Pool Party and Popsicles

Happy 4th!

I have been having the most glorious time with my mother in town. We took the journey to the west coat Saturday to spend time with my sister, niece and brother in law. I am so happy my sister is so close and we could all spend this holiday together. We indulged in all the traditional fourth of July festivities swimming, beer, barbecue, and fireworks.

happy hour at Haulover Sandbar

Happy Easter

I am so lucky to now have my sister and her family within driving distance. They have lived on the west coast of Florida for a little over a year but just 12 days ago they moved into a house of their very own. Despite having less than two weeks to move in my sis graciously invited our sister Ruthie and I to come over for Easter. We spent the entirety of today swimming in their backyard pool and stuffing ourselves with a cajun boil made solely by my ridiculously sweet brother in law. As we lounged in the pool he slaved away on our very untraditional Easter dinner. Thank you Scott!

Camp St John and St Augustine

  

Giving Thanks

How quickly the holiday came and went! After dating my boyfriend for almost five years I decided to spend this Thanksgiving with his family. The idea of attending has been quite daunting all these years because his holiday is not celebrated as a casual engagement at maybe an aunt's or grandmother's house, but a full blown family reunion. To accommodate everyone, an entire camp is rented out in Jacksonville, FL, a tradition which has been going on the last 22 years! It's obvious I was nervous, but after the six hour drive and the initial shock of meeting everyone . . . it was actually quite lovely. All seven of boyfriend's aunts and uncles were in attendance along with their families. Thanksgiving was celebrated, along with a christmas gift exchange, a bonfire, parents were remembered, and traditions were kept. Now that its over I am so happy I was able to meet boyfriend's family and see him with them; hanging out with his cousins, going to mass, chatting with his aunts and uncles. I saw a different side of him. As lovely as he always is, seeing him with his family has somehow made me adore him even more. There were so many highlights from the weekend but here are a couple that immediately come to mind . . .

1. Uncle Tony cooking

2. Joe and his harmonica 

3. The terror I felt when everyone started playing games.

4. Ballet talk with Mary Catherine

5. Pete's sense of humor

6. The three "new girls" participation in the Christmas skit. 

7. A baby announcement! Congratulations Tim and Audrey!

8. St Augustine

9. Pumpkin Ice Cream

10. Spanish Moss