On December 14 we lost my sweet Nana. She was 97 years old.
She had been sick for a few days with Covid, but was getting better and was actually back home at Bellingham. It was very sudden and a surprise to all of us.
I’m so grateful that we had just spent some good time with her to celebrate her birthday in October and at Thanksgiving in Virginia. She was a regular on the weekly Rainer family zoom calls on Sunday nights and I felt like I was closer with her these last few years because of that.
She was the matriarch of this family and will be deeply missed.
My Nana turned 95 of October 28th. She had wanted to have a big party, but since that’s not possible this year, instead we all went to the beach! Nana rented the family four houses close to each other in Ocean City and we all spent time together outside – on the beach or on porches. Since the girls are now in in person school, we went town for a few days, came back for school, and then went back down.
Unfortunately we only had one nice day of weather – pictured below – where the girls were able to get in bathing suits and play in the sand.
The rest of the time was cold and rainy, but we still enjoyed it as much as possible!
one day we were the only people on the entire boardwalk!
hot chocolate on the boards
We had two mini “parties” for Nana, since not everyone could be there the entire time. One night we had one at our beach house with cupcakes and balloon hats.
Maithili, Dan, Vicki, Doug, Mom
The birthday girl!
in a balloon hat, of course!
Our girls and Ari had to do virtual school while they were there, which was somewhat challenging. Who wants to work while you’re at the beach?! But Ari did participate in Lauren’s class Halloween party, which was pretty fun.
Freeze dance Halloween party
While the weather wasn’t great, we all tried to spend time on the beach, especially Nana who love to just look out at the water.
Nana in her happy place!
On the last night we celebrated Dad and Julia’s birthday, which are both the first week in November.
Happy Birthday, Julia and Dad!
It was really a fantastic week, filled with family and celebration and reflection. While we couldn’t have a big bash this year, in my opinion this was so much better. We all got to see each other, which hasn’t happened in a while, and we all got to be in one of our favorite places. We were able to spend time together, and alone, and really appreciate where we are right now – which is not where anyone expected to be, but also finally together at last.
It’s official. I’m 40. While I competed in the last two triathlons in the 40-44 age group, I knew I was still in my 30s! (despite what was written on the back of my calf). Alas, it’s no longer true.
Because I believe birthdays should be a weeks long celebration, that’s exactly what I did!
My birthday present from Dave was a violin. I’ve been renting one since I started taking lessons about three years ago. It’s pretty cheap and I since I think I’m going to stick with it, I wanted to get a nicer one. My teacher recommended a violinmaker in Philly and that’s where I went. His typical clients are definitely more along the lines of professional musicians, so I think he was a little surprised to see me, but also super nice and helpful. His name is Christopher Germain and here he is putting the finishing touches on my violin!
Later in the week Doug and Vicki hosted a big family birthday party at their house. It was a combined birthday celebration because Dick and Joan both turned 70 recently, and then there are the slo of July birthdays. In addition to me, Mom, Becky, Vicki and Maithili all have birthdays in July.
This is 40!! Which naturally calls for a tiara.
Becky and me
Joan & Dick both turned 70 recently
After the party Mom, Dad, Becky, Arian, Doug, Vicki, Quinn, Carley, and me and the girls all went to Eagle Rock in the mountains of PA. It was really pretty and relaxing. Here are a few shots from our stay there. It’s the first time I’ve ever tried the paddle board and it was super fun.
We were also there for mom’s actual birthday. She turned 64.
My actual birthday was pretty low key, which is exactly how I wanted it. Dave and the girls turned our dining room into a French Bistro and they made a delicious dinner. Here’s the menu. It was all delicious and capped off an excellent few weeks of birthday celebrations!
On Sunday we celebrated my Nana’s 93rd birthday with a party at Doug and Vicki’s house. Nana just got back from a two month trip to Scotland, Sicily, and Greece. Not too shabby for a 93-year-old. Doug and Vicki were with her in Scotland, and then Diane and Richard were with her in Sicily and Greece. She doesn’t fly any more, so she took the Queen Mary II back and forth between New York and London.
Here’s the birthday lady. Looking dapper coming right from church to the party.
Becky, mom, and me with Nana.
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She had a little help from the grandkids to blow out the candles.
Ari, Nana, Sophie, Lauren, Kishore, and Ashwini. What a cute crew!
More pics from the day – Becky and me, and mom with her grandkids
Earlier in the day we also went and visited Pappap’s grave at Valley Forge Park. He was buried there eight years ago, but never had a headstone. The kids and grandkids all chipped in and had one made, and it was just placed last weekend, so we all went to see it.
Although it took a while, it was really good to see and felt like good closure for everyone.
While we were spending the week in Argentina, the girls went with each set of grandparents for a week of fun. Lauren headed to New Jersey to spend time with Mom Mom and Pop Pop. Here’s the happy girl…
And Sophie went to Disney World with Nana Nana and Pappap, where she was in princess heaven. Here she is with Princess Jasmine (I like the attitude)…
And Snow White.
And she celebrated her birthday (again) with a Cinderella cake during her lunch with all of the princesses. I’m not sure we’ll be able to top this birthday!
Three days after Christmas we celebrated Lauren’s first birthday. My parents came up from Virginia and the Sharps came in from New Jersey. It was a small family get together, which was perfect right after the big holiday. It also prompted us to un-decorate Christmas and decorate for a birthday party.
Here’s the birthday girl in her special birthday hat
This bouncer was a Christmas present, but she was still enjoying the heck out of it on her birthday.
Let her eat cake! Chocolate cake to be precise. She liked it too.
We just got home from a weeks vacation down south. Our good friends Carl & Amanda moved to Winston Salem, NC last year and we finally got down to visit them. Sophie had a fabulous time with their daughter Gianna, who is older and therefore much more fun than any of us to hang out with.
The very first thing they did when we arrived was to pull out the fancy dress clothes. Perfect for swinging… white gloves and all.
We went for a “walk in the woods” (not quite a hike with the little ones), and Gianna was sure to show Sophie the way. Of course, she couldn’t do everything that big kids can do – like stream jumping. One day…
Before and after NC we stopped into Charlottesville to break up the ride. My dad hung the swing that was his, mine & Becky’s and now Sophie & Lauren’s in the backyard. Sophie enjoyed it very much.
This was a week of many firsts for Sophie. Here she is tasting her first honeysuckle.
Group shot with Grandma.
After the second swing through of Charlottesville we headed to Shenandoah, Va. where we rented a cabin for a few days with my parents. They had a canoe at the house that Dave and Sophie went out in it a few times…. her first canoe ride.
Dad, Mom & Lauren
Another first… Sophie’s first fish! And the only fish caught the whole weekend. With a stick, fishing hook and dental floss no less!
And the last – and probably most enjoyable first – Sophie’s first s’mores experience (which was actually on the deck at Carl & Amanda’s house). Here’s a shot of Pap Pap giving her some instruction at the cabin.
Me and the girls…
What a great vacation! Relaxing and adventurous all in one week.
We went down to Virginia for Easter this year. It’s the first time we’ve been down there in a long while. It was a great weekend visiting with family and friends. Sophie got to hang with the big girls when we visited with Darby, Mary & Kaylee.
Lunch with the girls
Darby & Mary have pet goats and Sophie got to feed them.
Darby with Lauren
Mary practicing her big sister skills
Sophie and Nana dyed Easter eggs outside in the beautiful weather. Unfortunately Easter day was not so nice, but the day before was excellent and we spent as much time outside as possible.
Lauren as the baby Easter bunny
Sophie enjoyed a solo Easter egg hunt in the yard. It was a pretty nasty day, so it was a quick hunt.
This weekend my Nana, Sophie and Lauren’s great grandma, finally go to meet Lauren. She was in India for Dan’s wedding when she was born, and then spent a few weeks in Venice after that. As it so happens, she was also in Venice when Sophie was born. It’s her favorite place after all.
Lately Sophie isn’t fully dressed without a princess dress
Last weekend the Coughlin clan was up for a visit and on Saturday aunts, uncles and cousins also came in for a quick hello. Lauren and Sophie loved the attention 🙂
Becky & Lauren
Maithili is a natural…
Dan too
With Nana & Pap Pap
Quinn entertained us all with a reading of the Pout Pout Fish… in an English accent of course.
 
