Ben on the move

Helping

Dirt. It's not just for breakfast anymore

I gotta say, these last two pictures pretty much sum up Ben and his outlook on life. Pretty happy and kind of unsteady on his feet.

At the fair, day 2

Ben wanted to join Zach in the sweeper this time.

Trying to get the two of them to sit still, near each other for a picture was like hearding cats!

Zach in a big bouncy train. We liked this a lot because 1) it was free 2) he could navigate it himself (he needed a little encouragement the first time) and 3) it was an awesome length for a 2 year old. Not so long that he got scared, but not so short he got bored.

A nice lady at 4-H let him in the golf cart. This might be because I volunteered to talk to 4-H. They are ALWAYS looking for vets!

An Evening at the Monmouth County Fair

Ben in the bulldozer!

Zach was in hog heaven with the tractors and equipment that the parks department brought

Our first carousel ride!

Singing and Dancing

Dad had two requests for his funeral. One, that Leaving on a Jet Plane was sung by someone, and that When the Saints Go Marching In was played. So, Cliff and I lead a sing a long in grand hippie style! And then we all essentially danced the hora to Saints. It was an awesome way to end the party

A Great Party

Sisters!

Friends, old and new. Sister Ginny and Aunt Ginny and Uncle Frank were at my parent's wedding. The Marino's (sitting) knew my folks in Montevideo. And Dr. Steve Schafer was my dad's anesthesiologist at Columbia. He's pictures here with his wife, Dr. Pamela Schafer.

Ben walked up at storm

I think Zach and Madeline are plotting something

More fun at the Memorial

Our fabulous tenor, and his fabulous wife and MIL. Jatin sang beautifully. And, in the middle of Mass, when he was singing Mass parts, I realized I had not given him the heads up on them. Sorry!!!

Cathy and Megan drove a long way and back to be there! Thanks!

Cousin Paul shows Zach pictures of Joe

Pat Moulton and her husband Jim. These lucky folks are the last ones who had dinner out with mom and dad!

Next posting of Dad's memorial

Edith and Aunt Roz, chatting it up before the service. I am fairly confident that the Catholics were in the minority at the Mass!

A quick picture with Uncle Frank!

Mom and Aunt Jackie

The excellent band!

Dad's memorial weekend

I am going to be uploading pictures from the memorial weekend over the next couple of days. Thank you so much to everyone who came. Those who travelled far especially! Well, that was everyone except my family and my mother! Thank you for braving traffic and being there. It meant so much

Mom, Chy and Marley as we get ready to go set up

Putting out pins and pictures

Annie and Josh came over with Madeline. The kids all had a blast together!

Two of my favorite people relaxing on my porch!

And, I even have a gardening update! I harvested a pound of green beans and three pounds of garlic. I also put 5 trays of spices in the dehydrator. Yummy tarragon for scrambled eggs this winter! The tomatoes are going like gangbusters and I am just hoping for a week of sunshine to ripen the first lot. The eggplant is growing well, but not really showing any signs of eggplants. And we have two wee peppers! And weeds, I have a ton of weeds!

July picture upload 1

Walking and drinking his bottle!

Fun in the sandbox at a local park

Grandmere's hat is very stylish!
Zach is VERY helpful with the dishes!

Going down the slide with dad!

Goodbye Medchen

Well, the world's most perfect German Shepherd is in heaven with dad. She got too sick today, and I had to give her the one last gift I could, the gift of a peaceful death. Medchen came to me on St. Patty's Day in 2010. We had ten wonderful years together. She was with me through so much change in my life. She went and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge with Dad today. I will miss her so much.

These are our last pictures of my wonderful girl.