Knitting Lace at the Beach

My blog is now four years old. It started with me turning 50 years old at the beach and I proudly published my first pic of me at the beach. Since I celebrate my birthday each year at the beach, it is only fitting to commemorate the moment with another beach pic with my favorite hobby...knitting. We had a great week of rest. Lots of reading and knitting accomplished. Steve and Kristina were able to come this year. The only thing missing were Stacy and Brad and the grandkids. Hope they can come next year.

Never turn your back on a 2 year old with a marker!

Stacy called me and asked me to check out her facebook pics. It seems that Evan was entirely too quiet in his room coloring. When Stacy and Brad went to investigate, here is what they found. Evan was coloring all right....coloring himself! And quite proud of his handiwork I must say. Can you say ornery? By the way, the marker was washable ink and removed nicely in the bath. Could have been worse. Could have been a permanent Sharpie.

Mother's Day Trip to the Zoo

Mothers got in free at Pittsburgh Zoo on Mothers Day. It was a fun day. Evan was amazed at the animals and Rylie enjoyed scaring Mamaw with snakes. The polar bear exhibit was really nice. If you ask the kids what there favorite thing was to see as the zoo, they will tell you about the amazing rhino pooping. It was impressive I must say.

Happy Birthday Stacy!!!!!

Stacy celebrated her 31st birthday with a pedicure from Body and Balance. Brad made her dinner and she enjoyed the evening with her family. Her birthday present? A Vera Bradley purse! I want one! Stacy you are still so beautiful! Happy Birthday!

Everyone (except Baylee) has fun at the sleepover at Mamaw and Papaw's house!

What fun we have when sleepovers happen at Mamaw's and Papaw's. We went shopping, did crafts, and played and played and played. Evan loves his Matchbox cars and Rylie decorated a whole new binder for school. Evan loves his "sissy" and wants her to rock him when it was time for nap. Rylie complied while still watching "Jonas Brothers" new TV episode. Baylee is recovering from the increased decible levels. She has to make sure Papaw knows she is still the "baby" of the house.

Evan and Papaw at the Park

Evan is two and now knows the age old grandparent's secret.....Mamaw and Papaw's house is awesome fun! Evan had a sleepover with us this weekend and enjoyed the warming weather with a tour of the area parks. We really hated for him to go home. The cutest thing he did this weekend is sit immediately on the floor when we commanded the family dog, Baylee, to sit while waiting for a treat. Evan sat beautifully. Baylee.....not so much.

Save the Ta Ta's

 

Rylie and Evan doing their part in Breast Cancer Awareness. Pic sent to me by Stacy. It was so good, I had to post it.

Rylie wins WV State Gymnastics Championship

Rylie is the new level five gymnastics champion for WV. We just returned from her best meet this season. She took Gold Medal for All Around with Two Golds in bars and vault and two silvers in beam and floor. Her brother Evan is so proud! Check out her gymnastics blog (link at the left) for more information on her gymnastics adventures!

Rylie's Ninth Birthday

Rylie's ninth birthday was a family day of fun, shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Washington, PA, and finally a great dinner at Texas Roadhouse with Rylie riding the "birthday saddle" Rylie just finished another gymnastics meet in Monesson, PA the day before, so her weekend has been quite full. Rylie, by the way, won three gold medals and tied for first place all around in the Monesson meet. We are so proud of her. Evan practiced singing Happy Birthday to Rylie and did it very well. Evan, of course wanted presents, too. I always have a little something just in case. He opened a gift on this day as well. He's quite happy with celebrating birthdays! Attending Rylie's dinner were great-grandparent Nanny and her husband Gene, Uncle Steve and Aunt Kristina, Mamaw and Papaw, and of course Mom and Dad and Evan. We had such a nice day!

Our 34th Wedding Anniversay

While in Gatlinburg, TN for Rylie's meet, Bill and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary on Feb 8. We had so much fun. Here's to another 34 years. Bill and I are really blessed and are grateful for our family and our memories. We look a little older than those scrolling pictures on the left. Were we ever that young?

Steve on the Local News

Steve was interviewed by WBOY news regarding WVU's research in the study of flu transmission. Here is an excerpt of his interview. He did a good job. Steve is currently coordinating and assisting in research for the Department of Emergency Medicine at WVU. He has co authored many publications in several medical journals. We are so proud of his accomplishments.

Rylie wins All Around in Gymnastic Meet in Erie PA!

Rylie is now in level five competition season. She has had three meets so far and has taken first place all around is all three. I keep a special blog to chronicle all her accomplishments in her competitive gymnastics career. There are pics and a few videos as well. Check it out at www.ryliegymnastics.blogspot.com or just click on the "Rylie Gymnastics Page" link down on the left to see what she has been up to. She has met Mary Lou Retton and Chelsie Memmel this year and those pics are on the blog as well. Rylie is shown here her with her Mom, Stacy, celebrating after the Erie PA Invitational Meet. This was Rylie's first "International Meet" Teams from Canada were represented as well. We all had a great time.

Evan is Two!!!

Evan had his two year old birthday party and the whole family was there to wish him well. He looked quite grown up in his little vest sweater and pants. He is becoming attached to uncle Steve and is shown here with Steve holding him. Evan's parents, Brad and Stacy were so busy making everyone comfortable and well fed, I was unable to get a pic of the three of them together. They did a remarkable job entertaining so many people in their home.

2008 Chrismas and New Years at Mamaws!

 
 
 
 It was a good family time for Christmas Eve and New Years Day at our home. We had a simple Christmas Eve dinner and New Years dinner. Pops was able to visit with us for the holidays and the kid's really enjoyed him. We are so thankful for our blessings! It was hard for Pops and Bill this first Christmas without Mimi, but the family has really tried to pull together with love and support. Bill and I tried to continue Mimi's tradition of making homemade donuts on Christmas Eve. We made our first batch which tasted great, but they were a little on the ugly side. It may take us a few years to get it right.

Getting Ready for Christmas!!!!

December has been a busy month! We visited Santa and the lights in Westover, Rylie was "Mary" in her church pageant, Evan learned how to crawl under every church pew till he reached the front of the church, and we even visited two live nativites in town. It's been fun getting ready for Christmas!

Halloween Trick or Treat

 Elmo and Pumpkin Spice are ready to hit the streets for the candy and treats. Mamaw and Papaw gave out candy while the kids took off for the fun. The neighborhood had nearly 300 kids this year. So cute.

A Much Needed Vacation in Lancaster, PA

 
 
 This has been quite a stressful year for us. Bill and I decided to take a few days and rest in the Amish Country of Lancaster PA. The weather was great. We shopped at the Amish stores, Kitchen Kettle Village and rode the train in Strausburg. We really enjoyed the peaceful quiet town of Lititz. I discovered the best chocolate in the world called Wilbur Buds made right in Lititz. Bill and I really needed some rest time and Lancaster County filled the bill.

Taking Pops home to Metuchen, NJ

 
 
 Pop's has long wanted to return to his hometown of Metuchen, NJ. An old classmate was located and offered to show us around town. Pop's graduated High School from Metuchen and immediately went into service during World War II. His brother Richard also went into service and was killed in Germany. Pop's was able to see for the first time, Richard's memorial marker that honors his brother. Metuchen is a beautiful town. Very peaceful and friendly. Pop's friend, Don Wernick was a former mayor of this town. It was a great trip.

Goodbye Granny! We will miss you!

 

 

 

My grandmother known by all who met her as simply "Granny" has passed away just 2 weeks before her 92nd birthday. I have so many memories of her that make me smile. Granny made the best fried chicken and chocolate pie in the world. She always found blackberries for me to eat when I came to visit because she knew I loved them so. I look back now and realized that they didn't have much money and that was such a gift. Granny let me play dress up with her high heels often when I was little. She never once had a cross word for me and many times she would say how she loved those babies. I learned from Granny a few tricks on how to be a good grandmother. I also learned many old time stories, recipes, and traditions that were never written down. The best thing I remember about Granny is how she would get tickled and laugh so hard at something. She was a hoot to play Canasta with. We always joked about her intense playing of the game. She would talk to the cards...."be there" and cuss when they weren't there. For Granny to cuss, she started the word and ended the word but would leave out the middle of the word. "Sh......t" was her favorite cuss word. The funniest memory I have of her is when a truck carrying cows overturned on the highway and scattered the animals everywhere. Our car had broken down and we were parked at the side of the road when a small cow ran toward Granny. Granny screams "buuuulllll" and dives into the car. Granny always liked to come and help me when my kids were little. She cleaned house, helped cook meals, and it was so appreciated. Trying to raise two young kids and work was really hard and I really needed the help. These are just a few of the great memories I had of my grandmother. My only regret is that I didn't share these memories at her funeral. I have always been too emotional to do such things and I missed an opportunity to share with her friends and family what wonderful things she did for her grandkids. I will remember her always and am happy to share these memories with the world through my blog. Goodbye Granny!!!!!I loved you very much. I will miss you. Please enjoy these pictures of our last visit in April with Granny. She was so happy to see the kids. Sneak a peek at the scrolling pictures on the left of Bill and I when we were young. You will see a picture of Granny standing next to Bill in the wedding picture with the grandparents. She would have been about 62 in that picture.