Remembering Carl

Since I last wrote my son in law's brother Carl died suddenly one Sunday afternoon. We had only met him a couple times-the 1st time at Katy and Doug's wedding. He was certainly the life of the party-very funny and outgoing. He did a dance to Like a Virgin with Katy that I still laugh about-it was hilarious. After he came up to my mom and I and asked (with a bit of fear and trepidation) if we liked the dance And we assured him that we LOVED it-and got a big hug in return. We all feel so badly that we'll never get to know him the way we would have liked! He was talking about having nieces and nephews-and I know he was looking forward to that prospect-of being an uncle!! So sad he'll never see that. At the memorial service-the minister said what a fun-loving person he was and we didn't want to go out crying so she had us do the Hokey-Pokey!! I know some of the people there (esp the man glowering at me from the row in back of me) did not like it at all-but I thought it was quite appropriate and we know that he was watching every minute of it and loving it. So to Carl-sorry you had to leave us so soon and we will miss you!! And every time we hear the Hokey Pokey we will think of you and smile!!

Me and dad 

Ryan and grandpa 

Doug, Katy and grandpa 

Eric with grandpa 

Chris, Amy and Grandpa 

Dad blowing out his candles on his 85th birthday 

Is is almost Easter???

Man, have I ever gotten behind on here-last time I posted it was the day after Christmas and here it is almost Easter! Shame on me!! Well, since my last post we had Eric's 34th birthday on Jan 13th-( I know it is hard to believe that I have a son that age!! I can't believe it either!!) Then on Jan 27th my dad turned 85-another fact I am having a hard time believing. He neither looks or acts 85, thank goodness!! Guess I come from good stock! We had parties for both! Then in Feb. Tim had a week off and we headed up the coast of CT for a couple days of R and R to celebrate Valentine's day and our engagement anniversary (7 years as of Feb 15th) We went to a lovely old B and B and had a wonderful relaxing time. We've also had our share of snowstorms this winter-looks like Tim will be working til the end of June the way it's going!! And another Nor'Easter is on it's way this week!! ARRRGH!! Enough already-am anxiously awaiting Spring, warm temps, sunny skies, can't wait!! I've already bought some hibiscus plants to go in next month-I am optimistic!!

Tim relaxing 

Ryan and Amy 

Peter, Chloe posing, Grandma and Grandpa 

Amy and me 

After Christmas lunch at Amy's

On the 26th we were invited to Chris' and Amy's for a luncheon. She had quite a crowd-Chris' mom, dad, sister, brother in law, brother and niece plus the 5 of us. She made a yummy pumpkin tortilla soup, broccoli cheese bread, veggies and dip and had Christmas cookies for dessert. I also brought some cranberry and pumpkin breads and cookies and Chris' mom brought shrimp plus traditional Swedish rice pudding. We all had a really nice afternoon visiting and eating!!

Cuddling 

Ryan, Grandpa and Zach the cat 

Peeking thru the window 

Grandpa, Katy, me and the grandkitties 

Dinner at Katy and Doug's

Had a really nice dinner at Katy and Doug's last night. Love my daughter dearly but she is not the cook in the family-Doug is!! And he did an excellent job. Made Shish-ka-bobs on the grill, rice and peas. It was all so tasty-ate every bite!! For dessert they got a Boston Cream Pie as they knew it was Grandpa's favorite! We gobbled that down too. Katy (who is the baker in the family) brought out her Christmas cookies-and they were also really good!! We had fun chatting and playing with my grand-kitties, Abby and Zach. They have gotten so big and so cute!!

Arriving 

Grandpa and Grandma opening presents 

Tim and his new stapler 

Grandpa 

Opening presents at Grandma's 

Eric, Freya and Ryan 

Grandma 

Amy 

Chris and his cocoa 

Katy and Doug 

The guys 

The girls, coffee and Ryan 

Eric and Me 

Opening presents 

Christmas 2004

Hi there-hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! We did here in the Matthew's household tho it was a bit different this year! Eric, Amy and Katy all had their own plans for Christmas Eve and was the first year we were not all together that evening! But Tim, Ryan and I did have a nice time-went to the early service which was special. Everyone came to the house the next morning-but it was the 1st morning in over 30 years I didn't have someone jumping on the bed waiting for me to get up. After all the years of complaining about that I feel badly now-and will always miss it!! Anyway, we all did have a wonderful Christmas-we received some great gifts-and had a great time just spending time together as a family!