Sunday Skyping with Rosie

Rosie got a new Rosie-sized chair!  And she loves it.

Rosie kept trying to give me a car from the Brio train set.  When I couldn't take it from her she tried putting it behind the computer screen - pretty clever thinking on her part.  (Sadly I still couldn't take it.)

She was on the move a lot during today's Skyping.  She took some time out to wrestle with her Dad.

Then it was back to her chair.

Here she is asking for a book - one of many words she has mastered in sign language. 

Bye until next week - love you all so very much.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

After a truly wonderful August week of family outings, Jonathan, Cara, Emily and Presley returned to Colorado, and Gus, Meara and Rosie went home to Oregon.  Karen and I were exhausted but we all agreed it was a great visit.  So here are some more photos from our week of family time.

Gus and Meara were not in New York just to see family.  Gus' best friend since 6th grade got married.  Sadly I have no photos of Gus in his suit but here's one of Meara and Rosie on their way to the ceremony.  Meara made Rosie's adorable dress.

While Gus, Meara and Rosie went to the wedding I waited in the motel until I got the call to go for Rosie.  I brought her back to the motel while her Mom and Dad partied.  It was such a treat for me to have that time with Rosie.  We played and read books, had some dinner.  And then Rosie fell asleep in my arms - I was a very happy Gromma.

     

On one of the last days we all met at 5 Rivers in Delmar.  It is an environmental education center and there are several trails to hike.  5 Rivers was a favorite place when Jonathan and Gus were growing up.  

How cute is Presley!

After the hike we went to the public building which hasn't changed much through the years.  Karen asked the attendant to take a group picture.

After our hike we went to a small restaurant that also holds many memories for all of us who grew up in Delmar.  The food has always been mediocre while the homemade ice cream is, and always has been, yummy.  But the real draw of the Toll Gate is pure nostalgia.  

And on my very last day with Gus and Meara and Rosie we went up to Saratoga.  Gus and Meara met in Saratoga, and they were married there, so more happy memories.  We spent some time in the park where there was a small crafts fair, and there were ducks - Rosie loves ducks!

Meara met up with her friend Eloise who got to meet Rosie for the first time.

A perfect week had to come to an end ... but we all have lots more memories to treasure.

Sunday Skyping with Rosie

Rosie has a bit of a cold but she was in a cheerful mood for Skyping.  She chattered to me quite a lot.  She seems like such a big girl now - no more baby.  She is surely a happy girl when she's upside down or having her belly buzzed.

Second or Once Removed?

Back in August we had a wonderful week of family time.  

Gus and Meara and Rosie came from Portland.  Cara and Jonathan (Karen's son) came from Denver.  Emily (brother Fred's daughter) and 2 year old Presley also came from Colorado.  It was so great to have the 3 cousins together again.

This reunion of cousins made us wonder - what's the difference between 2nd cousins and cousins once removed?  So we Googled and we learned that Presley and Rosie are 2nd cousins as they are the children of 2 first cousins.  

Jonathan is Rosie's and Presley's 1st cousin once removed (one generation apart).  Meara would be cousin-in-law to Jonathan and Emily, and Meara is Presley's 1st cousin-in-law once removed (I think).

Whatever the relationship there was lots of family and lots of fun.  On the Sunday of that week we all went to my Dad's.  Everybody had cameras to commemorate the occasion.

Rosie had a tour of Poppie's park-like backyard.

   As noted ... lots of pictures!

Poppie was 90 in June and Karen turned 70 just after this visit in late August, so of course we celebrated.

The whole week was a celebration.  And full of smiles!