Cousin Camp 2011

Calling all of my kids' cousins!

I am planning on being at Mom and Dad's from July 13-23 and I want to work in some Cousin Camp from July 17-20 (tentatively). I know that the East Coast contingent will be absent this year, but hopefully Bonny's kids and Harry's kids will be available for at least part of it.

I am already thinking of fun activities and I can't wait to be able to spend time with my nieces and nephews!

We are a happy family

Just a few of my favorites!

Family Christmas Party - Part 2 of many

the annual nativity

Family Christmas Party - Part 1 of many

Shower ing Hannah

What an event it was!


The bride to be - but she can't use the towels, and neither can Robbie.

The now traditional gift from Phoebe and Bonny


Grandma - spry as always

Eliza - our visitor from afar


Dawn - excellent hostess




Ara, as a bride






A bit spooky to see my daughter dressed as a bride, albeit one swathed in toilet paper.


These photos are courtesy of the ever fabulous Kelly. There are more here.

A Few More.....

I was doing laundry and it reminded me that I hadn't posted our Crestline pix -

And we ate

But not at the Saloon because Noah is underage and we felt bad leaving him out in the parking lot.

Thanks for babysitting Grandpa and Grandpa

PS Don't make fun of the photos. It was the best I could do. I was trying to get the dish towel dresses into the photo.

An affair to remember

Here is what I am going to remember about this year's festivities:





Leftover spaghetti stored in grocery bags.

The Curse of the Marquis Diamond--aka--the 24-hour stomach flu that took very few prisoners. (title courtesy of Robbie)

A New Year's Eve wherein everyone went to bed at 9 p.m. (except Bonny who was cleaning up vomit).

Multiple trips to the laundromat by Bonny, Phoebe and David.

Theo screaming ALL night the first night at the cabin (after which Ella reported, "I woke up a lot but I don't think it was because of Theo").

Dad's telescope--ta DA!

The very chilly wind around Lake Gregory.

Mom and Dad sending us to a saloon to have French dip.

The waitress at the non-saloon place who wouldn't bring David an English muffin or Harry a chocolate malt without some sass.

David putting a diaper on Calvin while he was fast asleep and Calvin whispering, "Thank you"

Hannah and Robbie trying to get us to eat powdered sugar and lemon juice crepes and being sad when everyone chose Nutella instead.

Mom and Dad Wii-bowling.

Noah playing the blues by the fire (which made for very nice background music I must say).

Having fun together! Even if everyone wasn't all together all at the same time.

Anything to add??

Day of the Dad

I almost typed Day of the Dead - whoooops!

Wanted to give a shout out to an awesome dad - hope you have a happy day.

I think the top pic almost captures dad's willingness to be a team player and be part of the fun - something I VERY much appreciate.



Thanks for being a great example and inspiration.


We love you Dad!

Duly Blogged

East-coast Clayton party! On Saturday night the Virginia contingent met up with the Tennessee contingent at Union Station downtown. Joan and Fred treated us all to a very nice dinner at a restaurant in the Main Hall of Union Station. It was fun to catch up, chat, and have a nice little meal together. Conversation ranged from bridges to Davis to Germany to babies to blogging to Hannah's hair (everyone's a fan--of all of those things, actually).

I had never met BriAnna or Craig and I hadn't seen Scott in I don't know, maybe 10 years. They live in VA now, near Richmond while Scott is earning a master's degree in Fort Lee. Their second baby is due in May. Matt and Scott had never met. I hadn't seen Uncle Fred since our wedding or Aunt Joan in over a year, and I hadn't seen Kirsten since earlier that morning at my baby shower (which unfortunately I do not have pictures of, but it was fun and we got lots of great stuff).

If you're wondering where Kirsten is, she's behind the camera.

If you're wondering who everyone is, Bryan and Kirsten's kids are Isaac and Clara, and you can probably figure the rest out.

Thanks for dinner and a fun time, Joan and Fred!