Shopping for Claire!

Had soooooo much fun today. Went shopping for Clarie and found so many cute things. I can't wait to see her in them. Her Christening is in a week and I will be taking loads of pictures. In the meantime, here is a really cute picture of her.

Now I ask you, have you ever seen such big blue eyes? I think not! Cute as a button and did I mention she has dimples. From her Nana by the way.

Mother's Day Festival!

Boy I am one lucky Mother! I got to go to dinner with my oldest daughter on Saturday, had brunch with my youngest daughter and son-in-law on Sunday and the following Saturday I got to see my sons and grandchildren! (And my daughter-in-laws!). Life is good.

Nicholas painted a birdhouse for me and it is really one of my very favorite things. I immediately put it up outside. Tara and Jack got me a Claddagh ring with my birthstone and I don't think I will ever take it off. It is one of those things that makes me happy whenever I look at it. Also got a HUGE bunch of flowers that are really beautiful. Had a great time and it was wonderful to be able to see all of them.

I think they are the primary reason Tom and I don't move to a warmer location because I don't think I could take being away from the kids and grandkids. I love them all so much.

Our Claire is changing daily! She is a very healthy baby, really has the cutest little chubby folds! She is even more beautiful than the day she was born. She is soooo blond and her eyes are really blue. I can only imagine the beauty she will become in her teens. Nicholas and her Dad will have their hands full keeping the boys away from this one. And, I might mention, her Grandfather is extremely happy that everyone thinks she looks like him. However, the really blue eyes and dimples come from her Grandmother!

Here are some new pics of Grandpa and Claire, Aaron and Nicholas, Jack (The Godfather) and Claire and Claire herself.

Hope all you mothers had a great day.

Back from New Orleans!

Tom and I have decided that next year on the Friday before we leave for New Orleans, neither one of us are going to get out of bed. We're just going to stay put and only get up on Saturday when we are ready to leave! Two years ago on the Friday before we were to leave for New Orleans, Tom got hit on his motorcycle and ended up with some very serious injuries and therapy and pain which continues to this day.
On Friday, I got home from Pittsburgh and slipped down two steps onto the patio and broke my ankle in two places. Not a happy camper. However, there was no way I was going to miss going to my imagined homeland so we borrowed a wheelchair from the neighbor and brought crutches (of which we have several pairs thanks to the kids) and left at 4:00 a.m. on the 2nd.
Needless to say, New Orleans is not very wheelchair friendly. The sidewalks are all slate and very uneven. However, we persevered and made it to Monday when we talked with the doctor who faxed over a prescription for a boot so that I could at least walk a little.
Looking back, probably not the brightest idea I've ever had. The foot swelled and turned a lovely shade of black and blue. The pain was deferred thanks to a wonderful prescription and several alcoholic beverages! (NOT taken at the same time!).
Today we see our doctor and hopefully he will say all is healing nicely and no surgical intervention will be necessary.
New Orleans was fun and it was great to have Kate and Dave and Dave's brother and girlfriend and a couple of Kate and Dave's friends down there. We all had a good time. Tom even managed to make friends with a homeless person. In case you were wondering, yes there was alcohol involved!
Didn't get to go to JazzFest but the kids did. They said it was great but very very crowded and expensive. Lots of major headliners so the cost really went up.
The food, as usual, was wonderful. Everyone managed to gain several pounds, even if I only had a couple of Pralines instead of my usual dozen or so!