October 2021

After a weird hiatus in 2020, Halloween was officially back this year! It landed on a Saturday, which meant the kids didn’t have to start trick-or-treating until after everyone got home from work (and there wasn’t an annoying half-day of school where the kids are ready to start at noon!).

Since we’re still in a pandemic, instead of having pre-trick-or-treating pizza at our house, some neighbors arranged a block party on Brentwood beforehand.

Lauren went as the Grim Reaper. She had decided this spring that that’s what she wanted to be, and stuck with it. I’m trying not to think too much into it. And Sophie went as some sort of deranged jester. After spending about an hour in the costume store, it was what she landed on.

After last year, where there were few houses, and really few kids, who were participating in trick-or-treating, the neighborhood went all out and the girls cleaned up!

The Sharps came over for the festivities and to give candy out at our house.

We’ve had a very mild fall, so the weather was lovely all night.

October 24, 2021

Happy 96th Birthday, Nana!

To celebrate her 96th birthday, Nana rented a beautiful waterfront house in Rock Hall (how convenient!) for the whole family. Between our house and the rented house we were able to have the whole group together. Some people were there for a whole week, and others just the weekend. We didn’t want to take the kids out of school (they’re far enough behind as it is), so we were part of the weekend crew.

It was a beautiful fall weekend and we spent a lot of it outside.

Lauren and Ari got a lot of time to play and love each other. The time together is never long enough for those two.

The great-grandkids also got in some good Gigi time.

We had a big Italian birthday dinner on Saturday night and I made an apple bourbon cake for dinner. It was a very happy and festive celebration!

We also got in some sailing. Dave captained two crews. On Saturday there was wind and they were able to do some sailing. Doug, Vicki, Carly, Chris, Julia, Maithili, Dad and Sophie went on that trip. And on Sunday there was little wind, but it was still beautiful, so Mom, Becky, Dan, Maithili, me and all the kids went. It was Ari’s first time on a boat and at first she was nervous, but eventually got comfortable, and event went up to the bow to sit with Sophie for a bit. We toured around the harbor and enjoyed some wine and snacks. It was lovely.

On Saturday right before the birthday dinner there was a beautiful rainbow that spanned the entire back of the house. Very fitting.

Happy 96th Birthday, Nana!!

October 12, 2021

School Pictures 2021

school picture

Picture Day! The school year has been going well and everything is running almost normal – the kids still need to wear masks all day, lunch is physically separated in the gym or outside – but for the most part it feels pretty normal.

October 3, 2021

Rock Hall Fall Tri Weekend

The first weekend in October was the annual fall triathlon in Rock Hall. The event was cancelled last year, so this was the first year back since 2019. Sadly I’m still on the long road to recovery so was cheering on the sidelines this time, which was also a lot of fun.

The Morris’ came down for the weekend and Don did the race with Dave.

The start was a little different this year, with everyone lining up and jumping in one at a time. This was the first year that Dave wore a wetsuit and it was pretty terrible for him. The suit was too tight and he had trouble breathing. He didn’t swim nearly as fast as he has in past years, but fortunately made it up on the bike ride.

He ended up doing pretty well, coming in 4th in his age group. And Don did really well, placing third in the Clydesdales category.

Don placed 3rd in the Clydesdales category!

Petunia also felt she deserved recognition, although we all know she can’t swim, and really is pretty terrible on a bike too.

It was a quick weekend, but we did manage to get in some good Rock Hall time with a walk to the beach for sunset and a sail on Sunday after the race. October is beautiful down there, and the weekend did not disappoint.