We have just returned from our brief vacation trip to Long Island. Ryan says it was just the kind of trip he likes--4 days (not too long I guess); some time to hang; some fun stuff to do. We went to see Stomp off Broadway. The teeny tiny theater really surprised me and we sat in the second row (no one was in the first row) and I could have reached over to tie the shoes of the performers. It wasn't one of those neck-bender stages so we were in good shape even if one of the performers just about slid off the stage into my lap. We also spent a day at the beach--it was a very nice day and the kids got to spend time with their cousins as you can see.

We didn't get to have this kind of time with our cousins. Of course, there weren't as many of them as my kids are blessed with and our cousins weren't as close in age as these guys are, but I think we missed out on something pretty special. These cousins just love to spend time with each other and very quickly fall back into their comfortable relationships as soon as they get back together in the same room again. It does require active work on the part of the parents involved and Jim's family has always made time with cousins an important priority. It has certainly paid off for these kids! I sort of forget that Cathy and Kevin are our cousins but I don't think that will be the case for Amy and Ryan and the rest of the crew.

The kids also held an Extreme Pool Olympics and here is one of the prize moments from that. Ryan definitely took the medal in the freestyle event.

Weddings and Anniversaries

Who says June is wedding month? For us, it seems to be August. Happy Anniversary Judy and Patrick. As I was looking through the pictures from that fateful day, I realized there are quite a few ones I really like. Here are a few of them. Nanny looks so good in that picture with the kids. Enjoy the memories.

Welcome to the family, Sarah! I look forward to seeing some pictures of Paula's weekend. Congratulations Tim, Kevin and Sarah.

Happy Birthday Dad

This is a little hard to read because it's hard to scan from Mom's great big scrapbooks but it tells a couple of stories about Dad that I had not heard. Besides the whole (disturbing) shot - from - a - cannon stunt, he was also "sawed in half"; rode a horse bareback and came to a football game in a brown burlap bag with a rope tied around his waist that had about 30 knots in it (?). I think these were all done as a cheerleader, but I'm not sure. As you know, he interrupted his college years for the Army. This is written after he came back. I noted with interest that he put his occupation as "Master of Ceremonies" on his discharge papers.

He would have been 82 today. Happy Birthday.

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Some days I just feel like running away too. I am not sure when this was written but I remember very clearly asking if she needed me to pack anything up for her trip. It as one of those classic family moments. I don't remember ever threatening to run away but I do remember asking Mom what divorce meant and thinking getting new parents might be kind of cool. I was disappointed that wasn't going to happen. Whatever Mom's answer was made that clear!

We got to spend some time with Judy Patrick and the boys yesterday. Ryan spent the night here and went to basketball with Ryan J this morning. Then Ryan J drove Ryan P home with Maggie in the car. Nothing like having your cousin take you around complete with a dog for company! Another classic. We are very lucky.

Quarterfinals for Pony League

Ryan watching from the 3rd baseline
Matthew sliding into home.

Well, we won our quarterfinal game for Pony League 22-12. It was not a pretty game, but seeing both of the boys on the same team is something that I love. I have been looking forward to this and will probably have to wait another 2 years or so for it to happen again. I hope that Ryan will take Matthew (and Joe and Cam and Jeff) under his wing and help them become better ball players) Secretly, I think that they all admire him because of his baseball accomplishments, but would NEVER admit that. I am a bit sad that Matthew's Little League career (of 6 years) is almost over, but know that this passage brings new challenges for him.

Save the Date

Our annual summer soiree will be Sunday Aug 30. Theme: Wonder Years 1969: Woodstock and Moonwalks (the real moon walk). Be there or be square! More details to follow.

In the Good Ol Summertime

Maybe if I talk about the beach it will feel more like summer to me. I don't know about you but as far as summer weather goes, it's not been one of the best on record so far. But I hope you all are enjoying yours regardless.

This is dad at the beach with his mother, Catherine Pierce Ryan, long before Peter arrived on the scene. Apparently this is Long Beach which I don't have any real memories of but I do have some vague recollections of time on Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester. I remember digging around in the sand near the bridge where there were small pools of water left behind by the tide. I remember how flat and wet the beach area was and how cold the water was.

I've never been a real big fan of the beach (sand, slimy seaweed and mysterious creatures underfoot) but I do love the sound of the ocean and the feel of the sun. This seems to be a very sunny day although Dad seems a little mystified. I wonder who's behind the camera.

This is a picture of Mom on the beach probably when she was about 5. I am not sure what beach this might be. Ever thought about how our ancestors on both sides spent a great deal of time in and near water? No wonder we seem drawn to Gloucester. Although learning to swim in Lake Erie probably should have killed that instinct in me, it didn't. Fort Myers Beach is probably the closest I ever came to actually almost enjoying the beach.

Ryan's first beach experience was in Florida at a beach just down the road from Kathleen and Nick's house. If you can imagine, I forgot to tell him to expect saltwater and he took in a big mouthful. I think he was about 4. That was the end of swimming for quite a while for him. After he forgave me for that, he was cautious for years to ask first if it was saltwater before he dipped a toe in.

Water was part of our everyday lives when we lived in Silver Creek. Moving "inland" to Walton was the first time I realized that not everyone grows up near water and that some people don't learn how to swim as part of a rite of childhood. Ryan and Amy don't have that same experience, but I hope they will always feel the pull of the ocean. Well, not literally.