O-H-I-O

Sybella is getting ready for Homecoming this weekend. She is quite the cheerleader: O-H-I-O!

Go Buckeyes, Beat the Golden Gophers (Minnesota)!

Breakfast with Grandma Cretella

While we were in Ohio this weekend for a wedding, we got the chance to have breakfast with David's Grandma Cretella. She met us at the Cracker Barrel to spend an hour with us before we drove back to DC. Here are some shots of her with Sybella and Cooper.

Nicole's Wedding

Tracy and I have known each other for about 10 years. I honestly can't believe it's been that long but it has. Seems that our kids have gotten older but we HAVE NOT. :0)

At any rate, when we met, I got to know Tracy's 2 daughters too (and Alan, her husband). Eventually, Tracy's oldest daughter started babysitting for us. She was great with the boys and our families became close. Nicole who has been known as "Miss Micole" because that's what Colin has always called her, became a regular around our house and we stayed close even when she started college and later moved to Ohio. We have been great friends with Tracy and Alan but I have also had a special relationship with the girls. I have always been a sorta "big sister" to them. As much as I can't believe it, Nicole is now 24 and her little sister Chelsea is 20! We don't all get to see each other often, but we had the awesome opportunity to spend time together this week. Nicole got married Friday Night. She was a gorgeous bride. Chelsea was a beautiful maid of honor. And Eric is getting a wonderful wife.

I looked at David after the wedding and remarked that I got a small glimmer during the ceremony of what it will be like to watch Sybella get married someday. It surprised me the emotions that I felt watching Nicole begin the amazing journey of marriage.

Here is a photo of Eric and Nicole sharing communion at the wedding. Chelsea is the Maid of Honor and Eric's Brother was the Best Man:

Great-Grandma Cretella's Birthday

This week I took the kids to Ohio to celebrate their Great-Grandma Cretella's 78th Birthday. She lives about 5 1/2 hours away in Niles, OH. (Audrey is David's Grandmother.) We had not seen her in a little a little over a year--since she came and spent Christmas with us. This week is Spring Break for the boys and they were itching to go on a road trip. So, Tuesday morning we got in the car and headed for the snow and cold of NE Ohio. We stayed with Luke and Kristin, David's Brother and Sister-in-Law; we always enjoy a visit with them and Uncle Luke will indulge the kids and play video games LATE into the night. (Aunt Kristin cooks for us and the girls hang out.)

On Tuesday night, we had a small SURPRISE party for Grandma Cretella. And I do mean Surprise. She had no idea we were coming. We just showed up at the front door. We spent time hanging out, playing with Sassy the dog, and catching up, along with eating her great birthday cake. We also got to meet Larry, a long-time friend of hers.

On Wednesday, we headed back home to DC; it was a very short visit. Even though delivery didn't seem to be approaching, I am in my 37th week of pregnancy and Cooper could decide to come at any time so, we had to keep it brief.

**If you click on the Mosaic, the pictures will enlarge for better viewing.