Happy Birthday Paw-Paw...

Today is the Other Dave's birthday! Lily has taken to calling him Paw-Paw. I guess when you move to Memphis it's only natural that your grandchildren start referring to you as Paw Paw. I however, like to think Lily is saying Pa-Pah assuming a french accent. Anyway, we celebrated with pancakes and some really ugly (but very tasty) cupcake cones. Then Toni and Dave were off to NYC. They don't let the grass grow. The kids already miss them. Jack brought home an Easter bag from school and said he wanted to show his colored egg to Grandpa Dave and Grandma Toni. They both sang Happy Birthday to Paw Paw.

Happy Birthday! Hope you have fun in the city!

Providence

After our jaunt to Boston, we made a quick trip to Providence. It was nice to see where Dr. Bridgie hangs her scrubs on her occasional day off. Her place is really cool--very modern and industrial-like with exposed brick and duct work (and crumbling brick, but that's another story). Anyhow, we hung out in the apartment then got a quick driving tour of Providence. The medical buildings are obviously places where Bridge works. The houses are some of the nicer residences near Brown University.

Who is that Harry Potter actress going to Brown? Maybe she lives here...

Or here...

Medical Building - I think this is Bridget's clinic

Hospital

Bridget's apartment.

Playing Mario Brothers

In all fairness to Bridget, this place looked much nicer before we came and dumped all our belongings everywhere.

We went out to dinner in downCITY (apparently they don't say downtown) Providence with a couple of Bridget and Brian's friends. It was fun. Wish we had more time. I'm sure Bridget does too. We were lucky to catch her when she had a couple of consecutive days off.

Random Boston Shots

There's still time for me to be discovered...

David T. Archer, Esq. (Who wouldn't want this guy to represent them?)

Faneuil Hall

Sam Adams?

These boats made David reminiscent of his sailing days...at the YMCA

Brunch at Kinsdale

The Matheson Family

I think Nicole may have been asking a medical question?

Leah's smiling at her mom. Chris is smiling at Leah.

What future bride...

can't use the latest copy of Martha Stewart Weddings?

Peek-A-Boo!

Isn't she the cutest?!

Pensive

Really, this could be the next Pottery Barn Kids cover.

Taryn just walks around Boston now with a single jazz hand.

Brian and Bridge

Good times!

Bride-To-Be!!!

Taryn and Dave got engaged this weekend!!! I am so happy for them. Selfishly, one of the best parts of Operation Engagement was that we were able share in the merriment. This past week Nicole called me and said, "Dave's coming home this Friday. It's going to happen. Is there any way you can come to Boston?" So, we planned a last minute trip (because honestly visiting is going to be more difficult come July) and headed to Boston. Thankfully my mom was up for watching the kids and we were able to coordinate with Bridget and Brian too. Taryn had no idea we were coming!

It makes me happy to see people I love happy. I know Taryn had been waiting for this day and Dave didn't disappoint. He had everything planned out (those finance people always do, don't they?) and the ring (if I can be a total girl) is stunning.

Here You Go Aunties...

It was fun to celebrate with some of my favorite people--Tarbear, Dave, Nicole, Chris, Bridget, Brian and David. Lots of laughs. We can't wait for the big day and are so thrilled for the happy couple.

I'm not sure who will be getting engaged next but might I suggest that you include David and I in your plans? I think we really add to the whole experience. :) KIDDING.

Here are some pics from the engagement night. There will be more pictures to follow and I'm not going to lie--they are mostly of Miss, Leah M. That baby is ridiculously beautiful. I keep telling Nicole and Chris that I will be her agent but they just won't take me up on it.

Me with the supermodel

You Are...

My Sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

Slainte

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I've always had an appreciation for language and wit. Perhaps it is rooted in my ancestry? Today, everyone is Irish. Hope you're all wearing green.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100317/NEWS0103/3170319/1005/ACC/Mary-s-Musings--Many-Irish-sayings-based-on-biblical-proverbs

Here's a few other ones I like:

-You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.

-Don't give cherries to pigs or advice to fools

-Here's to our wives and girlfriends: May they never meet!

-God invented whiskey to keep the Irish from ruling the world

-I can resist everything except temptation. ~ Oscar Wilde

And, if you're bored here's a scene from one of my favorite movies (The Quiet Man)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXQHWa5j-YI

PS Not trying to be preachy or religious with that first story--was more interested in the actual sayings!

Happy St. Patrick's Day (Early)

Yesterday afternoon we decided to check out our friend's dad's band at the Buffalo Irish Center. The place was packed when we got there. There is a HUGE Irish population in South Buffalo. Anyhow, at first we didn't think we would stay long because it was so crowded and hot. Once the band started though, the crowd seemed to get more manageable. The kids LOVED it. They went up in the front and danced with lots of other little kids.

In Our Celtic Attire

Gerken's dad is the guy in the middle wtih the beard.

You can see all the kids in green having a great time.

Dancin' a Jig


The quality of this one isn't the greatest but I like how Jack was dancing with his sister.

Jack Mid Jump

She fits right in, no?

Taking a break

Lily wasn't sure to make of John. Lately she gets a little timid around people.

The Sesame Street Live

We went to "The Sesame Street Live" yesterday (as Jack calls it) and had a great time! Both kids loved the show and sat for the entire performance. The show is really cute and features alot of Sesame Street songs and almost all of the popular characters. We had terrific seats. Lily kept saying, "ELMO!" And Jack sang right along with the characters and applauded after each number. Did I mention that the kids sat the entire time and there were no meltdowns or tantrums in spite of all the Sesame Street merchandise being hurled at us (that we refused to buy). Afterward. the theater ceiling was littered with Elmo head balloons!

Ladybug Picnic

Could they be any cuter? No. They couldn't.

Lily looks like a doll sitting on my lap.

The show is about to start. I think Bert came out first

(dont' read too much into that statement).

This must have been an intense scene.

Lily was getting tired but still wanted to watch.

Happy Boy

Happy, Tired Girl