Why I Escort Dad to Holland

When you can see a smile like this on your Dad's face, you know it is worth it. We visited the brother of his best friend, Baer. Math Simons was also in the Harmonie (town band) with Dad, and as you can see, still makes people happy with his music.

Of course, a trip is not complete unless you can clown around with Tanta Mia.

Don't thay look great? And happy, even though it was really hot.

A Few Grad Pics

Opa and Ross after the Baccalaureate mass.

Jamie and Maggi

Miriam and Ross

Janet and Doug Brown with the master

Proud parents!

Graduations!

What a weekend! Both boys graduated - Jamie with his Masters in Marine Science from Stony Brook University on Long Island, and Ross with a BA in Mathmatics and a minor in Physics from Boston College. We had sunny weather - a little too hot at times.



Alex Brown, Jamie, Ross, and Aimee at BC.

Dad, Opa, Josi, Jamie, Maggi and Aimee at Stony Brook.

Florida Road Trip - People!

Of course, the people you get to spend time and share experiences with are the reason to get out.

I'll age if it gets me the chance to see a young woman take up and master making beautiful music on her cello. Proud of you, Natalie. Brenda and Kevin, way to go - you know what I mean.
Then, through the marvels of technology, you discover a friend from far away is actually in the next town. Hi Jenn! Wanna pick up guys on the beach?

Love you, Gramps and Joansi.

Florida Road Trip, Part 1

Valid reason for a road trip.

Florida hiways and byways can readily be classified as straight and flat, straight and flat.

With an occasional rise over a bay, inlet or swamp.

We are passing through the land of the Blue Angel, Pensacola, Florida. This was as close as we got to seeing any in action.

Construction - repaving. Speed limit decreased all the way down to 65 mph. Really held us up (not). Note to self, don't sign on to a Florida road crew.

Aimee Reading Harry Potter at The Loop, Tallahassee

The Big Snow of '10 - part 1

These are some pictures I took of the big snow we had early February. We have had 3 big snows this season - one before Christmas and then two right on top of each other in February. Each dumped about 2 feet of snow. Very unusual for this part of the country and they all hit us hard. We feel lucky that we never lost power. But we did have some serious cabin fever - although not Jack Nicholson serious. Aimee missed 2 weeks of school total but thanks to the wonders of technology, her teachers were able to assign work, provide teaching materials, and even conduct real-time debates. I will never hear her again wish to be home schooled.

Pauly loves walking in the snow. This is Miller Heights Road near our house.

Sterling getting down to the business of snow removal. This was only the first snow. 3 days later we got as much again. I still don't know where we put it all.

Miller Heights Road near our house.

We heard this tree come down while we were shovelling. We lost no trees. Mainly pines came down or more frequently, lost branches. No serious damage to homes in our neighborhood.

Aimee and Pauly enjoying the snow and each other

The First Big Snow of '10-part 2

Lying down in the middle of Miller Rd - can't do this too often!

Home, snowy home

The intersection of Miller and Miller Heights

Aimee checking the mail

Pauly surveying the shovelling job