Category Archives: Family

Eddy’s Birthday 2013

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This marks Eddy’s 15th birthday. Another birthday means another chance to have a cookout. This cookout was unfortunately cut a bit short by the weather. The pictures had to be taken inside and Eddy is quite soaked from having to run outside and help move the birthday party indoors. Luckily the food had already been prepared and it was not a problem having everyone come inside to eat.

Eddy got everything he asked for, which is to say that all he asked for was this collection of books. The books are very important to him, because he likes to read them and to draw. He was very pleased with this and his pair of new jeans. There is one book missing from the picture and that is because it was on back order. That has since been resolved. As usual all the pictures can be found on the pictures page.

Patty’s 16th Birthday

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Patty’s 16th birthday went well. The weather permitted a fine cookout. Cake and ice cream were served. All of the family that could be there were. She even got the only thing she asked for, which was an iPhone.

The cookout included chicken that had been marinating overnight. Plain chicken seemed awful boring and mesquite seemed to be a flavor that everyone would enjoy. With Kristy’s help bacon was added to the cheddar cheeseburgers, after cooking bacon on the grill did not turn out so well and it had to be completed inside. Everyone really enjoyed the food.

The cake and ice cream was served after the dinner and Patty finally got her gift. She already knew what it was, because she only asked for one thing. Everyone really pitched in for this gift and it was worth it, because she really loves it. As usual you can find all the pictures on the pictures page.

4th of July

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As part of a 4th of July tradition we biked down the Towpath to Lock 3 in downtown Akron and watched the fireworks. The fireworks show was much improved over last year. Not to complain, but last year was over very quickly without much in the way of actual fireworks. There were some light sprinkles on the way back home, but it did not pour down like it did last year. We managed to get a great place to stand to watch the show. All the pictures can be seen on the pictures page.

Michelle’s High School Graduation

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The graduation for the Westlake High School class of 2013 was held in Cleveland at the Wolstein Center. Michelle had quite a lot of family show up to this event. Her godmother Rebecca, her Grandparents on her mother’s side, her sister and brother, and her mother and I.

We found seats and sat through the graduation. We clapped. We heard speeches from administration and class valedictorians. It was great watching Michelle walk across the stage. Pictures were taken, roses were given to Michelle afterwards, and we are all so proud.

We all went out for an early dinner after the graduation. There are two more children that will need to graduate from high school now. Michelle will be moving on to college, and driving, and all sorts of wonderful things. As always all the pictures can be found on the pictures page.

Honors Night

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Patty made honor roll for the majority of her Sophomore year at Archbishop High School, so she was invited to and received an award at Honors Night. Honors Night is a night of recognizing all the achievements of students at Archbishop Hoban and especially the seniors who are receiving grants and awards on their way to college. If Patty continues to do well this will be something to attend for the next few years. Her mother and I were in attendance, along with her sister and Grandmother. It was great seeing her win an award.

Patty Plays Lacrosse

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Patty is playing Lacrosse for Hoban. This is their inaugural year for girls lacrosse. Many of the students on the team are playing the game for the first time and while Patty is starting as a goalie for the JV team there are no promises she will end the year there. Many of the teams they will play this year have been playing for years. These pictures were taken at the first scrimmage for the girls JV lacrosse team. They have already played a few games and Patty has already won her first game. There will be more pictures to follow showing the home and away jersey.

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Michelle’s 18th

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Originally the plan for this birthday was a cookout, which has become a bit of a tradition, but the weather was not cooperating this week with temperatures in the 40’s and quite a bit of rain. It certainly looked as though the cookout could happen and the preparations were made to have one, but in the end the plans had to be changed. It was decided that the meal should be a favorite of Michelle’s choosing and what she wanted was potato gnocchi with vodka sauce. This dish is usually served with a vegetable, so yellow squash, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms were sauteed. This was served with a parmesan crusted chicken. It was a very elaborate meal.

Dinner was served and it came out extremely well and there was plenty for everyone to eat. Next was the singing of “Happy Birthday” and ice cream cake. Finally, the presents were given to Michelle. The original gifts were things that she needed, but were sort of gag gifts in order to throw her off from the main gift, which was a new laptop. The complete set of pictures can be found on the pictures page.

Easter 2013

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All three of the children were here for Easter this year, which of course is a very good thing. They all received a bunch of candy. They got Peeps, a chocolate Easter bunny, jelly beans, and various chocolate and marshmallow filled goodness. They also all received a small gift. This family has a tradition of small gifts for Easter. The girls both got summer scarves, which are apparently very popular, and James got Pokemon playing cards. We attended Easter mass at St. Bernard’s that evening. All the pictures taken that morning can be found on the pictures page.

Saturday with Patty

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Patty needed tennis shoes for gym class and for lacrosse. The official first required practice for lacrosse is February 25th, so that is only a little over a month away now. James was at his mother’s so it seemed like a good weekend to look for shoes.

The hunt for tennis shoes began at Summit Mall, because Patty does not often get to go there. It is a little bit more of a drive. Walking around the mall, it did not seem there was much of a selection. Actually, there was plenty of selection, the problem was coming to the realization that the cost of the tennis shoes was going to far exceed what was budgeted. Patty got Starbucks after a series of questions. It sort of went like this:

Starbucks: Do you want coffee?
Patty: Yes

Starbucks: Hot or cold?
Patty: Cold

Starbucks: Vanilla, chocolate, or caramel?
Patty: Caramel

So, that is how she ended up with an iced caramel frappuccino, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Next was to Dick’s Sporting Goods. There she tried on a few different pairs of shoes and the decision came down to two pair. Originally she was advised to go with the pair that would last longer, but ultimately the decision was made that it would not matter and she should get whichever pair she liked the most. The pair she liked was a Nike running shoe. Orange with yellow laces. They are nice.

Next was to Chapel Hill Mall to get socks and she managed to talk her way into getting earings. She ended up getting more earings than she should have, because they were buy one get one 50% off.

The night ended with popcorn, candy, and Redbox movies. The first movie was Snow White and the Huntsman, which I did not believe James would like a great deal, and after having watched it I still maintain that opinion. Patty liked it quite a bit. It was not planned this way, but for the second movie both Patty and I and James and his mother ended up all watching Paranorman last night. I joked that when their mother takes Patty that we should plan the movie, so that both kids can watch the same movie again. The movie was enjoyable and it was a good end to a good day.