Ariana

We’re a few good weeks into summer and have been enjoying every second of it. At the end of May we went down to Charlottesville for a visit. As always, the cousins loved spending time together.

Lauren, Ari, and Sophie strolling downtown. 
And then for Memorial Day weekend we headed to Rock Hall with the our friends John, Crystanl and their daughter Bella, and Pete, Leslie and their kids Hudson and Rose. The weather was still a little chilly, so there wasn’t a lot of beach time, but everyone still had a lot of fun. 

 Below Hudson, Bella, and Lauren keeping warm with a blanket at Waterman’s Crab House. And Sophie, Lauren, and Bella “fishing” off a little marsh dock.

We went back down to Rock Hall in June for a weekend with the Sharp and to check out their new power boat, which they got to make their trip to the Bahamas later this year. It was a blast. The girls jumped off the side of it for about an hour strait. 
This was the first time Lydia came to Maryland and she had a great time. The weather was warm and beautiful and we spent time at the beach and on the boat. For Father’s Day we had a BBQ on the boat and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. It was perfect. 
And on a recent Friday night we all cooked at the Gift of Life Family House. Here we are with the meal we prepared. We decided on Greek, which seemed doable for a group of 45. We had to scramble at the end, but we did it – and it was delicious. 
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We headed down to my parent’s house in Virginia for Thanksgiving this year. We had the usual group of folks: Doug, Vicky, Carley (no Quinn b/c she’s still on her gap year), Nana, Becky, James, and Ariana. We were also joined by Tom and Ginger this year. Dave cooked the bulk of the dinner – as he always does – and it was delicious! 

 Mom and Dad also took the opportunity to snap their Christmas Car pictures with their three grandkids
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This year we went to Charlottesville for Easter. We had a little break in the cold weather – enough to have an Easter egg hunt on the campus of UVa. And another one back at Mom and Dad’s house. Never enough candy, right? 
Here are the girls in their Easter best on The Lawn

Almost the whole crew

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As is the tradition in this family, we extend birthday’s for as long as possible. And Lauren’s was no exception. She had an early celebration at school, before the holiday break, and then a small family party on her actual birthday, and then a larger family party in January, which was a dual celebration with Ari. I feel you can never celebrate enough.

In a Montessori classroom the birthday celebration involves the birthday child walking around a candle (which symbolizes the sun) holding the earth as many times as he or she is old. During that time the teacher talks about what has happened each year during the child’s life. Here her teacher Mr. Patrick (or pronounced Mr. Pack-rich by Lauren) is describing her life so far. 

Sophie was invited to join in the celebration from her classroom next door.

And then there was the family party with Ari. Here’s Mom, Brittany and the birthday girls

Preparing for “Happy Birthday” 

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We were down in Virginia this year for Thanksgiving. It was a big crew, as usual. Doug, Vickie, Quinn, Carley, Nana, our friends Carl, Amanda, Gianna, and Ella from North Carolina, and Aleen and Yvonne were all there.

We deep fried the turkey again this year. It think it might be the 5th or 6th year we’ve done that. It’s always delicious. Doug was the turkey master again. I think he waits all year for this. He was out there for hours getting the oil and the turkey just right. But time worth spent because it was super tasty.

Doug lowering the turkey

The weather was amazing and we got to spend a lot of time outside. We took a few hikes and just enjoyed my parent’s amazing property. It was also an opportunity to try and get a cousin picture. Alas, more failed attempts… Why they can’t all smile and look at the camera at once is beyond me.

Ariana is highly skeptical of her cousins. 
Lauren has clearly had enough. 

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We just got back from the annual 4th of July week in Ocean City, NJ. It was wonderful and relaxing, as always. No surprise that Lauren was in heaven running in and out of the waves and playing in the little baby pool alongside the adults. Sophie also had a great time digging and hanging out with Quinn and Carley and their friends (“the girls”). We lucked out with great weather, except for Hurricane Arthur, which came through on Friday for a few days, and unfortunately caused the fireworks to be cancelled. Overall a great getaway!

Lauren happy as a clam – taking a break on the beach chair

Pap Pap giving Sophie some kite flying instruction
Beach-loving kids

Nana with her 3 grand babies 
Lauren rode the Carousel for the first time…

And so did Ari.

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We made a quick trip to Virginia last weekend. The girls got to see their cousin Ariana, and Dave and I got to enjoy some Virginia wine tasting. All in all a great trip!

Lauren doing her favorite thing – playing in water

Me with Ariana, who is 6 months, and Lauren, who is right now very into clutching (and not letting go) blankets. 

An attempt at a cousin picture. At least we got one where no one is screaming (I’m looking at you Lauren). 

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We spent Easter down in Virginia again this year. On Saturday we had a BBQ with a bunch of Becky and my friends and their kids. It was madness, but a lot of fun, including a piñata that Becky and Jack made.

Sophie and Lexi
On Saturday night Ariana was baptized at an Easter service. It was a really pretty service, with the whole congregation holding candles during the beginning part of the service. Doug and Vicki are the god parents and presented Ariana at the front of the church. 

And Sunday morning there was of course an egg hunt! Here are Quinn, Carley and Sophie with their winnings… 

The three cousins! 

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On January 6th Becky & James welcomed Ariana Rose into the world! She was born at 2:47 pm and weighed just 6 lbs 6 ozs and was 20 inches long. We all went down for a visit the following weekend to meet her. She’s such an adorable little peanut!

 Sophie LOVES her new cousin. She was so excited to hold her, and kiss her, and hug her… She even brushed her hair, which she has quite a bit of. 

I get to go back down in a few weeks to visit again, and I can’t wait! 

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