And, if you ever host an outdoor wedding where it's 46 degrees, do what I did: send someone to get a space heater and extension cord, and get the heater put under your table.  Let everyone else be cold; you can be warm and cheerful.)

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Drive-By: Where I've Been

Just one picture from this weekend, whilst I try to regain my bearings: taken by her sister, this picture was dubbed "Kellie's Security Team."

Oh, and one of my hair.  It was worth every penny of the 60 bucks I paid.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Homecoming!

So, we went to see Nora in the NICU again Saturday, and this time her granddaddy held her (despite his protests that he's too big and clumsy to hold a 4-1/2 pound infant).  And guess what?  She was medically cleared to go home today!

She had to have a special car seat, of course, rated for infants down to 4 pounds.  It was still too big for her.  But she'll get there.

All is well; all of our family is home, and life is as it should be.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Happy Day After Easter!

Some of the family came for Easter weekend, including Maddie.  It was a busy, loud weekend, as one might expect.  Shannon didn't come up, but I didn't expect her.  On the preemie front, Nora hit 4 pounds on Good Friday!  Looks like she might well be out of the hospital by the end of April.  What a girl!  She's allowed to wear clothing now, since she only has a couple of monitor wires on her.

Of course, I made Hot Cross Buns.  Only 32 this year.

I added 2 tablespoons of shortening to my recipe this year, and they stayed soft for 2 days.  It was amazing!  Of course, only 3 Hot Cross Buns lasted 2 days, so I don't know if that was a representative sampling of just luck...

Happy Monday, everyone!